Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 54966 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 275(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54966 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 275(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
She breezes past me and looks around my foyer before turning back to me. “You could at least act like you’re happy to see me.”
I look at the woman that I’ve dated on and off for the past few months. She was hinting that she wanted me to give her a ring until I was injured. Which in itself was crazy because we’ve never even had sex. She was my plus one for some events, but my schedule doesn’t allow for a lot of dating. We haven’t seen each other since I got benched, and honestly I’m surprised that she’s showed up at my house now. I lean against the open door. “I guess I’m just wondering what you’re doing here, that’s all.”
She’s not fazed by my indifference. “Come on, Holden, don’t be like that. I’ve been worried about you.”
I blurt out a laugh and shake my head before shutting the front door. If she was worried about me, she would have shown up before now. Maybe even called me to check on me when she found out I was not going to be playing in the game last week. “What are you doing here, Kendall?”
She reaches for me, and I take a step back. She pouts, but I’m not falling for it this time. In the past, I would give in to what she wanted, but I’m half out of patience. “I was in the middle of something, and I need to get back to it, so whatever you’re here to say, please just say it.”
She fidgets, her hands in front of her. “I just wanted to see how you’re doing… what are the doctors saying?”
My shoulders tense, and I don’t want to have this conversation with her. “I have a rotator cuff strain. I have to do physical therapy.”
Her eyes light up. “And then you’ll be able to play again?”
I’m about to say yes but then reconsider. “Who knows, Kendall? I mean, that’s the goal, right? I want to play, but no one really knows for sure what’s going to happen.”
She looks uneasy, and I can see the way she’s considering everything. She shakes her head. “So I’ve been thinking…”
Her voice trails off, and I should probably offer for her to come in or to sit down, but I don’t. I know that all Kendall cares about is status. It was fine these past few months because I knew exactly what it was, but there’s no reason to carry on with the charade. It’s time for this to be over. “Go ahead, what have you been thinking?”
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.”