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Chapter Fifteen

K nox

Today has sucked. Corie spent the day lounging around the house with Landry, and tonight, she and Sloane have declared that it’s girls’ night. That means I don’t get time with her today, and I’m not a fan. Ten out of ten do not recommend it.

I’m aware that I’ve spent my day pouting like a toddler who lost his toys, but it’s more than not getting time with her. I miss her. Not just Hey, it’s been a while. I miss you. It’s more like a piece of me is missing, sort of missing her.

My phone rings, and I rush to answer it, hoping it’s her, but I sigh when I see Landry’s name pop up. “Hey,” I greet him, trying not to show my disappointment.

“What’s up?” he asks.

“Just sitting around the house. What are you doing today?” Other than taking all my girl's time.

“It’s been sibling day around here. Corie and I watched a couple of Mom's favorite movies and just vegged out all day. It’s been nice. She’s been gone a lot, and I’ve missed having her around.”

Guilt.

It sits heavy on my chest. I know I’ve been taking all of her time, but if we could tell him about us, we could all hang out together.

I know she’s not there yet, but damn, am I looking forward to when that day comes.

It's going to take some time, and I’m sure he’s going to be pissed, but I’m really into his sister.

More so than any woman before her. There is something about Corie Reynolds that calls to me.

“That sounds cool, man.”

“Yeah,” he agrees. “Anyway, she’s going out with Sloane. She’s on her way over, and they’re getting ready together. Girls are weird,” he mumbles. “You want to come watch some tape or something?”

“Yep.” I’m standing and walking toward my room to change as I answer. Sure, I want to hang out with my best friend, but I also want five minutes with his sister—just a kiss and to hold her for just a few minutes. I just need my Corie fix, and I’ll be fine.

“Yeah, bring food. Wait, I’ll call the guys. Maybe we can play some poker.”

“Sure, whatever sounds good. What kind of food?”

“Skip the food; we’ll just order pizza once I know who is in.”

Even better, that gets me to his place faster.

“Got it. I’ll see you in a few.” We say goodbye, and I quickly change clothes and slip into my shoes.

I realize I’m going to look desperate to Landry if I rush right over.

So, instead of leaving, I slowly walk twenty laps around my kitchen.

That’s enough time to make it look like I didn’t race out the door.

I lock up and amble to my truck after ensuring I have my keys, wallet, and phone.

Sloane pulls into Landry’s driveway right behind me, and suddenly, my day is starting to look up. That means Corie is still here, and they still have to get ready. My chances of that five minutes I’m jonesing for could be a very real possibility.

“Hey, QB,” Sloane greets me.

“Need some help?” I ask her.

“No, but I’m going to take it anyway. Then, I’m going to disappear into the bathroom upstairs and give you a few minutes with our girl. She’s been cranky today.”

“What’s wrong?”

“She tried to get out of girls’ night. It’s not like we’re going to a club. We’re meeting a few of the girls I work with at a bar on the edge of town,” she explains. “Anyway, I think she misses her man.” She smirks.

My chest feels lighter at her best friend’s words.

I want to tell her they should stay here and hang out with us, but I know I can’t.

Corie deserves time with her best friend.

Sloane also needs that. She’s covered for us so much in the last couple of weeks, and they both need this time together.

“I’ll talk to her,” I tell Sloane as we approach the porch.

“Talk, kiss—whatever else you need to do to turn that frown of hers upside down.”

“I’m on it,” I tell her, chuckling under my breath. She stops at the front door, knocks, but doesn’t wait for an answer as she turns the knob and walks inside.

“Honey! I’m home!” she calls out.

“Core’s upstairs in her room!” Landry calls back.

Sloane places her finger to her lips, telling me to be quiet, and I nod as I quietly follow her up the steps. She nods toward Corie’s door, handing me the rest of the bags, while she slips into the bathroom.

Knocking on the door, my girl calls out, “It’s open,” so I step inside.

“Do we really have to go?” she asks. She’s lying on the bed in a tank top and athletic shorts, with her arm tossed over her eyes. “We could just hang out here.”

I don’t answer her as I step further into the room, closing and locking the door. You can’t be too careful. Dropping the bags, I make enough sound that she removes her arm from hiding her eyes, lifts her head, and her mouth falls open.

