Love of the Game Read Online Free Page A

“you’re eager, responsible, goal-oriented, persistent, organized, and enthusiastic.”
    â€œNot seeing the problem.”
    â€œYou tell yourself that if you don’t push, push, push, you’re a loser. Did your parents have high expectations of you?”
    â€œDon’t all parents?”
    â€œYou’re an only child?”
    â€œYeah,” he admitted.
    â€œIn the gifted and talented program at school?”
    â€œYes,” he mumbled. Was he that easy to read?
    â€œJust because you’re not always on top doesn’t mean you’re a loser.”
    â€œUm . . . by definition, yes it does.”
    â€œIt’s not true.”
    â€œWhat’s not?” He blinked, having lost the point.
    â€œThat if you’re not always achieving something you’re a loser. It’s not fact. It’s only something you believe. It has no basis in reality.”
    He didn’t know how she knew so much about him. It was scary and unnerving. “What’s wrong with that?”
    â€œNothing is wrong with that. But every positive trait has a shadow side.”
    â€œMeaning . . .”
    â€œThe bright and shiny Tin Man from
The Wizard of Oz
got so focused on his job of cutting down trees that he rusted up in the rain.”
    â€œAnd I’m the Tin Man?”
    â€œChop, chop, chop.”
    â€œAre you saying I don’t have a heart?”
    â€œI’m saying that too much reliance on any particular trait leads to imbalance. In your pursuit of being the best pitcher ever, your shoulder has rusted up. More wood chopping in the rain will not solve the problem.”
    â€œWhat about chopping wood in the sunshine?”
    â€œThe rust has already set in. The only cure is to stop chopping, and oil up.”
    â€œHmm,” he said, taking a step toward her. “Oil up. Now that has possibilities.”
    She didn’t miss a beat. “Are you flirting with me?”
    â€œMaybe.”
    â€œWell, stop it. We’re going to be working together, and I won’t tolerate flirting.”
    â€œJust trying to lighten the mood.”
    â€œThe mood doesn’t need to be light. We were making a list of your strengths and weaknesses. Let’s stick to that.”
    â€œWhat about your strengths and weaknesses.” He took another step forward to see if he could unsettle her.
    She drew in a slow, calm breath, did not back up, did not show any reaction at all. Her dark eyes remained quiet and shuttered. “We’re not talking about me. You’re the patient.”
    â€œAh, so you can dish it out, but you can’t take it.”
    â€œYou’re flirting with me as a distraction because you don’t want to take a hard look at yourself.”
    Was he?
    He raked a gaze over her body, the swell of her breasts, the curve of her hips. C’mon, any straight single guy in his right mind would want her. “I’m flirting with you because you’re a hot, sexy woman.”
    â€œDo you feel compelled to flirt with every woman you’re attracted to?”
    â€œNo.” He widened his grin. “But you’re special.”
    â€œStop it.”
    â€œWhy? Are you married? You’re not wearing a ring.”
    â€œI’m not married, but my marital status has nothing to do with it. I’m your therapist.”
    â€œTechnically Paul is my therapist.”
    â€œNot for the next week.”
    â€œBut after next week can we . . .”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œWhy not?”
    â€œBecause if next week is successful, I’ll continue to be your therapist.”
    â€œWhat about after that?”
    â€œMr. Richmond,” she said in a schoolteacher voice. “This is an inappropriate conversation.”
    â€œI’ve been a bad boy simply because I find you attractive?”
    â€œI’m not judging you,” she said. “I don’t label your behavior as good or bad. It’s either effective or