Chapter :: Chapter Eighteen
Amy
The next morning, the storm had cleared up.It was a good thing Knox had retrieved our backpacks from the campsite, because we could change into fresh clothes.
When we left the B&B, the sun was shining.He rented a car for us to return to San Diego.The bus driver had insisted he could take us with him, but Knox flat-out refused, insisting that he wanted me to have all the comforts possible.I didn’t care about being comfortable; I just wanted alone time with Knox.My ankle was still tender, so I didn’t even attempt to make a case about going back to camp.I could walk, but I was certain I couldn’t be on my feet for hours at a time, hike uneven terrain, or perform any of the other activities.I’d probably have to take it easy at school next week, too, and sit down more often than I was used to.
I took off my shoes a few minutes into the drive and stretched my toes.“This is going to be a long drive, huh?Eight hours ahead of us.”
“Trust me, it’ll fly by.”
“Why is that?”
He grinned.“Because I’m very good company.”
I laughed.“That you are.I have to say, you made that bus trip yesterday seem like it was just half an hour or something.”
He frowned.“Huh?”
“The way you were with the kids.You had them all entertained.”
“I was just talking with them.They’re good kids and eager to learn.You’ve got some potential entrepreneurs in that group.”
That’s when it dawned on me.“Wait, you weren’t even trying to entertain, were you?It just came naturally to you.”
“I like talking to them.I feel like they really want to listen to what I have to say, which is strange for teenagers.”
“If they like someone, they’ll listen.You’re very good with kids, you know that?”
“Nah.They’re teenagers, as you said.They’re practically adults.”
“You said you spend a lot of time with Jeremy, and he’s definitely not a teenager.”
“Sure, but I’m his uncle.He’s programmed to like me.”
Clearly, he was vehemently against the idea of him being good with kids.I wondered if that meant that he really didn’t want any.
He just told you that recently, Amy.Why would he have changed his mind?
Sure, we got down and dirty, but that didn’t mean he was going to have a personality change.Then again, he did say that he wanted us to spend more time together, and that could mean a lot of things.
I had to relax a little.We had insane chemistry, but we still wanted different things in life.Then I swallowed hard, picturing a distant future where he and I would have the lives we wanted...apart.Him still an eternal bachelor, and me surrounded with children.Would we still be friends?I couldn’t possibly imagine going back to our friendship the way it was before.Not after being intimate with each other.There was just no way.It would hurt too much.
“Do you mind if I call my mom?I want to let her know we’re coming to the pizza party too.”
“Okay.”
He called her through the Bluetooth, and his mom’s voice resounded through the car a few seconds later.“Hey, Knox.How’s the camp?”
“There’s been a mishap, Mom.Amy and I are returning to San Diego today.”
“Oh no.What happened?”
“She got bitten by a snake.”
She shrieked.“She what?Oh my goodness.How is she?”
