Things We Never Got Over (Knockemout, #1)

by Lucy Score

Got yourself a girl?

Scaring the shit out of me.

Because I can’t trust myself with you, I thought.

“Look, Naomi, we both knew the score when we started this. I just think before one of us gets in over their head, we need to pull back.”

“I’m such an idiot,”

if you think it’ll help you in court.

Waylay’s a lot. This whole thing is a lot. Even on my best day, I’m too much and yet not enough.” Her laugh was humorless.

“I believe that’s the last time you get to tell me what to do and call me Daisy.”

This thing growing inside me felt like the white-hot edges of panic. “Don’t be like that.”

I’m a big girl, Knox. And someday, I’m going to find the kind of man who wants an uppity, needy pain in the ass.

At least you told me that from the start.”

“I didn’t say that.”

“Those are your words, and you’re right. I should have listened the first time you said them.”

“Nothing needs to change, Naomi. You can still work at the bar. You and Liza still have an arrangement. Everything else can stay the same.”

I grabbed her arm and pulled her into me. It had felt so natural,

“It’s cash,”

She recoiled like I’d told her it was an envelope of spiders.

“I don’t want your money. I don’t want anything from you now. But especially not your money.”

“Take. Your. Hands. Off. Me, Knox,” Naomi said softly. It wasn’t fire in her eyes now. It was ice. “Naomi, it doesn’t have to be this way.” “Good-bye, Knox.” She slipped out of my grip, leaving me staring after her like an idiot.

Too complicated.

Too much. Too needy. Not worth it.

Knockemout blurring around me through unshed tears.

I’d made a life here. I’d built up a fantasy in my mind.

Taken afternoon coffees and whispered dirty talk to mean something else entir...

He neve...

Worse, he hadn’t wanted Way...

Poor, stupid Naomi falling for the bad boy who’d made no promises.

like I was a prostitute and like it would somehow make everything all right.

I lived in the small town of freaking small towns. I’d see him around. Everywhere. At the coffee shop. At work. This was his town. Not mine. Did I even belong here?

and my stomach dropped into my toes when Knox stepped outside onto the sidewalk. I turned away, praying for invisibility. “Naomi,” he called. I started walking in the opposite direction. “Naomi, come on. Stop,” Knox said.

But at least I was a fast-moving idiot.

I hadn’t slept last night.

We talked. It was good. We’re good. Did you check the bathroom?”

“Fuck.” I did not have a good feeling about this.

“She’s probably just getting some fresh air since you broke her heart and then embarrassed her in front of half the town,”

Said she tried to call Naomi, but she’s not picking up her phone. I tried too and got voicemail. I’m sure it’s nothing, but I need you to tell Naomi.” Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

and she’s not here.”

“Come on, Daze. Pick up,” I muttered. “Let me try,” Max said, pulling out her phone. “Tell me the second you talk to her. I need to know where she is.”

My hands were shaking. I dialed Lou’s number.

“If something happened to them, Lou…” I couldn’t even finish the thought. “We’re gonna find them. Keep it together, son.”

“But she’s on your family plan, isn’t she?”

Max slapped me in the arm.

“You can track her!”

Technology for the fucking win. I shoved my phone at...

“Call Nash,” I said, pointing to Lou. Lou turned to Amanda. “Call Nash. I’m going with him.”

“But if Waylay’s missing too, my money’s on Tina.”

Lou swore under his breath.

“Don’t do anything stupid,” Nash ordered.

It was a cellphone with sparkly daisies on the case. A chill stopped my heart and had me fighting for breath. “Is that hers?” Lou asked. “Yeah.”

I was too busy replaying my last conversation with Naomi. I hadn’t wanted to lose her, so I’d pushed her away and lost her anyway.