Chapter 36

His words will stay with me for the night. ~I only care if you’re proud of me, nobody else.~ I won’t lie, my eyes widened when he said that to me.

I just don’t get him anymore. I used to be able to read him so well, and now, I can’t anymore.

“Bye, Knox! Have fun tonight! Whatever or... whoever you do!”

“Alex!” He screamed, laughing, not happy with the fact that I kept teasing him about the way he was with girls I knew. But still, he hung up. He won’t change his ways with them. Please, I’m not stupid.

He checked the phone again and handed it back to Andy. Facing the camera, he narrowed his eyes and shook his head with a smile, mouthing the word ‘Never,’ knowing I was still watching him.

This made me smile wide, knowing he knew I was still watching. He turned around to Kyle and pulled him into a bro hug, drawing the rest of the pack of best friends into a group hug, laughing.

“Damn! He’s got it bad for you!” Tyler said, glancing over at me then back to the screen that lit up in front of him.

“Come on, you’ve watched the game now let’s get back to this report of ours! We need to get at least half of it finished by tonight,” I snorted at Tyler, ignoring his comment while they sauntered over to the dining table.

We were quietly typing away at the sections we were assigned to, Tyler laughing every once in a while.

“You know you’re the worst kind of person to have in a group project, Tyler,” I started, not taking my eyes off my laptop screen.

Then Knox’s Calvin Klein commercial from the first game I went to came on and I rolled my eyes, glancing at the TV screen behind Tyler and Aaron. Tyler kept laughing. What was he looking at?

“Tyler! Type! Now!” I ordered, my patience wearing thin.

He looked up with a smirk on his face, “Your sexy commercial is trending on Twitter and Facebook right now, Alex. Everyone is talking about how hot you looked and how lucky Carter is.”

I narrowed my eyes at Tyler.

“Bullshit! Let me see—” I got up and walked around to his laptop to see that I was indeed trending on both social media platforms. Great. Just what I needed right now.

I huffed out a breath and sat back down to continue typing.

“Well, look on the bright side. Your swimsuits sold out within minutes of the commercial airing and crashed the website.”

“What?! Are you kidding me? The website crashed!”

“Looks like every girl wants a Carter swimsuit, thanks to you!”

“Well, at least they’re selling and not sitting on the shelves.”

“All trying to be his girl, cute,” Tyler teased, looking at the laptop screen. I laughed and we decided to carry on with the group report for the night.

We spent the night eating pizza and gossiping about people in our course like the gossip queens we are. Laughing and joking around until it was one in the morning. Both guys were tired and so was I.

We flew through the report and got over half of it done, so we decided to go out for drinks when it’s fully over. As they left my apartment, I waved them off and started to put away the pizza boxes and plates.

I’ll clean them tomorrow. I’ll just soak them for now.

I walked into the living room to turn the TV off and his face lit up the screen with his famous smile.

The girl was commenting on the game, “Well, that was one of the most exciting comebacks from The Giants, leading to one heck of a victory! They’ve been spotted heading into a nightclub downtown and Knox has been seen with an old fling, Lauren Trapton, entering the club. Is it actually over with Alex and him or is there nothing to it? We’ll keep you posted!”

I googled this Lauren girl. I remember meeting her briefly at one of the functions. She was there with her family and was all over Knox that night.

She’s absolutely gorgeous, without a shadow of a doubt, and every guy’s dream girl. Long, soft blonde hair in loose curls that is so shiny you’d think it was a wig. Her body is toned to perfection, and of course, she was Miss USA. The TV flashes, bringing my attention back up to it, and I noticed that they’re videoing the two of them. She leans in to kiss him. Smack, bang on the mouth.

I just stand there watching this happening, not listening to what they’re saying, but I know they’re talking about ‘Me and Knox’. I suddenly feel my stomach turn and I feel sick.

The sight of him with another girl is like a punch to the gut. I’ve seen him with girls before, but this time, it’s different. It’s like a bitter pill that refuses to go down. Why am I feeling like this? It’s not like I harbor any romantic feelings for him. He’s done this plenty of times.

I regret everything now. I regret talking to him, sending that message, doing that commercial. I regret being nice to him. I regret... being near him, around him... kissing him. Why the hell did I do that? Why do I set myself up for this kind of heartache? I switch off the TV and retreat to my room, hoping sleep will offer some respite.

My phone buzzes beside me. It’s Andy. She’s probably just checking up on me.

“Andy? What’s—”

“Baby doll! It’s meeee! Your favorite... person in the world! God, I missed your voice,” slurs a familiar voice.

“Ugh, are you drunk dialing me right now? Knox, fuck off and leave me alone.”

“Woah! What did... I do? I miss youuuuu! I wish you were here now!” I hear giggling in the background and the sound of kissing. My stomach churns and I can’t hold back the tears.

~Don’t cry! Don’t cry!~

“Knox, you’re calling me when you’re with someone! You asshole! Leave me alone!” My voice quivers.

“Baby doll? Are you crying? Why are you crying? I’m—” His voice, laced with worry, is cut off by my own anger.

“Knox, shut it. Go back to Lauren or whoever and stay the fuck away from me!”

“Alex, I’m n—”

I hang up, not caring to hear the rest. ~Stop crying! What did you expect? It’s Knox for god’s sake, the world’s most notorious womanizer.~

The phone keeps ringing for the next hour. An hour! He keeps calling me, or maybe it’s Andy trying to get through. I glance at the messages from Andy’s number, even though I know I shouldn’t.

Andy

Baby doll, please pick up!

Andy

You’re scaring me now, please answer me baby doll!

Andy

ALEX! Pick up the damn phone! Please! I’m worried now!!

Kyle

Sis what’s wrong? What happened?

Wes

Are you alright Alex? What did he say? I’ll kill him if he hurt you!

Andy

Please, I need to know you’re alright.

Andy

Fuck! Alex please I’m losing my mind right now! Please answer me!

Wes

Alex, talk to me. I’m here for you sweetheart. Call me!

Kyle

Alex dammit, answer my call now!

Andy

I have no idea what’s going on and I’m fucking terrified right now! Please let me know you’re alright and haven’t done anything stupid!

Kyle

Alex! If you don’t pick up or answer one of us now I swear to god I will come to Cali and drag you back to New York! Tell me what happened?

Andy

Please Alex, don’t do this to me! Talk to me baby doll, let me know you’re alright! Kyle is scared! Call me back!

Andy

Alex, it’s Andy what’s going on? Are you alright? Knox and Kyle are pacing the floor right now trying to get through to you, threatening to get on the next flight to LAX.

Andy

Girl answer me and I’ll tell them to chill and stop messaging you xxxx

Alex

I’m fine, I just want to be left alone.

Andy

Alright girl, text me when you wake up so I know you’re alright xxxx