“Uh huh.” The doubt in Leon’s voice is obvious. “Maybe he’s trying to flirt with you.”
“Please.” I explain to Leon everything that happened last night at Logan’s, leaving out the possibility that Knox had a hard-on when I briefly sat on his lap.
I’m sure I’m just imagining things, and I don’t need to start any needless rumors.
“I don’t know, Jo Jo. He might like you.”
“Very doubtful. He apologized for stealing my chair and exchanged his calculator. That’s it. End of story.” I point at Leon. “And don’t call me Jo Jo.”
He used to call me that all the time and it got under my skin, which he totally knew. He even had a name badge made for me that said Jo Jo, though I stashed it away in the old, beat-up desk that’s in the store’s stockroom.
“Look what I found.” Leon holds up a lanyard with said name badge attached, the irritating nickname on it. “Jo Jo is back in action once again.”
“No,” I groan, shaking my head, “don’t make me wear it.”
“As assistant manager of the store, I insist. You don’t currently even wear a badge.” He points an accusing finger at my chest. “Where is it?”
“I always forget. You know how I am.” Plus, sometimes I just want to pretend I don’t work here. People leave me alone, always going to Leon or another co-worker with questions.
It’s not that I hate my job. I love working here, but sometimes, I hate peopling.
Peopling is the worst.
SIX
KNOX
I easily makeit through my first day of celibacy, so I’m feeling confident. Even cocky. By the time practice is finished, it’s spread through the team what I’m doing. The coaching staff finds out too, our special teams’ coach pulling me aside while on the sidelines and letting me know he thinks it’s a great idea and wishes more of my teammates would follow suit.
“Chasing tail is fun, and it’s easy when you’re young and literally on top of your game,” he explains. “But damn, pussy is a giant distraction. You’re better off staying focused on the game.”
I nod, wholeheartedly agreeing with him and feeling smug about my decision. It’s a great idea. The perfect idea.
I’m so fucking arrogant about it, I even admit my decision to my dad when we’re FaceTiming later that night. His call came in at the perfect moment, just when I was ready to shove aside my statistics homework to scroll on my phone.
“You’re doing what?” Dad practically shouts when I tell him I’ve given up sex, which of course gains Mom’s attention.
“Everything okay with Knox?” she calls from the background.
“Do not tell her what I told you,” I mutter, my voice fierce.
“I won’t, I won’t.” He turns away from the screen. “He’s fine, babe! Everything’s good.”
“I want to talk to him when you’re done!” she shouts.
I briefly close my eyes, sort of hating this. I love my parents with everything I’ve got. I’m close to them and I feel lucky they’ve been such a positive force in my life. They’ve always urged me to go after what I want, never shitting on my dreams. I can’t say my friends have been so lucky.
“Son, I don’t know if that’s a good idea,” Dad says once he’s tucked away in his office. I recognize the walls and the giant window that overlooks our backyard. “Giving up sex during the entire football season?”
“Who needs it? Not me.” If I keep saying it, maybe I’ll believe it.
“You’ve always had a…healthy appetite.” He winces. Clearly, he’s uncomfortable talking about this.
Well, so am I.
“I like women. But I’ve grown tired of going through one after the other, hardly getting to know them in the process. Besides, constantly hooking up is such a distraction when I need to focus. My class schedule this semester is heavy. I’m taking that statistics course, and that one English class I’ve been putting off since freshman year. Plus, the entire team is looking at us to lead them. Me and Cam,” I explain.
Dad loves that I was made a team co-captain. He thinks my leadership skills will take me far. I can only hope he’s right.