Page 17 of Demo
“This isn’t a date,” I said, crossing the now-quiet street and waving a hand between the two of us.
“It isn’t?”
“No.”
“Well, then, what would constitute a date?”
“I don’t know,” I said, suddenly flustered. “But not this. Something that involves using utensils when we eat, maybe.”
Still a step behind me, Knox pressed on. “OK then, how about we have a real date?”
“Thanks, but no thanks.” I approached the passenger side door to his truck. When he just stopped beside me, bracing one arm against the side of the still-locked vehicle, I gave him a glare. “Mind opening the door?”
“Yes.”
“Well, then you need to get your keys out.”
“No, I mean … Yes, I mind.”
Sighing, I nearly begged. “Knox, it’s 3 o’clock in the morning. I’m a little hungover, and I’m kind of regretting the Buffalo wings. Please just take me home.”
A look of concern on his face, Knox pulled his keys out to unlock the door, then walked around to the driver’s side as I hopped in. After we were both buckled in and he pulled away from the curb, Knox asked, without looking at me, “How come you won’t eat a meal that involves utensils with me?”
Staring out the window, I replied with a question. “Why is it that you want to have another meal with me? I mean, you saw me with the chicken wings, right? Put a spoon in my hand and I’m not any better. I don’t get more graceful.”
“You didn’t answer me.”
We were both quiet for a minute as Knox drove us closer to campus. “It’s not that I don’t want to have a meal with you. It’s that I’m not really looking to have a meal with anyone at the moment,” I finally confessed.
“Ouch,” was his response.
I scowled at him, but I doubt he saw it since it was so dark in the truck. “No, you see, it’s supposed to soften the blow, letting you know it’s not anything against you, personally.”
“Bullshit.”
“Excuse me?”
“I call bullshit.” Knox was resting his left elbow on the window and driving with his right hand as he stared out the windshield and navigated the side streets, purposely not looking at me. “If you wanted to hang out with me, you would do it. Don’t make up excuses to soften the blow.”
“OK, fine. Would you prefer I say, ‘It’s not you, it’s me?’”
“Maybe.”
Exasperated, I tried to reason with him. “Look, Knox. It was cute that Janice and Jared set us up. I’m sure they meant well and, if I’m being truthful, tonight was actually kinda fun. But I just don’t think we’re looking for the same things.”
Knox ran his left hand through his hair. “And tell me—humor me—what do you think I’m looking for?”
I blew a loud breath out and let my lips flap loudly. “Well, if Ally is any indication—”
Knox abruptly pulled the truck over to the side of the street, popping a front tire up on the sidewalk in front of a closed storefront. He put the truck in park and leaned over as far as his seatbelt would allow. He was right in my face.
“I slept with Ally. I’ve slept with my fair share of ladies. But I’m not interested in taking any of them out to a place where you have to use utensils.” He held my gaze for a minute before pulling back a little. “Anyway, if you think I’m just looking for some ass, you’re wrong.”
Eyes still on me, he put the truck back in drive. Then he looked over his shoulder and jerked the truck back onto the road. “Although, I must add, your ass is a nice one, if I were looking for that. But I’m not.”
My eyes practically bugged out of my head as I refused to look toward his side of the cab.
Moments of silence passed before I finally caved. “So, then, whatareyou looking for?”
