Page 9 of Knox (Graeme #3)

Still Adjusting

I took the golf cart back to the barn to leave it for Ian, but he hurried out to me and sat down in the passenger seat.

"I'm freezing. The new boys are working now." He patted the dash. "Go home. You can set them up tomorrow."

I backed up and turned toward the house again. "Did that. Colin left the info in the office. Just have the deliveries in the morning for Wallace's horses. Knox will start in the morning."

"That works," Ian nodded. "How are you with him working here?"

"Um, okay. If we go out for supper, is that weird?"

"You and Knox? Not at all."

"It's not too fast?" I whispered.

Ian laughed softly. "Do you think Finn and I went too fast?"

"No, he's your Miann Cridhe. I want that," I sighed. "Thought it was Jasper, but he was just waiting for someone better to come along."

"Josh, don't take on Jasper's fuck-ups. Lana said Jasper told her you'd fight for him. You didn't. Think about that."

I frowned. "I was too shocked to think straight."

"Hmm." Ian arched a brow. "Did you want to fight for him?"

"It never crossed my mind in the moment. But now, I've had a date with Knox." Didn't want to tell him about KnightTimeDanc3r.

"And what did you discover?" Ian asked.

"That Jasper and I didn't fit." I parked in the bay that time and waited for the bay door to close. "I need to shower and get Knox a key made before rehearsal. He's riding with me."

Ian set one booted foot on the concrete and paused. "Josh, not everyone we love is our forever. It hurts when we discover it just won't work. But, looking back will never bring us happiness."

"So, it's okay to move on," I murmured.

"It's okay to move on. And you will find your Miann Cridhe." He smiled.

The door to the house opened, and Finn stood there dressed in joggers and a hoodie. "Hey, baby. Lunch?"

"And a hot shower," Ian said as he left me.

"Oh, I gave Knox a house key, Josh," Finn said as Ian stopped in front of him.

"Thanks," I nodded, still thinking about what Ian said.

Had I pushed Jasper into something because he was nice to me?

Right on cue, my phone vibrated, and I pulled it from my hoodie pocket to read the screen on my way into the house.

@KnightTimeDanc3r: Hey. Do dress rehearsals start tonight?

@Jo.GraemePlace: Yeah. Ginger will be there with the costumes.

@KnightTimeDanc3r: Okay, thanks. You having a good day?

@Jo.GraemePlace: An interesting one. You?

@KnightTimeDanc3r: I am, I think. Still adjusting. See you at rehearsal.

@Jo.GraemePlace: Later.

Redbone's "Come and Get Your Love" sounded through the house speakers when I entered, and I started singing as Finn offered me a grilled cheese sandwich. I wrinkled my nose over the tomato soup and danced my way to the stairs.

I'd missed the music all over the house. Granpa liked things quiet unless Ian was there, and Ian had moved into the barn apartment during the rebuild.

I climbed the stairs, noting Knox leaving his room, danced into mine, and Knox followed. I handed him the rest of my sandwich, and he laughed, dancing with me for a second before leaving me again, closing the door behind him.

Stripped my clothes off to "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" by Elton John, Kiki Dee.

Ian's music tastes spanned genres, and I fully expected to hear this in the barn soon.

Hot water pelted the top of my head, and I stood there for a minute letting the heat seep into my skin.

I leaned my head against the tile and closed my eyes.

A vision of Knox's smiling face floated through my mind, a-ha's "Take On Me" giving him a soundtrack as I thought about last night.

My cock crawled up my belly, waving proudly as I remembered that kiss.

Hand on the tile, the other wrapped around my flesh, and I held my breath, urging, cajoling, and driving myself to the finish. It took less time than I expected. With Jasper, I had to finish myself after. He was a top and never lasted long enough to get me there.

I needed to stop comparing Knox to Jasper. It wouldn't help me, and it just might ruin what Knox and I could have.