Page 11 of Demo
“Yeah, about that. I just assumed until we worked out … or when we decided … or whatever … ”
He’s looking at me like I’m the one that needs to finish that sentence. Well fuck that.
“Until we decide, what, exactly?” I push. “Bywedo you meanme? What exactly do I need to decide?”
Hands up, palms out, Knox lets out a mock laugh. “Never mind. I just thought maybe you were mature enough to have an adult conversation. But clearly, I was mistaken.”
He starts to head toward the door.
“Oh, I’m sorry.I’mthe immature one? I’m not the one who acted like a horny teenager.”
This time he’s the one to keep his back to me, but I can see his face in the reflection of the stainless-steel refrigerator. Ironically, I can’t tell if it’s anger, hurt or confusion.
Welcome to my world.
Gathering his CDs in his hands, as well as some mail I left on the counter for him, he heads toward the door, stopping with his hand on the knob. “You should really lock the deadbolt when you leave,” he says. “It’s easy for someone to break in with just the lock on the door handle.” Then he storms out and shuts the door behind him with more force than is necessary.
I swear from the other side of the door I hear him say something about burning my eyes out with pepper spray before I hear his heavy footsteps descend the stairs.
And then the barking begins.
I take a long pull on my beer. Then another.Ugh, fuck you, Knox. Fuck you.
I walk over to the window and peer out between the blinds at Knox crossing the street and climbing into his truck before it noisily roars to life. I push back and into the bedroom, pacing, then back into the main room.
Kennedy is following me around, whimpering and yipping, needing attention.
“Yes, he’s gone!” I yell at him. “He left, OK! It’s not my fault, it’s his. So if you’re going to be pissed, be pissed at him!” I sink onto the couch, my elbows on my knees and my head in my hands as I rake my fingers into my hair and give a little tug.
Kennedy pushes his nose through the crook of my elbow, whimpering and panting.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper to the damn dog. “I’m sorry I yelled at you. I’m just so angry. I’m just so fucking … sad.” I lean back into the couch, and Kennedy rests his head on my lap, comforting me. Loving me.
Loyal to a fault.
***
KNOX
I pull away from the curb and head back to my pop’s house, back to the cold excuse for a bed I’m continuing to sleep on. Lately, my older brother, Bram, the other “son” of Mitchell & Sons, has been up my ass about making things right with Lizzie. I haven’t told him and my dad the details of our split, but they aren’t stupid. They could figure it out.
I don’t expect Bram to understand. He married his high school sweetheart, Emily, and quickly had a baby. Another is on the way.
Bram used to prod me about when Lizzie and I would have kids, and I kept telling him I wanted to finish the house first. The one Lizzie and I are designing from scratch.Weredesigning. I bought the land before even telling her about it. Luckily, Lizzie loved it, and we drew up the architectural plans together. I helped lay the foundation and started the build, which is taking about four times longer than it needs to because we had to borrow more money for materials.
My buddies are helping me with the construction, but only in their spare time, so that’s another holdup.
Regardless, it still sucks sleeping on the pullout when I have a nice warm bed, and—let’s admit it—a warm body to accompany it, on the other side of the city.
Chapter 6
Ten years ago …
LYZBETH
WhenIpulledupto my dorm after that horrific setup, there was Knox leaning his back against his truck, ankles and arms crossed, waiting for me.
“How did you manage to dropJohnny and Juneoff and get here before me?” I asked as I exited my car.
