Page 33 of How to Score Off Field

“No. But you don’t know that. You haven’t seen me in…how many years?” Tess drags her putter to the next hole. “I had braces the last time we were in the same room, and you didn’t even spare me two glances.”

“When was that?”

“Remember that time Grady had you guys over when we got that new ATV? And y’all took turns driving it around the property? I had my hand elbow deep in the potato chips, and none of you even noticed I was there.”

I stop playing and look at her, leaning against my putter, and matter-of-factly say, “I mean. You’re Grady’s little sister.”

Tess rolls her eyes. “No, I get it. I was mousy and quiet. Of course, you wouldn’t have noticed me.”

Wait.

I’m confused. “What are you sayin’?”

“I’m not sayin’ nothin’.” She flounces off toward the last hole—a small replica of a Danish windmill with the spinning wheels.

I don’t know a whole helluva lot about women, but I know when one has her panties in a twist, and for whatever reason, Tess is suddenly being salty.

“Are you sayin’ you wanted us to notice you?”

And by us, I mean me, but I’m not gonna come outright and say it. I’m not gonna assume she…you know, wanted me to notice her. Nah, that’s crazy talk.

She didn’t.

Instead, Tess shrugs. “Whatever, I was young.”

“Sooo…is that a yes?”

For real, spell it out for me because I’m a guy and kind of an idiot sometimes. Unless it’s black or white, I don’t see gray very often. Most guys don’t.

Isn't it easier to just say what’s on your mind, rather than beating around the bush?

“I don’t know. Probably.” She’s got her back to me, trying to act all casual. “Like I said, I was young.”

“Fair enough.” It answers my question, but not really. Like I said, I’m curious, but it’s not my personality to pry deeper. I barely know Tess.

Well maybe you shouldgetto know her. That’s how friendships form, numbnuts.

Friendship? Really, dude, that’s where your head is at?

My head—my eyes—do that traveling thing where they soak in her backside, enjoying the view of those smooth legs I sat so close to and know were freshly shaved.

No, friendship is not where my head is at, but Tess is Grady’s sister. We’ve never technically talked about Tess being off-limits to date, but I’ve heard him tell other guys to leave her alone, andthatconversation is not something I want any part of.

I don’t think.

Do I?

No.

CHAPTER12

TESS

MY BOYFRIEND IS SO HANDSOME AND SEXY, LOOKING ALL INVISIBLE AND SHIT.

“Are you sayin’you wanted us to notice you?”

Do you have any idea how hard it was to answer that honestly? Or at least, imply that I had, in fact, wanted him to notice me.

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