“Physically, you check out normally for someone with a terrible case of whiplash and probable neck strain. Did you do anything in the last twenty-four hours that could have spiked your heart rate or caused your muscles to tense up? Sometimes an adrenaline rush can make a concussion worse.”
I will my eyes to stay on hers and not look over at Knox because I’mprettysurethat orgasm this morning did both.At least we have our answer.
“Not that I recall.” If Knox can lie, so can I.
It might be childish, but hell, I get accused of being one often enough that maybe it’s time I tap into it.
Shannon asks a few more questions and finally decides I should be okay in another twenty-four to forty-eight hours. She pulls a business card and pen from her purse and scribbles something on the back before handing it to me. “If you haveanynew or worsening symptoms, I want you to call me right away. Cell number’s on the back.”
I’m struck by her kindness. I don’t know any physicians who just go around handing out their phone numbers. And then another thought occurs to me. “I’m supposed to go back to work on Monday. Is there any problem with that?”
“What do you do?” she asks.
“I’m a flight attendant.”
A concerned look crosses her face. “I don’t want you lifting people’s luggage overhead. Is there someone else who can do that part?”
I think about the crew I’m working with on Monday’s flight and nod.Natalie will do it for me.
Shannon thinks for another second, her eyes narrowing. “I still don’t love it,” she finally says. “While I think you’ll be feeling better by then, the changes in cabin pressure probably won’t feel great, and you could end up getting pretty sick.”
Before I can answer, Knox says, “Then he’ll stay home.”
My eyes move to him and shoot daggers. “Knox, Ican’tstay home. I’ve already been out of work for a week. If I don’t fly, I don’t get paid,” I argue. “I’ll be fine.”
He clamps his mouth shut, but his eyes definitely saywe’ll talk about this later.
I need to get the hell out of here.
I’ll ask for a ride back to my parents, grab my car, go back to my condo, and somehow force myself to get over this attraction because my heart can’t survive another closeted man who wantsto take me for a spin. Especially one who thinks he can make my choices for me.
A minute later, everyone files out the door, and I slowly climb out of the bed. I’m going to take a leak and demand Knox take me to my parents.
Playtime is over.
I hear the front door close just as I finally get vertical. I’ve taken two steps when Knox is in the doorway again.
“Taylor, why are you up?” he says, rushing to my side.
I hold my hand up to stop him.
“I have to pee, and I’m doing it on my own,” I tell him, leaving no room for argument. “When I come back out, can you take me back to my parents’?”
“Today’s only Friday,” he points out with a note of sadness in his voice.
I make my way slowly to the bathroom without answering him. Once I close the door and turn to face the sinks, I have to grip the counter to steady myself.
It’s a dual vanity. On one sink, Knox has unpacked my toiletry kit. Myentiretoiletry kit. My toothbrush and toothpaste are in the little stand, mirroring his. My razor is next to the sink. My blush, eyeliner, and eyeshadow palette are in a tidy row, and my brushes are underneath them, laid in order by bristle size.
I swallow the emotion working its way up my throat and force myself not to think about what it could mean, or how much I like seeing my stuff here.Maybe I’m not too gay after all.I do what I came in here to do, but I can’t bring myself to pack up my toiletries just yet.I’ll do those last since he took the time to lay them out so nicely.
Upon exiting the bathroom, I see Knox sitting on the end of his bed. His eyes meet mine as soon as I open the door.
“Did I do something to make you uncomfortable?” he asks, all sorts of vulnerability on display.
Fuck me.
Not one to shy away from hard conversations, I opt for the truth as I make my way over to the chair my bag is next to. Never really understood why people have chairs in their bedrooms, but I’m thankful for it right now because I will give in far too quickly if I move any closer to Knox Bennett.
