SCARLETT
I let out a long breath when I get to my car. I wave to Leo watching me from his doorway and slide into the driver’s seat. Memories from the last time I was here whack me over the head.
My hands are shaking as I start the ignition. I’m already running late for my date and now I need to stop by the arena to drop off the form.
When I try to put the car in reverse, nothing happens. Head swimming in a pool of Leo-induced thoughts, it takes me a few seconds to notice all the warning lights are on. I try the ignition again, but nothing.
Ugh. I drop my head to the steering wheel. Not now. I comb through all possible scenarios. I do not want to walk back inside and ask Leo for help. But even if I call a tow, he’s going to notice me sitting outside like a stalker before they get here.
I bring my purse and phone with me and knock on his front door for the second time tonight.
He answers, phone to his ear, but when he sees me, he pauses.
“I have to call you back,” he says and ends the call without a goodbye. “Everything okay?”
“My car won’t start. I’m going to call a tow, but is it okay if it sits in your driveway for awhile?”
He starts outside without answering. “I can take a look.”
“That’s okay,” I say, but it falls on deaf ears.
After a few minutes of staring under the hood of my car and having me try to start it again, he shakes his head. He pulls his phone from his pocket and puts it to his ear. “Hey, Frankie. It’s Leo. Can you get a tow out to my house tonight?”
“That’s not necessary,” I whisper.
He ignores me. Again. “Yeah. I think it’s the timing belt. No, not the Jag. It’s a friend’s car.” His eyes bore into mine, and I get butterflies in my stomach. Friend. Is that what we’re calling it? “Thanks.”
“We can take my car to the arena.” He takes off without giving me a chance to speak. I hustle to keep up with him in my heels.
He opens the garage door and gets in his car, starting it. I open the passenger side door, but don’t get in. “This isn’t necessary. I can call an Uber.”
“You need to get the form to the arena in the next thirty minutes, yeah?”
I check the time on my phone. Crap.
“Get in, Scarlett.”
He’s quiet as we back out of the drive and head out of his neighborhood.
“Sorry for ruining your plans tonight. Looks like Ash is having a party.” Cars line his driveway and down the street.
“Eh. We were just hanging out, getting to know the new guys a little more.” He glances over at me. “Where were you headed? A funeral?”
“What?”
“The dress. It looks like you’re going to a funeral.”
Laughing, I tug on the short, black dress showing way more thigh than would be appropriate for mourning. “I look like I’m going to a funeral?”
He mutters under his breath. Something about the dress being the death of him.
“I have a date. Or I did. I’m not sure he’s still going to be waiting for me by the time I get there.” I sent Chad a text to let him know what happened. In a way, I’m hoping he decides he doesn’t want to wait an extra thirty minutes for me. I only accepted the date because Jade vouched for him. And also—I wanted a distraction from the guy sitting beside me.
It all sounded fine until an hour ago when it hit me that it was really going to happen. I’m nervous about putting myself out there. And now I’m going to have to Uber to and from the restaurant. Just my freaking luck.
“Who’s the guy?” The car seems to speed up and the muscle in Leo’s cheek flexes.
“A friend of Jade’s boyfriend.”
“A college guy?”
“Yes.” A nervous laugh bubbles in my chest. “What’s with the third degree?”
“Just making polite conversation.” His tone still has a hard edge.
We make it to the arena in half the amount of time it would have taken me. I fling the door open. “Well, thanks for the ride. You’ll let me know where they towed my car, so I can get it?”
“I’ll have him drop it off at the arena tomorrow.”
“Wow. He can fix it that fast?”
“Frankie’s a friend,” he says simply. “Is Lewis expecting you?”
“Yeah. He’s still here.”
“How are you getting to your date?”
He knows exactly how I plan to get there; he is so not driving me to a date…with another guy.
“Thank you for the ride and for working your Leo Lohan magic on my car service, but I can take it from here.”
His brows raise defensively. “It’s no problem, Scarlett. I’ll wait.”
I consider arguing, but doubt he’ll listen anyway.
The arena is mostly empty at this hour and my heels clack on the floor as I navigate the quiet halls. After I drop off the form with Lewis, I turn back around, heart racing faster with each step closer to the parking lot. Leo is still parked at the curb, staring straight ahead with a frustrated scowl.
I told him I had it from here. I don’t know why he keeps insisting to help, if he’s going to be all pissy about it.
“Look,” I say when I take a seat inside the car and he doesn’t make any move to go. “I think it’s best if—”
Whatever protest I was about to make dies on my lips as Leo wraps a hand around the back of my neck, pulls me closer, and covers my mouth with his.
Shock makes me slow to respond, but when his tongue slips past my lips, I press my mouth to his harder and give into the crazy desire I feel every time he’s near. His kisses are all-consuming and the only thought in my head is more.
I might not like the idea of dating another professional athlete like Leo, but I do like him. Especially when he’s kissing me.
He pulls back too soon, leaving me breathless.
“Sorry.” His voice is gruff. “Fuck. I’m sorry.”
I press shaky fingers to my swollen lips. Wow. I forgot what that felt like. No. That’s a lie. I remember, I’d just been pushing it way down past the frustration and heartbreak of Rhyse and finding out Leo is another selfish athlete.
Though, the more I get to know him, the less I believe that. It may have just been a team get-together he left, but he did drop everything to help me tonight.
He starts the car. “Where am I taking you?”
“What?”
“Your date or whatever. Where is it?” His scowl returns, and he refuses to look at me while he waits for my answer.
And just like that, frustration burns. Seriously? His mood swings are giving me whiplash. Whatever. He wants me to date someone else, then great, glad we’re on the same page.
I tell him the address and sit back in the seat, silently fuming as he drives. His hands wrap around the steering wheel at ten and two and he stares straight ahead.
Even if Chad is gone, I’m going to the bar, ordering a drink, and hitting on every cute guy I see. Take that, Leo Lohan. What kind of game is he playing?
He pulls in front of the restaurant, and before I can flee, he hits the lock button, keeping me inside.
“I’m sorry, okay? I shouldn’t have done that.”
My cheeks flame with anger and humiliation. “It’s fine.” I try the handle. “Let me out.”
“I like you,” he says.
“Yeah, obviously.”
“It’s just—”
I squeeze my eyes shut. I physically cannot hear another word. “Save it. It doesn’t matter.”
The last thing I need is to listen to more of his words of regret for kissing me right before I walk inside and meet my date for the night. I get out of the car and fidget with my dress. I haven’t been on a real first date since before Rhyse, and despite my anger, I need some reassurance right now. “Do I really look like I’m going to a funeral?”
Maybe black was the wrong call.
“Nah.” His voice softens. “You look gorgeous.”
Seconds pass with only my heartbeat filling the silence between us.
“Thank you for the ride.”
He dips his chin in a small nod. “Anytime.”
I shut the door, step back, and watch as he pulls away from the curb.