“Knox? What are you doing here?” She’s climbing off the bed and rushing toward me. I open my arms to catch her as she jumps, wrapping her arms and legs around me.

“Did you miss me?” I ask, teasing. Just laying my eyes on her, holding her like this, even if it’s for a short time, has already set my day back on the right track.

“A little bit,” she says, lifting her head. She runs her fingers through my hair while I keep my hands gripping the backs of her thighs, holding her against me.

“I missed you, too, Corie girl,” I say, stealing a kiss.

“I didn’t know,” she says, her voice soft.

“Didn’t know what?”

“That I would miss you like this.”

“You’re not alone, babe. It’s one day. We can survive one day. We’re going to have to when I leave for away games.”

“Maybe you can pack me with you in your suitcase,” she teases.

“Baby, if you didn’t have a job in the way, I’d fly you to every damn game.”

“Stop.” She laughs.

“I’m being serious.” It’s the truth. I knew I liked her, but damn, the past couple of weeks have proven just how much. I would fly her to every city and every game if she would let me. No questions. No hesitation.

“What are you doing here?” she asks, wiggling to be put back on her feet. I kiss her once more, just a quick taste, before lowering her onto the floor.

“Landry called. He said the two of you had a great sibling day and that you were heading out with Sloane. He’s inviting all the guys over.”

“Good. I’m glad you’re getting some time with the boys, too.”

“Are you driving tonight?” I ask her.

“Yeah, Sloane’s going to drive us, and then we’ll just Uber back to her place later and have her parents take us to pick up her car tomorrow.”

“Why don’t you let me pick you up? I can take Sloane home, or she can stay with us at my place.” I don’t know why I didn’t think about this option sooner. She ends her day with me. In my bed. It’s genius.

“I can’t ask you to do that.”

“Corie, we’re dating. This is what we do. Maybe that jackass you were with before didn’t, but we’re there for each other. Let me do this.”

“But you’ll end your night early.”

“Yeah, to pick up my girl and her best friend to make sure they get home safely. Oh, and my girl gets to spend the night in my bed. Does that sound like an issue to you?” I ask her.

“Are you sure?”

“I’m more than sure,” I tell her before kissing her how I wanted to when I first walked into the room. The knock at the door has us pulling apart.

“It’s me,” Sloane whispers.

I walk to the door and pull it open. “Thanks,” I tell her.

“Anytime.” She grins.

“Corie girl, before I forget.” Reaching into my back pocket, I pull out my wallet, grab several hundreds, and hand them to her.

“What’s this?”

“Your drinks tonight are on me.”

“Knox. No, you don’t have to do that.” She tries to hand the money back to me, but I won’t take it.

“Listen, I know you’re working, but the thought of another man buying you a drink pisses me off. So, please, take this, and know that every drink is a substitute for me being there with you. And you can refuse all the others.”

“What makes you think men will want to buy me drinks?” she asks, tilting her head to the side.

This beautiful, amazing woman has no idea how alluring she is. “Because I have eyes, Corie girl. I see you. They’ll see you. Only the man in your life gets to spoil you with drinks. That’s me.”

“Aww,” Sloane gushes.

“Really—” Corie starts, but I close her hand around the money.

“Take it. Text me when you get there and when you’re ready to come home. I’ll be there to get you.” I look over at Sloane. “You ladies are staying at my place tonight.”

“Fine by me.” Sloane nods.

I kiss Corie one last time before turning and walking out of the room. There is a little more pep in my step as I make my way back downstairs.

Moving toward the front door, I open and close it. “Yo!” I call out.

“In the kitchen!” Landry calls back.

I walk into the room as if I just got here. “It’s about time you got here. I thought you were going to call and tell me you changed your mind.”

“I told you I’d be here. Are any of the others coming?” A sliver of that guilt from earlier pushes its way inside my chest, but it’s not nearly as big as the satisfaction of my five minutes with my Corie girl.

“Reid, Baker, and Foster are on their way. I just ordered pizza.”

“Sweet,” I say, pulling out a chair at the island and sitting down. We talk about the season because football is who we are. We’re in the middle of discussing a new play coach tossed at us this week when the girls enter the room.

