Page 83 of Double Play

I can’t help but smile at his joke during this intense moment. I mouth, “Soon. I promise.”

Quincy grits, “I heard that.”

Layton lovingly rubs my face with the backs of his fingers before nodding, kissing me once more, and then walkingtoward the door. Quincy not so subtly elbows him on the way out.

Once we’re alone, Quincy crosses his arms. “What are you doing, Arizona? It’s going to be like Whitaker all over again. He’ll toss you aside like yesterday’s news. You’re going to get your heart broken.”

“It’s different. Layton isn’t Marc. You know it. You always hated Marc. Layton is your best friend. You must realize that he’s a genuinely good person.”

“You don’t know shit about him.”

“That’s not true. This isn’t just a physical relationship. We’ve spent countless hours talking. I know him better than I’ve ever known any man, even one I dated for several years and was prepared to marry. I can’t help how I feel. I know it’s the same for him. I’m…I’m falling for him, Q. I think I might be in love with him.”

He briefly closes his eyes and takes a calming breath. “You can’t be. This will destroy you.Hewill destroy you.”

“Maybe. Maybe not. But I’m going to see it through. I know deep down that I’m feeling something I haven’t ever felt before. I need to find out where this goes, and I need you to love and trust me enough to take a step back.”

He moves forward and wraps me in his long arms. “I’m worried. I saw what your breakup with Whitaker did to you. I don’t think you can go through that again. I can’t bear to watch it.”

“Haven’t you seen the way I’ve been lately? It’s like the fog of the past year has lifted.”

He’s still for a moment before eventually nodding. “Yes, I’ve noticed, and I don’t want that fog happening again.”

“It’s because of him.”

“You don’t need a man to feel good about yourself. You’re an amazing woman in your own right.”

“It’s not that. It’s about finding the former me. The fun, confident me. The one who speaks her mind,allthe time. He brings her out in me. I’ve missed her.”

“I’ve missed her too.

“He makes me happy. He’s not playing games with me in the slightest. I’ve never felt more supported and respected. Tell me, was he different on the road? You’ve been traveling with him for over six months. I know what normally goes on during those long trips. How was he acting this last time?”

He mumbles, “Like a married man.”

I nod in satisfaction. “I know, because to my core, I believe he cares about me. I’m not in this alone. He’s right there with me. It’s my life. I need to live it. You need to let go.”

“Maybe he was just playing it safe to secure his contract.”

“No, he wasn’t. You know that as well as I do. I care about his contract more than he does. When you were out doing God knows what, he was in his room on the phone with me. Every night. For hours, every night.”

He squeezes me tight. “Just be careful. Please.”

“I will.”

“I love you, Z.”

“I love you too.” I release my hold on him. “And Q, don’t talk to my man like that. The things you said to him are not okay. He’s your best friend. Your past relationships with women aren’t dissimilar. Don’t be a hypocrite.”

“You know nothing about me and my relationships.”

“Why don’t you tell me?”

His mouth opens and closes a few times, but he shuts down and eventually says, “I’ve got to get out there. I’ll see you after the game.”

I sigh. Why won’t he talk to me? “Fine.” I look him up and down. “Why are your arms so fucking long? You’re like an ape. It’s fucking weird.”

He starts examining his arms and I giggle.

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