Page 72 of Off Pitch

“There you are, Spencer,” we hear Paul Fisher bellow as he comes up to join us. Knox turns to face him and positions me right in front of him, pulling me close and resting his hand low on my hip.

“Hey, Skip,” he says. “You’ve met Harlow, right?”

Paul and I both laugh. “Knox, you remember she’s Cole’s sister, and she’s been working adjacent to the team for several years now, right?”

“Not to mention Rory being one of my best friends,” I add. “Good to see you tonight, Paul.”

“Paul?” Knox says, surprised.

“He’s not my manager,” I laugh. “He’s Skipper to you. He’s Paul to his daughter’s friend.”

“Harlow,” Paul says. “I’ve got to ask something I think everyone is thinking.” Knox’s grip on my hip tightens. “How the hell did you end up with Fort Knox?”

I try to stifle my laugh as Knox groans. “Really, Skip?”

“It’s a legitimate question, isn’t it?” Paul laughs.

“Knox isn’t like most people think,” I answer. “I know he was famous for not sharing any part of his life before, but once you get to really know him, you realize he’s an incredible person.” I peer up at him with a soft smile. “He might be the best man I know.” He gives me a bright but unbelieving smile before he presses a kiss to the top of my head.

“Another question then,” Paul says. “Knox, what made you go for Cole’s sister? That’s kind of dangerous, don’t you think?”

“Not really,” he replies. “You know how Cole is. He’s never been bothered by it. He’s actually been incredibly supportive.”

Sure, we can call my brother’s constant teasing supportive.

“I don’t know how he does that then. If one of my players went for my daughter, I’d lose my mind.”

“Well, I’m grateful he’s good with it. I know from the outside that she and I seem very different, but we’re more alike than anyone realizes.” I look up and catch the glint in Knox’s bright, green eyes. “Honestly, I feel like I can actually be myself around her.”

The next few seconds are silent, filled with unspoken words. If this is all supposed to be fake, why did that sound so genuine?

“Hell, you two make the same faces at each other as Garro and his fiancée.” Knox and I laugh lightly as we both attempt toregain our composure… again. “But I’m happy about it. Knox has had such a change this season. You’re good for him, Harlow.”

“Yeah,” Knox says, slowly letting his hand start drifting down my thigh. “I think she is, too.”

“Make sure you both enjoy yourselves tonight, but also be sure to talk to the donors,” Paul says before saying his goodbye and leaving us standing alone.

“Well, I guess we should get this part over with,” Knox says.

“Happy to be your arm candy for the night then.”

He laughs before taking my hand in his and leading me to the open floor.

After a couple hours of trying to subtly suck up to the donors, Knox and I find ourselves leaning against the glass railing to the rooftop terrace, looking out over the city. He seemed to do a great job of mingling tonight, but I can see that it’s taken a lot out of him. He’s open with me, but it’s still hard for him to open up even a little bit with anyone else.

I turn my back to the railing and look at Knox. “Hey, the hard part’s over now, at least.”

He softly smiles. “Yeah. Thank fuck, too. I don’t think I had any more of that in me.”

“Well, I think you did great,” I say, resting my hand on his arm. “You looked great, too.”

He smirks before moving to stand in front of me, gripping his hands against the railing and trapping me in his arms. “You think it was my ass that looked great, don’t you?”

I groan. “You drunkenly tell someoneonetime that they have a sexy ass, and they’ll hold it close to their chest, just waiting for the right moment to bring it up.“ We both laugh. “If you must know, yes, your ass looks great tonight.”

Knox leans in closer. “Well,” he says, “your ass has been distracting me all goddamn night.”

“Hmm…” I say. “I didn’t think it would be my ass that did it for you.” Our bodies are touching now, close enough for me to feel his racing heart and him to feel mine.

---