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“She came to my place crying and lying about how she and her husband might be getting a divorce,” he explained as he kneeled down in front of me.
This was the first time a man had kneeled down in front of me. How terrifying. Perhaps it was good she was getting divorced; maybe her husband and I should get together and drink about how we got duped by our partners.
But won’t that make it seem like I’m addicted to the men she’s been with?
“Her holding onto me was just a way to irritate you. Miranda can be quite heartless, especially when she sees something might be standing between her and her next check.” I didn’t mean to laugh, but hearing him speak this way of his ex-wife was quite funny.
How was it that everyone had the same thing to say about Miranda? From Daniel, to his family, and now even him—what did he even see in her?
“What I saw in her in the beginning disappeared once I got drafted into the minor league. I saw it happening slowly, but I ignored it, thinking everyone goes through a blue Monday in their marriage at least once… but it got terribly worse when I got injured. That’s when she divorced me.” So that was what had happened.
“I don’t want her anymore.” He shook his head as he gently took my hands in his. This was why I didn’t want to be in the same space as him; when he did things like this it confused me. When he looked at me with those eyes full of honesty and concern, it made me believe things that he wasn’t even willing to admit to me.
“I told her after you left, and I swear I felt free after I said that I can never be with her ever again, and even advised her to go try with her husband again, because she isn’t the one I want.”
Then who is the one you want? I waited for him to speak honestly, but he didn’t say anything. I couldn’t go based on feelings anymore, because—let's face it—I was the one who stood to lose more.
Mental Performance Consultant caught fraternizing with baseball player Alexander Harris, just as he’s about to retire. Was it for fun, or was it for his money?
I could already see the headlines going crazy just from feelings that were not even confirmed. I could lose my license because of my feelings, and I didn’t want to risk something I’d worked so hard for.
“Are you not going to say anything?” he whispered, bringing our hands to his lips, softly kissing them.
“I don’t know what to say.” I said in a quiet voice as I pulled my hands from his. “I’m here to counsel you, Mr. Harris.” His pupils dilated as he sat down. I must’ve caught him by surprise, but I didn’t want either of us to be caught in a scandal over an unofficial relationship. “I’m proud that you were able to draw a line between you and your ex; it shows improvement,” I said as I got up, pushing my hands inside my pockets.
If he’d touched me again, I just might’ve given in, and I couldn’t risk it anymore. “Naomi?” He reached his hand out toward me, and I took a step back. I watched as the dismay took over his expression. His hand dropped by his side lifelessly.
What am I doing? Why am I doing this?
“Unfortunately, Mr. Harris, it isn’t your consultation session just yet, nor is it today.” I looked at the clock on the wall; if I looked at him, I just might’ve cried, and I was tired of that.
This splitting pain was getting worse the more I drew the line between us. Shit, it fucking hurt. I needed to leave this office.
“Naomi, please don’t do this,” he whispered, and I could tell he was defeated. Why was he still on his knees? The old you would’ve gotten up by now and left my office. “Please, just talk to me as Naomi, not as a consultant,” he begged, and my tears began blurring my eyes.
Just what I was afraid of.
“I’ve coddled you enough, Alex,” I whispered as I blinked away my tears. “I’ll let you gather yourself in my office. Please excuse me.” I walked to the door and unlocked it, leaving him alone.
I took a deep breath in and rushed to the restroom, feeling my tears stream down my face again.
Why does this feel like a second breakup?
Chapter 24
Alexander
It felt like it had been forever since I last saw Naomi. The last time we talked, she left me in her office wondering what it was that I had done wrong. Had I not been honest enough with her about what happened with Miranda? Did I miss something?
I had no idea of knowing what happened because she wouldn’t tell me, and on the day I thought I would finally meet up with her, she wasn’t there. She hadn’t been coming around to practice, either, and I wondered if she was avoiding me again.
“Man, I miss sweet Naomi.” Leo huffed as he sat down on the bench, breathing heavily. “Have you seen her around?” He looked at me, and I raised my eyebrow.
“No—you haven’t seen her either?” I asked, and he shook his head.
“I’m having problems with my amica, and sweet Naomi is the only one who provides amicable advice.”
“She isn’t here to be your relationship therapist; she’s here to help you with problems surrounding that field,” I grumbled as I pointed to the field, littered with players as they laughed together. Not a bone in me felt happy, nor did any bone in me want to feel happy right then.
