Page 23 of Playing with My Heart

I nodded, suddenly aware of how long we’d been there and how late it was getting. As we said our goodbyes and made our way out of the stadium, the energy from the locker room seemed to linger, crackling between us like static electricity.

“That was amazing!” I said enthusiastically. “Thanks for introducing me.”

His grin was contagious. “No problem. I figured it was time they meet the other therapist who will be working with them.Plus, I was kind of hoping to put a smile on your face and I’m happy to see it worked. Now, what do you say we grab a pizza?”

The neon sign of “Luigi’s Pizzeria” cast an artificial glow over the sidewalk, inviting us in from the windy evening. The day had been a whirlwind of excitement and emotion, but now, as we settled into a booth by the window, exhaustion was creeping up on me like an unwelcome shadow.

“Two slices of deep-dish should hit the spot, right?” Travis said with his characteristic grin, sliding into the seat across from me. His energy seemed endless, his eyes as bright as the city lights outside.

“Sounds perfect,” I murmured, trying to muster enthusiasm, but my attempt fell flat even to my own ears.

Travis ordered for us both, his voice carrying easily to the counter. Then he turned back to me, his expression shifting to one of concern. “Hey, I don’t want to pry, but you’ve been quiet all day. Are you sure you’re okay?”

My gaze was fixed on the checkered tabletop, tracing the patterns absently. “Yeah. I just have a lot on my mind.” I lifted my eyes to meet his. “Sorry I’m not very good company.”

“Are you kidding? You’re great company, Parker,” he said earnestly. “And honestly, I look forward to our time together more than you might realize.”

His hand reached across the table, covering mine, and I was startled by the contact, by the sincerity in his voice. It was such a simple gesture, yet it sent warmth spiraling through me.

“Thanks for today. I really needed this,” I admitted.

Travis’s smile was warm, genuine. “Anytime, Parker. That’s what friends are for, right?” But as he said it, something flickered in his eyes—a depth of emotion that made my breath catch.

The server arrived just then with our pizza. Travis gave my hand a gentle squeeze before pulling away so she could setthe food down. We ate mostly in silence, the melty cheese and tangy sauce filling up the spaces between us. But inside, I was all tangled thoughts and confusion, the warmth of his touch replaying in my head.

When I finally made it back to the apartment, the door swung open to reveal David, already home. He looked up from the medicaljournal he’d been reading. “Where’ve you been?”

“Out with Travis,” I answered, watching him closely for any flicker of reaction.

“That’s good. I’m glad you’ve got a friend to hang out with.” His smile was brief as he returned his attention to his journal.

I stood there, keys still dangling from my fingers, watching David’s eyes scan the pages in front of him. The soft rustle of paper as he turned a page seemed to echo in the stillness of our apartment. I waited for—something. A question about my day, perhaps. Or maybe a hint of curiosity about why I was out so late. But nothing came.

Annoyance bubbled up inside me, a feeling I couldn’t quite place or justify. Why should I be annoyed that David trusted me? That he didn’t interrogate me about my whereabouts or company. Isn’t that what a healthy relationship looked like? And yet, a small, traitorous part of me wished he would look up. That he would notice the lingering scent of stadium hot dogs and cheap beer clinging to my clothes. That he would care enough to ask about the day I’d spent with another man.

I cleared my throat. “So, how was your day?”

David looked up again, his eyes taking a moment to focus on me, almost as if he’d forgotten I was there. “Oh, busy as usual. We had a tricky appendectomy come in, but it went well.”

I nodded, unsure how to respond. The distance between us felt insurmountable, despite standing just feet apart. The ring he’d offered last night weighed heavily in my pocket, where I’d stashed it this morning, unable to slip it onto my finger.

“That’s good,” I replied, my voice sounding hollow even to my own ears. “Well, I’m going to head on into bed. I’m tired.”

“G’night,” he responded absentmindedly over his shoulder, his nose already buried back in his medical journal. With a heavy sigh, I turned and headed towards the bedroom.

Chapter Nine

TRAVIS

The moment I’d pulled up to Parker’s place on Saturday, I could tell he was off. It wasn’t anything overt—his smile was still in place, his greeting warm—but there was a tension in his shoulders that didn’t sit right with me.

“Hey, man,” I’d said, trying to keep it light. “Ready for the game?”

“Sure,” Parker replied, but his voice lacked its usual luster.

As we drove, I’d snuck glances at him, watching the sunlight flicker over his features. He’d caught me looking once and raised an eyebrow, a silent question lingering in the air between us. I’d shrugged it off with a grin, not quite ready to admit even to myself why I couldn’t tear my gaze away.

“Chicago Cubs aren’t ready for us, huh?” I’d attempted humor, nudging his arm with my elbow.

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