“We’re heading out,” Corie tells us. I turn to look at them and about swallow my damn tongue.

She’s in tight blue jeans, a black tank top, and black sandals.

Her hair is pulled back in a ponytail, exposing her slender neck.

It’s not an overly sexy outfit. Sloane is dressed in a similar fashion.

Just two ladies going out for drinks, but it’s different because one of them is mine, and she could be wearing a stained T-shirt and jeans three sizes too big, her hair a rat’s nest of tangles, and she’d still take my breath away.

“How are you getting home?” Landry asks. “Do you need a ride?”

I cover my mouth with my hand to keep from smiling because I know she’s coming home with me.

“Nah, we’re going to Uber back to Sloane’s place. I’ll be home sometime tomorrow afternoon,” she tells him, giving him a quick hug.

“Text when you get there so I know you’re safe,” he tells her.

“Will do.” She steps out of his hold, and Sloane steps up to hug him.

“I feel left out,” I say, laughing.

“It’s okay, Knoxy, we’ll hug you, too.” Sloane comes over and wraps her arms around me.

“You’re welcome,” she whispers, and I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing.

This girl has supported us and helped us so much in the last few weeks.

I’m glad Corie has her, and me, too, by association.

“Bring it in, Beckett,” Corie teases. She wraps her arms around me, and all I want to do is hold on to her and not let go. “I’ll text you,” she whispers.

I squeeze her gently, letting her know that I heard her before she pulls away.

“You two are feeling awfully generous tonight,” Landry says.

“It’s girls’ night, Landry, we’re pumped. We’ll see you losers later.” Sloane waves. Corie laughs as she follows her out the door.

“She seems happier, right?” Landry asks.

I nod. “She seems happy.”

Before he can say anything more, the rest of the guys arrive, and instead of watching tape, we eat pizza and shoot the shit about the season.

Corie texts me that they’ve arrived safely, and I keep my phone in my hand, waiting for her text that she is ready to come home.

I laugh and joke with the guys and contribute to the conversation, but my mind is with her.

Finally, at a few minutes till eleven, I get a text from Corie telling me they’re ready to come home. I tap out a quick reply and stand from the recliner, stretching with a fake yawn. “I’m out,” I tell the guys.

“Yeah, I’m heading out, too,” Baker says.

That leads to all of us deciding it’s time to head home. I make excuses that I need the bathroom while the others leave so that they won’t see that I’m turning my truck the opposite way to my place. When I make it back to the living room, Landry is nodding at his phone.

“What’s up?”

“Nothing. Corie and Sloane are getting ready to leave the bar. She was just checking in.”

I nod. “Thanks for the company and the dinner,” I tell him, offering him my fist.

“Anytime, man, drive safe.” I wave, and just like that, I’m in my truck and headed to get the girls.

I pull up to the bar, and Sloane and Corie are sitting outside on a park bench under a bright light shining on the bar’s sign. I don’t like the fact that they’re sitting out here alone, but at least it’s well-lit, and the bouncer is only five feet away at the bar’s entrance.

I pull up to the curb, and the girls race to the truck, laughing. They both climb into the back seat. When I turn to smile at them, Corie leans forward and presses her lips to mine. “Hey, handsome.”

“Corie girl,” I murmur against her lips. “Did you ladies have fun?” I ask when she sits back in her seat.

“It was nice to get some time with my girl.” Corie leans her head on Sloane’s shoulder.

“Exactly what we needed. Someone has been taking all of my Corie time,” Sloane slurs.

“But he’s pretty, right?” Corie asks her friend.

“Oh, he’s damn pretty.”

“Yeah, and he’s all mine.”

My chest expands, and I have this sudden urge to tug her up to the front seat and glue her to my side. I’m proud to be hers. I wish I could shout the news from the rooftops, but that day will come.

By the time I reach my place, they’ve both lost all steam.

I toss an arm over each of their shoulders, having them lean into me as I guide them into my place.

I show Sloane to one of the guest rooms, giving her a T-shirt to sleep in while I take Corie to mine.

I help her get changed into another one of my T-shirts before pulling her into my arms. She’s sound asleep in no time.

I feel my body relax into the mattress with her in my arms. This day ended a hell of a lot better than it started.