Page 136 of Playing By The Rules

It’sSaturday morning and way too early, but here I am, showing up at Joanna’s apartment, so we can get ready before we hit the road. I’m driving us to the football game, and luckily enough, the school we’re playing is only a couple of hours away. The weather isn’t the best, but at least snow isn’t in the forecast so we should be good.

Joanna answers the door immediately, already dressed in a football jersey that I know has our family name on the back, with a long-sleeved T-shirt underneath it. Her long dark hair is pulled into a high ponytail and she’s got a white ribbon tied in a bow around it. She looks adorable.

“Blair!” She yanks me inside and crushes me in a tight hug, clinging to me a little too long and shifting me back and forth. “I am so glad you’re here.”

She lets me go and I shake my head once, a little taken aback at her enthusiastic greeting. “Good to see you too.”

“So, Knox told me something pretty…interesting.” She goes to the small kitchen table and grabs a bag that’s sitting on top of it, bringing it to me with a knowing smile. “Cam’s jersey for you.”

“Thanks.” I take the bag from her, my cheeks growing hot. Why, I don’t know. Of course, Joanna would know. Knox told her. It makes sense.

Though it still feels weird, making everything public after hiding it for so long.

“I’ve been saying this for a while. That I thought the two of you were together,” Joanna says as she heads for the kitchen. “Want something to drink?”

“No, thank you.” I set the bag on the couch and pull the jersey out, flipping it to the back, so I can stare at his name and number.

Fields, in all caps, with the number four below it. My lucky number.

The man was born on 4/4, for God’s sake. Talk about a sign.

“Anyway, I knew you two were up to something. Remember when I walked in on you guys in the living room?”

How could I forget? Not our best moment.

“Yeah,” I croak.

“You were acting so suspicious. You were so upset! I knew then he did something to make you the type of mad that only a man you’re—involved with could do.”

“You are very perceptive,” I tell her as she rejoins me in the living room, one of those Stanley cups in her hand. It’s a pretty light pink shade and I love it. But those things are near impossible to get.

“And your brother is a bonehead. I don’t know how he missed it.” Joanna takes a sip from her cup, and I laugh.

“He was too in love with you to notice.” I’m sure that was the case.

Now it’s Joanna’s turn to blush and she waves a dismissive hand. “Do you need to change?”

“Yeah.” I drop the jersey back into the bag. “Um, do you have any of that face paint still?”

“I do.” Joanna’s eyes are sparkling. “Want to use some?”

“I need a couple of number fours painted on my cheeks.” I frown. “Or is that too high school? Maybe I’m being a little too over the top.”

“Nooooo. You need to do it. The first time I painted Knox’s number on my face, he about keeled over he was so happy.”

Hmm. I wonder if “keeled over” is code for my brother wanting to jump her.

Ugh. I’d rather not think about it.

I slip the jersey on over my long-sleeved T-shirt and then follow Joanna into her bathroom, where she already has the face paint spread out on the counter. She gets right to work, drawing a four onto my left cheek, then my right, taking her time to make it look good. She even adds all of the school colors, giving the number layers, and when she steps away from me, so I can check it out in the mirror, I’m impressed.

“It looks so good.” I turn my face from side to side, pleased with the results.

“He’s going to love it,” Joanna declares as she starts to put away the face paint.

“I hope so.” I sound worried, though I don’t feel worried.

“What do you hope?” Natalie appears in the bathroom doorway, her hair still damp from the shower.

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