Page 234 of The Perfect Spiral
“Please, I don’t want you to go. Stay here.”
“No, Knox. I told them I was going so I’m going. End of. You’ve got a girlfriend to keep you company,” I said, feeling a wave of passive-aggression at the mention of her.
“She’s not my girlfriend, Alex! I don’t have one. I’ve never hadone. Just don’t go, please? Or let me come with you?”
“You obviously don’t know the meaning of a girls’ night out then... she is your damn girlfriend, Knox!” I gritted my teeth. He was testing my patience.
“She’s not! I’ve never asked her to be my girlfriend and I don’t plan to either. Drop the girl part and it’s just a regular night out, I’ll get the guys on board too—”
“No! I need a girls’ night out with my best friends and my sister. No boys! I don’t need guys around me—”
“Alex, dammit, please don’t go. I don’t want guys all over you... at least if I come I can get them to leave you alone—”
“That’s not up to you!” I heard a tap on my door and my sister’s voice filtered through the wooden barrier. We both froze at the sound of her voice.
“I need to be away from you guys and be with my girls! Please,” I pleaded, squeezing his shoulders and staring into his eyes.
“I think you should go, Knox. I need to get ready...” I sighed, staring into his eyes as he cupped the side of my face. His gaze cut through me, making my breathing irregular.
“I’m sorry, baby doll. I’ll fix this. All of this,” he said, sliding out of my bed. I watched him leave, Sam standing there like a deer caught in headlights as he walked to his room.
She didn’t say anything. She came into my room with clothes and sat on my bed, quietly sorting through them. I knew she wanted to ask. But I didn’t want to talk about it.
Four hours and multiple outfit changes later, we were all crammed into my room, getting ready for the night. I had started drinking a while ago because all I had left to do was get dressed.
Andy had done my hair and makeup for me. I sat on my bed, fully ready, waiting for Andy and Hannah to gather their things. The rest of the girls were downstairs, already starting the party.
I was pretty sure the guys were in the kitchen, having a guys’ night in, playing poker and whatnot.
“Okay, I’m ready! Let’s go and start drinking! Well, not you, Al!” Andy winked at me, her tight purple dress and black heels accentuating her figure. Hannah wore the blue dress I had worn on New Year’s Eve. It fit her like a glove.
I was wearing a white crop top with lace underneath, paired with a bright orange skirt and beige stilettos that I knew I was going to regret wearing.
The three of us descended the stairs into the kitchen, joining the rest of the girls. The music was blasting, filled with the girliest songs I could think of. I couldn’t help but roll my eyes.
As soon as we entered, the room went quiet, and I heard a “Damn” from some of the guys. We looked over to see them gawking at us.
“Babe, I’m not sure I want you going to a club full of guys in that tight, sexy dress...” Kyle’s words hang in the air, but at least he’s not demanding I change. I lean on one leg, jutting out a hip and crossing my arms.
“I don’t dictate your wardrobe... babe...” Andy’s tone is far from amused, so I steer her towards the drinks near the counter.
As I approach the cabinet to fetch fresh glasses, I find Knox there, popping open beer bottles. He’s clad in a white shirt and black jeans that hug his ass perfectly. Damn.
I sidle up next to him and he glances at me, then back to the bottles. He freezes, then swivels his head back to me, eyes wide, and starts to really look at me.
I watch as he clenches his jaw, muttering a curse under his breath. He leans in to whisper, urging me to act natural.
“You’re not wearing that to a club, Alex....” he insists, strugglingnot to let his gaze linger. I can’t help but smile, so I take a sip from one of the glasses I’m filling.
Balancing the glasses in my hands, I retort, “I can wear what I want.” As I walk away from him towards the counter, I catch my brother’s friends ogling me.
Sipping on a Jack and Coke—I finished off the whiskey last night—I feel a hand settle on my back.
“Damn, Alex, you sure know how to tease a guy just by making an entrance,” James flirts. I turn to face him, drink in hand, while his hand remains on my hip and his eyes roam my body.
His blonde hair is longer than usual, a bit messy, and he’s wearing a black fitted top and denim jeans. He actually looks good.
“What can I say? It’s a gift,” I joke back.
