“Hey, let’s not forget who encouraged both of you to have some balls and go after your girls,” I reply.
Chase points at me as he nods toward Nate. “He’s not wrong.”
“I would’ve said something to Mia sooner or later.”
“Nah, you would’ve waited too long. She’d have taken that date with Hughes, had a great time—because, let’s be honest, he’s cool as hell. Then, when he got traded last year, she probably would’ve moved with him. So I saved you the heartbreak, you’re fucking welcome.”
“I—no—you’re?—”
“Let it go,” Chase says, palming Nate’s shoulder before he turns to me.
“Demi doesn’t tolerate bullshit, Liam. She’s a grown woman with a big career I’m sure she worked her ass off for. Plus, a marriage and a divorce under her belt. I can’t see her beinginterested in anything right now. And especially something that could fuck with her job.”
“It’s not forbidden for reporters and players to date. I’ve looked it up.”
“Of course you have.” Nate shakes his head and lets out a low chuckle.
“I’m sure it’s also not praised, either.”
My hands dig into my hips as I face Chase. “Are you trying to hurt me?” I tuck Chase’s words away. I’m not so naive to believe that a reporter getting involved with a player they work with wouldn’t lead to questions.
Chase has always felt like an older brother to me. He’s levelheaded and responsible, it helps balance me out sometimes I think.
He slaps my back. “I’m heading out,” he says. “There’s a painting class CeCe wants to go to today, and Summer just bought a new dress I’d like to see in private before I need to go do dad things.”
Nate takes a seat on the chair near his locker, just a few down from mine.
“You know we all want to see you happy. But you know he’s right though on some level, she’s newly divorced and probably not looking for someone like?—”
“Someone like me?” I cut him off.
“I think I’d just assume whoever she dates next wouldn’t be someone in the sports world. I’d guess she wants someone less flashy, less spotlight, less reputation.”
He winces as he spills the last word. It’s no secret I’ve been coined as a serial dater. But they’ve never been serious. Plus, with Demi being single now, I have no interest in anyone else. No more random hookups, no more dates or photos with “mystery women.”
For the longest time, I never thought I’d have a shot with Demi, and now that she’s single, I just want a chance to prove to her I’m more than whatever the tabloids want to box me in as. I know she’s seen media outlets and their gaudy headlines over my dating life whether they’ve been true or not—I never cared enough about what people assumed to correct them, until lately.
I make my way closer to him. “If you must know, I haven’t actually been with a woman in…almost a year.” The realization surprises even me. “She’s single for the first time since I’ve known her, I’d be a fucking idiot to blow that shot.”
I still have no idea what really caused the divorce. There was speculation, and I heard whispers here and there. A gossip column made some accusations that pissed me off thinking of her being hurt, but unless I hear the story from Demi, it’s all just hearsay.
“Yeah, guess you would be,” Nate taunts with a teasing grin.
“She needs to see that I’m serious about her, that I’vebeenserious about her since the day I met her. But I just need time to show her who I really am. All she knows is what she hears.”
Nate sighs. “Well, I’m rooting for you.”
Teammates have been passing by throughout this conversation, none chiming in but nearly all giving me a shake of their head with a laugh or a smile. My stance—that Demi Sanchez is the best reporter and person in existence—is something I’m always very vocal about.
“As far as I’m concerned, I’m not available to anyone else. Not for PR, not for events, none of it. I only want Demi.”
As we’re wrapping up getting changed and ready to leave for the day, I hear Coach Aarons before I see him. “Listen up!” he calls. “Take it easy this weekend. No screwing around.” His gaze slides to me with a stern look, and I just raise my hands in front of me. “Great day today, guys. We need a lot more days like today before preseason begins. If you’re scheduled for anyinterviews, don’t be late. Be professional. Show up and do what’s expected of you.” He sighs, pulling his red baseball cap from his head and wiping his brow. He scans the room one more time before moving again. “Have a good night, fellas,” he adds before walking out.
Having extra cameras around during training camp this season is new. But something I’m thankful for. Demi typically only works our regular season games from the sidelines or does feature interviews when needed. It’s rare that I get to see her this often during camp. So, while everyone else is moaning and groaning over the cameras, I’ve never been better.
With the locker room clearing out, most guys are gone, heading home to their families for the night. That’s not the case for me, though. I can’t remember the last time I had someone to end my day with. I really am just the guy who has never actually had a serious relationship.
It’s not like I’m going home completely alone though. Birdie is always happy to see me and has dinner with me almost every night. Granted, she’s covered in fur, pees in a box, and hisses every time there’s a bird out the window. But I found her on the golf course a few months ago, and despite my best efforts of shooing her away, she nuzzled up against my golf bag and I couldn’t say no. I’ll never forget driving home from the golf course, her purring in my lap as the realization hit that I just became a member of the reluctant Cat Dad club.
