Page 90 of Off Pitch

Harlow

“How the hell didwe manage this, Rory?” I ask, applying another coat of mascara.

“Because Knox will give you anything you ask for, babe,” she laughs. “You could probably tell him to get his dick pierced, and he’d do it.”

“You’re ridiculous.” I shake my head. “I’m also certainly not asking him to get his fucking dick pierced.”

“Not into that, huh?” Rory’s smile is mischievous as she tries to rile me up.

“He can do whatever he wants. I won’t care either way. But I can’t picture him wanting one.”

Rory thinks for a moment. “Yeah, he’s too clean-cut, isn’t he? Does he even have any tattoos?”

“Nope,” I reply, rubbing my lips together to ensure an even application of my new favorite cherry-red lipstick. “No piercings, no tattoos.”

“What a shame. Guys with tattoos are so hot.”

“I’ve always liked them,” I reply, leaning back against the wall as Rory finishes her makeup. “I love the sleeve Cole is working on. I just don’t think I could ever actually get one myself.”

“They aren’t that bad.”

“Didn’t you tell me your foot went numb when you got your infinity sign?” I ask incredulously.

“Damn you and your good memory,” Rory laughs. “Anyway, what are you wearing tonight?”

“Something that will torture Knox all night as he watches me dance.”

Rory looks at me and crosses her arms. “Lo, you could wear a fucking potato sack, and that man wouldn’t be able to take his eyes off you.”

I can’t help but blush as I smile. “Probably true. But mainly because he’d be thinking about how long until he could peel it off me.”

“I’m not meaning to pry,” Rory says, “but how has everything been going? It’s been a few weeks, and you two are going at it like fucking rabbits.”

“Really?” I roll my eyes. “It’s going well. We’re having fun.”

“And what about how you feel?”

The question I was hoping to avoid. Telling Rory that I’m absolutely falling for Knox would only make it real.

But my God, I can’t help myself.

He’s so sweet. He’s very attentive and selfless in bed, and then he’ll pull me in, wrapping me up in his arms.

Those moments are so much more intimate than anything else we do. The sex is fucking amazing, but it can’t compare to the way my heart swells anytime he just holds me, content to just have me there with him.

It’s my absolute favorite thing.

And it’s making it so much more difficult to pretend that I can keep my feelings to myself.

“I’m… okay,” I manage. “I really care about him, though.”

“Just…” Rory breathes. “Just don’t get yourself hurt, Lo.”

“Well, I’m certainly hoping I don’t,” I reply, walking over to the closet in Knox’s guest bedroom, where Rory and I both have a few outfits hanging to choose from for tonight.

By some miracle, Knox and Cole decided they wanted to come out with us tonight. Rory and I want to go dancing, and Knox, my fake boyfriend who hates going out in public, practically invited himself to come with us, saying he wants to make sure nobody messes with us.

Cole also decided he wanted to come since the Stars are off today. He wants to help keep an eye on me and Rory, his sister and his friend. Cole’s always been very protective of the people he cares about.

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