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forty-nine

Harlow

“Even with a hamstring injury, I can’t keep up with you and your long ass legs,” I grumble as I try to catch up with Knox on the crowded Manhattan sidewalks.

“Technically, I’m no longer injured,” he smirks as he waits for me to catch up. “My hamstring is good to go again.”

“Good. Now don’t fuck it up again tomorrow, and try to avoid another damn loss.”

“I’ll just blame you if I do.” His smile is teasing. I kinda want to just wipe it off his face.

“Dick,” I say, playfully shoving his shoulder when I finally reach him. “Now, are you finally going to tell me where we’re going?”

“Like I’ve said the past dozen times you’ve asked, you’ll see when we get there.”

“I have not asked a dozen times,” I huff.

Knox laughs. “Are you saying I’m being dramatic, Harlow? I’m offended.”

I want to be annoyed, but I can’t find it in me. Knox is happy, smiling, and having fun. Even if we are traversing half of fucking Manhattan, I’ve never seen him this… joyful.

“Fine,” I say as he comes to a stop in front of me. “Are we almost there then?”

He just smirks. “Considering we’re here now, we are indeed almost there.”

“Oh, thank God. I don’t think my legs can take anymore.”

“You’re out of shape then, Freckles.” Knox starts leading me toward the entrance.

“Not all of us are professional athletes, you know.”

He places his arm low on my back, steering me through the doors. “I know, Lo. I don’t need you to be a professional athlete, though.” He leans closer now. “You’ve always had more than enough energy for me.”

“Knox!” I chastise. “Don’t be dirty!”

“Who says I’m being dirty?” I give him an unbelieving look as he laughs. “Come on, Lo. I need you to turn around.”

“Why?” I ask as I start turning. My question is quickly answered as I see all of my favorite people waiting for us—my parents, Cole, Lucia, Rory, and Ella. “Oh my God!”

His lips brush my ear. “Happy birthday, Harlow.” He stands up straighter now. “I’m glad you could all make it. I’m looking forward to getting to know you, Vivian and James.”

I turn back around, throwing my arms around his shoulders and standing on my tiptoes. “Thank you, Knox,” I say before softly kissing him.

That’s, uh… totally just playing the part.

Nothing more.

Once I regain my bearings, I whisper, “I didn’t tell you when my birthday was.”

“You didn’t,” Knox smiles. “I had to ask Cole. I knew it was this month but didn’t know the day. I asked your brother a couple weeks ago so I could plan this.”

“You’re full of surprises, Spencer.” I look at him in reverence, my heart bursting with his gesture. He didn’t know my birthday, so he made it a point to find the day and ask my family and friends out to lunch to celebrate.

I’ve been wondering what I feel around Knox. It feels somewhat familiar but also foreign.

And I think I just figured out why.

That feeling I’ve been trying to place?

Love.

It’s familiar because I’ve been in love before.

It’s foreign because it’s never felt this strong before.

I was left heartbroken because those strong feelings I had weren’t reciprocated.

At least, that’s what he said.

Now, I’m not so sure.

We’re getting closer again, back to how we were a couple months ago. This time, though, he knows about my feelings for him. He knows how hurt I was last month when he told me nothing between us was real.

And I know Knox.

I know he wouldn’t find his way back into my good graces just to turn around and hurt me again.

So, Knox allowing us to get back to where we were tells me that nothing is one-sided. He just needs to process all of that at his own pace.

Me, though?

Seems like I already have it figured out because I’m desperately in love with Knox Spencer .

Lunch is perfect.

Fort Knox is nowhere in sight today. He’s relaxed and conversational, engaging my parents in chats on the most mundane topics. And Cole does what Cole does best—endlessly tease us when we can’t say a damn thing about it. My parents don’t know about our arrangement, and with how much they like him today, I don’t really want them to find out.

He’s completely endearing himself to them. They’ll be heartbroken if they find out what’s really going on.

Knox wants to keep walking after lunch since Dr. Coltrain recommended he walk today to loosen up before tomorrow’s game. The breeze lessens the mid-August heat as we walk along the Hudson River Greenway.

“So,” I say. “You haven’t pulled another hammy, have you? Star pitcher needs to be ready to go tomorrow.”

He howls with laughter. “No, the hammy is still fine. I’m ready to get back on the mound tomorrow.”

“I’m excited to watch you tomorrow,” I say shyly.

“You know,” he says, “Dr. Coltrain technically hasn’t released me yet. I think I’m going to need a helper for at least another night.”

I smile. “You just trying to get me to stay again, Knox?”

“Did it work?” he asks, lips curling into a mischievous smile.

“Yes,” I admit. “It did work.”

