Page 41 of The Player I Can’t Pick

Relief hits me harder than it probably should. Then she looks up at me. “But that means I don’t share either. No cleat chasers, baseball bunnies, or whatever they’re called. As long as we’re doing this and having uh, sex, there’s no one else.”

I lean closer until there’s barely any space between us. “We’re not just having sex, Nicole.” Her eyes hold mine. “Eventually, you’re going to understand that.”

She doesn’t look away this time, and that feels like progress.

CHAPTER 16

NICOLE

This is crazy. That thought has been running through my head all night, and now that I’m sitting across from Guy, it won’t stop. I should end this now. That would be the smart thing to do. Before I start expecting too much or before Guy Brody decides this was fun while it lasted and moves on to someone who fits into his world better than I ever will.

My heart is going to get broken if I keep doing this. I know that. The problem is every time I think about ending it, I remember last night and the way he made me feel. Never in my life have I felt cherished like I did then. I remember waking up in his arms and the way he took care of me. Even right now, he’s looking at me like I’m the only woman in the world. And I don’t want to end it.

Guy is watching me closely. “What are you thinking?”

I shake my head. “Nothing.”

His eyebrows lift. “That’s a lie.”

I pick up my water and take a sip, trying to decide if I really want to ask what’s been bothering me. Finally, I set the glass down. “Can I ask you something?”

“Anything.”

I study his face. “You were serious about getting off Pick Me?”

He leans back in the booth. “I promise you, Nicole. I joined under Ozzy’s name when I learned you were on there. I don’t have a separate account or anything.”

“And you’re really not going to see anyone else?”

His forehead creases. “Nicole.”

“I’m serious.” I lower my voice even though the restaurant is almost empty. “You’ve dated a lot of women. I’m not judging you for that, but this is different for me. If we’re doing this, I need to know what that means.”

Guy reaches for my hand under the table. “It means I’m not seeing anyone else.”

“What about sleeping with anyone else?”

His expression changes instantly. “I don’t want to have sex with other women.”

I blink. He squeezes my hand. “I want you.”

My stomach flips. “Guy…”

“I mean it. I don’t want anyone else. I haven’t since the night I met you.”

There’s no hesitation in his voice. I don’t hear any doubt or anything, and that sort of freaks me out. I look down at our joined hands. I want to believe him. He strokes his thumb across the back of my hand. “Come home with me.”

I look up. “What?”

“Come home with me tonight.”

I shake my head. His face falls just slightly. “I can’t.”

It’s obvious he doesn’t like being told no, but his voice is soft. “Why?”

I tilt my head to the side. “I got the keys to my apartment today, and the moving truck is coming tomorrow morning, so I need to be there.”

A smile spreads across his face. “You got your apartment?”