Page 10 of Reckless Kisses
Knox: Hey, you can all come earlier if you want to.I can’t work for shit.
The reason I Ubered from the hospital was because I didn’t know when they’d actually release me, and I didn’t want anyone waiting around.But the family had been on my case about visiting since I got released.Duncan insisted that Jeremy needed to see me to believe I wasn’t hurt.Mom and Dad texted every hour about coming over, and Finn wanted to tag along.
Finn: Good.The doctor told you to take it easy.
Knox: Since when are you a stickler for rules?
Finn: Unlike you, I do respect important rules.Like wearing a seat belt.
I was never going to hear the end of this.I was sure of it.
Finn: All right.The clan will be on your doorstep ASAP.
I laughed.My family could be a bit much, but I didn’t mind.I was like that, too, after all.
John, my assistant, had emailed tomorrow’s schedule, and I glanced at it.There was an important meeting at four o’clock, but I knew I wouldn’t be up for it.I wanted to put my best foot forward in that meeting—not excuse myself halfway through it because I had a blinding headache.
Besides, I wasn’t supposed to drive for a few days, so there was that.
Instead of being annoyed like I would typically be in this situation, I saw it as an opportunity.It meant I could see Amy.Hell yeah.
The thought instantly cheered me up.How the hell did I let a year pass without seeing her?Amy had always been a positive influence in my life.Hanging out with her felt good.Though it was also an exercise in self-restraint.Even after so many years, I still had to actively fight the impulse to flirt with her.
I was going to text her, then remembered my earlier headache and decided it would be better to call.I punched her number and put the phone to my ear.She answered right away.Jackpot.
“Hey, Knox.”
“Are you busy?”
“About to start the last tutoring session.How are you feeling?”
“Better than yesterday.But I can’t work for jack shit, so I won’t be having any meetings tomorrow afternoon.”
“Perfect.That means I can drop by your house, right?”
“Exactly.It’s a date.”
She laughed.“Yeah, it’s a date, Knox.”
“Can’t wait to see you tomorrow.”
We said our goodbyes, and I felt victorious, which was strange.I usually felt like shit when I had to cancel work.I wasn’t obsessed with work by any means—I simply didn’t like canceling stuff.It wasn’t who I was.
Usually, I’d spend any downtime working out in the pool or gym.I had both an indoor pool and an outdoor one, plus a fully equipped gym.But the doctor was adamant that I not do any strenuous workouts.I asked her to define “strenuous,” but she shut me down quickly.I didn’t have time to get bored, though, because only twenty minutes later, people started arriving.
“Uncle Knox!”Jeremy yelled as he ran toward me.My family knew the code to my gate, and I’d left the front door unlocked so they could come right in.
“Hey, Jeremy.”
He stopped directly in front of me.“Can I hug you, or are you in pain?Your face looks terrible.”
“You can hug me.”My upper back felt as if someone had sewn my shoulder blades together, but other than that, I was good.My face looked rough, though—I had a huge bruise, and my eye was still a little swollen.
Jeremy wrapped his arms around my middle.Boy, the dude was getting taller and taller.Just a few years ago, I had to lift him in my arms for an actual hug.Otherwise, he’d just be wrapped around my knees.
“How are you feeling?”
“Perfect.”
