Page 4 of The Player I Can’t Pick

I place my hand in his. His grip is firm, and once he has hold of me, he doesn’t let go.

He stares into my eyes, and I can feel my cheeks heat. I barely resist fanning myself with my free hand.

I nod toward the tables behind him. “Was that my date you were talking to?”

Guy nods. “You can do better.”

I pull my hand from his. “Is that right? How do you know?”

He opens his mouth and then closes it.

I nod. “Right. I’m guessing he showed up, didn’t like what he saw, and decided to leave?”

Guy’s jaw tightens. “He was talking shit, and I told him to get the hell out of here.”

My cheeks burn. “Talking shit, huh? What did he say?”

He just stares at me.

I let out a bitter laugh. “Come on. I’ve heard it all before. It doesn’t bother me. I know what I look like.”

His gaze moves down my body. “I don’t think you do.”

My breath catches. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

He takes a small step closer. “It means whatever he was saying didn’t make any sense to me.”

“Guy.”

“He was talking about fucking you, though, and I shut that down quickly.”

I tilt my head, trying to figure him out. “So you’re a cock block. Is that it?”

He rolls his eyes. “Whatever. I saved you.”

“Saved me?”

“I’m sure he wouldn’t know what to do with you anyway.”

A laugh escapes me. “Is that so?”

He nods like there isn’t any question about it.

I’m not sure what to make of him. This definitely isn’t how I imagined tonight going when I agreed to meet someone from a dating app.

I pull my purse strap onto my shoulder. “Well, thanks, I guess.”

I take a step away, but Guy moves with me. “Wait. Let me take you home.”

Surprised, I point over my shoulder. “I’m staying at the hotel next to the stadium.”

His eyebrows lift. “You’re not from around here?”

“Not yet. I’m moving here, but my apartment won’t be ready until next week, so I’m staying at the hotel.”

He looks like he’s about to ask another question, so I point to his camouflage hat. “What’s with the hat?”

He touches the brim and tugs it lower. “What’s wrong with it?”