Chapter 49

I swing open my door to find Knox, Kyle, Wes, Tyson, Tyler, and Brett huddled near my door, clearly trying to eavesdrop.

I turn to Andy, “Told you.” I brush past the boys, snagging Ben’s arm as he’s making his way up the stairs.

I lead him down to the kitchen, pulling out shot glasses for me and the girls. “You want one?” I ask him, shaking a glass enticingly.

He grins and nods, making his way over to me and reaching behind me to grab the bottle of whiskey.

“Good choice!” I beam up at him. He pours five shots of whiskey just as the three girls saunter in, the boys trailing behind them.

They rush over, each grabbing a glass, and we toast before knocking back our shots. I pour myself another, feeling Ben’s hand rest on mine.

“Ease up there, sweet cheeks. I don’t want you getting me drunk so you can take advantage of me,” he teases.

I roll my eyes and knock back the shot, pouring another. “You don’t have to join me, Hendrix,” I retort, pouring one last shot.

We lock eyes, silently challenging each other. He raises an eyebrow at me, silently telling me this is the last one.

“It’s the last one, I promise, mom,” I tease, pinching his cheeks.

He grabs hold of my arm. “Let’s talk,” he suggests, nodding towards the back door. We walk out together, not before I catch Knox and Wes watching my every move.

Ben settles onto the sofa, stretching his legs out along the corner. He pats the cream material, inviting me to sit next to him.

I do, and he pulls me close, his arm draped over my shoulder. I rest my head on his shoulder, listening to the sound of the waves crashing in the distance.

“Talk dirty to me,” Ben whispers in my ear, making me laugh and sit up straight.

“Oh Ben, you sure know how to get a girl wet, don’t you?”

“It’s a gift, sweet cheeks. So tell me, what’s up with the three shots? What are you running from now? Wes or Carter? Or both?”

“You know me too well, Hendrix. It’s both, well, this whole dating thing is causing a little more—”

“Tension than before?” He turns to me, locking his eyes with mine. I nod. I close my eyes and sigh, still feeling his gaze on me.

“I just don’t get it? Why is there so much tension between the two of them? They’re best friends, I - I’m - ahhhhh! They’re so frustrating! I hate boys!”

“Woah! Easy there, I’m pretty sure I’m the best thing that’s walked into your life. And as for those two boys, they both really like you, they’re fighting for you. Literally.”

“I’m sorry, not you, you’re one of the good ones, Ben,” I wrap my arms tight around him. He’s such a good friend, I don’t know what I’d do without him.

“I really don’t think they do, I mean Wes said he did earlier today but Knox, I’m not his type. Never have been, never will be.”

“But you like him?”

“No - ugh I don’t know. I think I just like his company, not him. But I don’t know anymore. I just think he likes messing with me but ....”

“Look, you know him better than I do but I can guess that I’m not the only one telling you he likes you? All I’m saying is, keep your options open.

I can see he’s protective of you, and you guys are getting along pretty well based on the stories you’ve told me about you two growing up.”

“Yeah, I’m not committing to anyone. I can’t have someone else ch—”

“Cheat on you?” I nod solemnly at him finishing my sentence. I’m not mentally stable for that to happen again. I can’t go back to that.

“Alex, I understand about not wanting to put yourself in that position again. But sometimes being closed off isn’t the right answer. Find your trust in someone and commit.”

“The only guys I trust are my brothers, Eric, Ace and... you.”

“Well, learn to open up. If you don’t find someone, you can always marry me, sweet cheeks,” he winks, and I lean my head back across his arm, letting a giggle escape.

“I’ll be marrying Andy, honey.”

“Hey, I’ll marry Andy too. Always wanted a threesome. And to get one every night when I come home is the dream.”

I slap him hard on his shoulder, making him chuckle. Knox interrupts us by joining us, sitting across the way with a beer bottle in his hand. That last shot hit me hard, I’m struggling to focus my vision.

“No more shots for you, sweet cheeks,” he slaps my thigh while I roll my eyes at him.

