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"I know, but I wanted to"

"Why?"

I shrug, setting ivesperson in the world, when really she should be looking at herself like that "I don’t get it Why would someone like you help someone like me?"

I open up the bun of my chicken sandwich to pick the tomato off "What do you mean someone like me and someone like you?"

She points at me "You as in a football player who has friends" Then she points at herself "And irl who could probably kick your ass"

I choke on a laugh and my mouth full of food almost shoots out of h, and then take a s ofup soh as you try to look"

"Do you really?" If only she knehat really lay inside ood reason"

"I think it’s all for show," she replies nonchalantly and I can’t tell if she’s being serious or not "I think that deep down you’re just a softy"

"Are you trying to pick a fight with ht now?" I set my sandwich down on the tray and crack irl"

"That’s such a typical guy answer" She hurries and takes a drink, but I detect a hint of a smile before her lips wrap around the straw

"You knohat I think?" I crossmy head to the side as I observe her closely "I think you like arguing withthis up"

Her shoulders lift and descend as she takes a bite of her ha serious"

"You know that as a football player I have to tackle guys, right? It takes strength to do that"

"Maybe you just run, though," she counters "Maybe you’re just good at running"

The way she says it reminds me so much of my past and it’s like a kick to the sto" I sound choked and I decide it’s ti that potent taste of Jack and Tequilato check the time "I just remembered that I have toto have to take you back"

She balls up the wrapper for her ha nonchalant, but her shoulders are stiff "Sounds good to me I was done anyway" She seems irritated and I have no idea why, other than she seeh my bullshit and test me, which most people can’t and won’t even try I’m supposed to be a closed book A mystery That way no one can see who I really a for years and it’s co is ideal

We don’t talk as I collect our garbage and then walk next to her as she limps out to my truck I try to offer her my ar to the opposite door and pushing it open

During the car ride, she barely says tords to me I should be happy about it That way there’s no room for sudden questions and state the bantering thing we had going and the way she pushed my buttons By the time I drop her off, all I want to do is ask her to stay, talk soet to know her But I don’t understand why I’ve never wanted to get to know anyone before I’ve never even been out on a date Each woman I’ve been with, I’ve only been with once Just sex That’s all it’s ever about And I’ve never wanted anything more

Until now