Rushed(16)

"We'd appreciate it, Miss Gray. Your father tries, but with his condition, he's often weakened too."

"I know. Thank you, Doctor. I'll do my best to get up there. Goodbye."

Out front, Tyler's face is concerned when I sit down. "Is everything okay?"

I shrug. "Personal. Nothing you need to worry about."

Tyler studies my face for a moment, then shuts off his engine. "Are you sure? I mean, this date . . . it can wait, you know."

"No you can't," I reply kindly. "You start practice tomorrow, and you're going to be going all out until the first three weeks are done. That's the preseason, you know. Besides, there's nothing that can be done about my problem right now, and there is something that can be done about enjoying dinner. It's okay, really."

Tyler nods and starts his engine again, driving the short distance to the restaurant. In almost any other shoe I would have walked, but the stilettos mean I’m glad he drives the short kilometer or so. Parking, he comes around and offers me his arm like a gentleman, and I’m walking on clouds as we enter the restaurant, even with the news I’d just gotten. Yet again, eyeballs click as Tyler walks in, the hostess biting her lip when he gives her his name in his rich tenor.

But I notice something too, as we walk . . . some of the men are looking at me. I'm surprised, and Tyler notices. "What is it?"

"I'm not used to men looking at me," I whisper as we reach our table. "It's weird. Do I look strange or something?"

"They're looking because you’re the prettiest woman in here,” Tyler replies with a warm chuckle. He holds my chair for me, and helps me in before going around to his seat. "I'm a fortunate man tonight."

"You flatter," I reply, blushing, but Tyler shakes his head.

“I’m serious.”

I feel even warmer, and search for anything to change the subject and take the focus off me. "So where did you learn such good manners? Opening doors, escorting, my chair . . . you're almost old-fashioned."

Tyler chuckles and traces a design on the tablecloth with his finger. "My father insisted that I learn some of, what he called, society skills. He's from the country club set, and while he had no problems with me being an athlete, he also insisted that I learn at least something about his background."

"What does he do?"

He goes a bit quiet, then shrugs. "He's a lawyer. We don’t talk a whole lot ever since he and Mom got divorced when I was in high school. He moved out of Cali, went overseas to work in his firm's London office. He emails, and he paid for some of the perks I had going through college, but we don’t see each other too often. He could’ve given more, but he claims he didn’t want me ending up being a trust fund kid. Ironic.”

"What do you mean?"

Tyler shrugs. "The one trust fund kid on the football team, he's the one who just signed a huge contract with the Wildcats. At least, we thought he was trust fund until it came out his Dad was secretly in debt up to his ass. Duncan's maybe my best friend from college. He had all the trust fund kid perks, and still turned out fine. He's about to be a father."

"Wow, really?"

Tyler nods. “I guess he did have help. He met the right girl. They fell in love, and well, she kept him straight.”

”You sound a bit jealous."

“I might be, a little bit,” Tyler says, laughing. "I think we're all searching for that One, I guess. I seem to be one of those just keep searching, and getting myself in trouble doing it."

"We all do stupid things," I reply. "Me, I'm not exactly prime mental material myself."

"Why do you say that? I mean, you graduated college, you've done a good job with helping me out the past few days . . ."

"Actually, you're my last chance with the Fighters," I tell him, surprised I'm letting it slip. The cat's out of the bag though, so I might as well finish it. "I've been with the team just a little over a year and a half, starting out doing an internship my last grading period, and in that time I've been dismissed from being a PA twice now. Mr. Larroquette told me, I screw this one up, I need to start seriously looking for another job."

"Well, what screwed it up in the past? Was it just bad luck?”

I shake my head, looking down. “I’m juts not assertive enough. I don't ask questions when I should, because I don't want to look dumb. I make mistakes, or don't speak up when I should and others make mistakes."

I thought Tyler would have laughed, but instead he reaches across the table and takes my good hand. "Then let's make a deal. You help me keep on the right path here in Toronto, and I'll help you with shyness. I still don't know what you’re shy about though."

I want to answer, but instead the waiter comes, and after we place our orders, Tyler looks around at the restaurant, obviously impressed. "You chose well."

"Thanks. I know it's not Los Angeles, but we've got some nice places in Toronto."

"I agree. I've been surprised at that. But it's a pretty city. I'll enjoy the time I'm here."

I take a sip of water, wondering if I should ask the question that's been on my mind multiple times over the past few days. "Tyler . . . I know this may not be my place, as your PA or your date, but you've made a few comments, like you don't want to play in Toronto for a long time."