Page 13 of Third and Ten

Then again, maybe she’s not into the age difference. Or maybe she just thinks she’s too good for you.

JD

Was she like that in high school? I only remember thinking she was one of the hotter athletic trainers.

BLAKE THE SNAKE

She was quiet and mostly kept to herself. Her sister Tessa attracted a lot more attention.

JD

Yeah. Let’s make sure Ethan never really hears about that.

BLAKE THE SNAKE

Right.

Look, maybe you’re just making yourself too available. I bet she’ll notice you if she thinks she can’t have you.

JD

You think I should play hard to get?

BLAKE THE SNAKE

Let’s start by dialing down the desperation, at least.

JD

Wow, thanks. Great advice, bro.

BLAKE THE SNAKE

Hear me out. Friend-zone her first, flirt with another woman around her, and once she thinks you’re not interested, find a reason to take off your shirt in front of her. Trust me.

JD

I don’t like any of that.

Except maybe the shirtless part.

BLAKE THE SNAKE

I’m pretty sure I already know what you’re going to say, but have you thought of making a friends-with-benefits-type offer? It might be the kind of arrangement she’s into.

I consider Blake’s suggestion for a second, but that’s as long as it takes for me to solidify that I want more than a casual hook-up with Tenley. Whatever it is I’m feeling for her goes beyond mere physical attraction or lust. And, even though I don’t know her as well as I’d like, my instincts tell me there’s a reason I can’t seem to get her off my mind. But try explaining that to my brother.

JD

No.

BLAKE THE SNAKE

I figured.

JD

We weren’t created to separate sex and love, man. You’ll never be happy as long as you keep your life disordered.

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