Page 29 of Not that Impressed
“We have to tell Isla!” she says when she lays down the letterin her lap. I take it from her, carefully folding it and putting it back in the envelope.
I shake my head. “I don’t think we should tell anyone. If Anna or Will wanted people to know, people would know. This was meant for my eyes only to explain what I’d accused him of unfairly.”
Janelle sighs. “You’re right. It wouldn’t be right to spread Anna’s story without her permission, but I hate that Isla’s friends with someone like him.” She chews on her lip. “And he’s obviously interested in you.”
I snort with laughter and then cringe. “I know how to handle guys like Grayson Hollis. You don’t need to worry about me getting charmed by him anymore.” I shudder in disgust to think that I took his side over Will’s because he’s nicer. “I’ll warn Isla away from him without giving details.”
“So…” Janelle says slowly. “Are you going to give Will a chance now?”
I scowl. “I can admit that I willingly misjudged Will without all the facts, but we shouldn’t date or anything. Honestly Janelle, we’d end up killing each other.” I shake my head, but the words feel like a lie only seconds after they leave my lips. I’m thinking about Will holding me in his arms again. And then about the smoldering way he looked at me the night Janelle was sick. Maybe we would burn hot and fast, but maybe it would be worth it.
I shake my head again, trying to dismiss the thoughts as quickly as they came.
“Ellie?” Janelle questions.
“He hates our show and the spotlight. He didn’t even want to be filmed at your charity event. We’re doomed from the start.” I give her a faux-tragic expression that makes her laugh.
She slaps me softly on the shoulder, barely even touching me. “Okay, it would be awkward if you guys went up in flames considering I’m over the moon about his best friend. Just try to keep things civil at least.”
I put out a hand to her to shake. “That I can promise.”
Knocks sound on the door and a voice calls, “Janelle? Ellie? It’s me.”
Janelle hops up and lets Libby in. She bounces in with bright eyes and her hands full of to-go cups from a gas station down the street. “I got us Cokes,” she says. She glances over at Janelle. “Ooops, not you, Nell. Sorry. Forgot you would be here.”
I try not to laugh. Where else would Janelle be?
“Anyway.” Libby tosses her bag on the floor by the door and slips off her sandals. “What should we do? WatchBig Bang Theory?” Her eyes brighten at the prospect. She extends one of the Cokes toward me.
“Libby,” Janelle says. “Ellie can’t?—”
“Go put it in the fridge for me,” I break in to tell Libby. She’s excited to be part of helping to take care of me, I don’t want Janelle to break it to her that I’m not supposed to have caffeine for a little while. “I’m still feeling a little sick,” I explain.
She makes a pouting face and then strides into our kitchen to put it away. Janelle shares a smile with me. Libby hurries back in with her own Coke and then snuggles on the couch next to me, putting her head on my shoulder.
“Okay,” she says. “Big Bang Theory?” She sits forward to scoop up our remote from the table next to the couch and then leans back into me.
“Sounds great.” I shrug at Janelle, trying not to giggle, as I lean back against a pillow and close my eyes. I’m sure listening to a TV show with Libby will be just as fun as my audiobook was going to be.
Besides, maybe it will help get my mind off Will and that letter.
Isla.Is.Glowing
First date!
CHAPTER 14
WILL
After my disastrous encounter with Ellie, I convinced myself that pursuing anything is pointless. She doesn’t like me, and I doubt that’s changed even if she does believe what I told her about Hollis. The best I can hope for is that she doesn’t hate me like she seemed to when she snapped at me about what I’d done to him.
Then Charlie meets Janelle in the stadium’s family room after the game, and even though her sister isn’t there with her, my thoughts go into a spiral on Ellie again.
I want to know how she’s feeling. If she believed my side of the story about Hollis. If she thinks I’m a total idiot for writing an actual-freaking-letter. I want to know her thoughts on how I handled my post-game interview. She wouldn’t hold back on how I can improve my relationship with the media.
After the game, I head over to Jett McComb’s house to hang out. The Pumas quarterback throws the best after-game parties. Most of the team is here, except Charlie because he went to spend time with Janelle.
I’m sitting on one of the huge couches in Jett’s L-shaped family room, watching highlights of the game and cheering at all the good plays. At least twenty guys crowd onto the furniture and the floor around the big screen TV, and everyone is loud. Afew of the guys brought their significant others, but many of them are hanging out in the other section of the room. Maybe they’ve had enough football for today.
