Chapter 40

Applying a touch of makeup, I opt for a cool brown-grey eyeshadow. I dab a bit of white in the corners of my eyes, adding highlights to make my blue eyes pop.

I finish up with a light peach-pink summer lipstick that I gently apply onto my lips with my ring finger. My makeup is light and summery, topped off with a hint of mascara.

I’m dressed in denim ripped shorts, a floral string top tucked in, and white Vans. It’s a casual, laid-back look, but most importantly, it’s comfortable.

“Alex! Hurry the hell up!” Kyle’s voice echoes down the hallway, causing me to fluster and hurriedly throw stuff into my purse. I bet Andy isn’t even ready yet.

Exiting my room, I see Andy sauntering down the hallway. So she was only ready now? Why was I the one being yelled at and not her?

“Why was I told to rush when you’re only ready now too?” I ask her, slightly annoyed with Kyle for shouting at me.

“Because your brother knows better than to scream at me. If he did, I wouldn’t be held responsible for my actions,” Andy replies, her eyes glued to her phone.

She looks up and gives my outfit a once-over. I’d managed to put it together in ten minutes—a new record for me. “You look sexy, girl! Can I borrow that top sometime?”

I nod, and we both walk down the stairs hand in hand. The boys are waiting for us downstairs. It’s just me, Kyle, Andy, Tyler, Brett, and Knox heading to Sonny’s.

Sonny’s is a downtown restaurant we frequent whenever we visit Savannah. It’s our little hangout spot—great food, great drinks, and an even better atmosphere.

It’s usually packed with young people looking for a fun time with their friends. That’s why we all go there. That, and we know the owner and his family really well.

Reaching the bottom of the stairs, I can feel their eyes on us—except for Kyle. That would just be weird. Plus, he’s way too distracted by Andy right now.

She’s dressed in blue and white striped shorts, a yellow top, and white Converse. She looks hot, but then again, she always does.

Andy’s enjoying the attention, and Kyle pulls her in for a kiss. I roll my eyes and walk out the front door. So much for staying mad at him. We pile into the G-Wagon seven-seater so we can all fit in.

I slide into the very back where I usually sit, and the three boys sit in front of me. Andy will sit up front with Kyle, who will be driving. It gives me a lot more legroom for the ride home.

But then I hear the seats in front being pulled forward, and Tyler comes in to sit next to me.

Knox stands there, glaring at Tyler, making me uncomfortable. I avert my gaze back to Tyler, but before I can ask him a question, a familiar voice beats me to it.

“What are you doing, Tyler?” Knox grits out, a frown on his golden face. He always tans really well, which used to annoy me so much.

His blue eyes are striking in the summer, contrasting against his skin tone. Tonight, they’re crystal blue.

“What does it look like I’m doing? I’m sitting back here with my teacher,” he smirks, looking at me. He places his arm around the back of my seat and smiles back over at Knox, ignoring the look he’s giving him.

Before Knox can say anything further, Brett pushes the seats forward and climbs into the car. Knox begrudgingly follows him and sits beside him.

The drive only takes fifteen minutes, with all of us singing along to the radio—except for some Debbie Downers up front—and we’re there.

We know it will take a bit longer on the way home because there will be a lot of people out by then.

There’s also a very high chance of me falling asleep in the back on the way home. That’s what Sonny’s food does to me every time I eat there.

Hopping out of the car, I walk up to the doors, only for them to be pulled back and opened by Knox, who places his hand on my back and guides me through the open door.

Keeping his hand there, I can feel the heat through my top. We see familiar faces in the restaurant and hear a squeal from behind the bar.

A tall blonde comes running over to us and hugs me. I hug her back. Nadine. She’s the owner’s daughter and a really close friend.

“Hey, Nads! So good to see you, doll!” I smile as she continues to hug me.

“Oh my god! You actually came this time! Alex! I’ve missed you so much! I love your hair too! Damn, girl! Look who’s all grown up, you look hot!” she winks, pulling Kyle into a hug, making Andy glare at her.

She starts to talk to Kyle, and by the looks of it, Andy isn’t a happy camper right now. I better tell her, although it is kind of amusing to see. I walk over beside her and place my hand on her shoulder.

“Andy, you’ve nothing to worry about—”

“Nothing to worry about? Have you fucking seen this girl’s legs? She could be a supermodel! Kyle was with her, wasn’t he?”

“No, Andy, listen—”

“He was, wasn’t he! He still likes her, and she likes him. Fuck! Why does this keep happening—”

“Andy! Shut it for a second, will you! Let me explain! That’s Nadine, she’s the owner’s daughter—”

“Great—”

“She’s a lesbian.”

“Like who even— Wait, what? Did you just— She’s a— Wait— Okay, hang on, let me get my thoughts together! Did I hear you correctly?”

I nod at her dumbfounded expression. She’s wide-eyed, then it quickly turns to a smile on her face, and she grabs Kyle’s hand and leans into him.

He puts his arm around her, their hands still clasped, pulling her closer to him, and he smiles down at her. Andy is the queen of jumping to conclusions. Nadine escorts us to our booth that we always sit at when we’re here.

