The pillow lowers.
“And you’re sure you can handle this? Because I mean it. I’m not changing my mind.”
I lean forward and shut her up with a kiss. So maybe not the most convincing way to say I understand, but how many times do we have to go over this?
“I get it, and it’s fine,” I tell her, pulling away as I capture her gaze. “If all we can be is two friends who have sex, then that’s exactly what we’ll be.”
“Good. Because I like you,” she says, and I smile. “As a friend,” she continues, the words cutting deep as I fight to keep it from showing on my face. “And I want us to stay that way, so if for any reason you decide you can no longer handle this, you need to tell me.”
“Don’t worry,” I say, forcing a smile. “I can handle it.”
But as we start collecting our clothes, I can’t help but consider the possible repercussions of this lie.
I never thought of myself as someone who wanted commitment, but the truth is, I don’t think I ever met someone who made it seem worth it until now. And now that I have her, it feels brutally unfair that she doesn’t seem to want me in the same way.
Either way, it’s not like I’ve never been told no before. I’ve been knocked down, turned down, and shut down, but I’ve never stayed down for long, and I don’t plan to change that now.
So if Hollis wants to say we’re just friends, fine. I can play pretend, but sooner or later, she’s going to realize what I’ve known from the very beginning—we are meant to be. She can take as long as she needs, because when that day finally comes, I’ll be right here, waiting. Some things are worth fighting for, and she is one of them.
25
Hollis
My phone buzzes in my pocket as I sit in the middle of our daily Honky Tonk Ball team meeting.
Wanting the Honky Tonk Organization to be a collaborative effort, my dad has made it so everyone who wants a say can have one as we go through our daily agendas. Whether it’s a question, concern, or idea, everyone is invited, which means the room is packed with players, coaches, and staff.
For me, this meeting is especially important, as it gives me a chance to figure out what content needs to be worked on and who exactly I should be working with. It’s also why I should ignore the text and save it for later, but when I see Fletcher from across the table, looking my way as he nods toward my phone I can’t help myself.
I sneak a glance around the room before pulling my phone from my pocket, holding it just out of sight under the table.
Fletcher:
I think I found something of yours
My brows knit together. When I glance up, Fletcher is watching me with a smirk that screams trouble.
This can’t be good. I should ignore him. I should just put my phone away. But, instead, I give in like I usually do whenever he’s around and type a response.
Hollis:
If you’re talking about my dignity, I’m pretty sure I lost that the night I got drunk and let you ‘help’ me with my hangover.
I look up, trying to pretend I’m totally absorbed in whatever my dad is saying, but in my peripheral I catch Fletcher grinning at his phone before mine vibrates again.
Fletcher:
Nope. But thanks for confirming you don’t want it back.
I read the text, before my phone vibrates again and this time, a picture comes through.
It’s of Fletcher in his apartment, but that’s not what has my eyes bulging out of their sockets. It’s the fact he’s proudly holding up my missing pair of red panties from the night before.
I slam my phone screen-side down on my thigh before narrowing my eyes as he attempts to hold back his laughter. Of course he’d find this funny.
As we hurriedly packed up this morning to make sure we made it to work on time, that had been the one item of clothing I’d been unable to locate. Eventually I’d just given up, assuming they’d been sacrificed to the mysterious blanket and pillow gods, especially as my stomach growled for food.
The need for sustenance far outweighed needing a pair of sexy underwear, and I’d just assumed whoever did the laundry at the Wright Way Ranch would deal with it. Never once had I stopped to consider that he’d found them first and stolen them.
