Page 49 of The Only Thing That's Real

“Listen, I need to go. Good talk, yeah?”

“Knox. I don’t understand. You’re leaving because I got a phone call?”

“Rob fucking Braun is a deal-breaker. Sorry, the man is pure poison.”

“But he has nothing to do with me,” I say, desperate to make him understand.

“Later.”

I’ve got whiplash from his mood swings. One minute he’s telling me he’s been pushing me away because he likes me, and the next he’s storming out of the cafe because Rob’s name appeared on my phone. I understand not liking Rob, few do, but his reaction seems dramatic.

But then, doesn’t everything with Knox McKinnon?

As per usual, I’ve moved one step forward with Knox, only to be drop-kicked ten steps back.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Knox

How can someone like her be with an asshole like him? He’s more of a lowlife than I am.

Why the hell did I tell her how I feel?

Walking through the streets of Boston, my feet lead me to the park across the street.

Yes, she said they weren’t together but knowing that she could have slept with him even once makes me sick to my stomach. He’s a prick for screwing us out of the rights to our own music, which led to us having to buy them back at a profit for him. But he’s a vile piece of toxic waste for forcing himself on my sister at an after-party when she was only eighteen years old. Luckily, Owen, my brother’s best friend, walked in and things didn’t go as far as Rob would have liked. Owen kicked his ass and Rob threatened to sue him. Trevor and I squashed that real quick.

I hate the man with every fiber of my being, and he’s been withher.Fuck!

Pulling my phone out of my back pocket, I dial the number I always call when I need a touch of home or words of wisdom.

Besides, it’s time.

“Knox, how’s my boy doing?”

The sound of her voiceishome to me. The home I ran away from all those years ago.

“Hey, Mom. Sorry it’s been so long.”

What I really mean is sorry I’ve been such a cowardice asshole who was too embarrassed to call and talk to his own mother about the biggest thing that’s ever happened to him.

“I knew you’d call when you were ready.”

Taking a seat on an empty park bench, I struggle to say my next words without getting emotional.

“I’m a father.”

“I know.”

“I had no idea.” My voice is shaking with shame.

“Oh, son. I can’t imagine how confusing this has been for you.”

“She went to such lengths to keep him from me.”

“Knox, what Mia did was cruel.” There’s that word again. “But I understand her need to protect her child. She went about it the wrong way, but I understand.”

“I do too.”

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