“Good. I still need to give you shit for not telling me when your birthday was. Your boyfriend should not have to find out from your brother.”

We stop now, and I turn to face him. “Fake boyfriend,“ I say, wrinkling my nose.

“Semantics,” Knox replies, leaning in closer. “I still wish you had told me.”

“I wasn’t purposefully keeping it from you. It just didn’t cross my mind since we were so busy with your recovery. Hell, I forgot until this morning, and I didn’t want to tell you the day of.”

“Thank God for Cole, then,” he smirks. “I wouldn’t have been able to get you a gift if I only found out today.”

That catches me by surprise. “Why did you get me a gift? You really didn’t need to do that.”

“Yeah, he told me you’d say that,” he laughs. “Lo, I got you a gift because I wanted to. Here.“ Knox reaches into the back pocket of his chino shorts and returns with a small jewelry box that he hands to me.

I flip the lid of the black velvet to find a dainty gold chain with a small gold baseball charm hanging from it. “Knox, this is beautiful.”

“If there’s one thing I know about you, it’s that you love baseball. So much so that you write an entire blog about it.”

“You know me well,” I smile. I take the necklace out of its box, and he helps me clasp it around my neck, where it hangs just below my collarbone. “How does it look?”

“Perfect.” He wraps his arms around the small of my back, hooking his hands together and pulling me against him. “You are perfect, Harlow.”

In a quick movement, I’m on my tiptoes again, draping my arms around Knox’s neck and pressing my mouth against his. I tease my tongue over his bottom lip before he opens it, now stroking his tongue against mine.

My body is on fire, so consumed with need. I can’t help but be captivated by everything that he is. Every second spent together just makes me crave him even more.

One more kiss, and we part, now resting our foreheads together.

“Thank you, Knox. I love the necklace.”

He smiles at me sweetly. “Happy birthday, Lo.”

The outside world ceases to exist. Right now, it’s just us in this moment.

Knox and I are the only people around on the busy greenway. I’m sure there are fans milling about snapping pictures that will be plastered all over the internet later, but I pay no mind, so engrossed in us in our own little bubble.

A bubble that pops when a man walks up behind me.

“Knox, I wasn’t expecting to see you here.”

“Simon,” Knox says as I turn around now, leaning my back against his chest as he places his hands on my hips. “I didn’t think I’d run into you here.”

“Out for a walk with my wife,” Simon says, gesturing to the woman beside him. “Knox, this is Helen.”

Knox reaches out to shake her hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Helen.” He gestures to me now. “This is my girlfriend, Harlow. We’re out for her birthday today.”

“Ah, well, happy birthday then, Harlow.”

“Thank you,” I say softly. “We just grabbed lunch with my family after his appointment this morning.”

“Yes,” Simon says more enthusiastically, “How did the appointment go? Axis is looking forward to seeing you back on the field.”

“They’ll catch me tomorrow then,” Knox says with a smile. “Dr. Coltrain cleared me as of Wednesday. I talked to Skip earlier, and I’m starting tomorrow night’s game.”

“Wonderful, wonderful. I look forward to it. This season has seen such a change for you.” Simon shoots us both a knowing look.

Knox wraps his arms around my waist now. “I guess all I needed was a reason to be happy.” I blush as he kisses the top of my head.

“You two are just so sweet together,” Helen pipes in. “I’ve probably said that to Simon too often this season.”

“Thank you,” I reply sweetly. “I’ve really enjoyed our time together so far.” I glance up at Knox now. “He’s my favorite person.”

The look on his face is disbelief.

Disbelief that I could say something like that and mean it after everything that’s happened.

But it’s true.

No matter how hard I try to pull away, he always manages to pull me right back in. Even though we constantly see each other, I can’t spend enough time with him.

Because he truly is my favorite person.

“Well,” Simon says, “we’ll let you go about your day. Good to see you, Harlow. I’ll catch you before the game tomorrow, Knox.”

Once we say our goodbyes, Simon and Helen continue down the greenway, leaving Knox and me alone.

“That was unexpected,” I say as I turn around before looking at him in surprise.

Knox stands before me now with the most genuine smile.

It’s the kind of smile that hurts your cheeks.

It crinkles the skin around your eyes.

It lights you up in a way only pure, unadulterated happiness can.

He’s happy right now in a way I’ve never seen him.

“What are you so happy about, Slick?” I ask, unable to contain my curiosity.

“Nothing,” he says, shaking his head while keeping the smile plastered on his face. “Nothing at all, Harlow. Come on. Let’s walk a little longer and then find a birthday cake for you. Sound good?”

I nod as I match his stride, and we take off down the greenway again.

I don’t believe that joy was for nothing.

No, that look matches my own recently.

That was a look of love .