Page 21

twenty

Harlow

“I’m so glad we’re going out for your birthday tonight, Luc,” I say, leaning back on the sofa at Josh and Ella’s. “I desperately need a night out.”

“Why is that?” Lucia asks, a curious look on her face.

“Because life has been fucking crazy lately.”

That’s kind of the truth. Everything since the start of this season has been an absolute whirlwind. But I don’t think that’s the biggest reason I need this right now.

It’s mainly because I’m so goddamn confused .

It’s been six days since that night in my apartment. Six days since something came over me, and I started seeing Knox in a new way. It’s also the night he made it a point to tell me how good I look with my freckles and how they keep distracting him.

I’ve been more confused lately as it is, and that did absolutely nothing to help me. I shouldn’t be looking at Knox differently. He’s still my friend, my fake boyfriend.

The problem with that is we’re so good at faking it that it’s starting to seem genuine.

“I bet life is crazy for you,” Ella says, sitting in the chair across from us. “You’re dating Knox, and your face is plastered on the front of every tabloid.”

“I’m still not used to that,” I admit. “I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to that.”

“They’ll ease up soon,” Rory says from the other side of me on the sofa. “When my dad was still playing, I’d end up with pictures on covers, too. I was a literal child then, and I’d still see my face whenever I went to the grocery store. But eventually, they eased up, and I haven’t had a problem really since.”

“That’s good to know,” I say, letting out a breath. “I’m just worried because Knox is at the height of his fame right now, and the media seems to love the story of Fort Knox and the woman who got through to him.”

“Tabloids suck, let me start with that,” Ella says. “But I do kinda get it. Knox is so closed off and has been the entire time he’s been in the league. Him opening up with somebody and sharing her with the world is a big fucking deal.”

“I know. I try to let all that roll off me and enjoy my time with him.”

“And how have you been enjoying your time with Knox, hm?” Lucia asks with mischief in her eyes.

“Not like that, bitch,” I say with a laugh. “We hang out and talk, but that’s really it. You know we haven’t slept together.”

“Poor Knox,” Rory adds while stifling a laugh. These two just have to egg me on, don’t they? They know damn well that this isn’t real, so we’re not going to sleep together.

“Wait,” Ella says loudly, light brown hair fanning over her shoulders, “you’re not sleeping together? I’m not judging you, but we’ve been friends for years, Lo. It’s a bit surprising.”

“Oh,” I say uneasily. “We’re just taking things slow, that’s all.”

Yes, we’re moving so slowly. We went from setting up a fake dating arrangement with Knox’s agent to kissing on national fucking television four days later.

Moving so slowly.

Glacial even.

“Fair enough,” Ella says back. “To each their own. Me? I don’t think I could do that if I wanted to. Josh is just-”

“Did I just hear my name?” Josh says, walking into the room.

“Such an ego, Garro,” Lucia fires off. “Not everything is about you.”

Ella just laughs. “You heading out now, babe?”

Josh walks up behind Ella and wraps his arms around her. “Yeah, heading over to Fort’s now.” He looks up at me now. “I’ll tell your man you say hi.”

“Why, thank you, Josh,” I say while laughing.

“I’ll see you tonight, Ella.” He leans down and kisses her. “I love you.”

“I love you, too, Josh. Have fun.” Josh waves at the rest of us before walking across the room and out the front door.

Josh and Ella are a very sweet couple, so madly in love with each other. I love getting to see two friends as happy as they are.

But it also gives me a pang of jealousy.

I’m jealous because I realize I’ve never had somebody look at me like I’m their entire world. Like I’m the most important person to them.

I’m twenty-five; I have plenty of time to find my person.

But I do so look forward to the day that I can find what they have.

And a very small part of me wonders if I might find a particular broody pitcher waiting for me on the other end.

Harlow

Hey there, Slick

How’s the day off treating you?

Knox

Not too bad

Been nice and quiet without you around today

Harlow

Ass

You know you miss me

Knox

Maybe I do, maybe I don’t

I guess we’ll never know, will we?

