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“What do you mean?” he asks, releasing me and taking a step back.
“I mean there are news reports about me playing you and there’s nothing in the news from you or the team to refute it. Then new reports with you in Denver with other women. And here you are, here we are, doing whatever this is,” I motion between us.
“I told you, I don’t pay attention to that shit,” he shakes his head, shoving his hands back in his pockets.
“You may not, but a lot of people do. My boss was one of them, my parents, and my friends. To you being played may sound great, but I’m not a player, Gun, and this has been a shit few days because no one has said that the headlines were bullshit.”
“I know you’re not playing me. You know you’re not playing me. The last thing that I want to do is play you. I didn’t know it was that big of a deal. I’m sorry. Look, I’ll see if Mel can make a statement or something.”
“Thank you,” I say quietly looking anywhere but at him. That was too easy.
Gunnar steps into my space, and places his hands on my hips. He waits until my gaze meets his again and smiles.
“Let’s go enjoy some food and each other’s company, yeah?” he asks as I nod.
We jump in his Jeep and he drives us to Gordon Bierch, after valeting the car, with his hand on my lower back we walk inside together. The hostess’ eyes light up when she sees us, and she elbows her companion who stands straight with a cheesy smile on her face.
“Table for two please?” Gunnar asks, holding up two fingers.
“Of course, Mr. Reynolds. This way.” We’re lead over to a corner booth where we slide in and sit closely. Gunnar’s hand lands on my thigh, jolting me at first as he accepts our menus. As soon as she leaves, another staff member arrives at our table.
“Mr. Reynolds. Thank you for joining us tonight. As our guest this evening, please enjoy appetizers on the house. My name is Gerald, I’m the manager. If you need anything for yourself or your companion, please let me know.” Gerald extends his hand with a smile plastered on his face.
“Thank you for your hospitality,” Gunnar says.
Our drink and appetizer order is taken and then we were finally left alone.
Gunnar’s hand leaves my thigh and drapes across the top of the booth as he turns his body towards mine.
“Tell me more about you?” he asks.
“I’m not nearly as exciting as you think,” I start. “I graduated from State last year, work in marketing and am a new Hornets fan.”
He smiles at my admission. “What do you like to do?” he asks.
“A part of me feels like I’m describing a dating profile.” I smile.
“C’mon,” He urges.
“I like comedy shows, like standup comics. Babysitting for my neighbor. The typical stuff, camping, music, movies - you know standard things.”
“How old are the kids you babysit?” he asks.
“Four and almost eleven.”
“Cool. Kids are awesome.” He smiles.
“Now tell me about you?” I ask.
“Nothing to tell. I’m sure all my likes and dislikes are common knowledge.”
“Don’t play that. Humor me, I gave you mine.” I cross my arms playfully and pout.
“Alright. I too, like comedians. I like movies, but usually I go by season. Obviously, I’m into baseball and I don’t know - usually I keep to myself. I help coach a peewee football team in the off-season, so I keep busy and give back to the community. There’s also a lot of charity type things that I take part in and endorsement deals that I work on to keep relevant and busy.”
“That’s cool. What’s your life like during the season?”
“Well from March to sometimes October, I’m playing ball regularly. We have something like 162 games during a season, some weeks I don’t get a day off. We sometimes get a travel day, but we do a lot of back-to-back games. There’s weekly series that we play, like we’ll play the same team three to four days in a row. I have training, promotional events and then practice.”
