Page 6 of The Perfect Spiral
“Personality is optional when the man looks like a Greek god thirst trap. I’m here for the abs, the arms, the smolder.”
“He does smolder with the best of them.”
What I didn’t tell her was that Knox had been my first kiss. When I was fourteen and Knox was sixteen, we played spin the bottle. Fate—or rather, the spin of the bottle—forced us into a closet together for what was supposed to be seven minutes in heaven.
Knox and I shared a heated make-out session in that closet. It was as if neither of us wanted it to end. It left my stomach in knots, and we were both breathless when we pulled away, startled by a loud banging noise from outside the closet. It was Kyle, practically dragging us out of the closet well before seven minutes was up.
Andy was still going on about Knox when my phone started vibrating on the nightstand, making both of us jump. I groaned and grabbed it. The screen lit up: Drew.
Drew
Let me explain. It’s not what it looked like
Drew I miss you, please come back! Don’t give up on us. Please give me another chance. I’m willing to fight for you, for us! Babe please answer me! I love you too much to let this all go.
Drew
Fine! Be like that and don’t answer me!
Drew
Baby, I’m sorry I know I messed up, but please know I love you more than anything! Take me back!
Andy peeked over my shoulder, eyes narrowing. “Wait... what the hell is he talking about?”
I spent the rest of the evening curled up with Andy on my bed, retelling everything that had happened. There were a lot of tears and a lot of hugs, and Andy’s sarcastic one-liners had me feeling better by the time we were ready for sleep.
Alone in my room, I tugged off the sweatpants and then sadly removed the lingerie I didn’t get to use. Then I reached for my favorite shirt to sleep in, an oversized jersey with Carter written on the back. Knox’s mom was so proud of him that she sent me a jersey with his name and number on the back. It’s super comfy and warm, which is the only reason I wear it.
God, if Knox ever knew I wore his jersey to bed, he’d never let me hear the end of it.
The next morning, Andy insisted we go to the salon. “New hair, new chapter,” she’d declared, dragging me out of bed before I could protest. She said it was a breakup survival essential, and honestly? She was right.
Works out too, because there’s a party tonight. Wes had invited us. Like Knox, he’s another one of my brother’s best friends from high school. We came to the same college and he’d always looked out for me, under strict orders from my brother. My brothers and their friends were all overly protective, treating me like a delicate china doll. It used to annoy me, and it still does.
Wes was tall and athletic, a soccer player for the college team. His current injury meant he was off the field, but in his words, “I can party every night now.”
We walked across campus to the party and found a booming house with people everywhere outside. She took my hand inhers, and we confidently strutted to the entrance of the house, the music’s beat vibrating on my skin as we approached.
As we stepped into the pulsating house, all eyes were magnetically drawn to us. A chorus of “Dayuuum!” “Hello, sexy,” “Holy shit!” and a “Fuck me!” echoed around us. Spotting Wes in the crowd, we sauntered over. One of his friends slapped the back of his hand against Wes’s chest, pointing in our direction.
Wes turned to see what had caught his friend’s attention and locked eyes with us. His eyebrows shot up, a smirk playing on his lips as his gaze traveled up and down our bodies. When his eyes landed on my legs, they paused.
Wes pulled me into a warm embrace. His lips brushed against my ear as he murmured, “Look who’s all grown up. I love the new hair, sweetheart. Is this dress for me? Your legs are to die for.”
I laughed, pulling back and rolling my eyes at him. The irony was that I’m quite petite—only five foot one—but my legs are toned from running, gym workouts, and surfing. Growing up, I was a bit chubby, so compliments were few and far between, save for those from my mom and Eric. It’s a bit pathetic, I know.
That’s why I’ve hidden all my childhood and baby photos. “Down boy,” I said with a laugh. He panted like a dog and gave me a wink. If my brothers heard our banter, we’d both be in trouble.
I’d had a crush on Wes once, due to his protective nature, but then I’d started dating Drew and it had faded. “Aren’t you going to introduce us, Wes?” one guy asked, a playful smile on his lips as he took a sip from his beer bottle.
He was attractive for sure. Maybe moving on from Drew would be easier than I thought. “No,” Wes retorted as he draped an arm over each of our shoulders as if we were his property. “Come on, Wes…” the guy laughed, his gaze meeting mine.
“This one is off limits,” Wes said, his voice totally serious as he nodded toward me. “Come on, dude, you’re playing.” “Hands off!” Wes said as he led us toward the kitchen for drinks.
I liked the way he stepped between me and the guy. I wondered if he was protecting me because of my brothers or because he wanted me for himself?
He reached for two beers, popped the tops off, and handed them to us. “I heard about Drew,” Wes said, “I’m sorry.” “Yeah, that sucked…” “What a jackass. You deserve way better,” he said.
