Page 40 of The False Start (Off the Bench)

Chapter Twenty-Seven

CAL

I ’m grateful Coach pushes us hard today, because otherwise I’m not sure how I’d release the amount of nervous energy I’ve built up anticipating tonight with Lila.

I’d wanted to take her out since that first night at the club.

It was electric, making me feel alive in a way I’ve only heard about during wedding vows.

But even with a false start or two, we’ve finally got enough momentum to be moving in the right direction.

The sex alone—I look up at the ceiling of the training facility and count to ten to get ahead of the rush of blood already flowing south.

“My man,” a voice calls as a hand claps me on the shoulder. I pull out one AirPod to see Theo and DeVonte Matthews, another wide receiver, looming over me with matching grins.

I raise an eyebrow at them. “Did you need the machine?” It’s unlikely given there are two other empty fly machines within thirty feet of me, but with superstitions being what they are at this point in the season, I don’t bother pointing it out.

“Nah, man,” Matthews says, “McClain was telling me about your date tonight, and we agree it’s about time.”

I stare at Theo incredulously. “Excuse me?”

DeVonte blinks confused. “She’s hot, I was just trying to hype you up a bit.”

My jaw ticks at the way he boils Lila down to just some hot girl, and not the accomplished, smart, down-to-earth, funny woman I know her to be. “Yeah,” I grind out. “We’re going out.”

His smile is back, and I’m treated to another shoulder smack. “Congrats, hope it goes well, man.”

I soften a bit at his sincere tone. “Thanks.”

“Alright, well I’m gonna hit legs.” He wanders off toward the squat machines on the other side of the weight room as I glare at Theo.

“What?” He holds up his hands in mock surrender.

“You know what,” I snap. “How did you even find out?”

“Katie,” we say in unison. I roll my eyes.

“Where are you taking her?”

“Chicago Cut.” The steakhouse was one of the first places I went when I first moved here, and the relationship I’ve built with the staff makes it the perfect place where I know I can get a riverside table and the best cuts.

“Are you sure she eats meat?”

What? She definitely ate some of the charcuterie on the beach, right? And when we had dinner at that blasted bed-and-breakfast, she ordered meat right?

“I think so?” The panic definitely bleeds through, and Theo laughs.

“I’m just kidding. She definitely eats meat.” I level him with a flat gaze that has made three-hundred-pound linemen swallow.

“Lighten up, Basset. I’m just trying to loosen you up.”

“I’m fine,” I grunt.

“Right.” He rolls his eyes.

I put my AirPod back in, seething as I do another set of flies.

He taps my arm again when I’ve finished, and I sigh, removing it again.

“Yes?” I say with a touch of exasperation.

“I really do hope it goes well. She’s good for you.”

“Yeah, me too.”

He finally walks away to finish his own workout, leaving me in peace, if slightly more nervous about dinner altogether.

My heart is pounding more than it did during my NFL debut as I stare at myself in the full-length mirror.

I’ve changed three times, the other two suits strewn over my bed, but I think this is it.

Charcoal grey with sapphire cufflinks, a gift from my grandfather on my eighteenth birthday, and a white button-down.

I tried six different ties, but ultimately all of them make me look like I’m going to a business meeting, and while I want to make a good impression, I’d prefer if the night was anything but professional.

There’s a text from Lila when I check my phone.

Lila

Black or red?

Black

We talked about this.

Oh, I’m still wearing the navy dress…

Fuck me. Now I’ll be picturing whatever she’s wearing under her dress, regardless of how great it looks on her, all night.

It doesn’t matter if we’ve already slept together.

Regardless of how amazing it was—and it was incredible—this is basically our first date.

I can’t even count the picnic since Theo and Katie came along.

Lila’s quickly become one of my favorite people to be around, and I want her to have a nice time tonight.

I take a deep breath as I slide into the seat of my Mercedes, inhaling the comforting scent of leather and my overly expensive cologne.

It always seemed a little frivolous, but it was a gift, and Lila complemented it once, so it was the perfect opportunity to wear it.

We’re not going very far, the restaurant is honestly within walking distance from both our apartments, but something about tonight just feels like I should pick her up the old-fashioned way, even if parking valet will be entirely too expensive.

It’s not like I can’t afford to splurge a bit.

The car rumbles to life beneath me, and I can’t help the grin that breaks out over my face.

