“Thanks for the food, sweetheart,” I said as I took the plate with my free hand.
Riot shoved a handful of popcorn in his mouth. “‘Course,” he said around it. “You need to refuel after dealing with teenagers all night. Go on and put the show back on, Knox. I’ll catch Koa up.”
Knox didn’t move. Didn’t answer. Not right away. It was then that I remembered he was there. That he’d seen me put my arm around Riot’s shoulders. Heard me call him sweetheart.
It wasn’t the first time, obviously, but he knew now. I wondered if I should tamp down the affection and touches, but Icouldn’t. Whatever Knox’s opinion was of it, I wouldn’t hurt Riot by putting distance between us unless he was the one asking for it.
I met Knox’s eyes. They were deep and intense, and I swore he was trying to tell me something, but damn if I knew what.
I looked away like the coward I was.
“Knox? You good?” Riot asked. He was so attuned to his siblings and their moods. It hurt sometimes how he could be so observant when it came to the kids, notice the slightest change in their behavior, but not see a damn thing where I was concerned.
Knox blinked and then smiled sheepishly at his brother. “Yeah, sorry. Let’s watch.”
Two episodes later and fuck if Knox wasn’t right. I was fucking Himmel.
Chapter 5
Koa
“I’msorry if I put you on the spot the other day.”
I faltered a bit with the pan of chicken parm I was holding at the sound of Knox’s voice.
“Hold that thought for a sec,” I told him, then quickly focused on getting dinner in the oven.
There hadn’t been a chance to talk to Knox about the things he’d implied a few nights ago. Hell, I still hadn’t decided if I should even bring it up to him. But now that he was the one broaching the subject, I was glad to help him figure it out.
Once the food was in and the timer started, I turned to Knox. He was sitting on one of the barstools and fiddling with the hem of his hoodie. I leaned on the counter and waited for him to continue.
He didn’t speak immediately, but I had patience. That was one thing you learned quickly when dealing with the St. James siblings. If you pushed them, they shut down. I’d become an expert at waiting them out.
I knew why Knox had chosen to bring this up now. Riot was at the studio getting some work done, and he had brought Wynter and Hawk with him. Wynter so she could work on her own projects, and Hawk because he loved Cara. She had allkinds of sensory toys that he loved and could keep him occupied for hours. And if he did become overstimulated, then she had a blanket fort set up in the corner and a tablet with his favorite movies.
Storm was taking his afternoon nap, while Cruz, Rue, and Bel were playingMinecraftin their room.
Finally, Knox looked up and met my eyes. “I know you love Riot.”
My breath caught in my throat. “Of course I do. I love all of you,” I replied carefully.
Knox rolled his eyes, not believing my bullshit. “That’s not what I mean and you know it.”
There was no point denying it. I took a deep breath, hoping he couldn’t see the tension in my shoulders. “Okay . . . ” I prompted, hoping he’d continue.
Knox huffed, slouching back in his chair. “I know you’re in love with him, and I think he’s in love with you too, even if he doesn’t realize it. I’m sick and tired of y’all bouncing around each other. But also, I know it’s not my business, and I shouldn’t have put you on the spot with theFrierencomment. Though, Riot is so fucking oblivious, it didn’t matter.”
My shoulders shook with amusement. “You’re right. But yeah, I did feel uncomfortable. I have my reasons for keeping my feelings to myself. And I get how you might not understand them, but at the end of the day, it’s mine and Riot’s relationship, not yours. Thanks for apologizing, Knox. It means a lot.”
“For the record, I think you’re both idiots, but I’ll leave it alone, at least for now.” He grinned playfully at me.
Before I could respond, the baby monitor went off, Stormy crying as he woke up from his nap.
“Well, the peace was good while it lasted,” Knox muttered, but I knew he didn’t actually mind being around the younger ones. He was a good fucking kid.
I left the kitchen and headed toward Storm and Hawk’s bedroom. Storm was standing up in his crib, his honey-colored hair sticking up in all different directions, face scrunched in annoyance.
“Hi, Stormy boy. Did you have a good nap?”
