Page 42 of Trade Deadline

There we go. My Alex is back.

“Yep. I'm going all in. It’s the date to end all dates. All other men will pale in comparison to me.”

Or I hope it will be.

“Trust me, that won't be hard.”

“Tell me.” I cock my head to the side.

He chuckles. “Ex talk isn’t a good idea on a first date.”

“Why not? I wanna know what kind of assholes you used to date.”

He’s silent for a moment, maybe trying to contemplate what to share with me, but either way, I’ll be angry at whoever was lucky enough to be with him and at whoever hurt him in the past.

“I dated a couple of guys in college, it wasn’t anything serious looking back, but I thought I was in love. They were good at pulling the wool over my eyes, telling me what I wanted to hear, giving me that false sense of security. It was only when I lost my grandparents that I realized it wasn’t love at all.” He shrugs. “But enough about that. I don’t want to ruin our night, because it’s been amazing.”

I grind my molars. “Fuck those assholes. They didn’t deserve you at all. And I’m glad you’re having an amazing night, because I am too. I really like you, Alex. I hope you’ll give me the chance to show you that you’re worth the world.”

Fourteen

Alex

I feellike an absolute idiot after Blaine witnessed my internal freakout over the prices here.

I knew what to expect. I shouldn’t have been shocked, but still, it’s wild. A completely different lifestyle from what I’m used to. From what I can afford.

But tonight, I’ve realized that Blaine definitely isn’t the guy the media makes him out to be.

This entire night has been the best date I’ve ever been on.

He’s attentive, funny, and confident, but there’s something else underlying.

Something that makes me think the cocky playboy personality is all a front. He’s been nervous all night, fumbling over his words, shaking out his hands when he thinks I’m not looking, and rubbing the back of his neck. He’s been super attentive, like he’s consciously making sure he puts his best foot forward. It’s obvious he wants to impress me, and he did the second he picked me up earlier.

“So, do you really think you could eat two of each?” I ask.

He rubs the stubble on his chin as his eyes scan the menu, then looks up and gives me that wicked grin from the first night at the game. “I bet I can eat four.”

My eyes widen. “What? There’s like…” I scan the menu again, quickly counting the options listed. “Eight different tacos here.”

His eyebrows lift in a silent challenge, giving me a“Yeah, and? Your point?”look.

I scoff, shaking my head in disbelief. “Hockey players and their crazy appetites.”

“I told ya, I’m a growing boy.” He winks, patting his solid abs through his shirt.

When the waiter returns to take our orders, his face is a mask of surprise when Blaine orders four of everything along with two beers, which he brings over straight away.

“So, have you always lived in Chicago?” he asks me once the waiter leaves.

I take a sip of beer and nod. “Yeah, born and raised. I went to college here, too. I didn’t want to be too far away from my grandparents, though my grandma insisted I still experience dorm life, so I made sure I was only a bus ride away from them in case they needed me.”

“You live with your grandparents?”

“I did, yeah. I lost my parents when I was seven, so my grandparents raised me and my brother.”

“Fuck, I’m so sorry to hear that.” Blaine reaches out to touch my arm.

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