What can I say? I’m just a man, and fast cars are basically built into our DNA.

I screech out of the parking garage, covering the three blocks between our condos quickly, and pull up in front of her building.

I hesitate, wanting to meet her at her door but not exactly wanting to get towed.

I flip the hazard lights on, and just when I’ve opened my door, I see Lila walking out toward me.

“You look gorgeous.” I manage over the dry lump in my throat, because wow she really does.

A soft dark blue material clings to one shoulder, draping lightly over her torso before flowing over her hips like water and landing just above her knees.

Gold heels wrapping up her calf, highlighting her long legs and glistening in the light of the streetlights.

“Thanks, you don’t look so bad yourself.” She winks at me and moves toward the door.

“I got it.” I walk quickly to her side of the car, sweeping down to kiss her cheek before opening the door for her. She smiles up at me as she gracefully seats herself in the low bucket seat.

“So, where are we going?” she asks, once I’m settled back in my own seat.

“Chicago Cut.”

“Oh, I’ve never actually been there. I’ve heard such amazing things over the years, though.”

“It was one of the first places I went to when I moved to the city.”

“I’m excited to try it.” She smiles over at me, and I notice the hem of her dress has ridden up, exposing a few inches of her thigh. I war with myself to touch her, ultimately dropping my hand on her thigh just below the hem.

Her breath catches, and I fight to hold back the smirk that graces my face. It’s nice to know that I’m not the only one affected by this tension.

“How’s work been going? You signed that big client, right?” I ask.

She brightens, filling the silence the rest of the short ride with explanations of the client and her coworkers.

“I applied for a promotion, actually. They’re opening a new division specifically to cater to the newer tech and social media companies. And since I have more experience with tech clients, I talked it over with a few of my mentors, and I put my name in for the partner role.”

“Lila, that’s amazing.”

“The best part is, I could take a few of my current clients over to that division, so I wouldn’t be starting from scratch.

And there are a couple other partners who have clients who would be better suited to the new TSM group, so they’ll all be coming over too.

It’ll be busy, but I think I’m up for the challenge. ” She grins at me.

“Of course you are. You can do anything.”

“You really think that?”

“Honestly? Yeah, I do. You’re so capable, it makes me feel inadequate sometimes.

” I laugh, but she frowns. “But that’s my problem to deal with.

And the way to alleviate it is to better myself or just be content to cheer you on from the sidelines as you kick ass and make a difference in the world, and I just run around playing with footballs all day.

” She rolls her eyes, but the frown is gone so I’ve succeeded in something at least. “Tell me more about the clients you’ll be working with. ”

She continues chatting even as I pull up to the valet and hand over the keys. I could listen to this woman talk about grass growing and would still never want her to stop.

“Mr. Basset,” Leroy calls out as we enter. The manager really values being on a first-name basis—or in this case, last name—with his regulars. I respect it.

“Leroy.” I shake his offered hand. “Good to see to see you again.”

“And who is this lovely lady with you tonight?”

“This is Lila,” I turn to her, “Lila, this is Leroy the manager here.”

“Oh, the Lila?”

She raises her eyebrows at me.

“Oh, don’t worry. He’s only said good things, though he was awfully nervous about this date tonight. Must have called three different times to make sure we had everything set up right.”

He winks at her, and the sound of her laugh warms something in my gut.

“It was only once,” I mutter, which only causes more laughter, and I can’t help but grin down at her.

“Well, we better get you seated before the embarrassment sets in.” He leads us through the other tables to the very back of the restaurant where a table sits looking out over the Chicago River, a vase of pink peonies on the table and a bottle of champagne chilling in the ice bucket.

“Cal, it’s beautiful.” The awe in her eyes fills some well of hope inside me. Leroy pulls out her chair for her, leaving me to my own devices on my side of the table, before he pops the champagne and fills our glasses.

“Ricky will be your server this evening.” At his words a young man appears at his side, holding a water carafe and menus. “Please let either of us or any of the staff know if you need anything at all.”

Ricky fills our water glasses before handing us each a menu.

“Thanks, Ricky,” Lila smiles at him as she takes the menu.

I nod as he hands me mine.

“Leroy seems nice.”

I snort. “He has never once been that nice to me when it’s just me. Or even when I’ve brought Theo. It’s all you.”