Chapter 25- Moving on

Paige's POV 

I stared at the screen.

No.

There was absolutely no way in hell that, out of all the sports departments, I had been assigned to the hockey team.

And worst of all—Knox fucking Tatum.

But there it was.

Staring right back at me.

Absolutely not.

I was not going to spend the rest of this semester babying Knox or helping the hockey team- and Mike was there too. And after what happened between Knox and me? There was no way I could spend that much time around him and pretend nothing had happened.

I needed distance from Knox.

First thing Monday morning, I would speak to Professor Jules and ask if there was any way I could be assigned to another sports team.

She wasn’t exactly the kind of professor you could walk into her office and expect to hear, Of course, Paige. Let’s find you something else.

She’d probably tell me to suck it up and do my job.

But there was no way I could spend the rest of the semester around both of them and pretend nothing had happened.

I closed my laptop and lay on the bed staring at the ceiling. I blamed my hormones, law school, and Mike. If it weren’t for all that, I wouldn’t have to resort to sleeping with the enemy. That was literally what it was. 

Just thinking about him made heat crawl up my neck.

My mind betrayed me with flashes of his hands on me, his mouth against my skin, the way my body had responded to him despite every reason it shouldn’t have.

I clenched my thighs.

Fuck.

That was exactly why I couldn’t work with him.

I pressed my palms against my face and groaned.

“Get a grip, Paige.”

I needed a shower. And sleep.

Preferably before my brain found another reason to drag Knox Tatum back into it.

I grabbed my towel and headed for the bathroom.

……

Saturday came too quickly.

By eight in the morning, I was already at the diner, hair pulled into a messy bun, tying my apron behind the counter.

“Paige, table six needs their pancakes,” Maria called.

I glanced toward the coffee machine and sighed“Already? I just got here”

Maria laughed. “Welcome to Saturday.”

“I hate Saturdays.”

She shook her head, grabbing a tray. “Go. Table six.”

I grabbed the plates and headed toward the dining area.

By noon, the diner had finally started to slow down.

“Hey Paige!” Leah's voice suddenly rang through the diner. I had completely forgotten we had planned to meet up at the end of my shift. 

I was wiping down the counter when the bell above the door chimed.

She strutted in like she owned the place, waving at Ray behind the counter before sliding onto the stool beside me.

“Hey, Ray!”

The old man looked up from the newspaper in his hands. “Look who finally decided to visit.”

“I was busy being a student.” She reached for the bowl of chips sitting on the counter and popped a few into her mouth.

I stared at her. “Those aren’t free.”

“Ray loves me.”

“Unfortunately,” Ray muttered.

Leah laughed, nudging my arm.

“So, what are you doing tonight?”

“Nothing.” I narrowed my eyes. “Why do I feel like you’re about to ruin my evening?”

Her grin widened.

“We're going to a party.”

“Hmmm?” I say as I pour some coffee for Leah. 

“There’s a party at Sigma house on Wednesday night.” Her blue eyes take on a stern glint. “You’re coming with me.”

I groan. “A frat party? No way.”

“Yes way.” She folds her arms over her chest. “Midterms are almost over, you don’t get to use that as an excuse. And you need to meet new people, there are going to be a lot of gorgeous guys at the party, and not hockey players. And I'll be with you the whole time” she stuck out her pinky finger. “Pinky swear.”

“Okay,” I relent, not just for her sake, but mine. I needed to stop thinking about Knox, meet new guys. A frat party might not be my idea of a great time, but who knows, maybe I’ll end up enjoying it.

Leah’s face brightens. “Boo-yah! I'll see you at home, and I have a sexy outfit for you to wear.”

……

The party was alive in the way it only got on Saturday night. Leah stayed true to her word. It’s twenty minutes into the party, and she’s yet to leave my side, despite the number of guys that have been giving her looks.

I felt like a jackass.

“Okay, this is ridiculous. Go dance already.” I have to shout to be heard over the music, which, shockingly enough, is pretty decent. 

“Naah, it’s fine,” Leah shouts back. “I’ll just chill here with you.”

Now I feel worse. Everywhere I look, I see people dancing and laughing and shooting the shit.

And poor Leah is stuck to me like Velcro, unable to enjoy a second of the party she wanted to go to.

“Go,” I urge her. “Really. You are looking for inspiration, you can't be here.”

She hesitates.

“I’ll be fine Lee.” 

“Are you sure?”

“Positive. I came here to socialize, remember?” Grinning, I give her a tiny smack on the butt. “Get outta here, Lee.”

She grins back and starts to walk away, then holds up her phone and waves it in the air. “SOS if you need me,” she calls out. The music drowns out my response, but she catches my nod before she hurries off.

I can be a good friend too. Even if she would kill me if she found out about Knox. I needed to meet someone else. 

I caught more than a few guys looking my way as Leah and I made our way through the party.

I silently cursed her for choosing my outfit.

The dress wasn’t exactly revealing—a fitted black mini dress with a simple neckline—but it hugged my curves in all the right places, and the heels made my legs look longer than usual.

I rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t stop the small smile that tugged at my lips.

Maybe this was exactly what I needed.

I’d spent too much time thinking about Knox. Maybe I needed to meet new people. Have a little fun. Stop overthinking every guy who looks my way.

“Hey.”

I turned to find a guy with wavy brown hair and light-blue eyes smiling down at me.

“Uh, hey.”

“I’m Jimmy. We have British Lit together.”

“Oh.” I searched his face, trying to place him. “Right.”

His smile widened. “You’re Paige, right?”

“Yeah.”

“So, what brings you here tonight?”

“Leah.” I glanced across the room where she was already dancing. “She practically dragged me here.”

Jimmy laughed. “Well, I’m glad she did.”

I smiled politely.

He was cute. Definitely cute. And for the first few minutes, I actually enjoyed talking to him. Maybe this was what I needed. Someone new. Someone who had absolutely nothing to do with Knox Tatum.

But somewhere between Jimmy telling me about his fraternity and asking me what kind of guys I liked, I started losing interest.

I glanced toward Leah.

“I think I’m going to grab a drink.”

“I’ll come with you.”

“Oh, you don’t have to.” I smiled. “I’ll be right back.”

He didn’t move.

“I actually need to find my friend.”

“I can help you find her.”

I forced another smile, already preparing to step away.

Then a familiar arm slid around my waist.

I froze.

Warm breath brushed against my ear.

“There you are babe,” drawled a familiar voice. “I’m sorry I’m late.”

My entire body went still.

Knox.