TWENTY-SIX
KNOX
Settingmy phone down on the counter, I stare out the window at the rain coming down in torrents to match my current mood that I’ve just been thrown into. I should have known my dad would find a way to bring a storm to the happiness I’ve felt these past two days.
Opening the back door, I pull my hoodie up even though it’s useless against the onslaught of rain belting down on me as I walk down to the beach.
Sitting down in the wet sand, I rest my arms over my bent knees as I watch the white caps crash against each other while the dark waters battle with Mother Nature.
I get so lost in the ruthless ocean as I feel it try to keep me in its grip, but I’m no longer feeling the weight hold me down as I slowly break the chains that can no longer keep me bound.
“Knox?” Savi’s voice registers in the distance, pulling me out of the trance I was in. “What are you doing out here in this storm?”
She still has her scrubs on, and they are already plastered to her skin as she peers down at me with a concerned look on her face.
“Why aren’t you at work?” I ask, ignoring her question. “You don’t get off until six tonight.”
“It’s almost seven.” She glances out at the water before turning back to me with a frown. “How long have you been out here?”
“Since five,” I say quietly, finally noticing that it’s gotten way darker since I first sat down.
“Two hours?” She crouches down in front of me and takes my hands in hers. “God, you are soaking wet.”
“So are you,” I smile sadly, reaching out to touch her dripping wet hair.
“I’m not worried about me. I’m worried about you. I couldn’t find you anywhere,” she says, searching my eyes for answers. “I finally went out to the guest house and noticed your dark figure sitting on the beach during a storm, I might add. What were you thinking?”
“Apparently, my dad died today.” Just saying the words aloud seems like an out-of-body experience. You would think I would feel something, but all I feel is numb.
“Oh, Knox,” she sighs sadly. “I’m so sorry.”
“I don’t think I am,” I admit softly. “What does that say about me?” I wait for the horror or disgust to appear in her eyes, but all I see is Savi…my Savi.
“It means you’re human.” Reaching out, she brushes back a piece of my hair before palming my cheek. “Let’s get you inside and out of these wet clothes, and then you can tell me what happened.”
I let her lead me back up to the house and watch her grab two beach towels from the outdoor kitchen cabinet. Removingmy sopping wet hoodie, I strip down to my boxer briefs before running a towel through my hair.
She does the same as her scrubs come off, wrapping the towel around her bra and underwear before leading me to the house and into her bathroom, where she turns the shower on.
Steam quickly fills the air as we shed the rest of our clothes and step under the warm spray. I didn’t realize how chilled to the bone I was until the water begins to ease some of the cold.
Reaching for the body wash, she stops me.
“Let me,” she says softly. “I want to take care of you.”
“I’m fine,” I sigh, but don’t have the strength to put up a fight, so I let her do what she needs to.
“It’s okay not to be fine, Knox. I think those were your words you once told me.”
Taking the shampoo off the shelf, I pull her to me and start to lather her hair up. “I also said I would always look after you, so that’s what I’m going to do.”
She starts to protest, but I work my fingers into her scalp just how she likes as her head falls back in pleasure.
“You’re not playing fair,” she moans softly as I continue to wash her hair.
“When have I ever?” I rinse her hair and add conditioner before doing the same to mine. Once we are both rinsed off, I wrap her in a towel before throwing one around my waist.
“Are you hungry? I stopped by on the way home and got ingredients for dinner. The rain put me in the mood for soup and grilled cheese. I could put it together now if you want?” She throws a t-shirt on before she combs her damp hair.
