Page 15 of Off Pitch

“My next start is Sunday night’s game. That would probably be a good time to do it.”

“Do you know how you want to announce it?”

“Yeah,” I say, running a hand through my hair. “I’ve got an idea about that. But keeping it vague for now might be better so we don’t overthink this.”

She eyes me curiously. “What do you have up your sleeve, Spencer?”

“I guess you’ll see on Sunday.”

six

Harlow

After Thursday night’s lossto the Hawks, I came home and started working more on my blog post for Rory. If Saturday is going to be the day I post interviews, I need to finish this article by tomorrow.

I’m almost three-quarters of the way through my first draft when my phone rings. Who is calling me at nearly midnight?

I grab my phone and take a look at the screen.

Lucia.

I haven’t spoken to her much today because I’m trying not to spill the beans around a bunch of people, but I need to be able to talk to someone about this situation that isn’t Knox or Cole. Apparently, Knox told him yesterday, and he’s spent the entire day messing with me about it.

I answer the call and bring the phone to my ear. Before I can even greet her, Lucia says, “Why the fuck were you acting so weird tonight, Lo?”

“Well, hello to you, too, dear friend. I’m doing great, thanks for asking.”

“Don’t give me that. You barely spoke to me tonight. I asked Cole if he knew why, and he said I should speak with you.”

“Of course he did,” I say, sighing. “I wasn’t trying to be weird earlier, but this wasn’t something I could talk about at the game since people could hear. That’s why I didn’t really talk to you yesterday either.”

“Ooh, something secret! That sounds juicy.”

“It’ll definitely be something you’re not expecting.” I let out a light laugh before launching into my explanation of the meeting with Knox and Simon and his idea to help us both.

“Harlow!” she says excitedly. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?!”

“That Knox Spencer is my fake boyfriend?” I let out a breath. “Yeah…”

“Oh my God!” she shrieks. “How perfect is this?!”

“How is this perfect, Luc? It’s a fake relationship.”

“For now. Fake dating never works; the couple always develops feelings. Plus, he’s got this whole broody thing going on while you’re so bright and happy. Perfect combo.”

“You read too many romance novels, Luc,” I reply, shaking my head even though she can’t see. “We’re not going to develop feelings for each other. We barely even know each other.”

“But you will. You’ll have to spend time together to make this seem realistic. I’d bet money Knox Spencer falls in love with you by the end of the season.”

“I don’t want him to fall in love with me,” I say, exasperated. “This isn’t a fairy tale, Lucia. This is real life. That’s not how this works.”

“We’ll see.” I can hear the smugness in her tone. And I know this means Lucia will be prodding me through the season to see how this whole situation is going.

She won’t be happy with the outcome, though. Knox Spencer is so far out of my goddamn league. With that shaggy brownhair, those vibrant green eyes, and that well-suited scruffy beard, he could have any woman of his choosing. He’s not going for his friend’s little sister, that’s for sure.

Which is fine by me. I don’t want anything right now anyway. I’m still fixing the pieces of me that Derek broke. I need to be whole before I can really move on. But I can still play the image of him in a tight gray T-shirt clinging to his muscular biceps in my head when I’m alone. That’ll work for me.

“So, how are you feeling about tonight?” Lucia asks. “You ready?”

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