Page 46 of The Assist
Blair nods. “You look hot. Black is a good color for you. It gives you the whole dark and mysterious thing with your skin tone and dark hair.”
“Easy, now.” I pull her fully onto my lap.
Joel winks at her. “Muchasgracias,linda.”
“Yeah, definitely do that.” She bounces with excitement. I don’t think she knew he spoke Spanish, and she’s obviously a fan. As is the rest of the female population when he busts it out.
“Do what?”
“Talk in Spanish. Not all the time . . . but drop it in casually. Accents are sexy.”
“All right, all right.” I squeeze her waist. “I think your work here is done.”
She kisses me on the cheek as she stands. “Actually, I just stopped by to see if I could rain check on dinner. I need to finish a paper before Mason’s game.”
This girl’s dedication to schoolwork is insane. “Sure. I’ll text you before I head over.”
She winks and gives a little wave, and I watch her fine ass until the door closes behind her.
“Soo . . .” Joel’s tone reeks of a loaded statement on deck. “You and Blair...things getting serious?”
“What? No, it’s just...” I don’t know how to finish that statement.
“If you’re having sex, then it’s getting serious. You wouldn’t be mixing business with pleasure unless it’s serious.”
“I’m not mixing—you know what? I’m not even gonna go there.”
“Wait, wait, wait. You haven’t slept with her?”
“Is that really so ludicrous? I’ve only known her a few weeks.” Fine it’s bonkers that I’ve spent so much time with her and we still haven’t had sex, but I don’t want to admit that it’s a big deal.
“Uh-huh. Uh-huh.” He scratches his chin and wears a shit-eating grin. “So, does that mean tonight is the night?”
“We’re going to a high school baseball game, not looking to do jail time for indecent exposure.”
“Don’t bullshit me. Tonight’s the night.” Joel practically sings the words as he dances around.
Nathan draws a heart with both index fingers. “She completes you.”
“Fuck off, both of you.”
“I gotta shower.” Nathan stands and hustles toward the staircase.
“Hurry up. I’m leaving in fifteen, and I need to make a stop for condoms,” Joel yells after him and then looks to me. “You good? Need me to put some in your nightstand?”
My answer is to lob the ball at his head.
“Okay, fine. I’ll lay off. You probably need to go take care of business anyway. Since she bailed on dinner, you have time to rub one out before and after your shower.”
I groan. “For the love of all that is holy.”
“What? Please tell me you aren’t planning to show up to the game without clearing your head?” His shocked expression makes his eyes go ridiculously wide, mouth gaped open. “Dude, you go in there without taking care of business, and you’re gonna embarrass yourself and the whole male population.”
I shake my head and let it hang down between my knees. Is this how a panic attack starts? I seriously need new friends—the kind who don’t interfere in my damn business.
17
Blair
