Page 12 of Not By the Playbook

Ringing endorsement there. Dad must think the same because his brows rise. “And?”

“She’s very, very nice,” she repeats. A cool blue stare slants my way before returning to the task at hand.

“And I’m not?” I keep my voice light. Meanwhile, deep in the soapy dishwater, my fists clench.

Her shrug speaks volumes.

Dad shakes his head at the two of us, then turns to me and prods, “How serious is it?”

“I brought her here, didn’t I? Isn’t that sign enough?” I duck the question. Dad sighs, hands me the last dirty plate, and goes out to join Mom. I pass Jenna another dish to dry.

“Mmm…”

“What?” I swing my gaze to Jenna with a growl. Her red dishtowel might as well be a matador’s cape.

Her head tips, and she examines me as if I’m a recent addition to her Petri dish. I swear she took all the seriousness with her when she evacuated our mother’s womb. We couldn’t be more different.

“You don’t always…think things through.”

No shit. But at least we’re getting to the point. “Because I don’t have my life planned out?” So fucking what?

“That’s neither here nor there. Frankly, I’m more surprised that Rebecca is going out withyou.She didn’t seem like the football type when I first interviewed her.”

It’s the most straightforward answer I’ve gotten tonight, but still my hackles rise. “Does that mean you won’t hire her? Because she is datingme?”Wet arms cross my chest and dampen my shirt at the sides.

If Jenna thinks that Rebecca dating me is a liability and questions her judgement, then this whole plan is going to backfire. Annihilate her chances of getting the job.

“I didn’t say that.” Jenna’s features pucker as if she’s vacuumed up an entire lemon tree with her mouth. “That would be discrimination.”

“Glad you know it. Make sure you act like the professional you keep saying you are,” I grind out.

“Of course, I will.” She wrings the towel as if wishing it were my neck, affronted that I would question her moral code. But then she lets out a slow, weary breath. “It’s just…you aren’t very…domestic, you know?”

My jaw muscles clench. “What does that mean?” Maybe Becs and I are better off forgetting this scheme. My family—Dad and Jenna, anyway—are more suspicious than I expected. I sneak a look through the open doorway to where Rebecca and my parents are laughing. It’s nice to see them happy. And earlier with Becs? It was cool to have someone in my corner for once. The big football player needs a pint-sized shield. I snort under my breath.Damned right he does.

Jenna finally says, “Logan, it’s just that you don’t usually spend time with people like Rebecca.”

“Judgy much?” I stare down my nose at her. She’s right, but give a guy the benefit of the doubt for fuck’s sake.

“Oh, grow up.” Her eyes flash.

I grit my teeth as we stare at each other in flat-lipped silence. Unstoppable force meets immovable object.Kaboom.

Her expression softens the slightest bit. “I’m only asking if it will last.”

“Why do you care?”

“Well, if I’ll be working with Rebecca after this…?”

Of course, that’s it. Nothing to do with me. But at least it sounds like Becs is still in the running.That’s a good sign. Quit while you’re ahead.

“Fine. Just Jen…don’t be a bitch, not to Becs.” I don’t know why I’m getting all protective here, but I can’t stop myself from gritting out the warning. “Don’t fuck things up for her.”

Jenna gives me a hard stare. “I won’t.”

“Okay.” I snatch the towel out of Jenna’s hands and dry mine. “Time to go.”

“I’ll get my things.”

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