“Hey, Beau,” Knox smiles, not bothering to look before he knows exactly who it is. He turns around to face his friend, and I follow suit like the good fake girlfriend I am. Which gives him the perfect opportunity to slide his hand into mine.
I guess it’s time to test out our performance.
“So, the rumors are true, huh?” the tall brunette asks, pinning me in place with dark brown eyes. “Knox Cooke has officially been tied down.”
I respond with a sweet smile—which honestly isn’t hard to do. This man is attractive, but not in the same way as Knox, with his boy-next-door charm and blond hair and blue eyes.No, he is rugged looking with long dark hair and a perfectly groomed beard.
“I’m Emery,” I say, reaching out my free hand not already claimed by Knox’s tightening grip. He isn’t giving that hand up anytime soon.
Beau takes it, flashing a sinister smile. “I remember you. You were the girl that Knox was obsessed with when we were kids. You left him heartbroken when you went back home that summer.”
Bile rises up my throat as I pull my hand away from his. I left him heartbroken? Was that the story he weaved after I left that summer? I bet he used his sweet little sob story to get more pity fucks than he knew what to do with.
Knox squeezes my hand tight, almost like he’s trying to send me a message. I ignore it and swallow the rage simmering inside me.
“Yep, that’s me,” I say, leaning hard into Knox’s side. I wiggle my hand out of his and wrap both arms around his waist. “But I was an idiot back then and didn’t realize what I had. But I’m here now, and I’m so happy he’s giving me a second chance.”
Knox stiffens enough for me to know, but not enough to set off any red flags. His arm hovers around me like he’s not sure whether to pull me closer or push me away.
Beau raises a brow, either amused or skeptical. I’m not entirely sure, nor do I care. “Wow. That’s very…sweet. I didn’t think old Knoxy would ever settle down, but I guess I’ve been wrong before.”
“It’s new,” Knox says, his voice dry, “but it’s going really well so far.”
“I’d say it’s going more than well,babe,” I chide, ignoring one of my one rules.
“That’s great, man,” Beau says, his heavy stare continuing to bounce back and forth between us. This little charade is starting to fall apart with Knox not playing along.
“Well, it was nice meeting you, Beau,” I sigh, stepping away from Knox’s side, “but I’m going to let you two catch up. Babe, I’m going to get a funnel cake. Do you want anything?”
I swear I hear a strangled sigh slip from his lips. “No,babe. I’m good, but thank you,” he answers, throwing the pet name back in my face.
I end our strained conversation with a tight smile before turning on my heel and trying to walk away normally, even though I want to stomp through the dirt like a deranged toddler.
The more distance I put between Knox and me, the lighter I feel. A dull pain pulses between my temples. I want to leave and crawl back into my isolated slice of heaven with my cat, surrounded by piles of uncovered treasures. But I can’t.
I find an empty bench and collapse against the splintered wood, thanking past me for deciding to wear jeans tonight. I close my eyes and take in long, deep breaths, trying to calm down the storm raging inside me.
I can’t believe Knox was convincing everyone he was the heartbroken one when he was the one who crushed me. I was going to move here permanently for him, and he freaked out at the first sign of commitment. It took me forever to trust another guy after that, but maybe I need to reassess my judgment because here I am eight years later, and I haven’t learned a damn thing.
My hand tightens around the half-melted lemonade cup in my hand. It’s watered down now, but I take a sip anyway. If anything, I need to do something other than scream. I should’ve brought my pillow with me.
Footsteps crunch toward me in the gravel, and when I look up, I expect to see Knox, but instead I’m greeted with a fake smile and an even faker tan to match.
“Hi there,” the blonde says, leering down at me. I raise myeyebrows and give her Daisy Dukes and tall, fake cowboy boots a once-over. We were in rural New York—not Texas.
“Hey,” I say, rising to my feet. She is still taller than me, but at least I meet her eye line from this level. “Do I know you?”
The girl tilts her head, blonde extensions cascading over her shoulders. “Not yet,” she says. Her voice sounds sweet, but somehow condescending. “But I’ve heard plenty about you.”
I am not in the mood for this mean girl shit. I nod my head, waiting for her to continue.
“I’m Ava,” she proceeds, not offering any gesture of goodwill. “Knox and I used to…hang out.”
So basically, she’s saying she’s seen him naked without actually saying it. I wish I could say I’m surprised, but I knew what I was walking into. I nod again and clench my lips into an impartial smile, which was becoming second nature for me.
“Okay,” I reply, crossing my arms and leaning on my hip, “and what’s the point of telling me that?”
Her eyes narrow on mine, but she doesn’t show any sign of backing off. Maybe I should tell her he’s not worth it and she should focus less on men and more on getting a better personality.
