Page 8 of Tame the Player

She puts on a fake smile. “I think I should give you space to heal. I know you want to focus on”—she waves her hand to my shoulder—“you know… everything. I don’t want to be the one to stand between you and getting back into the action.”

I don’t even hesitate. “I think that’s a good idea. I have a lot of doctor appointments, therapy appointments, and everything else. I need to focus.”

She nods and couldn’t be more obvious. “Right, and when you’re back on the team then we can catch back up.”

I grit my teeth because I know that’s not going to happen. “Right, well, I better get back to it.”

She’s completely clueless about everything. She doesn’t realize that I’m on to her. I know she was only wanting to date me because I’m a pro baseball player, and now that my future with the team is in question, she’s not interested. I’m not a fool, and I’ve dealt with plenty of women like her in the past. I go to the door and hold it open for her.

She walks toward it and stops in front of me. She presses her chest against mine, goes to her tiptoes, and tries to kiss me. I turn my head at the last second, and her lips go to my cheek. If she’s surprised, she doesn’t act like it. Her smile remains, and she gives me a wave and walks out the door. As soon as she gets outside, I shut the door and pull my phone from my pocket. My sister answers on the first ring. “Hey, bub, how’s it going?”

She’s got that worried tone in her voice again. “I’m good. I need Catherine’s number.”

She’s silent and then softly answers. “I can’t give you her number. Why didn’t you ask her for it when she was there?”

I lean my head back against the wall and hold in my groan. I didn’t get her number because I thought she would say yes. I dangled the carrot, offering her an obscene amount of money, so who would have thought she’d have to think about it? “Have you talked to her? Is she taking the job?”

Chrissy laughs. “You said you didn’t want someone to move in and then you told her it was a requirement.”

Fuck! I could give in, but I want her here with me. But if my requirement means she won’t come, then I’m willing to give in. Before I can tell Chrissy that, she continues. “She’s working on it. I’m pretty sure the hospital has approved all her clients to be moved to other caseloads, and the last I heard, she was going to work things out with her family and everything.”

I interrupt her. “So you won’t give me her number?”

She laughs out loud. “It’s against the rules,Holden. Look, if you don’t hear from her tomorrow, I’ll give her a call. It’s a lot. She’s having to move her schedule for the next two months, she’s having to figure things out with her kid and her boyfriend. All these things to make this work, so you have to give her a few days.”

I’m probably wasting my time, but I don’t know when to shut up. “Have you met her boyfriend?”

The longer Chrissy is silent, the more I realize I’ve fucked up. I don’t know why it’s so important to me, but it is. Chrissy lets out a little gasp. “Holden Gray, are you for real right now? Do you like her?”

“What’s not to like? She’s smart, she’s beautiful, caring, and passionate about her job. I offered her a lot of money, and she had to think about it when most people would say yes on the spot while telling me they care about more than just money.”

“Awwwwww, Holden,” she sings-songs. “That’s so sweet… but I know Catherine, she is by the book. She’s not going to take the job if she thinks you’re interested in her.”

I groan and push my hand through the scruff on my chin. Every part of me wants to tell Cat that I like her, but there are so many things going against us already. She’s going to be my physical therapist,she has a son—this can’t be a fling or something, and she has a boyfriend. Nope, even though I’m attracted to her, I need to keep focused. I can be professional. But just as fast as I think it, I know I’m lying because there’s no resisting Cat Maples. “You know I could just call Cat at the hospital, right?”

“Bub, listen to me. Catherine is not like the other women you date. She’s down to earth, her kid comes first, she’s the best mom I’ve ever met. She doesn’t do flings.”

I put my hand to my chest. I try to laugh it off, but her words hit a little hard. “Really, is that what you think of me, sis? I’m not—”

“You haven’t had a serious relationship that I know of. Every picture online of you has a different woman draped on your arm, so forgive me if I think you’re up to no good. Look, you need to focus on your health and getting better. Then you can worry about finding you a date for your next big event.”

“It’s not like that…” I start to refuse but then trail off. Maybe I’m being ridiculous. I’m going all crazy over some woman I met for an hour. I need to chill the fuck out. Maybe it’s all the time I have on my hands, or maybe I’m just not thinking straight. Whatever it is, I need to get my shit together. “You know what, you’re right. I’m being crazy. I’ll give her until tomorrow. If she can’t do it, then I’ll need to find someone else. Thanks for talking me down, Chrissy.”

She stutters, and her voice raises an octave. “What? No. I’m not saying you need to give up or anything, and I’m not saying that Catherine wouldn’t be lucky to be with you. I’m just saying don’t play with her. If you like her, then be right with her. She has a son… just don’t hurt her.”

As soon as she says it, she groans. “Darn, I’m not saying you’ll hurt her, you’re a good guy, but—”

“Chrissy, stop. You don’t have to keep tiptoeing around me. I got it. I know what you’re saying. Now can you get back to being the bossy little sister that gives me shit all the time instead of worrying you’re going to hurt my feelings. You’re right too. I need to focus on getting better.”

“You’re right. Okay, so get your shit together, Gray. If you don’t hear from Chrissy tomorrow, I’ll see what the holdup is, and I’ll let you know.”

“Okay, love you, sis.”

“Love you, too.”

I walk through my house and back downstairs. Instead of doing my band workout, I jump on the treadmill. I have some frustrations I need to takeout, and I might as well do that with a brisk run. I won't think about those big blue eyes, the coconut smell, or how my body reacted when Cat touched me. Nope, I’m going to completely forget about the woman that has consumed my every thought since yesterday.

6

---