Page 76 of Guarded Love

Me: You're all impossible. I'm going to dinner now. Love you.

I set my phone down after that, but it immediately buzzes again. It’s Knox texting me privately.

Knox: Have fun but not too much fun. And tell Blaise I said thanks.

I stare at the message, my stomach twisting. Tell Blaise he said thanks. Right. For looking out for me. Not for pinning me against a tree in the rainforest like he was ready to risk it all. But since he texted me without Mom, Dad and Abue, I can now tell him how I feel about him making Blaise my bodyguard.

Me: Knox, I need you to stop asking Blaise to babysit me. I'm an adult.

Knox: What do you mean babysit? I just asked him to keep an eye out. You know, make sure you're safe.

Me: Same thing. And it's embarrassing. I don't need a chaperone.

Knox: It's not about you needing one. It's about me feeling better knowing someone I trust is there.

I roll my eyes so hard they practically fall out of my head.

Me: Someone YOU trust. What about trusting ME?

Knox: I do trust you. It's everyone else I don't trust.

Me: Like who? Our professors? Madison? The guy who tried to help me with my gardening gloves?

Knox: Wait, what guy? What happened with gardening gloves?

Shit. I shouldn't have mentioned David. Now Knox is going to spiral.

Me: Nothing happened. Some guy was just being friendly and Blaise acted weird about it.

Knox: Weird how?

Me: Protective. Which was unnecessary because I can handle myself.

There's a longer pause before his next message.

Knox: Good. I'm glad he stepped in.

Me: KNOX.

Knox: What? If some random guy was making you uncomfortable, I'm glad Blaise was there.

Me: I never said he made me uncomfortable.

Knox: Then why did Blaise step in?

I stare at the phone because I’ve just realized I've painted myself into a corner. Because the truth is David did make me uncomfortable but admitting that will only validate Knox's overprotective instincts.

Me: Can we please change the subject?

Knox: Fine. But I'm serious about having fun. Just...smart fun.

Me: What does that even mean?

Knox: It means don't do anything that would give me a heart attack if I found out about it.

Madison lets out a belly laugh because she read the same text that I did. "Your brother would definitely have a heart attack if he knew what I witnessed today."

I elbow her in the ribs. I need at least one person in my corner.

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