Page 26 of The Trouble with Players

Twice he’d come to my rescue. Twice he’d seen me weak. I needed to gain my footing again. That’s why all of this was happening in the first place. Everything felt so out of my control. My world was spiraling and nothing I did or said seemed to have the ability to stop it.

“My mom takes medication for hers,” he said.

“I don’t need it.”

“Well, if you’re ever alone and—”

“I said, ‘I don’t need it.’”

A long stretch of silence passed, and I hoped he was done talking for the night. My mind was mush, and my body was spent.

“Sam was looking for you,” he said.

“Did you tell him…”

“I said you went to bed,” he assured me.

I closed my eyes and exhaled. At least he wasn’t telling everyone my business.

“I think he was bummed you didn’t show up to the game,” he continued.

“I’m sure he didn’t care.”

“Oh, come on. You’ve gotta see that the guy likes you.”

“We’re friends,” I assured him.

“Right.”

Normally, I’d argue, but all my energy had been depleted from the panic attack. “He knows I don’t date baseball players.”

“If you say so.”

He didn’t believe me? “If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were jealous.”

“Maybe I am,” he said.

I rolled my eyes. Players didn’t get jealous. Players made people jealous. And then they stomped on their hearts.

“I missed sleeping next to you last night,” he continued.

“Oh, that was a good one. I can see how groupies would fall for your lines.”

“It wasn’t a line,” Crew assured me.

“Uh huh,” I said.

He didn’t respond. Neither did I. We were getting good at leaving the other with something to think about. I may have thought about it…until I fell asleep.

CHAPTER TEN

Sunlight poured through the windows in the guest room. A slight headache pulsed in my temples.

“Morning.”

I squinted as I looked to my left.

Crew lay on his back beside me with his eyes closed.

---