Page 37 of Third and Ten

“Hmm,” Blake grumbles. “Not sure. Must be new.” Then he slips his phone out of his pocket and makes some excuse to go over to his truck.

My curiosity finally gets the best of me, and I join Ethan, observing quietly as the couple stops in front of an older-model sedan. Loren turns to face JD and places a hand on his forearm while she speaks, and he laughs as he steps closer. Then, once she opens the door and sits inside, he leans over to continue their conversation, stretching his arms as he grips the door in his left hand and the frame with his right.

I turn my attention away quickly when there’s an even stronger pang in my gut than before. That uneasy feeling must be the result of watching another couple interacting, I tell myself.

I certainly hope it is, anyway. Because I am absolutely not jealous.

I’m not, right?

I feel my face flush as I’m admittedly disturbed when JD stoops and reaches in to touch her again, maybe to tuck a strand of hair behind Loren’s ear.

But I’m not jealous. I’m just irked about finding out that the guy who’s been hitting on me was already seeing someone, particularly someone who is the opposite of me in nearly every way, making it clear that he was never really attracted to me.

Or maybe I’m embarrassed because he’s just a charmer, and I’ve been reading too much into his flirting. Which would also mean I’m angry, because he was sleazy enough to enlist help from Ethan and maybe even my parents to get me to like him.

Ugh.

It’s a good thing I don’t like JD, then. Thank goodness I haven’t fallen for his charm or his “trying to be a good role model for the kids” act, and that I’ve been able to resist thinking about his physical appearance in that way.

Well, most of the time.

Some of the time?

Although, it’s hard not to notice his massive shoulders flexing beneath his polo shirt right now. It would be practically impossible to ignore the bulging muscles in his back, straining against the fabric as he rests his right forearm across the frame of Loren’s car. The way the hem of his sleeve can’t seem to contain his ample biceps certainly isn’t not sexy.

Shit.

His head turns quickly in my direction, and his eyes meet mine as he catches me staring. I want to look away, but I can’t, and he knows it. His lips quirk into a cocky smile before he pushes himself back to a standing position, his massive hand splaying over the door as he shuts it.

Then Loren rolls down the window and reaches out to him. He holds her hand for a second, and it looks like his thumb is rubbing the inside of her wrist. And I know I’m in trouble, because I swear my skin is tingling in that same spot.

Oh, no. This is not happening.

I am not that attracted to JD Bourgeois…I can’t be.

I shake my head lightly to clear the intrusive thoughts when I hear Ethan calling my name.

“Hmm?” I ask.

He’s looking at me with a knowing smirk. “I asked if you were okay…because you growled.”

“I didn’t…growl.”

He stifles a laugh. “Yeah, you did. It kind of seems like you’re jealous.”

“Pfft, of course I’m not jealous,” I squeal incredulously. “I’m just annoyed. It’s late, and I’m tired. And I wish I didn’t have to wait all night for the muscles to finish saying goodnight to his girlfriend before we can get this dang tire changed and go home.”

“Come on, Aunt Ten. They’re just talking. You don’t have to get so worked up about it,” he continues, clearly amused. “Although, I’m sure JD would be more than happy to make it up to you if you wanted.”

“Oh, stop it. You know I’m not interested in JD, not in that way,” I lie.

“Sure sounds like you are.”

“That’s impossible, because I’m not into guys who flirt with every woman they see or who would stoop to using a kid to set them up.”

Ethan’s tone changes, his upper lip curling in disgust. “We both know he’s not like that.”

I groan, because deep down, I know he’s right, despite the way tonight has gone. “Okay, look, I do think JD is a decent guy, and I am totally grateful for all the stuff he does for you. But I’m not desperate enough to date your coach just because he’s nice to us.”

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