Page 39 of Praising the Pitcher

“You did good out there,” I say shyly to Noah when he steps closer. His hair is wet from the shower, and his bag is slung lazily over his shoulder. He looks good. Honestly, too good, but I’m keeping it together since it would be rude not only to tell Haven we’ve been hanging out but also ogle her little brother before doing it.

“Thanks, Smoke,” he drawls, grinning as he jerks his chin toward his sister and Dallas. “Maybe we should make out too. I mean, I played a better game than D, and just look at the attention he’s getting.”

His voice is low enough they don’t hear it but still too loud for my liking. I know he’s just teasing me because that’s what he does, but still, I don’t need anyone else hearing and getting the wrong idea.

“How about not?” I grumble before I drop my voice even lower. “Also, are you sure we should say anything to her? Will she be mad?”

“That we’ve been hanging out? No,” he promises, and I relax, but only for a second. “That you’ve been in my bed every night? Perhaps.”

“When you say it like that it sounds dirty, jerk,” I mutter quickly.

A damn dimple shows when his smile grows deeper, and he steps closer to me. “Well, it is a little dirty, you know,” he whispers playfully. “You read those spicy little books in my bed after all.”

I glare at him, narrowing my eyes to slits. “And now, I won’t be doing that anymore.” I cross my arms over my chest. “Actually, I think I’d better not be in your bed at all by the sounds of it.”

I’m annoyed that moments before we tell his sister, he thinks it’s a good time to make jokes and poke fun. Most of all, I wish he could turn his playboy charm off for just one damn minute and be serious.

“I’m going to wait for your sister in the car,” I say, my voice clearly agitated as I begin to turn away from him.

His fingers catch my wrist, keeping me planted where I am, and I’m met with an amused grin.

“I’m only teasing you, Smoke.” He cocks his head to the side. “Normally you don’t mind. But if you do, I won’t do it anymore.”

I stare up at him, attempting to hold my angry expression before finally, I’m overtaken by that King charm and I sigh.

“Any other time, I can put up with it. But we’re about to tell your sister that we’ve been hanging out behind her back.” I swallow, looking down. “I’ve never had a ton of close friends, Noah. But now I do, and she’s one of them.” I sigh. “I just don’t want her to be upset with me or get the wrong idea about us.”

Something flashes in his eyes, but it’s too short-lived for me to dissect, and shortly after, his grin is plastered back on.

“She isn’t going to be mad, Gigi.”

“Who isn’t going to be mad?” Haven’s voice pipes up from behind him, and my heart stops in my chest as she walks to the side of him, her eyes darting down to his hold on my wrist. “Okay, well, if you’re harassing Gigi, I will be mad. I can promise you that.”

Even though all day I knew this was the plan, I stand here, frozen like an absolute statue, unknowing what to say or do.

Noah’s hand doesn’t immediately drop from my wrist, but eventually, he releases me. His eyes bore into mine softly, like he’s trying silently to ask if we’re still going through with it. Finally, I give him a tiny nod, and the corner of his lips turns up the slightest bit. Not a full grin, but enough that I know he’s happy with my response.

His mouth opens, but before he can say anything, his sister does.

“Are you hooking up with Gigi,” she whispers, clearly irked. “Because I told you, she isn’t one of your many fuck buddies, Noah.”

“No!” I blurt out, my hand flying up and touching hers. “I promise, it’s not like that with us.” I blurt out. “At all.”

“Well, way to make a man feel like a loser,” Noah murmurs, yet again making light of something the way he always seems to. I wonder if he ever has the ability to be serious.

“Shut up,” I warn before I turn my attention back to his sister. “We have been hanging out—but only as friends, I swear.”

Questions fill her eyes, and I can see the thoughts racing.

“You’ve been gone a lot at night. I thought maybe I was missing you when I was home because I spend a lot of time at D’s, but your car is never home in the morning either.” Her eyes dart between mine. “Have you … what? Been staying at his dorm?” Before I can even form a sentence, she continues to blurt out questions. “When did this even start?” Her eyes grow wide. “The night he drove you home from dinner when you weren’t feeling good? Oh my God. That’s it, isn’t it?”

“Haven, if you’d let her talk, she might be able to tell you.” Noah snaps at her, and I think it’s the first time I’ve heard him sound remotely angry. “You aren’t even giving her, or me, a chance to speak. There’s this cool thing called a conversation where both parties get to have a turn. You should try it.”

“Don’t be a dick to your sister,” I hiss at him before my eyes find hers again, and I know what I have to do.

He holds his hands up. “Sorry. Just trying to help.” He jerks his head toward the parking lot where his mom is headed to her car. “I thought we should explain things together, but I think it’s best if you talk alone right now, so I’m going to say goodbye to my mom.” His eyes soften. “What do you think?”

I barely nod. “I think that would be best too.”