Chapter 11

Thank God, now we could finally get the stench of sluts out of the house. I followed the girls out and sprinted down the street in the opposite direction of the gym, the sound of rapid footsteps echoing behind me.

I picked up my pace, only to see the two of them matching my stride.

I reached the gym and turned to face them, both slightly panting. “Why must you guys follow me everywhere? I want some me time at the gym!” I told them, pushing open the gym door.

Once inside, I unzipped my top, revealing my sports bra and leggings. The gym was hot, okay? Plus, I’d run from the house, so I was already sweaty.

Kyle looked at me, his face a mask of anger. “No way! Put your top back on. You’re not wearing that in here!” he demanded.

I shot him a pointed look. “And why not?” I asked, while Knox just stood in silence, staring at me.

“Because this gym is mainly full of guys. I don’t want to beat every single one of them up in here for checking you out,” he said, punching Knox out of his daze. “Back me up here, man!”

Knox just nodded.

I turned my gaze back to Kyle. “So let them look. They’re not going to get very far. I’m not interested,” I assured him, and walked over to the stretching section.

I noticed a few eyes follow me, then quickly look away, knowing that dumb and dumber were right behind me.

I grabbed a mat and weights and placed them on the ground beside me. I stretched out my legs and arms, and began my workout.

An hour, one hundred bar squats, one hundred and fifty sit-ups, a ten-minute jog, and two very pissed-off bodyguards later, we were finished.

Many guys had approached me at the beginning when I was alone, but they both came over to stop the guys from approaching me altogether.

This is what I had to deal with every time I was around these two! I couldn’t wait to go back to Cali and get away from these two idiots.

Leaving the gym, we went to the café next door to get protein shakes, which were essential for post-workout routines according to Knox. I usually ate a protein bar, but I decided to try a shake today for the hell of it.

Walking up to the counter to see what kind of shakes they had, I was immediately drawn to the Nutella one! The young guy behind the counter smiled at me. His sandy blonde hair, striking blue eyes, and incredibly ripped body made him look incredibly attractive.

I stared for a moment until he asked, “Hey! What can I get you?” Shaking myself out of my daze, I shyly answered, “Um, I’ll have the Nutella shake, please?” He nodded and winked at me. “Sure thing. And for you guys?” he asked, turning to the two idiots standing behind me.

Kyle paid for all of our shakes. As we stood there waiting, I couldn’t help but steal a few glances at the gorgeous, bulky, blonde-haired surfer god behind the counter.

I caught him stealing a few glances of his own, which made me blush and awkwardly avert my gaze. I noticed Knox eyeing him up too, and shooting me occasional glances.

“There you guys are!” His smile was infectious as he handed us our shakes. We chose a table at the back of the café, away from the prying eyes of the window. And by prying eyes, I mean those that would be drawn to Knox.

“What’s that?” Knox pointed at my shake, his eyebrow arched in curiosity. Kyle had excused himself to the restroom, leaving us at the table, sipping our shakes.

“The Nutella one. Want a taste? It’s really good!”

He shook his head, his expression suggesting I’d misunderstood. “Not the shake, that!” He spun my cup around, revealing a number scrawled on it, followed by the words, “Call me, you’re cute ;) x”. Holy shit! He’d given me his number! What?!

My eyes widened in surprise, and I whipped my head around to find the hot guy behind the counter. He was leaning back against the counter, arms crossed over his chest, watching me.

A hot guy gave me his number! What do I do? Where’s Andy when you need her? I turned back to my phone to save the number, but Knox snatched it from my hands. I looked up at him, irritation creeping into my expression.

“What are you doing?” I asked, my tone laced with attitude.

“You’re not seriously typing in that guy’s number, are you? He could be a serial killer for all you know!”

I rolled my eyes, shifting in my seat. “Of course I am, stupid! I don’t get approached by many guys—sorry, many hot guys—thanks to you two dipshits.”

I wrestled my phone from his grip and continued to type in the number. I’d ask Andy what to do. She always knows what to do. Me, not so much.

