Layne
WHEN THE LOCK clicks into place, I turn my back to the door and slide down it.
Did that really just happen?
Did Bryant Nash tell me he’s into me and wants to date me? Is there a connection? Hell yes there is. But for him, the guy who doesn’t do relationships, to change his thoughts, for me, is hard to swallow.
I’m a nobody. A single mom who owns a bar. I’m not glamorous. I wear jeans and T-shirts almost every day. I own one dress, and I wear it to everything requiring fancy clothes. He’s a Major League ball player. He’s hooked up with super models and actresses…
Why me?
Pulling myself from the floor, I make my way back into the kitchen and rinse our glasses, placing them in the dishwasher.
My life is normal.
Do I want to bring Bryant’s crazy life into mine? Yeah. I think I do. But I’d be lying if I said I’m not scared he’s going to break my heart. Like “rip it out, throw it on the floor, and jump up and down on it” kind of break.
I’m still trying to wrap my head around everything that happened with Gracie. Although she’s getting stronger every day, I’m still focused on her getting better. Leaving her with Garrett yesterday afternoon almost killed me. I almost asked if I could stay the night at their house so I could be near her.
As I expected, Gracie was ecstatic when she found out she was going to be a big sister. She had happily burst into tears and then flung herself at Chrissy. All she talks about now is getting ready for her new sibling. As happy as I am for them, the selfish part of me is still having a little bit of a hard time that they are getting their happily ever after and I’m still alone.
I can change that though.
The question is, do I want to change it with a man who has a huge heart, makes mine flutter and my insides clench, but who will be gone a lot for work and could break my heart in a huge way? Or do I want to change it with a man who is safe, kind, has an amazing job helping people, one that doesn’t require him to be out of town for weeks at a time, but that doesn’t quite make me feel the electricity like Bryant does?
“HI, MAMA,” GRACIE calls out from Garrett’s front door as I make my way to her.
“Hey, baby girl,” I reply, pulling her into a hug the moment I’m within reach.
“You’re squishing me,” she squeals through my embrace, wiggling around trying to free herself.
“Well, I missed you.”
My eight—going on eighteen—year-old rolls her eyes and replies smartly, “You saw me yesterday, Mama.” Her giggles echo through the house as we walk into the entryway of Garrett’s house.
It’s always made me feel weird to be in his house, but I’ll admit over the past few months, since I met Bryant actually, it has gotten easier.
“We’re in the living room,” Chrissy hollers.
Heading to them, Gracie laces her fingers through mine, swinging our arms back and forth as we walk. Her smile makes a lump lodge in my throat. A few days ago, I was terrified of losing her, and here she is, bouncing around like nothing happened.
“Hey, guys,” I announce as we breach the living room.
Chrissy hugs me quickly, ushering me to sit. Our relationship has really become so much more since Gracie got hurt.
“Gracie, why don’t you run upstairs and play with the new game you and Chrissy bought today. We need to talk to your mom real quick,” Garrett says in what I call his “dad tone.”
My eyes swing to Chrissy’s, but she is looking at Garrett, not giving anything about what they want to talk to me about away.
“Cool!” Gracie runs for her room, the one I know is covered in all things pink and sports. They really do make her feel like she has two complete homes. Not just a room at her dad’s house.
“All right. What’s going on? I mean, I already know you’re getting married and are pregnant. What else could there possibly be?” I joke.
Garrett’s smile is ridiculous.
“Did you watch the interviews they did with the Smoke players today?” Garrett asks with a shit-eating grin on his face.
“Um, no. I did some paperwork for the bar, went to the gym, then grocery shopping. Actually, I don’t think I even turned the TV on today. Why?”
The smile that is plastered on Garrett’s face spreads even further, which doesn’t seem possible.
“Well, I recorded it, because I thought you might want to see if it you hadn’t.”
He reaches for the remote on the table as my phone chimes. Garrett holds the remote in his hand, watching me as he turns the TV on.
I pull the text up that came in and my hackles immediately come up.
Bryant: Did you see the interview? :)
My eyes swing to Garrett’s, and he motions toward the screen.
When I see the frozen face of Bryant on the screen, my stomach clenches. How does seeing him on TV do that?
“Mr. Nash, tell us how the shoulder is holding up as we near the first game of the World Series.”
“It’s doing great,” Bryant replies, his signature smirk firmly in place.
“That’s good to hear. There has been some speculation that you’ll be sitting out the first game with the hit you took from Samuelson last week.”
“Nope, I’m right as rain. My surgeons were amazing and my shoulder is holding strong.”
I know he’s so full of shit, but he doesn’t want to give the other team any ammunition. If they know he has a weak spot, they’ll go after it.
“Baseball aside for a moment, rumor has it you are officially off the market.”