“Why do you call her sweet cheeks?” Knox asks, studying the label of the bottle before meeting our eyes.

“She’s got a good ass, a surfer’s ass. That’s why.”

“What?” He tenses, “Don’t call her that! There’s more to her than her ass, although it is a goo—”

“Alright, alright, we’re not talking about my ass! Drop it, plus he calls me that as a term of endearment,” I assure Knox, who softens his gaze on me.

“Why do you call her baby doll?” Ben decides to interject. Knox smiles down at his bottle, lost in a memory.

~Why does he call me baby doll?~ I wonder to myself.

He releases a soft chuckle, “It was your tenth birthday. We were all gathered at your house and you were blowing out your candles. Everyone was crowding around you, handing you presents. My mom gave you the one from us.

It was a doll she used to have when she was a little girl in Savannah. She thought it would be perfect for you.

The doll was dressed in a purple dress, just like you were.” He takes a thoughtful sip of his drink and leans forward, his gaze meeting mine, “On the box, it had the name—”

“Baby doll,” I whisper, the memory of the doll he’s talking about flooding back. A smile tugs at my lips as I meet his eyes.

“I remember,” is all I manage to say. I’m surprised he remembers it, that’s why he calls me baby doll.

“You looked just like the doll, so innocent. Even though your hair was tied up and the doll’s was down, I thought you were her spitting image. Your smiles were identical and you had the same colored eyes.

You looked so b—” He clears his throat, abruptly halting his trip down memory lane.

My eyes remain on him, momentarily forgetting that Ben is also outside with us. I can’t believe I’ve never asked him why he calls me baby doll.

Ben taps my thigh, “I’m going to grab a beer, I’ll be back. You guys want one?” I nod in agreement and he leaves Knox and me alone on the deck.

“That doll scared the shit out of me some nights. Like remember when you guys made me watch Dead Silence one night and I couldn’t sleep so I put the doll in my cupboard and slept—”

“Downstairs in the living room with all of the lights on,” he finishes, laughing at the shared memory and shaking his head.

“My first horror movie, give me a break! Now I’m addicted to them. I watch them all the time. Usually alone because Andy and Hannah can’t stand them.”

“I’ll watch the next one with you. If you want?”

“Okay, but I’m still jumpy despite my love for them. Just so you’ve been warned. So don’t scold me!” I tease, trying to suppress my laughter.

“I’ll keep you safe, baby doll, don’t worry,” he winks playfully.

“My hero,” I sigh dramatically.

“Always,” he replies with a warm smile. The sound of bustling in the kitchen doesn’t prompt either of us to move. It’s five in the evening and I decide I want to swim. I’m wearing my underwear, which should suffice.

“Want to swim with me? I feel like swimming in the ocean.”

“I don’t have swim trunks?” He questions.

“So? I have my underwear and I’m hoping you do too?” I tease, standing up and walking over to the steps leading to the beach.

“I have my underwear on, baby doll, don’t you worry. But say the word and they can come right off!”

“Come on!” I start to run toward the ocean, hearing him behind me, easily catching up. We reach the water and I strip off my top and shorts, leaving them neatly piled on the sand.

I wade into the chilly water, rubbing my arms to generate some warmth. I keep walking further and further in.

I start to shiver slightly, waiting for my body temperature to adjust to the water.

Suddenly, I feel two arms wrap around me from behind, the body pressed against my back providing warmth.

A light peck on my shoulder blade makes me glance over my shoulder at the friendly giant shielding me from the cold. He’s gazing at the setting sun.

There are still people around on the beach, making his move quite bold.

He rests his chin lightly on my head, his hands gently stroking my arms. We both watch people on jet skis out on the water in front of us.

His hands trail down to mine and he takes them in his, resting them against my body. It’s then when it all hits me. Square in the face.

I like him.

I like Knox Carter.

But if he likes me, I’d be his second choice. He likes someone else. Someone who isn’t me.

I can’t go back to being someone’s second choice.