Law #3: Don't Fall for the Athlete: Sweet Second Chance Romance (Laws of Love) by Agnes Canestri (black books to read txt) 📗

“Stop playing the matchmaker,” I tell her in a low voice.

Laia’s eyes widen, and she blushes. “I wasn’t—”

“Yes, you were,” I whisper-snap at her. “You made several dubious comments, and you suggested that walk too.”

She sighs. “Fine. Perhaps I tried to interfere. But do you remember when you believed your brother and I would be perfect for each other?”

“I do. But that was different. You two were soulmates and couldn’t see it, so I was right to meddle,” I reply. “But that’s not the case with Wyatt and me. We’ve been down that road, as you know, and it didn’t lead anywhere.”

“Maybe not in the past. But what if now…” Her eyes drift to Wyatt and then back to me.

It’s hard to feel annoyed at someone who’s rooting for a second chance romance. That’s my favorite trope in movies, too, but they just don’t happen in real life. Certainly not with Wyatt and me.

“There are things that don’t change, no matter how much time passes,” I say.

I’m right; I know I am.

Though Wyatt claims that I wasn’t just a dalliance to him, I’m still unsure whether I can believe that. And even if I did, it doesn’t change the fact that Wyatt gave up on us for his career and never looked back. Feeling guilty for a choice doesn’t equal regretting it.

So even if I’m ready to let go of my past hurt and turn the page with Wyatt, our new chapter can’t be anything else but pure friendship.

Our almost-kiss comes back to mind, and my throat dries out.

Laia caresses my arm. “Okay, sweetie. You know best what happened and what might happen between you two.”

“Thanks,” I murmur.

We step back over to the guys, and my eyes wander to Wyatt.

My heart gives out a beat that echoes even in my ears. I withdraw my gaze.

I might have convinced Laia, but my battle isn’t over. I still have to persuade that mushy part of my soul that whatever dreamy vision I saw when I watched Wyatt playing football with the kids isn’t going to happen.

If I can do that, I should be safe.

Chapter 20

(Wyatt)

The rising sun tints the path in a subtle golden hue, making me imagine that I’m an emperor arriving at my promised land. Even if, knowing Joe’s passion for running, my thighs will hurt by the time we’re done.

And it’s likely that I won’t feel victorious, but exhausted.

Devon’s presence won’t mitigate the risks either. My friend might not be a professional athlete, but he still keeps a rather vigorous schedule for his runs.

I park my Corvette beside Joe’s rental motorbike. It’s a fast drive model, almost identical to the one he owns in Georgia. I only rode with him once on the back of it, but Joe’s style of rolling left and right felt as if I were hooked on a traveling coffin.

While I exit my car, Joe’s doing stretching exercises besides a large cactus. One of his brown muscular legs rests on a tall rock, and his fingers brush the sandy path as he bends forward to warm up his extensors.

When he sees me approaching, he straightens and grins. “I usetacould touch my toes, believe it or not.”

“Oh, you’re quite the ballerina still.” I grin.

Joe laughs. “Yeah, if you’d only loan me your blondie waves, my look would be perfect.”

“Not a chance,” I say, brushing through my hair.

We tap each other on the shoulder.

“How was New Orleans?” I ask.

“Good. I spent time with Momma and visited a few pals. I also met Brittany’s new boyfriend.”

“Your sis introduced him to you? Willingly? Wow, he must be a keeper, this one.”

Joe’s sisters all try to keep their brother away from the men they date. My friend has his own standards for who’s allowed to be with his sisters, and in the past, he’s scared away quite a few guys who didn’t sit well with him.

Joe tilts his head back and forth. “He’s okay. A Yankee, though. But Britt’s fallen for him hook, line, and sinker, so Momma has forbidden me from saying anything.”

I give him a soothing smile. “The most important thing is that your sis likes him, right? And that he treats her well.”

A fierce light flashes in Joe’s eyes. “He better. Otherwise, I’m going to jerk a knot in his tail.”

I cover my eyes. “Ugh, you’ll put nightmares into my mind.”

Joe laughs then taps me on the head. “How about you? Is your brain re-wired already?”

“I’m still working on it.”

Joe takes a step back and gives me a slow once-over. “Well, I’d say that something has definitely changed about you. You seem less…I’m not sure what…” He clicks his tongue twice. “I know. That quivering on your cheek that made you look like you were gritting your teeth 24/7 is gone.”

Is this greater ease Ellie has unleashed in me visible to others too?

“I didn’t even realize I had that,” I say sheepishly.

“You did. Each time when we spoke about my retirement plans.”

I snap my fingers. “Actually, good thing you reminded me. Do you know if applications to that coaching course you took last year are continuous?”

Joe’s eyebrows jump up, making three thick lines appear on his forehead. “Don’t tell me you want to attend?”

I shrug. “Maybe. You think it’s a bad idea?”

“What? Are you plumb crazy? It’s a great idea. If anybody has the balls in the sack to become a brilliant coach, it’s you.” He sniffs. “I’m just as lost as last year’s Easter egg, because I’ve told you at least a million times to take advantage of the training the league offers, but you never listened. What changed?”

I scratch my head. “Not sure. Maybe I just wasn’t ready before.”

“And now you are?”

“Yeah. Yesterday I was out with Ellie, and we met these kids—”

“Sorry, with who?”

“Ellie. My therapist.” It feels bizarre to describe her with this simple word, even if it’s the truth. Or at least a fraction. In reality, Ellie has been so much more to me in the