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A sympathetic frown appears on her face. “I’m sorry, babe. Knox is just, well…Knox. He’s troubled and messy. Maybe he just doesn’t want to hurt you.”
“Or he’s just not interested.”
Her brows raise. “Do you want him to be interested?”
“No,” I lie, then look down at my lap. “I don’t know. I can’t really explain it. All I do know is that I like being around him, danger and all, and it’d be nice if I knew he liked being around me too.”
She seems caught off guard by my answer before pursing her lips and nodding. “Okay.”
“Okay?”
“Yeah. I still don’t think it’s a good idea, but you’re my sister. If you think you can handle yourself, and he’s what you want, I’m going to help you get him.” Tess stands up and puts out her hand. “Come on, we’re going shopping. Tonight, you’re going to bring that bad boy to his knees.”
9
KNOX
Right hook. Left hook. Jab. Right hook. Left hook. Jab.
Jackson holds steady as I swing at the focus mitts. He counts out for me, encouraging me to keep going when it seems like I’m beginning to tire. Grayson is already worn out behind me, taking a sip of water before it’s his turn again.
“Three more. Let’s go.”
Right hook. Left hook. Jab. Right hook. Left hook. Jab.
With the final round, I put my all into it, but I know it’s nowhere near enough. Our first fights are tomorrow, and while I’m not worried about Pretty Boy over there, I’m genuinely afraid for myself. If I’m not in perfect shape for this match, I’ll die. It’s as simple and as complicated as that.
“All right.” Jackson walks with me over toward Grayson so I can get a drink. “I’ll give you guys a five-minute break, and then we’re going again. Knox, you’re up first this time.”
I sit down, leaning against the ropes and
resting my arms on my knees. The dull ache in my muscles begs me to stop, but I know I have no choice. We still have another couple rounds of this and then our usual sparring match before we leave. Speaking of…
“Hey, when we spar tonight, can we agree on no faces? We both have Delaney’s party after this.”
Grayson looks over at me and his brows raise. “Wow. I did not see that coming.”
“See what coming?”
“You and Laney. I didn’t even realize you two were close.”
I shake my head. “We’re not. She just comes around with Tess occasionally.”
It’s a total fucking lie, and Grayson doesn’t buy it for a second. “Right. That’s why you said Delaney’s party, instead of Tessa’s.”
The slip-up isn’t lost on me. I know damn well I should have referred to it as Tessa’s, but that would entail Tess being the reason I’m going—and she’s not. Still, the last thing I want to do is give Grayson something to hold over me. We’re not friends. We’re just wrapped up in a shitty situation together.
“Whoever the fuck’s party you want to call it. It’s a party. I don’t give a shit.”
He eyes me intently. “So, there’s nothing going on between you two?”
“No. Not that it’s any of your damn business.”
I can see the suspicion in his eyes, but instead of arguing it further, he chuckles. “That’s good, because Carter has a massive hard-on for that girl. I can’t imagine what he’d do if he found out you two were messing around.”
At the mere mention of his name, I practically choke on air. Of-fucking-course, he would have a thing for her. That’s just my damn luck—not that I planned on pursuing anything. I have every intention of holding off as long as I possibly can, preferably forever. She’s too good to get dragged down into my mess. Too perfect to be tainted by my sins.
On Tuesday, when I got that text from her phone, it only took me a second before I knew it wasn’t Delaney who sent it. The language was way too R-rated for her innocent little mind. Still, when she didn’t retract it right away, I knew I had to mess with her. It was an opportunity I just couldn’t ignore.
