Page 56 of Pucking Knox

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"He's not the love of my life." The lie is obvious. "He's a mistake I'm not repeating."

She closes her book. "You're both miserable. Just talk to him."

"I did, Sawyer. He made his choice." Pride straightens my spine. "He decided I was too much pressure, too focused on making him perfect, too..." I clear my throat. "Too in love with him." The words hurt to say. "Like that's a bad thing. Like loving him is…wassomehow wrong."

Sawyer's expression softens.

"I’m fine, Saw." I open my book. "I have a test to study for."

But the equations blur as I remember other study sessions – Knox's hands wandering under tables, his voice explaining derivatives, his mouth finding ways to distract me.

My phone buzzes with texts from Ace throughout the day.

Ace: I need to know you’re okay

Kennedy: I am fine

Ace: Are you fine though

Kennedy: Stop asking

Ace: You’re pretending to be okay

Ace: It’s okay if you’re not

Kennedy: I swear I’m fine

Ace: Coach benched him

Kennedy: Now you’re annoying me

Ace: Love you

That afternoon, I open the door to the campus coffee shop and his scent hits me first. I glance up at Knox.

"Kennedy..." His voice is rough, like he hasn't slept.

I step back quickly. "Excuse me."

"Please." He reaches for me but drops his hand when I flinch. "I tried calling."

"I blocked you. We have nothing to talk about." But my body betrays me, leaning toward his heat. "You made everything very clear."

"I didn't."

"You did." Steel enters my voice. "Now if you’ll excuse me."

"Unblock me."

"No."

"I was wrong."

"Something we can agree on then." I meet his eyes finally. "I’m not unblocking you."

Pain flashes across his face. "Princess—"

"Don't." The nickname feels like a knife. "Don't call me that. Don't look at me. Just don't."

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