Page 65 of Burnout
“I hope you enjoyed your days off. I have some ideas for next week.”
“Can’t wait.” Sarcasm coats his words, but his eyes defy his disinterest. Maybe he’s not looking forward to working out, but he’s excited about something.
“Do you want something to drink?” He scoots backward off the bike, and it leans to the right without his weight.
I stand too. “Water.”
We go to the bar where Knox gets the attention of the bartender right away even though there are other people waiting. Her expression is familiar and friendly. I stare daggers at her as she takes his order and calls him by name. He hands me my water and then accepts a bottled beer with a thanks. Leaningone hip on the bar, he angles his body toward me. “Your friend is looking for you.”
“Quinn?” I ask as I turn. Sure enough, I find her standing at the edge of the dance area, scanning the bar. As soon as she sees me, her gaze slides to Knox and then she smiles.
“I was afraid you left,” she says as soon as she makes her way over. She fans her face and eyes my water.
I hand it over without her asking.
“Excuse me for a minute,” Knox says, gripping me by the waist before he steps away.
When I glance over, he’s sliding behind the bar to help the bartender with something. He looks so comfortable there, like maybe it isn’t the first time he’s helped her out. The two of them are talking back and forth but I can’t make out either of their words.
“I would never leave without telling you,” I say to Quinn. “But I am thinking it’s going to be a short night. I barely know anyone here.”
“You know Colter and he knows everyone.”
“That’s not the same thing.”
“What about you and…” She tips her head in the direction Knox disappeared.
I glance back at the bar. He’s no longer standing there, and neither is the bartender. My stomach twists with jealousy and embarrassment. Knox and I are not a thing. He asked me to leave with him and I said no. What did I really expect but for him to find someone else?
“I don’t know.”
She makes a short sound of disapproval, then perks up. “I saw one of Tristan’s neighbors at a table with some other golf guys.”
“You don’t need to play matchmaker to con me into staying,” I tell my best friend with a laugh. “I’m not leaving yet, but soon.”
“Good. I have longer to convince you to stay out all night. After the bar, people are going over to Colter and Brooklyn’s house.”
Colter and some of his friends have pulled together three tables. Quinn takes a seat next to her boyfriend and I sit beside her. The guys are telling stories and talking about bikes. I don’t understand a lot of it and find my mind wandering.
Knox appears at some point. I don’t see him take a seat, but the next time I search for him, he’s seated at the far end. And when I let myself glance at him again, a pretty girl with jet black hair and stunning colorful tattoos is sitting in his lap. He’s leaned back, but she has her arms around his neck, and I don’t need to hear the conversation to know she’s hitting on him. Or vice versa. I’d be impressed that he’s already found two girls to replace me in less than an hour if it didn’t also make me so jealous. I force myself to look away when she threads her fingers through his hair.
I stay longer than I intend, but when Colter says they’re going to head over to his place, I’m ready to go home.
“Are you sure?” Quinn asks, giving me wide, hopeful eyes. I know she can tell I’m upset, but I can’t bring myself to say it. Knox doesn’t owe me anything. So, we hooked up once. So what?
“Positive. Go have fun with your man. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Okay.” She hugs me, squeezing tightly.
The group disperses quickly. A lot of the guys have already left by the time I also hug Colter and wish him one last happy birthday.
At some point Knox disentangled himself from the girl that was in his lap and he hangs back clearly waiting for me. I walk over to say goodbye to him too. I don’t want to leave tonight with there being any awkward feelings between us.
“See you at Colter’s place?” he asks.
“No, I don’t think so.”
Part of me thinks he’ll try to change my mind, but then his name is called from behind the bar. It’s the guy bartender this time with his hands cupped around his mouth. When Knox glances back, the guy motions for him to come over. Then I see him squeeze the girl bartender’s shoulder like he’s reassuring her. She smiles at Knox then looks at me like she hopes I burst into flames.
