Page 108 of Necessary Roughness
“This is a ticket to one of the family suites,” Knox explained. “It’s right on the fifty-yard line. Best view in the stadium. And… my parents will be there.”
I felt myself gasp.
“Are you asking me…” I began.
“I know we haven’t talked about the future.” His eyes were strangely intense, like he was more nervous about this thanthe game itself. “And I know this began as something purely physical. But it’s more than that, now. I know you might not feel the same way—”
“I do!” I quickly said, taking his hands in mine. “It’s more than just physical. With youandLogan.” I felt like adding that last part, because for a few moments I was terrified he was going to ask me to be exclusive with him. And that was something I wasn’t ready to do.
“I want you to meet my parents,” Knox finished. “And I want them to meetyou. You’re important to me, Sloane.”
I leaned in and kissed him. “You’re important to me, too.”
“Does this mean you’ll watch the game from the family suite?” he asked.
“Yes.” I held up a finger. “But I need to drastically rethink the kind of outfit I’m going to wear.”
Knox gazed down at my body. “What’s wrong with jeans and a T-shirt?”
“Everything!” I exclaimed.
He laughed, then glanced at his watch. “I need to go. My parents don’t know you’ll be there. I wanted it to be a surprise. So you’ll have to introduce yourself.”
“What should I tell them?” I asked. “That I’m your fuck-buddy?”
Knox scratched the back of his neck. “You could tell them you’re my girlfriend. I know we haven’t discussed labels—”
I cut him off again. “You’re my boyfriend. You and Logan. I’ve been thinking of both of you that way for a while. Roman… it’s still too new. But definitely you and Logan.”
Knox gave me a parting kiss. “They’re going to love you.”
For the first time since the fight, I felt hopeful—andinsanelynervous.
47
Sloane
“I can’t believe you’re ditching us for the rich people seats,” Jayden complained while we walked through the metal detectors at the stadium.
“I don’t know why you’re upset. You would ditch us if you had better seats,” Bryson pointed out.
“I’m upset because I’m jealous,” Jayden shot back. “You should know by now that I’m a jealous bitch.”
“They’re not rich people seats. They’re family suites. For the family members of players.”
“That’s what rich people seats are, sweetie,” Jayden said.
Bryson sighed wistfully. “My old lab partner, Vanessa, used to work in hospitality at the stadium. She said each suite has its own private bar. All you can drink.”
“That’s dangerous,” Jayden warned.
“I’ll be fine,” I said, though I wasn’t sure I believed it myself. I hadn’t met one of my boyfriends’ parents since meeting Troy’s at homecoming weekend two years ago. And the stakes felt a lot higher this time, because I liked Knox a lot more. At least the twins had helped me choose an outfit, swapping out my jeans and T-shirt for a summer dress that would have been out ofseason in any other part of the country, but which was perfect for today’s pleasantly-warm day.
Rather than walking in the direction of the student section, the three of us stopped at the escalator leading up to the suite level. “Have fun, sweetie,” Jayden said while giving me a hug. “Don’t forget about us poors while you’reliterallylooking down on us.”
“Just be yourself,” Bryson said firmly. “You don’t need to be anyone else but Sloane Collins.”
His words bolstered my courage as I showed the usher my ticket and took the escalator to the next level. The journey upwards served as a blunt metaphor for what I was doing: leaving my friends behind and potentially joining the upper class.
