Page 66 of Reckless Kisses
Chapter :: Chapter Thirteen
Knox
Amy sent me all the details about the camping trip on Monday evening as I approached my parents’ house.I read through her email at a red light.
We’d leave on Friday morning and come back on Sunday evening.In my opinion, a six-hour bus trip for a two-night camping escapade was a nightmare.There were plenty of options closer to San Diego, but somehow I was strangely looking forward to it.
Amy: It’s going to be amazing.What are you up to tonight?
Knox: I’ll be in the neighborhood, checking on my parents.
Actually, they were the ones checking on me.Dad had texted me this morning that he needed some help with the garden shed and that Mom was making pie.I could read between the lines: They were still worrying about me.But my bruises were gone, and I hadn’t had any headaches at all, so I knew they’d be pleased with my recovery.
Finn called as the light turned green.
“Hey, dude.I’ll be a bit late,” I told him.
“You’re coming to our parents’ house too?”
I was surprised.Maybe Dad really did need help and didn’t just make up a reason for me to be here.
“Yeah, but I’m stuck in traffic.”
“No problem.Dad and I will start.Anyone else coming?”
“Nah.We’re the only ones with time on our hands,” Finn said.
I laughed.That was true.As soon as one of my brothers was in a relationship, we saw less of him.Then again, if someone had told me last night to cut my time with Amy short, I would have told them flat-out no.So yeah, I was slowly starting to get it.
As I arrived on my parents’ street, I noticed Amy had texted me.
Amy: I baked a pie, and now I’m buried up to my ears in a craft project for the little ones.Being a chaperone for the elementary kids is more work than I thought it would be, but I love it.
I’d text her back once I stopped the car.Just as I had that thought, she sent me another one.
Amy: Oh, I’d give anything for a margarita right now.
That gave me a good idea.I parked the car in front of my parents’ house but didn’t get out.Instead, I started to scroll through the delivery apps.Nah, I was going to do one better: I would deliver it myself after I left my parents’.Instead of texting her back, I’d plan to surprise her later.
I headed straight to the backyard, where I knew I’d find Dad.
“Hey, Dad,” I said when I saw him.
He was on his knees, bent over the assembly instructions.“Should have just built one from scratch,” he murmured.“Oh, hi, son.”
“What’s going on?”
“I bought one of those ready-made sheds that you ‘just have to assemble.’”Yeah, he used finger quotes.“Got delivered today, and it’s a mess.The instructions make no sense.”
I was surprised.Dad was a very DIY kind of guy.
“I’ll read the instructions.I’m good at this.”
