Page 232 of The Perfect Spiral
“You told them?” Andy snapped her head to me and I nodded in reply. I sat back in my seat and brought my legs up to my chest. “Yeah, well he’s blind and a dick, no offense Delilah,” she defended herself.
“None taken, sweetie. My son is an idiot. He’s insulted me by getting back with that awful girl... speaking of... here she comes.”
I rolled my eyes at her perfect timing. The back door slid open. I found it so annoying that she entered my family home whenever she wanted. My jaw automatically clenched out of frustration.
“Morning,” she strutted in, the sound of her heels hitting the floor echoing in the room.
I find myself gazing at my mother, who is scrutinizing her with an intensity that’s rare. My mother and Delilah are usually easy to please, but when they aren’t, it’s unmistakable.
We all mumble a morning greeting back to her. She takes a seat with us, but the conversation stalls.
“Were you discussing wedding plans? I could lend a hand if you’d like,” she offers, her smile as polished as the one that won her the Miss USA title.
“No, we’ve got it covered,” my mother responds, her gaze sweeping over the blonde bombshell before us. The room falls silent again. This is awkward.
The back door slides open once more, and in walks Knox. He’s shirtless, black basketball shorts hanging low on his hips. His face is flushed from exertion, earphones plugged in, blasting music we can all hear.
Sweat trickles down his chiseled abs, his phone strapped to his arm. He removes it and unplugs his earphones. God, he looks so good.
Our eyes meet, and I find it impossible to look away. Lauren rises to greet him with a kiss, but he sidesteps, offering his cheek instead. “Morning, babe,” he replies with a tight smile.
Andy swivels in her seat to face me as Knox pours himself a cup of coffee. I can’t help but watch the play of muscles on his back. He takes a seat at the head of the table, between my mother and me.
“So... I was thinking—” Andy begins, her gaze on Knox.
“Oh no, that’s never good—Ow!” She smacks my arm, pulling my attention back to her.
“As I was saying, I think we should have a girls’ night out tonight. Get all dolled up and hit the club. Just us girls.”
“I don’t know, Andy...I—” I’m unsure about the whole girls’ night out idea.
“I think it would be good for you, Alex. Flirt with some older guys,” my mother suggests, her eyes flicking to Knox. I know what she’s doing. I shake my head, aware of both his and Lauren’s eyes on me.
“Yeah! I can do your hair and makeup! Make you look drop-dead gorgeous... not that you aren’t... but make you so hot the guys will be all over you.”
Lauren snorts from the other end of the table, prompting Delilah to ask, “Is there something funny, Lauren?” Lauren shakes her head, and Delilah smirks. “I didn’t think so.”
I bite my lip to suppress a smile. Delilah is not a woman you want to cross. Ever.
“I think you should go, Alex, sweetie. Get a few numbers, chat up some handsome guys. Have a fling or two...” Delilah winks at me.
“That’s her decision,” Knox interjects, his voice low as he sips his coffee. From the corner of my eye, I see him looking at his mother. I can’t tell if he’s angry or indifferent.
“That is her decision. And if she wants to get with guys, she can, and she will,” Andy retorts, giving him a pointed look.
“I’m right here, you know!” I protest, raising my hand as they bicker about whether I’m going out tonight. I rest my head in my hands, weighing the pros and cons.
Should I go out? Or should I stay in and watch a movie? Binge-watch Netflix?
A hand rests on my arm, pulling me back to reality. My mother leans over the table.
“You should go out and take your sister with you. She needs adistraction from the wedding. Blow off some steam. You both need to.
Go out with your girlfriends, chat up some hot guys, single or not! Let them buy you drinks, dance with them, kiss them, I don’t care. Just go out tonight. It’ll be good for you, baby,” she says, her signature cheeky wink in place.
I turn to Andy, who’s propping her head up with her hands, her eyes pleading.
“Fine, I’ll go! But we have to get Hannah, Sam, and all her friends out too!” Andy nods rapidly, posting the plan in the girls’ group chat.
