Chapter 94

Ben was on his feet in an instant, storming over to Knox, grabbing him by the collar, and slamming him against the wall. I sat there, shocked into silence.

“You made love to her and then had the audacity to sleep with Lauren the next day? Are you fucking kidding me, Carter? After everything we discussed on the deck that night! You did that to her?” Ben’s face was inches from Knox’s, his voice dropping to a whisper that I couldn’t decipher.

The air was thick with Ben’s fury, his words laced with more curses than I’d ever heard from him. I remained on the sofa, completely taken aback by his reaction.

Ben’s chest heaved with his rapid breaths, and I finally found the strength to rise and approach them. As I did, I locked eyes with Kyle over the railings.

His gaze shifted from me to the scene unfolding between Ben and Knox, his brows furrowing in confusion before he sprinted up the stairs.

“What’s going on?” Kyle demanded, his eyes darting between Knox and Ben, clearly expecting an answer. I was praying for the opposite. The last thing I wanted was to explain everything to Kyle and watch him explode at his best friend.

Ben released his grip on Knox and stepped back. In unison, they both muttered, “Nothing.”

“Alex, Andy, go back inside now,” Kyle ordered. I felt Andy’s hand on my arm, pulling me away from the boys. As I was led away, I glanced back to see Ben’s hardened expression soften.

Once we were out of sight, Andy spun around to face me. “What the hell was that about?” she demanded, but I kept walking towards the room where everyone else was gathered.

“You don’t want to know,” I replied, but she yanked me back into a secluded area under the stairs.

“Alex, tell me! I’ve never seen Ben so angry before.”

“We were talking, and Knox showed up. Ben got angry at him,” I said, pleading with her through my eyes to drop it. It was embarrassing enough that I’d confided in Ben about that night. I didn’t need anyone else knowing about it.

“Alex, there’s more to it! I know there is!” she insisted, pushing me to reveal more.

“I told Ben that Knox and I made love that night. He asked if that’s what Knox said, and I said yes. Then Knox said ‘I’m sorry,’ and Ben lost it,” I confessed.

Her mouth fell open in shock, and she shuffled on her feet, clearly struggling to process what I’d just told her.

“He said you made love?” she asked softly. I nodded, and she turned her gaze to the wall, deep in thought.

“I don’t blame Ben for reacting that way. That was a dick move on Knox’s part. Why didn’t you tell me? Or Hannah? Or Sam?”

“I was embarrassed. He tells me that, and then he sleeps with Lauren the next day. Wouldn’t you be embarrassed?”

She nodded, her gaze still fixed on the wall. After a moment, she turned back to me, took my hand, and led me towards the bar.

“Six shots of tequila, please! Hannah, come here! Shots! Actually, make them doubles,” Andy called to the bartender, who gave us a wary look.

We all flashed him our most innocent smiles, batting our lashes in a silent plea for him not to judge us. He poured our shots without another word.

The night continued with round after round of shots, some with my sister, others with my brothers. The kids had all been put to bed, and the nannies were watching them. The adults, meanwhile, were letting loose and going wild.

A slow song came on, and I watched as my friends paired off to dance. Kyle and Andy, Cole and Sasha, Max and Jane, Ben and Hannah, and my mom and Eric.

I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked up to see Travis standing over me.

“Hey, can I talk to you for a second?” He took the seat next to me, and I nodded. I hadn’t even realized he was here.

“I just want to apologize for how I acted that night. It wasn’t me. Well, it was, but my drinks were spiked. I know I can be a jerk sometimes, but I’ve never been that bad. Carter beat the shit out of me the next time I saw him. That’s how I knew I messed up. I never wanted to hurt you, or scare you. I wasn’t myself that night, and I’m sorry I did that to you,” he said, his voice sincere.

I gave him a small smile. “I accept your apology. Thank you for coming over to me. I appreciate it, Travis.”

He kissed my cheek and said, “You look gorgeous. I regret messing things up with you. I think we could’ve been good together.”

I smiled again as he walked away, back to his date who was clearly not pleased he’d come over to me. Across the room, I saw Caleb making his way towards me. When he reached me, he held out his hand.

“Do you want to dance?”

I slipped my hand into his and stood up. As we made our way to the dance floor, he pulled me close, one hand holding mine, the other resting on my back. We swayed to the slow rhythm of the song.

“You look gorgeous in this dress, Alex,” he said, making me blush.

“Thanks, Caleb. You look handsome in your suit. But only in this dress?” I teased, making him throw his head back in laughter.

“You look gorgeous no matter what you wear... or don’t wear. Although I haven’t seen you naked, so I wouldn’t kn—”

“Alright, alright!” I cut him off, laughing at his rambling.

“You had everyone’s attention in that church when you walked down the aisle today. Would you maybe want to go to dinner sometime? Like when I’m in Cali or when you’re in New York?”

“Could we keep things casual? I know you’ve mentioned you’re not ready for anything serious,” I hear him say, as Astrid S’s latest track, ‘Does She Know,’ fills the room. We’re all slow dancing, swaying to the rhythm of the music.

“Sure, sounds like fun,” I respond, resting my chin on my hand that’s draped over Caleb’s shoulder as we dance.

My gaze drifts across the room, landing on Knox, who’s been saddled with the task of dancing with Lauren. Our eyes meet, and the lyrics of the song seem to echo around us, as if we’re the only ones in the room.

~Does she~

“I’d love to, but I’d be tempted to do something with you, Alex. So, I’m going to kiss you goodnight, if that’s okay with you?” I lean against the door, inviting him to lean in and brush his lips against mine.

“Baby doll, you forgot your purse,” Knox interrupts, and I can’t help but groan. Why does he always have to interrupt us when we’re kissing? Caleb’s a good kisser. As Knox approaches, he hands over my clutch, which I accept.

“Goodnight, Alex! See you tomorrow.” Caleb kisses me once more before leaving me alone in the corridor with Knox. He stands there, watching Caleb’s retreating figure with a look of annoyance.

I notice the tension in his neck, the clenched jaw, and the furrowed brow he’s wearing.

“What did I tell you about Caleb?” He snaps his head back to me, and I can’t help but laugh, swaying backward and holding onto the door to steady myself. I find it amusing that he’s pretending to care. He doesn’t.

“Why are you laughing?” he asks, his tone laced with anger.

I don’t respond, just stare at him. His eyes scan my face, searching for some hint of emotion.

“Stop pretending like you care, Carter. Go back to your old ways; sleeping with girls and then dumping them. It’s what you’re good at. Just leave me out of it.”

I slip into the penthouse, letting the weight of the door close it behind me.

After removing my makeup and the pins from my hair, I slide into the cold sheets of the freshly made bed. I find a comfortable spot and plug in my phone. Just as I’m about to lay down, my phone buzzes in my hand.

Knox

❤️

I roll my eyes and turn away from my phone. I try to fall asleep, but I keep turning back to read the texts he’s sent me in the past. I feel pathetic, but I can’t help but read through them from time to time.

I imagine his voice saying the messages to me. Sometimes, I do it with new messages too. I think it’s a comforting thing. I’m lonely, I know. I guess I’ll just have to get used to it.