My attention snaps back to the TV.
“Not a rumor, John. Totally true.”
The Slam smirk is on full display, looking directly at the camera, he winks. That smug bastard. I can’t even remotely help the stupid smile that covers my face, and when I hear Chrissy giggle, my head snaps toward her.
“I told you he was talking about our Layne!” she squeals. The smile that’s taken over my face may be on the creepy side.
“Well, tell us about the lucky lady.”
My heart hammers in my chest. Is he going to say my name?
“Oh no. I’m keeping her to myself. She knows who she is. That’s all that matters.”
I know that look. He’s looking at the camera the way he looked at me right before he’s kissed me. That sultry smartass smirk.
“Well, there you have it, ladies and gentlemen. Bryant “Slam” Nash is off the market, and I think I hear hearts breaking all over the world tonight.”
Even though the video has stopped, and I can feel Garrett and Chrissy looking at me, I can’t tear my eyes away from the screen that is paused with his face on it.
“Something you wanna tell us?” Garrett asks, a smirk on his face.
I’m still trying to wrap my head around everything that’s happened in the past week. I don’t really know how to tell other people about it when I’m not quite sure what is happening myself.
“We have agreed to date.” There. That is true but not too much.
“Layne!” Chrissy screeches, causing me to cringe. “You’re dating a Major League Baseball player!”
“We’re dating, not getting married, Chrissy, calm down,” I whisper-shout. The last thing I need is for Gracie to hear her.
“I know, but it’s so exciting. I’m so happy for you,” she chokes out, grabbing my hands and pulling me to her.
“All right, let’s not go overboard. We may date for two weeks and realize we hate each other. You’re making way too much out of this.”
Just in time to save me from this conversation, Gracie comes tearing down the stairs.
“Mama, can we go? I remembered earlier I promised Odie I’d watch the new episode of Gravity Falls with him.”
“Her. Odie is a girl, Gracie,” Garrett laughs out.
“I know. Her. I promised her.”
“All right, kiddo. Grab your bag. We’re out.”
As she once again disappears up the stairs, Garrett turns his attention to me. “Are you going to tell her?”
“Not yet,” I reply quickly. “We’ve literally been on one date. Weeks ago. This could be nothing. I don’t want to introduce them and then him disappear because things didn’t work out. She has enough to deal with in our crazy lives.”
They both nod, and it makes me feel better they understand why I’m not telling Gracie yet.
Seconds later, she bounds down the stairs with her backpack.
“Let’s go, Mama!” she screeches. “I promised Odie.”
“All right, baby girl. Let’s go.” I usher her toward the front door, both Garrett and Chrissy following us to give goodbye hugs.
“I’ll see you tomorrow after school, sweetie,” Garrett tells Gracie as he hugs her tight.
Tasha is sick and Candi’s mom is having surgery, so I’m picking up an extra shift tomorrow night. I had no other option.
“Okay, Daddy. Love you,” she yells as she bolts for my car.
“Thanks again, you guys.”
“It’s never an inconvenience for her to come here. Anytime,” Chrissy responds before Garrett has a chance to.
I don’t reply. I don’t need to. They’re right. Our relationship, all three of us, may not be the norm for most, but it is perfect for us.
“We’ll see you tomorrow.”
Making our way out to my car, my phone buzzes in my pocket before we make it. I still haven’t responded to Bryant’s text about the interview, so it’s probably him. It can wait till I get home and get Gracie in bed. I’ve missed her, so we need to catch up.
Gracie fills me in on her day with her dad and Chrissy. They went to the zoo and walked around for hours. She’s tired and needs a good solid night of sleep before school tomorrow.
Before we even make it to the house, Gracie is passed out in the back seat. After pulling my car into the driveway, I take a minute to check my phone because she needs to get into a deep sleep before I try to move her. It’s almost her bedtime anyway, so I’ll carry her straight to bed, a feat that is getting harder and harder the bigger she gets.
Pulling my phone from my pocket, I can’t help the smile that takes over my face when I see the texts from Bryant, followed quickly by a sinking feeling in my stomach when I see another text from Malcolm.
Bryant: Why aren’t you responding? Did you marry the dickhead and run away together?
I assume he wouldn’t be texting me and asking about in the interview if he hadn’t been talking about me. Why would he text me if it was someone else that took him off the market? The thought that he announced to the world that he was dating someone exclusively, me, makes my stomach do that stupid girly fluttery thing again.
Malcolm: Good evening, beautiful. Would you be interested in dinner tomorrow night?
I really like Malcolm. He’s a great guy, he’s gorgeous, we get along well and seem to have a lot of common interests. But the feeling in my stomach tells me he is not the guy for me, and I’d be an asshole if I kept stringing him along.
