Playing Hard to Get(80)

I almost roll my eyes. Of course he ran into her at Logan’s. She’s been partying nonstop since school started, and I wasn’t lying when I told her it was concerning.

“Was she with a guy?”

“No. She was with a group of girls she works with.”

Right before school started, Nat got a job as a hostess at a local restaurant. The hours are pretty minimal, but at least she’s making some money.

“Oh.” I wonder what happened to her and Derek.

“You really don’t talk to her? She said you were busy and she rarely saw you.”

“Did she say anything bad about me?” I brace myself, waiting to hear it.

“No.” He shakes his head. “I swear she didn’t. But she wasn’t her usual gushing self over you either.”

“I need to talk to her.”

“Yeah, you do. I can’t believe you two have let this rift between you go on this long. A month, you said?”

I nod, hating myself for not talking to her about it immediately. “I was mad at her, and then I got preoccupied with Knox and I just…we haven’t really spent any time together since.”

Leon makes a tsking noise at me. “You need to work on that.”

Sitting up straighter, I look him right in the eyes. “I will. I swear.”

“You better. Now let’s talk about something else.” He leans forward, his voice lowering. “Tell me more about Knox Maguire and his magical ways.”

Grateful for the subject change, I launch into a brief description of what’s been happening between Knox and me the last month, leaving out the raunchy details. Which means there isn’t a lot to tell, beyond the fact that we hang out a lot and I help him with his English homework.

“You’re going to his games and all that too? Girl, you are in deep.” His eyes bug out for emphasis. “The dick must be good.”

“Stop.” I’m blushing and I hide my face behind my to-go cup, though it doesn’t really help.

“Your face says it all. I’m guessing he’s better than Bryan. Which isn’t a surprise because, come on, look at Maguire. Big ol’ football player who charms all the ladies.”

“He better not be charming any other lady but me,” I say fiercely, right before I burst into laughter.

Leon laughs with me, sighing loudly when we finally calm ourselves down. “This is exactly what I needed tonight, Jo. Thank you for making the offer.”

“Of course. I love you.” I really do. Leon has been such a great friend to me.

“Love you too, sweetheart.” He reaches out, settling his hand over mine. “Give me strength so I can do the right thing, okay?”

“You can do it.” I squeeze his hand, smiling at him.

There’s a sudden shift in the air, ominous and foreboding, and a shadow falls over us. I glance up to find Knox standing in front of our table, his fists clutched at his sides, his mouth a thin, angry slash.

“What the fuck is going on here?” he bites out.





THIRTY





KNOX





After practice, I drove back over to this side of campus to pick up a coffee for me and Joanna. I was going to surprise her at her apartment with it, stopping by with a little gift. Plus, I have something important to tell her. I learned fairly quick that coffee is the way to her heart. Specifically vanilla lattes.

Vanilla lattes and Taylor Swift and soft blankets she can snuggle under.

Oh and kissing and fucking. She likes that too. A lot. About as much as I do. It’s like we can’t get enough of each other.

I know I can’t get enough of her.

So imagine my surprise when I spot her sitting in the damn café I just entered, tucked away in a dark, romantic corner with another guy, clutching hands with the asshole.

I saw red.

Hell, I barely remember charging over to their table. Can hardly believe I was able to string a coherent sentence together, but I know I sounded like a complete prick.

Joanna’s surprised gaze meets mine and she blinks up at me, the shock slowly melting away, replaced with…

Shit. Anger.

“Hello to you too,” she says coolly, slowly letting go of the guy’s hand. He’s watching me with an almost amused expression, not intimidated by me in the least.

I’m standing there like a dipshit with my mouth hanging open, my brain scrambling as I try to figure out if I should know this guy when Joanna introduces us.

“Leon, this is Knox. Knox, I work with Leon at the bookstore. He’s my friend.”

I’m such an asshole.

“Oh right. Yeah.” I offer him my hand, and he takes it, shaking it firmly. “Nice to meet you.”

“I’m sure,” Leon practically drawls, on the verge of laughter. “Congrats on having such a great season, by the way.”

“Thank you.” The words automatically fall from my mouth. “You want tickets to our next home game?”

“Hey sure, that would be great. Perks of knowing the infamous tight end with a tight end, am I right?” Leon glances over at Joanna, who looks like she wants to crawl under the tiny table they’re sitting at and hide, her cheeks spotted with pink.

Tight end with a tight end? I mean…I’ve heard it before. “I’ll get your info from Jo Jo and make it happen. How many tickets do you want?”