Page 23 of Fighting For You

NORA

It's not really a new place. My coworker's letting me stay on her couch while I figure things out for me and my brother.

KNOX

I think I might be able to help with that. Let me ask around.

NORA

You don't have to do that, Knox.

KNOX

I'm doing it anyway.

I stared at the screen for a long time.

It had been a few days, and I was already looking forward to hearing from him, already smiling at my phone on Gracelyn's couch like a teenager. I caught myself and put the phone down.

That's not ridiculous, is it?

Women met men in bars every night and went home with them. Why was I beating myself up for liking someone who had been nothing but kind to me?

KNOX

Text you later. Tones dropped.

NORA

Be safe.

KNOX

I will.

CHAPTER 6

The Secret

KNOX

The Lantern was full that Friday.

Selena had hired help since Gus died. His photo still hung above the register, and every time the crew walked in, she poured a glass of whiskey and set it beneath the frame.

We took the table we always did. Travis was already two beers in and finishing a story about a raccoon he'd found inside an engine compartment on second watch. Greene was shaking his head. Carl was texting Jill under the table.

Andy and Wyatt were across from me. Andy was mid-sentence when I tuned in.

"—but the bentonite clumps better. The tofu one is supposed to be flushable, which sounds convenient until you read the reviews. And then there's this pine-based litter that's supposed to be better for the environment, but I don't know if cats actually like the texture."

"Why are you two talking about cat litter?" I said.

Wyatt took a drink. "We're getting Birdie a cat. But Andy wants to know everything there is to know about cat care before we bring one home."

"I've never owned a cat," Andy said. "I want to get it right."

"Have you picked the cat?" I asked.