Playing Hard to Get(38)

I’m still reluctant to go, but I know Natalie won’t let me stay home. Not like I can tell her the real reason I don’t want to go—witnessing women throwing themselves at Knox won’t be fun.

At all.

Especially since he had his tongue practically down my throat only a couple of days ago.

“Taco Bell is right down the street,” Blair adds, earning approving nods from Nat and me.

It takes us almost thirty minutes to get out of the parking lot, and by the time we show up at the Taco Bell, the drive-thru is super long. Natalie parks her car and we go inside, where the line isn’t nearly as backed up, but we still have to stand in line, listening to the group of women ahead of us go on and on about how sexy Knox Maguire is.

“His ass is perfection,” one of them says dreamily.

“His entire body is perfection,” another one adds.

I can attest to that. I’ve had my hands all over his shoulders and chest. I sat in his lap. I’ve had his mouth on mine, his tongue tangled with mine and my fingers in his hair—

“That can’t be easy, listening to women go on and on about your brother,” Natalie says, her voice low.

Blair grimaces. “It’s awful.”

I can never, ever tell Blair about my moment with Knox. She’ll probably think I’m trying to get close to her because of her brother, which is so not the case.

The timing of all of this is nothing short of awful.

“So.” Natalie settles at one of the tables, Blair and I sitting across from her as we wait for our order. “Since we’re on the subject, tell us more about your brother.”

Blair blows out an exaggerated breath. “Ugh, what do you want to know?”

“Nat, come on.” I chide. “I’m sure she’s asked this all the time.”

“I do,” Blair agrees.

“Yeah, but this is different. Joanna here actually knows him.” Natalie waves a hand in my direction.

Blair swivels her head toward me. “You do?”

Way to embarrass me, Nat. “Sort of.”

“How?”

“I’m his English tutor,” I admit.

Blair stares at me for a beat, her brows drawing together. “Wait a second. Aren’t you the girl who works at the bookstore? The one Knox sang that song for?”

My cheeks are immediately on fire. I forgot she witnessed that moment. “That was me.”

“He sang a song for you?” Natalie’s eyebrows shoot up. I never did mention the singing incident.

My face grows even hotter, if that’s possible. “He was trying to figure out my name. I had on my Jo Jo nametag.”

“Ah.” Natalie nods. She knows how much I don’t like that nickname. “Leon strikes again.”

“Who’s Leon?” Blair asks.

“My best friend,” I say, earning daggers from Natalie. “Besides Nat. I work with him at the bookstore.”

“He loves to give our girl shit,” Natalie says. “Like me.”

“I feel like everyone likes to give you shit. Including my brother, maybe? That’s one of his favorite things to do to me,” Blair grumbles.

“He only gave me grief about my name. He figured it out after our first tutoring session.” And had his lips on mine pretty quickly after that.

I duck my head, regretting all of my decisions. I should’ve never kissed him. I should’ve pushed him away and told him to stop. Found him another tutor and walked away. And I definitely shouldn’t have come to the game. Now he thinks I’m interested, or worse, that I’m some crazed fangirl who will follow him everywhere he goes.

“He’s always struggled with reading,” Blair admits.

“I’m trying to help him,” is all I say in reply. I’m not allowed to discuss anyone we tutor, despite Blair being his sister. It’s part of the contract we sign.

“That’s great. I hope he’s not hassling you too much,” Blair says with a friendly smile.

“He’s not. Really,” I say, my voice weak.

We’re about to leave Taco Bell to head to Logan’s when Blair says she needs to use the restroom. The moment she’s gone, Natalie is on me, her gaze narrowed as she stares.

“What’s going on with you and the football player?”

“Nothing.” I shake my head. “He’s a student that I tutor. That’s it.”

I keep my expression neutral, trying not to break under Natalie’s perusal. She can get the most hardened person to confess all with a single look.

Meaning she’s kind of scary.

“Why did he give you tickets to the game then?”

“He was being friendly. I don’t think he likes the fact that I never go to games. He’s trying to convert me.”

“Convert you to become a football fan? Hmm.” She pauses. “You think he’s into you?”

“Absolutely not. Why would he be?”

“Because you’re gorgeous and smart.” Her expression softens. “You don’t give yourself enough credit, Jo.”

“Stop.” I wave a hand, embarrassed. “I’m not his type.”

“And what’s his type?”

“A gorgeous, sexy blonde with big tits.” I have no idea if I’m correct, but it sounds about right.