Even if things don’t work out with Bryant, I’d rather be alone than to force a relationship with someone I’m not crazy about. He deserves more than that. I deserve more than that.
After getting Gracie into bed, I pour myself a glass of wine and head to my room to text them both back.
Malcolm first. I need to get this over with. Honesty is the best policy, right?
Me: There really is no easy way to say this, so I’m just going to throw it out there. I had a really great time with you, and you’re a really great guy, but I’d be lying by omission if I didn’t tell you I’m dating someone else.
I press Send before I can talk myself out of it. We deserve better than second best and us together would be second best. I’m doing the right thing.
I’m considering a smartass response to Bryant’s text when my phone chimes.
Malcolm: I see. Is he aware you went on a date with me as well?
So polite.
Me: Yes, he knows. I want to be completely honest with you. I feel like I’d be stringing you along if we continued to go out.
I set my phone down, take a sip of my wine, and start stripping out of my clothes. I need my comfy sweats on.
When I sit back down a few minutes later, he’s already responded.
Malcolm: I really think we have great chemistry. Are you sure you won’t reconsider?
Me: I’m sorry.
After a few minutes of no response, the tightness in my chest lifts a little. I hate hurting his feelings, but I won’t lie to him. He’s a great guy. I’m sure he has plenty of dating opportunities.
Opening Bryant’s texts, I see I’ve received another one.
Bryant: Soooooo…
I can’t help the chuckle that escapes me. Stubborn ass.
Me: Actually, I did run off and marry Malcolm. Too bad, so sad, Nash.
Bryant: Damn it. I TOLD YOU TO WAIT!
Me: Nice interview, Slam.
Bryant: Stop it. You know I hate that.
Me: Yeah, I do. So, declaring your undying love for me on national TV was a bust.
Bryant: There is nothing I wouldn’t give to be able to kiss the hell out of your smart mouth right now.
The memory of the kisses we’ve shared is burned into my brain. I can taste his bubble gum every time I think about it. I’ve dreamt of those kisses more times than I’ll ever admit. His roaming hands too. Those big, strong, calloused hands.
Me: Too bad you’re on the other side of the city or I’d let you.
Their GM rented an entire floor at a hotel near the stadium for the players, and they’re on lockdown since the first game is in two days.
Finishing off the rest of my wine, I nestle down in my sheets and wait for his response. When my eyes start getting heavy, I jump up and brush my teeth before I fall asleep.
Maybe he fell asleep. It’s getting kind of late.
Crawling back under the covers, I pull them up to my chin and snuggle deep. I love my bed. It’s the one thing I splurged on when I bought this house.
I must’ve fallen asleep because the buzz from my phone startles me awake.
Bryant: Sorry, I had to shower. What were you saying about kissing me?
Me: Nope, the moment passed.
Bryant: Can you call me? I really want to hear your voice.
I hit the Call button on his contact and the phone only rings once before he answers.
“Hey, gorgeous.”
“Hey,” I reply, my voice laced with sleep.
“Did I wake you up?”
“No biggie. It was a busy day, and I’m pretty exhausted.”
His deep voice does weird things to my body.
“Your voice is sexy when you wake up,” he notes.
“Thanks, I think.”
“Is it weird I’ll be playing in the most important games of my career starting in less than forty-eight hours and all I can think about is you?”
“Yes. It’s weird.” I laugh. “I promised not to run off and marry Malcolm. You should be focused on your playing. Remember, I’m a distraction you don’t need right now,” I emphasize. It’s kind of a low blow, but I’m actually serious. He needs to focus, not only for the win, but so he doesn’t get hurt. These players can be brutal.
“Everything about you is a distraction, but it was worse when I thought I’d lost my chance with you. I just needed a minute to realize, whether we’re friends or dating, you’re all I can think about.”
His words make me feel all warm and gooey. If he was here right now, I’d probably jump all over him.
“Bryant, you need to concentrate on your game.”
“I know. I’m focused but I needed to hear your voice tonight.”
“Well, you’ve heard it. Now go get some sleep.”
He chuckles before responding. “Can I call you tomorrow night too?”
“Sure, but I’ll be at work. Candi is taking care of her mom this week and Tasha’s been sick. I’ve been pulling both their shifts and mine too this week. Tasha said she’s probably ready to come back tomorrow, but I told her to take one more day. I don’t want her bringing whatever she has to work with her. If you call, and I don’t answer, it’s ’cause the bar is busy.”
“All right, beautiful. Get some rest. I’ll talk to you soon.”
“Okay. Good night, Bryant.”
“Night.”
How does he do that? My feelings for him went from a respectable seven to a super-hot ten in a matter of a three-minute phone call. I knew if I let myself get wrapped up in him it would consume me. It’s already starting.