Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 84247 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84247 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
“That’d be great,” I replied, meaning it. The whole not-wanting-anyone-other-than-Knox thing was still there, but I needed to put myself out there, needed to find more friends. I liked the idea of hanging out with Josh, Kellan, and Natalie.
“Great. Sounds good. I still have your number, so I’ll text you. We’re doing Mexican for dinner at seven, and then we’ll head to Griff’s.”
Josh smiled, but it wasn’t a flirty smile, more of a friendship smile, which I was glad of. As hot as he was, it wasn’t him I hoped would want me.
Stop it! Stop thinking about Knox!
“I’m looking forward to it. Thanks for inviting me.”
“No worries. I know what it’s like to be the new guy. Plus, everyone is pairing up around me. First Kell, then Law. I need some single buddies.” He laughed.
“There’s Griff and Knox too.”
“Yeah, they’re great, but Knox is straight and I can’t see him heading into Richmond with me to party.”
There was a sharp pang in my chest, even though there shouldn’t be. Knox was straight, and even though we’d kissed, which probably meant he was bi, he’d made it clear that was a one-time thing and he didn’t want anything more.
“And Griffin is…Griff.” He shrugged. “I mean, straight too, not that a straight guy can’t go to a gay bar. I’m sure both of them would, but it’s not the same. Going out like that isn’t Griff’s thing.”
Hmm, well, that was interesting. He’d said two things about Griffin, the second one not really needed after the first. “You guys are close?” I asked.
“To tell you the truth, I don’t even know how to answer that. Kellan’s my best friend, and Griff was always just his overprotective brother. We’ve been hanging out a bit, and we’re friends, but…I don’t know. It’s hard to put into words. I’ve never known anyone like him.”
Josh had spoken casually. There wasn’t any obvious desire or anything to what he said, yet it still struck me for some reason. But then, what did I know? It wasn’t as if I knew much about Griffin or Josh.
“Anyway, I need to get back to work, and I’m sure you came here for more reasons than to talk to me. I’ll text you and see you tonight.”
I stood, and we walked back into the main part of the gym together. Josh said goodbye, and I went over to start my workout. Kellan showed up not long after. He spoke to Josh for a few minutes, who pointed me out. Kellan came over, and we exercised together. He mentioned my going out with Josh the next weekend, so he must have said something. He told me about his favorite bars in Richmond, and we shot the shit about random things.
Afterward, we had a smoothie and sat to chat some more. I liked Kellan. I liked both him and Josh. See, I could do this. I could make other friends in Havenwood. I didn’t need Knox Wheeler at all.
Damned if I still didn’t miss him, though.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Knox
Logan was staying at Dale’s again, so when Law said he and Remy were going to Griff’s, I decided I’d go have a beer too. I’d tossed around the thought of calling Callum, asking him if he wanted to go, or just inviting him over, but I was still confused. The truth was, the longer I stayed away from him, the more I told myself I wasn’t really attracted to him. That it had been a fluke, and we were friends, and the next time he was standing in front of me, I’d realize I didn’t want him.
Clearly, I wasn’t brave enough to test that theory.
I was sitting on my stool at the end of the bar, Law was beside me, Remy on the other side of him, followed by Chase. Josh wasn’t there, but that wasn’t unusual. He often came later or went off to find a hookup or something.
“How’s everything going?” Law asked softly as I nursed my beer. It didn’t take a brain surgeon to know he was talking about Cal.
“Same.”
“You still haven’t talked to him?”
Shame curled my spine as I shook my head. Christ, what was wrong with me? I was acting like a child. I was going to stop seeing the guy because we kissed once? Someone who meant something to me? Someone I missed?
“Oh, I didn’t know they were hanging out,” Griff said suddenly. “Not that it matters.”
I looked up to see Callum, Josh, Kellan, and Natalie walk through the bar toward us. Josh and Natalie were smiling. Callum had his head tilted back, laughing. When he put a hand on Josh’s shoulder, something caught in my throat.
He was wearing a short-sleeved, blue button-up shirt, left open. He had a white tee beneath it, tight enough that I could see exactly how slender he was, maybe even make out the muscles of his abs. He had on a little bit of eyeliner and looked happy and confident, not knowing or caring that a few guys looked at him in disapproval as he moved.