Page 25 of Anti Player

“I’m happy you found yourself a good man, but I’m a magnet for trouble.”

Ellie pinches her lips but she’s smiling. “You’re stubborn. I get it, but the right guy will come around at the right time. You’ll see, when the chemistry is there, it’s like magic happens.”

I laugh. “You’re clearly still in the honeymoon phase of your relationship, and I hope that lasts forever for you.” I take the last sip of my tea and place the cup in the sink. “Thanks. I better get my pessimistic self home.” I chortle.

“Fine, but I know I’m right, Maddie, you’ll see,” Ellie insists.

“Thanks so much for the talk,” I say and I lean in to hug her. “I’m really feeling a whole lot better.”

“Good.” Ellie nods.

“You have yourself a good night,” I tell her. “And I need to have you over for a meal sometime soon with your family.”

“That would be great. Looking forward to it.”

Ellie shows me out and I head back down to my brother’s apartment.

I will have to ask Brett for Kaleb’s number. I’ll call him tomorrow and let him know that the woman he is seeing is a psycho. Then I need to remind myself that even though he’ll be free, he is not going to be free to me because I am not going to think of Kaleb in any way other than friendship.

CHAPTER

SIX

Kaleb

I arrive early for my coffee date with Taylor. I’m feeling off so I pace a little before she arrives, thinking how I am not excited to see her. It’s just a second date and I don’t really know her, but I’m not feeling a spark. She walks up to me wearing a cute little sundress.

“You look pretty,” I compliment. It’s the truth.

She pauses and stares at me strange. Are compliments not the way to go with this girl?

“Thanks,” she says, and her head tilts a little to the side like she is gauging me. I reach over and peck her cheek, not knowing exactly what she is expecting from me.

The kiss buys me a smile. “Should we go inside?”

“Yes.” She smiles and whatever apprehension she must have been feeling dissipates.

We get seated across from each other at a table and we both talk about our day.

Taylor tells me she was a server at a bat mitzvah, and I tell her about hockey camp. I don’t mention my friend Maddie is working for the same catering company. I don’t know why I don’t mention it. It doesn’t seem relevant, or maybe me saying Iknow Maddie is personal because she is someone who I used to be close with. I’m not sure. What I am sure of is I need to stop thinking of Maddie while on my date with Taylor.

The server comes by and asks what we would like to order.

“I’ll have a tea with milk and honey,” I say.

“Should we get dessert tonight?” Taylor asks.

“I had pizza for dinner. I reached my carb allowance.” I wince.

“Problem with dating a professional athlete.” Taylor rolls her eyes to the server.

“OMG, I thought it was you, but I wasn’t sure. I didn’t want to be rude and ask,” the server gushes. “I need your autograph, OMG, OMG.” She waves her hands in front of her face.

“If you feel like dessert, go for it,” I say to Taylor, since the server has run off behind the cash register, probably looking for some form of paper and a pen.

My gaze is on the server walking, or more like charging back to us, holding a pen in the air. “Got it.”

I’ve had some uncomfortable interactions with fans, ranging from someone locking me in a hug to patting my ass, so I am on high alert.

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