Page 364 of The Trouble With Bad Boys

“He knows I don’t want to date someone who is in the media all the time, not to mention dating one of my dad’s players is quite possibly the worst idea ever. Could you imagine family dinners? It would either be super awkward or full of baseball talk, and I can only handle so much.”

“Okay, so dating is off the table right now. Why not try being friends for a while? Build the trust and get to know each other, then you can see if you even want to try more than that or if it was just hot sex a few times.”

“Even as friends, if we go out anywhere, there will be pictures of us, there will be rumors and gossip, and I just can’t handle that again.” More time with Hendrix is tempting, especially if that time is spent without clothes.

“Harlow, you do realize that anyone could take pictures of us right now and start rumors and gossip, right?”

“What are they going to say, that I’m trying to steal you from your husband? It’s not the same and you know it.” I roll my eyes.

“You’re right, but if you don’t care what they say about us, why should you care what they say about you and Hendrix? What if it were you and Alex, or you and Jake? They would say the same thing, but are you telling me you just wouldn’t care as much?”

“No, because I know that there is no truth to whatever they would spin. I didn’t have sex with either of them, and they aren’t at risk of being traded for bringing too much drama and negative attention to the team.” The point is, I don’t want to be painted as someone who goes from one relationship surrounded in drama to another one with the same chance of drama. I don’t need anything in the media to impact my business or discourage people from coming to my studio.

“I won’t say anything else about it but just promise me that you’ll think about it. I think it’s unfair to both of you to miss out on whatever there is between you because you’re both scared.”

“I’ll ask him if he has time to do the sound system, but that’s all I can promise.”

“Fair enough. Now, tell me about your new place and when you get to move out of your dad’s house.”

Happy with the change of topic, I tell Zoe about the apartment the studio landlord found for me. It’s down the street from the studio and above one of the boutiques downtown. It’s small, but it’s perfect because it will be mine, and I won’t have to live with my dad anymore. I just have to wait three more weeks for that freedom.

Nine

HARLOW

Hendrix: You free tomorrow night?

Me: I don’t have plans, why?

Hendrix: Pick you up at 7?

Hendrix: Don’t say no. You know you’re curious about what I have planned.

Me: Curiosity doesn’t mean it’s a good idea.

Hendrix: Do you trust me?

Me: Not even a little bit. Send me the address and I’ll meet you there.

* * *

Shit. Why did I agree to go out with Hendrix? I should’ve told him I was busy, that this wasn’t going to work.

Staring through the window at the building in front of me, I wonder how much Hendrix would hate me if I turned around and left.

“You going to get out?” Hendrix’s voice fills my car from the passenger window.

“I haven’t decided yet.” Why is it that I don’t seem to have a filter around this man?

“I wasn’t sure if you were going to park or if you were just going to leave.”

Laughing, I turn to face him. He looks effortlessly sexy in his blue jeans and black t-shirt. “Honestly, I thought about it.”

“I thought so. Come on, Harlow, let’s go in before you try to run away again.”

Turning the car off, I climb out and make my way to the front where Hendrix is waiting. “That wasn’t too bad, was it?”

“Not yet.” I try to stop myself from scanning the parking lot for anyone taking pictures, for anyone who recognizes Hendrix.

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