After Amnesia, I Took Back Everything I Gave My Football Star Boyfriend Chapter 09

After Amnesia, I Took Back Everything I Gave My Football Star Boyfriend Chapter 09

I quickly realized this was more than ordinary exhaustion.

I really had started thinking about Leon far too often.

To get myself back to normal, I accepted an invitation three days later to a business dinner for potential partnerships with rookie players.

The organizer knew my tastes well.

Every young player he invited had Caden’s cold demeanor and refined features, the kind of face that would look perfectly at home in a modeling campaign.

They also understood professional boundaries far better than Caden and his fans did.

The moment I entered the private dining room at The Peninsula Chicago, everyone stood at once.

“Miss Winter.”

I had to admit, the moment was satisfying.

But the feeling didn’t last long.

Each of the young players had something distinctive about him, but after spending so much time with Leon lately, I realized my taste had changed.

I used to prefer men with lean builds and clean-cut looks.

Now, I was more likely to notice men with broad shoulders, powerful bodies, and the commanding presence of a top-tier Alpha.

Without meaning to, I compared every one of them to Leon.

Not a single one measured up.

The person who had arranged the dinner noticed quickly.

“Miss Winter, is there no one here you like?”

“My preferences have changed recently.”

“Then what kind of player are you looking to back now?”

The first person who came to mind was Leon.

But no one else could imitate his ease, his confidence, or the dominant presence forged through years of competing at the highest level.

That thought suddenly gave me another idea.

There were so many talented female players, coaches, and athletes across North America.

Why did I have to keep investing my resources in men?

I began seriously considering establishing a fund dedicated to women’s sports.

Just then, the private dining room door swung open.

Caden appeared in the doorway.

“Mr. Reed, your name isn’t on tonight’s guest list.”

The organizer immediately jumped to his feet in alarm. He moved to stop Caden while watching closely for my reaction.

After the confrontation at the hospital, Leon had made it perfectly clear that Caden was not allowed anywhere near me again.

I had no idea how Caden had managed to get into the hotel.

But I had to admit, the comparison was brutal.

The private dining room was filled with rookies who had only recently entered the league.

Caden had once been the kind of star player people remembered after a single glance, but professional sports had never lacked talented newcomers.

After losing the support of many fans and several commercial partnerships, he looked noticeably worse.

Rough stubble shadowed his jaw, exhaustion darkened his eyes, and even his amber scent carried a bitter, unstable edge.

“Let go of me.”

Caden shook off the security guards.

They looked at me.

I nodded, signaling for them to step outside for the moment.

I was genuinely curious to hear what else he had come to say.

“Erin, I heard you came here to meet some younger players.”

“I couldn’t stop myself, so I came straight over.”

His gaze swept across the table. When he realized I hadn’t given anyone my personal card, a flicker of hope appeared on his pale face.

“I knew it. None of them are good enough for you.”

“They may look like me, but none of them are me.”

“It doesn’t matter that you forgot. I can help you remember our past, little by little.”

“Do you know this was the hotel where you first handed me your card?”

“My agent said you had never personally invited an undrafted player before.”

“I was always the exception for you. You just don’t remember anymore.”

He kept repeating himself as though he were clinging to his last shred of hope.

I could only laugh at how ridiculous he sounded.

“Did you come here because you want those endorsements back?”

“No.”

A slightly breathless voice came from behind me.

“Erin.”

“Turn around.”