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“Maybe.” She shrugs. “I’ve always loved to read, so it feels natural, to want to write a story. A bunch of stories. I have all sorts of ideas in my head.”
“I can’t even imagine what that’s like, to enjoy reading.”
“It’s a shame you don’t enjoy it,” she says softly.
“I’m so bad at it, I never gave it a shot. Why torture myself,” I admit, turning away from her, so I can stare at the library looming in the near distance. A building full of books I have no intention of ever touching. I wish reading came easy for me, but it just doesn’t.
And it sucks.
NINETEEN
JOANNA
I wonderif Knox Maguire is actually sincere. Is hereallyinto me? Or just desperate for any female companionship? I’m still approaching this entire situation with caution. It wasn’t that long ago I was with Bryan, the lying, cheating boyfriend. I’ve learned from that situation, thank God.
I’m not as trusting as I used to be. I’m also a little jaded, which sucks.
It’s not fun, feeling this way. I miss being carefree and open to anything or anyone. Instead, I’ve got my guard up, especially with Knox.
Still can’t believe we attacked each other in the library. That he had my shirt half off and my bra shoved up to my neck. His mouth on my breasts. My entire body goes warm just remembering what happened, and I glance over at him to find he’s staring at the library, a wistful gleam in his eyes.
“Fake it till you make it?” I finally ask.
He turns to look at me over his shoulder. “Yeah. I do that a lot.”
“In all aspects of your life?”
“Not really. Definitely not with my friends or with football. My family.” He smiles faintly. “I like my family.”
“Your sister is really nice. She came over to our place Sunday night.”
“She did?” Knox angles himself toward me. “How did you guys meet anyway? At the bar that night?”
“She was sitting next to us at the game.”
“Oh, that’s right. You had tickets in the same section.”
“She’s very friendly. I like her.” I hope he doesn’t think I’m talking to her because she’s his sister.
“I’m glad you’re becoming friends with her. I know she was worried about finding friends here.” He smiles faintly. “Thank you for that.”
“I’m glad we’re becoming friends too,” I admit.
He stares off into the distance, the breeze ruffling his hair and causing it to fall across his forehead. I’m filled with the sudden urge to push it out of his eyes, but he does it before I can even make the attempt. “My mom would probably love you.”
Okay, this is a conversation we don’t need to have. I’m never going home to meet Mama Maguire, so it’s pointless. “You have another sister, right?”
I already know the answer. Blair confessed all, but I need to change the subject.
“Yeah, Ruby. She’s the youngest. She’s a freshman in college, and from what I hear, she’s tearing it up. Partying all the time.”
That’s exactly what Blair said.
“Kind of like you?”
“I’m partying less these days,” he says. “Trying to focus on football more. The last couple of seasons, we’ve been cleaning up our act. When you’re tired and hungover all the time, you don’t play as good.”
“That makes sense.” I nod, taking another sip of my vanilla latte, which is delicious. I noticed how he hasn’t really drunk much of his coffee, which makes me think he doesn’t like it. “You have practice today?”