Kyle returned, oblivious to the tension between Knox and me, and the attention he was receiving from the girls in front of us. The light click of heels signaled one of them was approaching us, followed by the screech of chairs as the rest followed. Great.

“Hey, you’re Knox Carter, right?” He nodded at her, clearly still annoyed about the number situation. “Can we get a pic with you?” she asked.

I looked up to find Knox’s gaze on me. We locked eyes before he smirked at me. “Sure, you ladies can! Anything for my fans.” Ugh, keep it in your pants, Knox.

I don’t know what possessed me to look up, but I was regretting it now. As he slowly stood up, one of the girls handed me her phone and smiled at me. How annoying.

I took her phone and positioned myself to take the picture. They were all cozying up to him, their breasts pressed against his sides, their hands dangerously close to the waistband of his gym shorts.

My eyes followed their hands, and I looked up to see that cocky grin spread across his face. I rolled my eyes and lifted the phone to take the picture.

“Ready?” I asked. They plastered their fake smiles on and nodded in unison. Knox stood there like Hugh Hefner, his hands relaxed on the girls’ shoulders on each side of him.

“Okay, say ‘desperate’.” Well, I didn’t say that out loud, but I wanted to! I took two pictures and returned the phone to the girl.

I sat down to enjoy more of my shake. Knox was still standing, chatting with the girls. They were asking for individual selfies and pictures now.

When they were done, he sat back down. “Nice meeting you ladies, have a good one!” They all giggled, and then the blonde and brunette returned, each giving him a piece of paper.

“You’re much hotter in person! I was obsessed with your GQ cover last month! You looked incredible! Obviously hitting the gym, so here are our numbers! Oh, and we don’t just do pictures together!” She winked at Knox before they all sauntered out the door.

Such classy girls! They’d do pretty much anything to get with an athlete!

Knox caught my gaze, and I tried hard not to smirk but failed miserably. I raised an eyebrow at him. This was such a standard situation! He’d have called them by the end of the day!

Guess Kyle wouldn’t be the only one to have a threesome in the past twenty-four hours! Lifting the paper between his fingers, he pointed it at Kyle and, to my surprise, asked, “You want it?”

Kyle was surprised too but shook his head no. He must really like Andy? But last night wasn’t really an indication either!

He turned his gaze back to me. I had a confused look on my face, and he mouthed “what?” at me.

Shaking my head, I mouthed back “nothing.” I forced my eyes back to my phone. After a few seconds, when I was sure he wouldn’t be looking, I glanced back up at him.

To my surprise, he was still staring at me. He gave me a lopsided smile and took another sip of his shake, his eyes dropping to his own phone. I don’t know why, but I smiled a little at this.

What just happened? On our way out, he tossed the numbers in the trash, and we raced each other home. I won, but I knew they let me. They think I can’t beat them in a real race, or they’re too scared to find out?

We got home, and I took a shower, which was heavenly. The hot water trickling down my body, washing my hair, the clean feeling it left on my skin—it was just what the doctor ordered. After drying off, I changed into leggings and a baggy jumper.

I dragged my suitcases out to the hallway, where Kyle took them downstairs to the trunk with ease, just like Wes. Wes! I’d forgotten about him the whole time I was here! I can’t wait to see him!

“Wes will pick you up at the airport tomorrow morning at four, okay?”

I nodded, making my way to the car where Kyle was waiting to drive me to the airport. As I slid into the passenger seat and reached for my seatbelt, I noticed Knox bounding out the door towards us.

“You’re coming too?” I groaned, a hint of surprise in my voice.

He nodded, a playful smile on his face. “Gotta say bye to my baby girl,” he winked at me through the rearview mirror.

The car ride was surprisingly enjoyable. We cranked up the music and sang at the top of our lungs, just like old times. I had missed this, even if it was with these two.

We pulled up to the drop-off area, and Knox darted around to the trunk to grab my bags. Kyle, ever the gentleman, went to fetch a trolley, insisting it would be a challenge to navigate two bags through the bustling airport.

