Playing Hard to Get(13)

“Hey, I just wanted to say I’m sorry about what happened last night.” The solemn expression on his handsome face tells me he means business. “I didn’t mean to steal that chair from you.”

“Oh.” His apology surprises me. I figured he didn’t think he did anything wrong. “It’s okay. Really.”

“I hope you weren’t embarrassed.” He visibly swallows, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “That was never my intention.”

“I wasn’t that embarrassed. Only a little bit.” I try to smile.

He does too.

“Am I forgiven?”

If Knox keeps looking at me like that, he could murder my parents right in front of me and I’d probably forgive him. “Definitely.”

“Whew. Good. Don’t want any bad karma haunting me as I go about my day.” He lifts the bag he’s holding. “Thanks again for your help.”

“You’re welcome.” Knox starts to walk away and I call out, “Have a nice day!”

He glances over his shoulder, that devastating grin still on his face. “You too.”

The moment he’s exited the bookstore, I slump against the counter, a shaky exhale leaving me.

“What was pretty boy Maguire doing here again?” Leon asks, magically appearing beside me.

I narrow my eyes at my co-worker. “Where did you run off to?”

“I had to go into the back real quick to check on something. Never even saw him come in.” Leon curls his arms in front of his chest, his gaze on the store entrance. “A visit from the famous football star two days in a row? Very suspicious.”

“He bought the wrong calculator for his statistics class,” I explain.

“Uh huh.” The doubt in Leon’s voice is obvious. “Maybe he’s trying to flirt with you.”

“Please.” I explain to Leon everything that happened last night at Logan’s, leaving out the possibility that Knox had a hard-on when I briefly sat on his lap.

I’m sure I’m just imagining things, and I don’t need to start any needless rumors.

“I don’t know, Jo Jo. He might like you.”

“Very doubtful. He apologized for stealing my chair and exchanged his calculator. That’s it. End of story.” I point at Leon. “And don’t call me Jo Jo.”

He used to call me that all the time and it got under my skin, which he totally knew. He even had a name badge made for me that said Jo Jo, though I stashed it away in the old, beat-up desk that’s in the store’s stockroom.

“Look what I found.” Leon holds up a lanyard with said name badge attached, the irritating nickname on it. “Jo Jo is back in action once again.”

“No,” I groan, shaking my head, “don’t make me wear it.”

“As assistant manager of the store, I insist. You don’t currently even wear a badge.” He points an accusing finger at my chest. “Where is it?”

“I always forget. You know how I am.” Plus, sometimes I just want to pretend I don’t work here. People leave me alone, always going to Leon or another co-worker with questions.

It’s not that I hate my job. I love working here, but sometimes, I hate peopling.

Peopling is the worst.





SIX





KNOX





I easily make it through my first day of celibacy, so I’m feeling confident. Even cocky. By the time practice is finished, it’s spread through the team what I’m doing. The coaching staff finds out too, our special teams’ coach pulling me aside while on the sidelines and letting me know he thinks it’s a great idea and wishes more of my teammates would follow suit.

“Chasing tail is fun, and it’s easy when you’re young and literally on top of your game,” he explains. “But damn, pussy is a giant distraction. You’re better off staying focused on the game.”

I nod, wholeheartedly agreeing with him and feeling smug about my decision. It’s a great idea. The perfect idea.

I’m so fucking arrogant about it, I even admit my decision to my dad when we’re FaceTiming later that night. His call came in at the perfect moment, just when I was ready to shove aside my statistics homework to scroll on my phone.

“You’re doing what?” Dad practically shouts when I tell him I’ve given up sex, which of course gains Mom’s attention.

“Everything okay with Knox?” she calls from the background.

“Do not tell her what I told you,” I mutter, my voice fierce.

“I won’t, I won’t.” He turns away from the screen. “He’s fine, babe! Everything’s good.”

“I want to talk to him when you’re done!” she shouts.

I briefly close my eyes, sort of hating this. I love my parents with everything I’ve got. I’m close to them and I feel lucky they’ve been such a positive force in my life. They’ve always urged me to go after what I want, never shitting on my dreams. I can’t say my friends have been so lucky.

“Son, I don’t know if that’s a good idea,” Dad says once he’s tucked away in his office. I recognize the walls and the giant window that overlooks our backyard. “Giving up sex during the entire football season?”