Some weird fucked-up brotherly bonding maybe?
“You want me to sleep on the couch?” Knox asks when we’re alone.
I tilt my head, feeling completely sober and sated, wondering if I’m gonna have to spell it out for him.
“I was hoping you’d lay with me in your bed,” I tell him honestly as I snuggle under the covers.
“Okay, I just wanted to be sure.” He climbs in and pulls me into his body. I smile against his chest, unable to remember a time when I felt this happy. I want him to feel the same.
“Knox?” I say after a few silent minutes.
“We’ll talk tomorrow, Hads. I gotta be up in three hours for work,” he reminds me.
“Okay. Good night,” I say softly, resting my head on his chest and listening to the steady beat of his heart.
By the time I wake up, it’s bright and sunny. When I look around, Knox is gone, and his side of the bed is cold. I check my phone and see it’s after ten, which means he’s been working for at least four hours now. I’m not sure if I’m supposed to wait for him or if he’s hoping I’ll be gone by the time he returns. If making me overthink and be paranoid was his goal, he wins. Now that he’s fucked me, my brain won’t stop thinking that he’s done with me. It doesn’t help that he hasn’t sent me a text or reached out at all.
Instead of letting the intrusive thoughts consume me, I shower, then ask Harper to pick me up and take me to my Jeep parked at her house.
When she sees me, she laughs.
“If this isn’t the most walk of shame walk of shame I’ve ever seen.”
I groan, a hangover headache surfacing. “Shush.”
“So…Knox or Kane?” she inquires with a popped brow.
I smile to myself. “You wouldn’t believe me even if I told you.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
KNOX
For the past two days, I’ve been stuck in this weird elated but pissed-off mood. I should’ve been happier than shit to have Hadleigh in my bed, clinging to my body as we slept. But I kept waking to visuals of Kane’s dick inside her. I didn’t stop her, though maybe I should’ve, but she wanted us both so damn much. I gave in because I didn’t want to miss out due to my own insecurities. Hadleigh’s everything I never realized I wanted, and now I don’t know how to handle what I’m feeling. She’s texted me a few times, but I haven’t responded. When she called during her lunch break today, I sent her straight to voicemail. If she plans to tell me she’s choosing Kane, I don’t wanna hear it.
At the party, I had high hopes that Hadleigh would pick me, but when she kept stalling and clung to Kane, part of me knew. She already said she didn’t want anyone to get hurt but not making a decision was her decision.
And I’m not tagging along for this ride anymore. We shared a night I’ll never forget, but that’s as far as it’ll go. I’m done.
If she wants Kane, I hope they’re happy together. At least he’d take care of her properly.
“Oh, you stupid, stubborn boy,” Mom tsks at me as I walk into the kitchen, stealing some food from the fridge.
“I know you’re not talkin’ about me.”
“I most definitely am. Why are you so much like your father?” She crosses her arms, staring me down.
Taking a beer, I twist off the cap, then take a swig. “Dunno.”
“Kaitlyn gave me a recap of Saturday.”
“Okay, and…?” I shrug. I threw a bomb-ass party regardless of what happened afterward.
“She said you’re not talkin’ to Hadleigh now. May I ask why?”
“No, you may not. And how does Kaitlyn know that?”
She narrows her eyes. How could I forget that no one keeps their mouths shut around here?
“We all see the way that girl looks at you. Why are ya lettin’ her get away?”
“Mom…” I warn, not wanting to have this conversation. I came over to steal beer and talk to Dad, not chat about my personal life with my mother.
“Do I need to remind you about the time your dad almost lost me?”
“I’ve heard it a million times, so no.”
“Then don’t make the same mistake. And for the love of God, don’t wait until she’s engaged to realize your feelings. And no matter what, don’t write her a love letter that she’ll read on her wedding day. Not that I regret a damn thing because marrying your daddy is the best thing I’ve ever done, but he sure was a headache. Always gave me mixed signals and the constant back and forth. Hadleigh might not be as patient with you as I was with your dad.”
“Ma, it’s not even like that. She knows where I stand but hasn’t confessed or admitted her own feelings.”