Harlow

Play coy all you want

You enjoy my presence, and you know it

Knox

Yeah, maybe I do

In all honesty, today is a little too quiet

Harlow

Ha! I knew you missed me

Knox

You think mighty highly of yourself, Freckles

Harlow

I’m just confident, Spencer

Give that a try sometime

Knox

Maybe I will

You getting ready for your night out?

Harlow

Yeah, we’re getting ready now

You asking for a picture or something?

Knox

Oh, God no

I don’t need to see you at all

Harlow

You’re such a dick

Knox

Go enjoy your night out

We’ll talk in the morning, Lo

Harlow

See ya, Fort

“Ouch!” I say as I fall over while trying to shimmy myself into my damn dress. I just had to go for the strapless black dress that’s a bitch to put on. “Fuck, that hurt.”

“You’re that clumsy already, and you haven’t put on heels yet. You haven’t even had anything to drink,” Lucia says as she laughs.

“The only reason I’m not snapping back at you, Luc, is because it’s your birthday. You’re fair game tomorrow, though.”

Rory flops herself down on the floor beside me in black leather pants and a corseted top. “How’s it feel to be in the last year of your twenties, Lucia?”

“It makes me feel like I’m too old for my friends,” Lucia laughs. “I’ve got no one over here with me.”

“Hey,” Ella says. “I’m twenty-seven. I’m basically right there with you.”

“I’m also turning twenty-six in August,” I add. “The only baby here is Rory.”

“You’re literally four months older than me, Lo,” Rory says, crossing her arms and narrowing her eyes at me.

“What I’m hearing here,” Lucia chimes, “is that I’m still older than all of you.” Lucia applies a shade of red to her lips that matches her dress perfectly. “Here, Lo,” she says, tossing me the tube. “This will go great with your heels.”

“You don’t think the red is too much?” I ask. “I’m not sure I can pull it off.”

“Harlow,” she says with a pointed look, “you can pull off anything. The blonde waves, smoky eyes, and red lips? You’re a total bombshell.”

“I don’t know about bombshell,” I say with a dismissive laugh while I turn to the mirror and apply the red lipstick. “Ooh, I think I actually like that.”

“Like Lucia said,” Rory adds from her position at my feet. “Total fucking bombshell.”

“Just wait until Knox gets a look at you in that,” Ella says with a bright smile. “Man’s not going to want to take it slow anymore, that’s for damn sure.”

Oh.

If only she knew the real situation. Then she’d understand that literally nothing can happen between us.

As if sensing my thoughts, Lucia walks up behind me and whispers in my ear. “You really should just go for it, Lo. You know it would be good.”

Shut up, Lucia! I say in my head. Do not tempt Horny Harlow.

Horny Harlow is the one that wants to jump on his dick and ride him until we’re both out of breath.

Horny Harlow is the one that wants to get on her knees and have him mouthfuck me with his cock.

Horny Harlow needs to sit her ass down.

I can want him more than anything right now, but I’m sure as hell not making any type of move on him. I’ve been feeling more confused around him this week, and sex would only complicate things. We’ll just keep this arrangement to business.

Ugh.

“Alright, ladies,” Ella says, spreading her hands over the blush pink jumpsuit she’s donned for tonight. “How does this look?”

“Fucking amazing,” I say enthusiastically. “Josh is going to lose his damn mind when he sees you tonight.”

“Oh, he loses his mind every time he sees me. The damn man’s insatiable.”

“Insatiable only for you ,“ Lucia says with a smile. “He did put a ring on it after all.”

“He did,” Ella smiles. “God, I can’t wait to marry that man.”

I walk over and throw my arms around Ella’s shoulders. “Just seven more months, and you get to do just that.”

“Alright, ladies,” Lucia chimes. “Let’s hit the town!”

I slide on my strappy red heels before we make our way down to the street and hail a cab. My feet are already killing me, so I’m ready to drink enough to forget they even hurt.