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forty-eight

Harlow

What a whirlwind the past month has been.

Knox is now four weeks post-injury and should be cleared to return to the field soon—hopefully at his appointment today.

I spent a few days trying to put distance between us, but there was no point in it. None of that mattered when I came here to help him recover. We were together all day, so I couldn’t have stayed away if I wanted to.

And the thing is, I didn’t want to.

I was hurting those few days before Knox’s injury, but I missed being with him. It didn’t take long for things to return to normal.

We’re flirting and having fun together, nothing more than that.

I’m also sleeping in the bed beside him again. I tried to tell myself I shouldn’t, but in the battle between my brain and my heart, my heart always wins.

Could that come back and hurt me all over again?

Possibly.

I’m just trying to remain optimistic and enjoy my time with him.

Currently, that means we’re still lying in bed, legs tangled together with Knox’s arm draped over me.

“We should really get up, you know,” I say.

“I’d rather just stay right here,” he replies. “I like this view.”

“The view of me with sleep hair and teeth that definitely need to be brushed?”

Knox smiles softly and pushes my hair behind my ear. “Yes, that view.”

I shake my head. “I look like a mess right now.”

“You don’t see yourself the way I do then,” he assures me. “You’re just as beautiful when you wake up as you are after you get ready for the day—maybe even more beautiful, honestly. Your guard is down, and you shine even brighter. You’re confident in your skin, and it’s sexy as hell, Harlow. Own it.”

All I can do is melt. His words sound genuine and sincere. How could I not listen to them?

“Thank you, Knox. That’s very sweet.”

“Ooh, don’t tell the guys then,” he says with a smirk. “I have a reputation to uphold here, Lo.”

“Can’t have that,” I laugh. “It would be tragic for everyone to discover that Fort Knox is such a simp.”

“A simp?” he asks, trying to decide between laughing or being offended. “I think I’m just being nice.”

“Call it whatever you want, Slick. I know the truth.”

He rolls on top of me, pinning me beneath him. “You think you know me, Freckles?”

My heart is racing. We last found ourselves in this position a month ago. It’s giving me thoughts I’ve been trying to suppress, but they’re all rearing back to the surface. “I do know you.”

He leans down closer, almost pressing our bodies together. “What makes you so sure?”

“Because I do,” I say, lowering my voice and molding my body against his. He groans when I press his hard length between us. “Knew it.”

“Harlow,” he says, no humor in his tone. “I might not be fucking you now, but I sure as hell still think about it. I remember the way you feel, the sounds you make.” Knox brushes his lips against the outside of my ear. “I’ll never forget that.”

My breath catches in my throat. What did I think was going to happen here? That I’d press his dick between us, and he would just let it go?

Not a fucking chance.

Now it’s eight in the morning, and my fake boyfriend is pressed on top of me. I got myself all fired up, and we can’t do a fucking thing about it. I couldn’t handle another rejection down the line. It’s clear I can’t do sex without feelings.

“We, uh…” I stammer. “We should get ready. Your appointment is in a couple hours, and there’s going to be traffic.”

“Right,” Knox replies, peeling his body off mine. “We should, uh… do that. I’ll go make some coffee so you can shower.”

He and I both pull away from each other and set about our morning routine.

But the air is still charged with the electricity flowing between us and coursing through us.

I’ll never be able to fight this off entirely.

I was doomed before I even tried.

I think I’m going to go insane if I have to watch the same damn looping set of videos one more time.

I’m sitting in the waiting room of Dr. Coltrain’s office, the Stars’ sports medicine physician, waiting for Knox to finish his visit. It’s been a month since his injury, and he’s itching to return to the field. He’s been healing well, so we’re hoping he gets released today.

Well, sort of.

I want him to be healthy again, but I won’t lie and say that I won’t miss all our time together. When he gets back on the field, he won’t need me around to help out. I’m dreading that.

To distract myself from those thoughts, I keep watching the goddamn videos that are playing on the TV in this waiting room. I’m going to be an expert on sports medicine by the time he’s finished.

The vibration of my phone turns my attention away from the TV. My mom is calling.

I accept the call and bring the phone to my ear. “Hey, Mom. What’s up?”

“Just wanted to see how you’re doing right now, sweetie,” my mom says from the other end of the phone. “You’ve been so busy helping Knox with his injury over the past month, and you didn’t reply to my text this morning.”

“Oh,” I reply, “I must have forgotten, but I did read it, so thank you, Mom. I appreciate it. I’m doing well, though. Just busy, like you said. I’m in the waiting room right now while Knox is at his visit. He’s hopefully getting released to return to the field today.”

“Oh, that’s wonderful!” she chimes. “You must’ve been a good nurse to him.”

I chuckle. “I mainly had to just make sure he stayed off his leg, Mom. It didn’t take a lot of skill.”

“And I’m sure he appreciates it all the same.” I smile softly because I know she’s right. He’s made it clear how much he appreciates the help I’ve given him over the past month. “What are your plans for tonight?”

“Um,” I say, “I’m not sure, honestly. That kind of depends on how this appointment goes. He might suit up for the game tonight if he’s cleared. I’m not sure if we have anything planned otherwise.”

“Ah, I see. Well, your dad wants to video call you when he gets home from work.”

“Of course he does,” I laugh. “Dad would never forget to call today, would he?”

“Absolutely not,” my mom chuckles. “I’ll let you go for now. I know you’re busy, but hopefully, you’ll not be too busy to video chat later. Love you, Harlow.”

“I love you, too, Mom. Bye.”

As soon as I disconnect the call, Knox struts into the waiting room, looking on top of the world.

“Well, that’s a happy look,” I say, standing up and walking to him. “Good news, I’m guessing?”

He smiles. “I’m cleared to return tomorrow. Dr. Coltrain wants me to take one more day to get myself ready. He suggested I walk around to loosen my leg up so I’ll be ready to pitch tomorrow.”

“That’s great, Knox!” I wrap my arms around him, and he pulls me in tighter. “I’m happy for you.”

I may still have another night before he doesn’t need me around anymore. I can make the most of today.

“What do you think about traipsing around midtown right now?” He looks at me, and his eyes meet mine. “We can grab some lunch. Celebrate a little bit.”

“Celebrating your release?” I ask curiously.

Knox removes himself from my hug and starts walking toward the door. “Of course,” he says with a mischievous look as he peers back at me. “We don’t have anything else to celebrate today, do we?”

He walks out of Dr. Coltrain’s office now, leaving me wondering.

Does he know?

I don’t know how he would, but he’s acting a little suspicious right now.

Guess I’ll find out.