Page 26 of Off Pitch

Honestly, if this was anyone but Cole, they’d be telling me that I’m a shitty friend and a shitty person. Cole is unbothered, though, constantly ribbing me over this ordeal. I can’t say I blame him. I’d be doing the same if it were him.

A knock at the door brings me out of my trance. As soon as I open it, Lane bursts inside. “Hello to you, too, man.”

Lane takes a seat on Cole’s bed and waits for me to sit down as well before speaking. “Talk, Spencer. What the hell is going on with you and Harlow?”

“We’re dating. I think that’s pretty clear.” Lane just looks at me, telling me he’s not buying the story.

“You have never expressed interest in her more than just ogling her when she’s around.”

“Yeah, well, then I got to know her.”

“How? You don’t talk, Knox.”

“I’m talking to you right now, asshole.”

Lane sighs, resting his head against his palm. “Fine. Tell me this, then. How long are you together?”

I let out a breath. “Just through the season.”

And then I realize what he just did.

“I fucking knew it!” Lane shouts.

“Fucking hell, Lane. You were just waiting for me to trip up, weren’t you?”

“Pretty much, yeah,” he says, laying back on the bed with a proud smile. “I knew there was no way it was real. You wouldn’t keep that from me.”

“Just… don’t tell anyone, please,” I sigh. “Even Josh. I don’t need this getting out.”

“Dude, I’m not going to tell anyone. But what’s the point of this? Why do you need to fake a relationship with somebody, and why is that somebody Cole’s sister?”

“Axis,” I sigh. And for the umpteenth time this week, I explain everything that happened with Axis, Simon, and now Harlow.

“Shit, man. Does Harlow get anything from this?”

“Traffic for her blog. She said that’s all she wants. Said that once this was public, people would search for the woman who could warm my icy heart. Her words, not mine.”

Just then, the bathroom door opens, and Cole emerges to join us. “Ah, she’s going to warm your icy heart, huh?”

“What the fuck were you doing in there, Cole?” Lane asks. “I’ve been here for like ten minutes already.”

“I was on the phone, dick. Apparently, my mother is not happy that I didn’t tell her my sister is dating Knox here. I just got an earful. Also, you literally just got here, Lane. I heard you come in.”

Lane rolls his eyes. “And how long have you known about this, Cole?”

He shrugs. “Wednesday. I needed a hair tie before the game and found Knox in the clubhouse, seemingly contemplating all of his life choices. He told me then.”

“And you didn’t tell me?” Lane asks, offended.

“Not my news to share, man. I think he had to figure out how to deal with this on his own before everyone else found out.”

The sound of vibration fills the air, and I turn to see my phone on the nightstand with a text message notification. I grab it to find several messages from a number I don’t have saved.

Unknown

Knox, this is Lucia

I grabbed your number from the team directory

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