AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"You really like her, huh? I haven't seen you this way in a long time."
My eyes meet hers, a reflection of my own. Both of us have deep brown eyes with small hints of gold flecks in them. "Yep," I sigh, my body deflated. "The crazy part is I barely know her. But there's this... I don't know, I can't explain it."
"A connection? Something that keeps bringing you back to her?"
I nod. Ginny Rothwell, always the best mind reader in town. "You got it. I try to ignore it. I'm not ready yet, anyway." I shrug and pop the last of the cookie in my mouth.
Not being ready is something I tell my mother. I'll never be ready. But, she doesn't need to know that.
"Oh, Knox, Sharon was so long ago. I'm sure you're ready now. You're just afraid."
"I'm not afraid." I state. There's no way I'm afraid. I don't have time for the drama, the commitment that comes with a relationship. I like being single, carefree, with girls at my beck and call if need be. Why complicate things?
Because your bed is lonely every night. Because you constantly think of a woman's body wrapped around yours, finding comfort and peace with each other. Because you want her. Dr. Emma Russe.
"Then, tell me, what is it?"
I shrug as I look away. It's hard to lie to someone you love when you look them dead in the face. "I can't complicate my life right now. Besides, I'm fine. I'm enjoying being alone."
I risk a glance at her as she studies me intensely. I go to open my mouth when the kitchen door slams behind us. We both startle and look to see Ethan stumble his way in. My stomach clenches and my mother grips her coffee cup.
Ethan sees us sitting together and his face lights up. "Hello, family!" He sings. He moves closer, his eyes bloodshot as his hands shake. I close my eyes and look away. He's high. The classic signs are all there.
"Knox!" Ethan shouts. He slides up next to me as he wraps his arm around my shoulder. He leans in close, the scent of stale cigarettes and alcohol dripping off him. "I've tried calling you all week. Glad I caught you here."
I give him a fake smile and move to stand. Ethan loves to be in your face when he's high. My mother's worried eyes search mine as they plead for help.
I gesture to my now empty seat. "Sit down, Ethan. How about a cup of coffee?"
Ethan's eyes dart around. "I... I can't stay long. My ride is waiting outside."
"What ride?" Our mother asks, her voice laced with concern.
"A buddy, Mom. It's no big deal." Ethan doesn't sit but grabs several cookies. He shoves one in his mouth and the rest in various pockets on his jeans and in his jacket. He moves around the kitchen as if in search for something.
A loud knock sounds on the door and my mother jumps.
"I'll get it," I say as I hear a loud voice call from the door.
"Police, open up!" Shit, why are the police here? I turn back to my mother as she cries out. Ethan runs out the back door and I follow, hot on his trail. I hear the police barge through the door, their loud voices carrying through the house.
"Back here!" I yell over my shoulder as I run to catch him. What in the fuck has he gotten himself into now?
I pass into the neighbor's yard after I hop the short fence. "Ethan! Wait up!" I yell but it's no use. Ethan jumps into his friend's car and it takes off, a trail of dust left in its wake. Police cruisers speed by, their sirens screaming into the warm afternoon air.
I stop as I lean over the neighbor's fence. My breath comes out in spurts; my heart racing. An officer comes up behind me, my mother not far behind.
And there goes my quiet Saturday afternoon.