I find myself wedged between Tyler and Knox, their broad shoulders pressing against mine. Across the table, Andy is sandwiched between Kyle and Brett.

“Such a pity she doesn’t appreciate a good cucumber,” Brett quips, sending us into fits of laughter. Brett had always harbored feelings for Nadine, and when she came out, he was utterly bewildered.

We had to break it down for him gently. Let’s just say Brett isn’t the brightest bulb in the box.

I remember feeling sorry for him when we broke the news. I baked him a chocolate cake to help him drown his sorrows that night, and by the next day, he was back to his usual self.

I already know what I’m going to order—I’ve been craving a pepperoni and jalapeño pizza. We give our orders to Nadine, and then we all share a plate of their famous hot wings, eagerly anticipating the arrival of our food.

It’s as if we’ve been starved for days. Andy and I order cocktails while the boys each get a beer. We’re laughing and joking around, discussing college, work, and the upcoming summer, when I feel a hand slip onto my thigh.

The warmth radiating from it is comforting. I glance down to see that it’s Knox’s hand on my thigh. I let my eyes meet his, but he’s engrossed in a deep conversation with Kyle.

“Are you Knox Carter?” a voice interrupts. Well, we made it through our appetizers before anyone recognized him. He nods in response, taking a sip from his beer.

“Would you mind if I got your autograph and maybe a quick picture with you?” She leans down to place a paper and pen in front of him, her arms pushing up her... ’assets’.

I glance at Andy, who’s wearing a disgusted expression, and I can’t help but grin. She rolls her eyes at me, and I stifle a laugh.

Knox signs the paper without removing his hand from my thigh and stands up to take a photo with her. Same story, different girl.

“You’re much taller in person, and a lot buffer too,” she comments, squeezing his biceps and leaving her arm there.

She starts to stroke his arm, edging closer to him, then presses her chest against his arm—classy. She giggles at something, but I’m not sure what. He’s smiling at her compliment.

“Thank you. I mean, I have to work out almost every day to keep my fitness up.”

“Even in the summer?”

“Yeah, even in summer.”

“Well, I know a way to work out. It involves a certain room with a bed. Here’s my number. Call me if you want to work out,” she winks and whispers something in his ear before sliding the paper onto the table and leaving, but not before shooting me an icy glare.

“What the hell did I do?” I mumble into my cocktail as Knox slides back into the seat next to me.

He places his hand back on my thigh and gently caresses it under the table. I glance down, then back at him, but he’s just sipping his beer with a smirk on his face.

I grab his hand and place it back on his own leg, but he just puts his hand on top of mine, weighing it down. I slide my hand out and shoot him a glare.

I notice the girl he was just talking to sitting at the bar. Her glare intensifies when she sees his hand slip back onto my thigh.

Just ignore him and he’ll take it off... who am I kidding? He won’t take it off.

Two hours, countless autographs and pictures, and six very full stomachs later, Andy and I are sharing a hot fudge brownie with chocolate and vanilla ice cream.

There are a lot of ’mmm’s coming from us both. This brownie is hitting so many spots right now, even our eyes are closed as we savor it.

“Are you two going to stop making those sounds? It’s kind of turning me on,” Brett says, gripping the side of the table.

Kyle smacks him on the head. “Yo! That’s my sister and my girl! Eyes on me, Brett!” Andy snaps her eyes open, turning to face Kyle.

“My girl?” She asks, raising an eyebrow. He nods, a lopsided smirk on his lips. He leans into Andy and kisses her chocolate-covered lips. “My girl,” he whispers, but we all hear it.

I can’t help but smile at them. I’m glad I introduced them to each other. Kyle is so smitten with Andy, and she’s equally infatuated with him. It’s both adorable and nauseating.

I’m happy she found someone who appreciates her for who she is, even if it happens to be my brother. I’m glad he’s settling down—he needs to find the right girl.

I’m so envious of them. I wish I could have what they have. But deep down, I fear I’ll never know what that feels like again.

Andy kisses him back and whispers, “My man,” making them both grin and kiss once more before she turns back to her dessert. She sends me a smile that tells me she’s happy.

“Alright, if you two are done tongue wrestling each other, can we pay and get out of here? I want to drink back at the house and check out all the ladies that walk by on the beach!” Brett asks, looking mainly at Knox.

We nod and pay—well, Knox pays. I had to practically wrestle him to not pay for me. But he paid, and I promised to make him breakfast tomorrow as a thank you. He didn’t shoot down the idea—he agreed to it very quickly.

After waving goodbye to Nadine, who Andy suddenly likes, we pile back into the car. Knox pulls Tyler back from sitting next to me again, and he takes the seat beside me.

The drive home promises to be a long one, given the late hour of our departure. I stifle a yawn and let my eyes flutter shut. An arm wraps around me, and I lean into the comforting shoulder, not caring who it belongs to, and allow sleep to claim me.

The occasional kiss on my forehead prompts me to snuggle in closer. I remember it’s Knox who’s seated next to me, but I have no desire to pull away. He’s too comfortable for his own good.