My bags were set down on the ground, but Kyle was nowhere in sight. Probably got lost, I thought. I turned to see Knox standing there, hands awkwardly stuffed in his pockets.

“Thanks,” I said, offering him a small smile. But where was Kyle? Just as I was about to turn around, an arm pulled me close.

I looked up to find Knox’s eyes locked on mine. His proximity was making me feel strange, and I didn’t like it. I tried to put some distance between us, but his arms only tightened around me.

“I’ll miss my baby doll,” he whispered, his minty breath making my heart flutter. “Am I going to see you this Christmas in New York?” he asked, still holding me close.

I nodded, unable to trust my voice. What the hell was happening to me?

“Good! Because I was so angry at you for not coming last Christmas!” he chuckled, the low rumble of his laughter resonating against my chest.

We held each other’s gaze for a moment longer, and then he began to lean in, his face inching closer to mine. He’s not! Oh my god, he’s not! But he did. His lips brushed against my cheek in a gentle kiss.

Who is this person and what has he done with Knox? His lips lingered on my skin, sending an electric pulse throughout my body.

“Please come to my next game?” he whispered, his breath tickling my cheek.

Did he just beg? Why? I realized I had voiced my thoughts aloud.

“I want to see you, I miss seeing my baby doll. I didn’t see you much when you went out with... that douche.” He pulled away just as I heard the sound of a trolley approaching.

We stood there in awkward silence, both of us trying to process what had just happened. We despise each other, don’t we? Well, not really, but... it’s complicated! Why was he being so nice all of a sudden?

His arms had been wrapped around me, not in a protective way, but in a way I couldn’t quite put my finger on.

Kyle returned with the trolley and loaded my bags onto it. He gave me a tight hug, knocking the wind out of me as always. I grabbed the trolley and began to wheel away, turning back to wave at them. My eyes locked with Knox’s one last time.

“Bye! I’ll call you when I land, both of you!” They both grinned and waved back.

“Safe flight, baby doll,” I heard Knox call out as I turned away. I couldn’t help but smile to myself.

Knox had also upgraded me to first class for my flight home. I knew this because Andy had messaged me when she got on her flight back to college.

I sent him a text, thanking him yet again. I need to stop thanking him before he gets used to it or it goes to his head. Like it needs to get any bigger.

Alex

You really shouldn’t have put me in first class, I will pay you back when I get the money! I’m pretty sure Andy’s in love with you for it! But thanks for doing it :)

I debated whether to add a couple of x’s at the end of my message. Fuck it! I thought, deciding to go for it. He won’t notice.

Alex

You really shouldn’t have put me in first class, I will pay you back when I get the money! I’m pretty sure Andy’s in love with you for it! But thanks for doing it :) xx

Knox

No need, we all need a treat every now and then. Uh-oh Kyle won’t like that, but one girl down another one to go ;) Anything for you baby doll :)

Knox

And now I get kisses for buying you something? So you only like me for my money? ;) xx

Okay, so he noticed...

Alex

*Eye roll* I’ll pretend I didn’t read that! Hey! I never said I liked you. I’m no gold digger! You just got your kisses revoked! :P

Knox

You’re right... you love me ;) Noooooooooo! How do I get them back? What do I have to do? :( xx

Wait, are we flirting? WHAT. THE. FUCK? I’m not okay with this! Abort! Abort!

Knox

Baby doll? Don’t ignore me! You know I’m needy! :) xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Alex

You are so needy my god! I’m sure you get many xx’s from girls, you’ll survive!

Knox

True, but they don’t compare to my baby dolls kisses :) xx

Alex

Charmer. Bye Knox! x

Knox

Ok so one kiss is a start! Safe flight baby doll :) xx

I rolled my eyes at his message and let out a small laugh as I made my way to my gate. I must have looked like a madwoman, laughing to myself.

I found my seat on the plane and settled in. Appreciate this, it won’t happen until you’re making your own money, Alex, I reminded myself.

As the plane prepared for take-off, I browsed through the movie options for my flight. I reclined my chair for added comfort. It was time to head back to college.