Page 33 of Desire or Defense

I giggle, who is this and what has he done with the big man who barely speaks? Maybe he’s better at texting.

big man

But he’s a pretty boy.

I burrow deeper into the blankets on my bed, and bite my bottom lip as I think of how to respond.

Andie

Maybe I’m not into pretty boys.

big man

A pretty boy could never handle that mouth of yours.

My blush spreads from my face to my chest. What is happening right now… is Mitch… flirting? I glance at my bedroom door, which is closed, and I wonder if Ronda is going to pop inside my room any second and yell ‘gotcha!’

Andie

I’m a lot to handle.

big man

That’s an understatement.

I stare at the text, trying to read between the lines. I honestly can’t tell if he’s flirting, or if he’s genuinely irritated by my personality. Mitch starts typing again. Then stops. Then starts typing. Over and over again. I don’t know how many minutes tick by when another text finally comes through.

big man

What day is Noah's birthday?

Once again he surprises me. Why does he even want to know?

Andie

Friday.

big man

Too bad you don’t know someone who could get you box seats for Friday’s game.

Andie

Are you offering…?

big man

Trying to get a favor from the ugliest player on the D.C. Eagles?

Andie

Oh… no. Of course not. I was totes talking about someone else in my earlier text.

big man

Really? I didn’t know anyone else was suspended.

Andie