Page 55 of The Perfect Spiral
My phone rings in my pocket, the familiar tune of ‘Sexual Healing’ filling the air. I fish it out and decline the call, earning a laugh from Andy.
She’s known who it’s been since everything went south two weeks ago. He’s called me every day and night to check up on me. It’s sweet, but unnecessary. I’ve mostly ignored it.
I won’t lie, I broke down on the phone once when I was grocery shopping with Andy. Seeing all the magazine covers featuring the two of us was overwhelming.
Some articles were kind, but most labeled me a gold digger and a whore. He tried to comfort me, assuring me it would all blow over with time.
But the paparazzi were relentless, bombarding me with inappropriate questions wherever I went. I’d hide my face and Andy would stick by my side, sometimes Wes too. I was so grateful for them.
“Um, no, I don’t know him—” I start to reply, but Marvin Gaye interrupts me again. Damn it, Knox! Your timing is the worst!
“What? You know your timing is terrible, right?” I growl into the phone, earning a glare from Selena as if her request was more important than my call. Little does she know who’s on the other end.
“Baby doll! Why haven’t you called me back? How was your exam? Are you coming to New York like you said? When’s your flight? Is Andy coming with you? Is—”
“Oh my god! Stop, you’re so clingy! I’ve been busy helping Andywith her exams and mine went fine, as usual. You should know that.
Yes, I’m coming to New York, but it’s none of your business when. And no, you’re not booking me a first-class ticket like last time. Andy’s not coming, and stop asking me twenty-one questions, Jesus!” I answer in one breath, struggling to catch it by the end.
By this time, Wes has joined us and Selena is batting her false eyelashes at him. “Hi, who’s that?” he asks, not looking at her but keeping his eyes on me. That’s not like him to ignore a flirting girl right in front of him.
“Who do you think?” I retort.
“Knox?” He huffs and snatches the phone from me. What the hell is—
“Knox? As in Knox Carter? Holy fuck! Can I talk to him?!” A group of girls standing nearby start bouncing up and down, their breasts on full display.
Typical. I ignore her. She’ll get the hint eventually.
“She’s good, man! She’s with me now... yes, I’m flying back with her tonight... fuck off, man!... Kn—what!... shut it!... no, I didn’t... fuck off, Knox! I’m not playing anymore!... HAH!
Please! I could kick your ass too!... no... NO!!!... Bring it! Asshole!... Yeah, yeah, whatever... Here! Talk to the idiot!” Wes hands me back my phone, which Selena tries to snatch from me.
“Leave me alone!” I scream at her.
“Why, what did I do?” Knox asks through the phone.
“Not you! This—ugh, ouch! No, you can’t talk to him! Fucking hell, Knox, do you see what you’re doing to me! I’m—OW! Stop it! Don’t touch me!”
“Baby doll? Are you alright? What’s going on? Is it Wes? I willcome there and beat him—” He sounds genuinely worried over the phone. Haha! Why? Ow! This bitch has long nails! Jesus!
“No, it’s... not... Wes! Jesus, he wouldn’t touch me... Get off me!”
“Get the fuck off her! NOW!” Wes roars at her. She releases my arm, shoots me a glare, and stomps off. Thank god! I’m going to have cuts and bruises from this! They’ll be small but visible.
Jesus, that was the worst one yet.
“ALEX?! What is going on? Are you alright?” Knox is freaking out, his heavy breathing audible over the phone. I can’t help but giggle at him.
“Yeah, I’m fine, Knox. Just the usual crazy bitches clawing at me to get to you,” I hear his sigh of relief.
“What do you mean, as usual? Does this happen often?” He has no idea what I’ve been dealing with since I met him. This is nothing new to me, surely he knows that.
Laughing out loud like a madwoman, I attract more stares.
“Are you kidding me? Knox, this has been happening since I first met you at nine! I’m used to it now,” I chuckle lightly into the phone.
“Are you serious?! I’m sorry, baby doll, I didn’t know.” The slight apologetic tone in his voice made me wonder if he genuinely felt bad for me.
