Page 17 of Not that Impressed (Houston Pumas #3)

This is the part where I did play the part of Will Pemberton, entitled football player, future MVP, and one of the biggest reasons the Pumas have a championship ring.

I have an approving smile as I think about him marching off somewhere on a mission to avenge Anna.

And maybe some of the warmth from the night he returned Janelle’s car comes back.

One of the things I’ve been trying not to remember about yesterday is the way he so easily swept me up into his arms, how solid his chest was, and how gently he held me and then set me down in his car.

How quickly he rushed to take care of me even when I’d made it clear I didn’t like him.

I press a hand to one of my heated cheeks.

I went straight to the GM. He has a zero-tolerance policy for these kinds of situations with the players, and I laid it all out.

Yes, Hollis got fired. And yes, when other teams call to ask why, Forester tells them what happened without giving them Anna’s name.

It’s why no one else has signed him, and it’s actually restored some of my faith in this league.

I know I can trust you with this information, and I hope it at least explains my actions around Hollis.

I’m sorry for the misunderstanding between us, and I hope you recover quickly.

Will

Whoa.

I set the letter in my lap. I just had Janelle text Grayson that I’d call him soon. Ugh. I never want to talk to him again.

And Will. I have to rework all my opinions of Will. He’s arrogant. He’s grumpy. He’s…

He might be a really good guy.

“Ellie?” Janelle’s voice snaps me from the reverie.

“I thought you were laying down,” I say.

She shrugs. “I couldn’t stop thinking about what might be in that letter. Hoping it explains about him and Grayson.”

“It does,” I confirm with a cringe.

I don’t even want to repeat what Grayson did to Will’s cousin.

I might puke if I do. Grayson better hope he never crosses one of my family members because I wouldn’t stop with getting him fired.

I hand Janelle the letter, and I know which parts she’s reading from the gasps and murmurs of sympathy as she does.

“We have to tell Isla!” she says when she lays down the letter in her lap. I take it from her, carefully folding it and putting it back in the envelope.

I shake my head. “I don’t think we should tell anyone. If Anna or Will wanted people to know, people would know. This was meant for my eyes only to explain what I’d accused him of unfairly.”

Janelle sighs. “You’re right. It wouldn’t be right to spread Anna’s story without her permission, but I hate that Isla’s friends with someone like him.” She chews on her lip. “And he’s obviously interested in you.”

I snort with laughter and then cringe. “I know how to handle guys like Grayson Hollis. You don’t need to worry about me getting charmed by him anymore.” I shudder in disgust to think that I took his side over Will’s because he’s nicer. “I’ll warn Isla away from him without giving details.”

“So…” Janelle says slowly. “Are you going to give Will a chance now?”

I scowl. “I can admit that I willingly misjudged Will without all the facts, but we shouldn’t date or anything.

Honestly Janelle, we’d end up killing each other.

” I shake my head, but the words feel like a lie only seconds after they leave my lips.

I’m thinking about Will holding me in his arms again.

And then about the smoldering way he looked at me the night Janelle was sick.

Maybe we would burn hot and fast, but maybe it would be worth it.

I shake my head again, trying to dismiss the thoughts as quickly as they came.

“Ellie?” Janelle questions.

“He hates our show and the spotlight. He didn’t even want to be filmed at your charity event. We’re doomed from the start.” I give her a faux-tragic expression that makes her laugh.

She slaps me softly on the shoulder, barely even touching me. “Okay, it would be awkward if you guys went up in flames considering I’m over the moon about his best friend. Just try to keep things civil at least. ”

I put out a hand to her to shake. “That I can promise.”

Knocks sound on the door and a voice calls, “Janelle? Ellie? It’s me.”

Janelle hops up and lets Libby in. She bounces in with bright eyes and her hands full of to-go cups from a gas station down the street. “I got us Cokes,” she says. She glances over at Janelle. “Ooops, not you, Nell. Sorry. Forgot you would be here.”

I try not to laugh. Where else would Janelle be?

“Anyway.” Libby tosses her bag on the floor by the door and slips off her sandals. “What should we do? Watch Big Bang Theory ?” Her eyes brighten at the prospect. She extends one of the Cokes toward me.

“Libby,” Janelle says. “Ellie can’t?—”

“Go put it in the fridge for me,” I break in to tell Libby. She’s excited to be part of helping to take care of me, I don’t want Janelle to break it to her that I’m not supposed to have caffeine for a little while. “I’m still feeling a little sick,” I explain.

She makes a pouting face and then strides into our kitchen to put it away. Janelle shares a smile with me. Libby hurries back in with her own Coke and then snuggles on the couch next to me, putting her head on my shoulder.

“Okay,” she says. “ Big Bang Theory ?” She sits forward to scoop up our remote from the table next to the couch and then leans back into me.

“Sounds great.” I shrug at Janelle, trying not to giggle, as I lean back against a pillow and close my eyes. I’m sure listening to a TV show with Libby will be just as fun as my audiobook was going to be.

Besides, maybe it will help get my mind off Will and that letter.

Isla.Is.Glowing

First date!