“I don’t know, Knox.” She kisses my neck softly. “There are worse ways to die.” I roll to the side, taking her with me, laughing the whole time.
twenty-six
Kylie
My phone rings as soon as I walk into my apartment and I reach into my purse, pulling it out. I don’t know why I’m expecting it to be Knox, but it’s not, it’s Kirby. “What’s happening, big brother?” I say instead of greeting him the normal way.
“Not much.” He sighs. “Just got to the rink for the game.”
“Why aren’t you calling Lexi?” I ask him, kicking off my shoes and picking them up as I walk to the closet to put them away. “Or am I the second on the long list of people?”
He chuckles. “First of all, there is no long list of anybody.” I put my shoes on the shelf I took them off this morning. “I just feel like we haven’t touched base in a while.”
“I literally saw you three days ago.” It’s my turn to laugh as I walk back out and to the kitchen. “Or was it so unmemorable that you forgot?”
“I know I saw you three days ago, Kylie.” I hear him panting.
“What are you doing?” I open the fridge and peek inside at what there is to offer, which shouldn’t be shocking when I find it almost bare. I find it a little bit depressing cooking for just one person. I usually have a couple of those prepared meals that Kirby has catered to him. But this week, the time must have slipped away from me since I didn’t order any.
“I’m on the bike,” he says.
“Ah, so you called me because you were bored.” I close the fridge door before opening the freezer.
“No,” he quickly snaps out. “What’s new with you?”
I turn my head to the side and a sheer sense of panic fills me. Did Knox tell him about us? Did Jaxon? Does he know? “Nothing,” I reply, not sure what he’s heard but I’m not going to tell him. I mean, what would I even tell him? I’ve hooked up with Knox for the last couple of months on and off? That we went on one date together and that it was set up? “Why, what did you hear?” I tread very carefully.
He snorts. “I haven’t heard anything.” My head falls back, relieved. “But you’ve been suspiciously quiet, and we haven’t seen you much.”
“You are on the road,” I remind him. “You are the one who has been suspiciously quiet.” I turn it back on him. “Why is that?”
“I know what you are doing.”
“I have no idea what you are talking about.” I reach in for a frozen pizza and then close the door.
“Are you okay?” he asks me softly
“Why wouldn’t I be okay?” The tightness in the middle of my chest comes and I push it away.
“You pretend you are okay.” His voice is still low, and it’s probably because he doesn’t want anyone to hear his conversation.
“No one is pretending.” My voice is as soft as his. “I’m okay.” I sigh deeply. “This is starting to finally feel like home.” I look around the apartment. “I love my job. I love my coworker. I have some pretty cool friends.” My mind immediately goes to Knox. “I’m content.”
“You were always the strong one out of the two of us.” His words make me clear my throat, trying to get my breath out. “When I get back, you have to come over.”
“I would love that,” I reply, turning to open the drawer that holds my cookie sheets, which I use not for baking cookies, but to make my pizza.
“Okay, well, if you want to talk about anything...”
“I want to talk about how annoying my brother is,” I snap. “He’s on my ass constantly. Made me move to this run-down place.” I almost snort out. “He never buys me anything. I feel totally neglected now that he found the love of his life and she’s been taking all of his time away from me and all the emotional conversations we have with each other. Never including me in their lives. Actually, now that you mention it, I’m feeling a little sad.” That makes us both laugh.
“Goodbye,” he says and he hangs up. I turn over the pizza box and read the instructions when the phone rings again. I don’t even bother looking at the name, knowing it’s Kirby calling me back.
“Seriously, I’m fine.” I laugh out and then I hear the rumble of Knox’s laugh and I freeze.
“Good to know.” His voice comes out smooth and I hang my head.
“I thought it was my brother,” I cut in. “He just called me.”
