Page 12 of Playing with My Heart

“Exactly.” I smiled, feeling a kinship that transcended our professional roles. He seemed to understand me in ways that no one else ever had. Not even David.

“Travis,” I began, hesitating as our eyes locked again. “Today was—it was more than I expected.”

“Unexpected in a good way, I hope?” His tone was light, yet there was an undercurrent of something deeper.

“Definitely good,” I assured him, my heart skipping a beat. “Thank you for showing me around.”

“It was my pleasure,” he said softly.

The hum of the car engine was soothing after spending the day immersed in the noisy city. I leaned my head back against the seat, a contented smile playing on my lips. I turned my head, staring at his profile while Chicago’s night lights blurred outside the window. “Thanks again for today. I can't remember the last time I laughed this much.”

“Anytime. I had a great time too,” Travis replied. “It’s been a while since I visited some of the better places our city has to offer. It’s too easy to take them for granted when you live here, I suppose.”

I nodded my understanding then turned back to look out the windshield as the car slowed down. As we pulled up to my apartment building, a sliver of guilt wedged itself into my chest. David should have been the one making me laugh today, not Travis. And yet, throughout the hours spent exploring and eating and laughing, my boyfriend had barely even entered my mind.

“See you at work on Monday?” Travis asked as he parked the car, pulling me from my reverie.

“Of course,” I assured him, though part of me wished I could rewind and relive this day all over again. I stepped out onto the curb, the cooler night air almost refreshing after the warmth of his car.

“Goodnight, Parker,” Travis called out, his tone conveying a hint of something I couldn’t quite decipher.

“Night, Travis.” I offered him a final wave before darting up the front steps of my building. He waited until I was safely inside before pulling away from the curb.

David still wasn’t home when I got inside our sparsely furnished apartment, so I slipped out of my jeans and into a pair of well-worn sweats that still smelled faintly of fabric softener. My eyes landed on a box in the corner and my fingers brushed across the label markedMemories. I hesitated, contemplating whether to dive into unpacking or leave it for another day.

Determined to make progress, I tore open the flaps, revealing photo albums and trinkets from my life before Chicago. But as I arranged video game consoles and slotted old DVDs into their new homes, my mind kept betraying me, wandering backto Travis. To his sun-kissed hair and his infectious laugh that seemed to resonate in a place deep within me.

I forced myself to focus on the task at hand. Shuffling through a box labeledBooks, each novel I pulled out was a reminder of quieter nights with David. I sat down on the floor, back against the couch, surrounded by memories in physical form, but my treacherous mind returned again to Travis. The way his easy smile, his ability to make even the smallest things fun, the warmth of his arm as it casually brushed against mine. It was electrifying, this new camaraderie, and the realization hit me hard—I hadn’t felt this kind of excitement in a very long time.

“Fuck,” I whispered, the word slipping out like a secret confession. Was this what I’d been missing? This thrill of connecting with someone who shared my passions, my dreams? With David, our conversations had grown practical, the spontaneity of our early days replaced by schedules and routines.

I stood up abruptly, a restlessness overtaking me. Moving to the window, I watched the city lights blink, a silent witness to my inner turmoil. The image of Travis's easy smile persisted, unbidden and unwelcome, yet impossible to shake.

“David’s just busy, that’s all,” I tried to convince myself. “You need to spend some quality time together, reignite what you’ve always had.” But the words felt hollow, even to my own ears. David was incredible—a brilliant doctor, compassionate and caring—but when was the last time we’d really connected? Really laughed until our sides hurt or chased an adventure without a care in the world?

The reflection staring back at me from the glass was conflicted, caught between loyalty to the past and an unexpected spark that hinted at—what? Possibilities? A different path? “Shit.” I scrubbed a hand over my face, my heart a battleground of shoulds and what-ifs. I loved David; I did. But the time spentwith Travis had opened up questions in my mind. Questions that I couldn’t ignore, no matter how much I wished I could. I needed to figure this out. For David’s sake as well as my own.

The city hummed below, indifferent to my personal crisis, as I sank into the sofa once more, cradling my head in my hands. Tomorrow, I promised myself, tomorrow I would talk to David. Maybe schedule a date night with him. We’d find our way back to each other, rekindle what we had. More determined than ever, I set to work unpacking boxes.

Chapter Five

TRAVIS

The crack of the bat against the softball was as satisfying as the grin on Parker’s face when he sprinted to first base. “Not bad, Reyes,” I hollered from the dugout, clapping my hands, unable to keep the pride from my voice.

“Like riding a bike,” he shot back with a wink, dusting off his pants as he settled on the bag. The late afternoon sun cast an orange glow over the field, and I couldn’t help but think how right this felt—Parker and me, just two guys enjoying the game and that special bond that comes from playing on the same team.

I chuckled, glancing out to the field where Pete Landowski and his merry band of electricians were setting up for the next play. The rivalry between our two teams had been going on for the last five years. It was friendly as far as getting along when we were off the field, but when it was game time, there was quite a bit of trash-talk, both sides dead set on claiming a victory.

Kara’s husband, Troy, was the next one up to bat, and I could feel my anticipation beginning to build. Troy was one ofour strongest players. If anyone could help get Parker around to home plate, then it was him. I held my breath, my fingers turning white as they gripped the chain link fence that protected the players within the dugout.

The pitcher lobbed a fastball that would have flown over top the base with most players, but Troy’s stance was perfect, his focus zeroed in on the ball. He swung the bat, and I heard a loud crack! An audible gasp sounded from my teammates behind me as we watched the ball soar through the air, too high and too far for Pete’s team to catch it.

A cheer went up as Parker took off, rounding the bases like a pro. I kept my eyes on him, unable to tear them away. He was incredible, his movements fluid, and in those few seconds, I could believe that if an injury hadn’t sidelined his dreams, he would have made it into the Major League.

He stepped over home plate, followed a few seconds later by Troy. Kara ran out of the dugout and leapt into her husband’s arms, her legs and arms wrapped tightly around him as she peppered his face with kisses. Parker’s eyes scanned the dugout, searching, and my heart skipped a beat as they landed on me.

His smile was radiant, matching my own as he strode towards me. I tossed an arm around his shoulders and drew him in for a friendly hug. He smelled like sunshine, fresh air, and clean sweat, an intoxicating mixture that my body reacted to immediately. I quickly let go and took a step back, needing to get a fucking grip before I did something stupid—like lick the bead of sweat that was running down the column of his throat.

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