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“You leave your door open?” he asked a second later, his mouth tight. “Yeah. That’s the way it’s done on Long Island,” I deadpanned. “It’s how we show our neighbors we trust them.” He gave me another one of those long, frowny looks. “No. Of course I didn’t leave it open. I closed and locked it.”
“You met our landlord?” I squeaked. “Who else stopped by? The mayor? Exactly how long have I been asleep?” Her eyes went wide and serious. “Aunt Naomi, you’ve been asleep for two whole days.” “What?” She smirked. “Just messin’ with you. You were out for an hour.”
My highlighters flying made a rapid-fire racket as they hit the wooden planks beneath me. Time froze as Knox turned in my direction. He was facing me with one hand on his… Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope.
“Well, Daisy. It means my dick doesn’t care that you’re not my type. It’s still standing up, trying to get your attention.”
“Maybe if you get it out, instead of bottling it up, you’ll feel better.” He studied me for another one of those long, pensive beats, and I was sure he was about to tell me to get my ass home.
“Fine.” I blinked in surprise. “Um. Okay. Wow. So this is happening. Maybe we should sit?” I suggested, eying up the empty vinyl chairs.
“One time,” he agreed, still watching me closely. “Final offer.” “Don’t talk like a game show host when your face is between my legs.” “Don’t ask me to have a conversation when you were just about to come on my God damn tongue.” “Point taken,” I said. My insides were actually pulsing with greedy desire. “One-time thing. Make it count.” “Then you better hang the fuck on.”
“Uh-uh. Making it count,” he said from somewhere that sounded very far away. “Besides, I want to slide my cock in you while you’re still coming.”
“’Kay.” I heard the distinct crinkle of the wrapper from either a Pop-Tart or a condom. It appeared to be the latter because the wide crest of his erection
I needed to get out of this bed because if Knox woke up and gave me a sleepy-eyed stare, I’d throw caution to the wind and hop right back on that cock of his without another thought.
“Daisy, baby, what the fuck are you doing down there?” I watched in horror as bare feet attached to naked, muscular legs appeared on the stairs. Mom and I froze to the spot as boxer briefs—thank God for penis-covering miracles—came into view.
“Oh my God. I’m going to die of embarrassment,” I decided.
“Naomi,” Knox called from the coffeepot. “Pants?” I winced. “Under the sink.”
“Tell Naomi she’s welcome to swing by any time.” “Not happening.”
“You worrying about her, you taking care of her when you only just met, says a lot about your character. So does the fact Naomi let you into her bed without the usual ninety-nine-point inspection.” I was equal parts uncomfortable and oddly pleased. “All due respect, Amanda, I don’t like talking about your daughter’s sex life with you.” “That’s because you’re a man, sweetie,” she said, patting my arm. “I just want you to know that I see how you’re taking care of my girl. In all their time together, I never once saw Warner bring her a cup of coffee. Never once saw him do anything that
benefited her unless it benefited him too. So thank you for that. Thank you for seeing my girl and wanting to be there for her.” “You’re welcome.” It seemed like the appropriate response.
“Can you two do me a favor and swing by Honky Tonk to pick up your Explorer? I’ll drive Naomi home tonight.” I had plans for her.
am really uncomfortable with the idea of an entire town tracking its women’s menstrual cycles.” “Hey, we’re normalizing period shit,” I argued. “Now, get your sexy ass over here.”
The girl next door was about to crawl into my bed. I knew it was a mistake. But it was one I wanted to make. Just this once.
“I expected the yelling, just thought we’d be doing it naked. We good?” Her fingers were tracing little circles against my chest. “We’re good. For now. I’m going to go collect myself in the bathroom.” “I’m gonna eat some more of your mom’s cobbler.”
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 entirely. He didn’t want me. He never had. Worse, he hadn’t wanted Waylay either. I’d taken my young, impressionable charge and dragged her into my relationship with a man who was never going to be there for her in the long-term.
“So is setting an example for your niece about how she doesn’t need to turn herself inside out to be loved. How she doesn’t need to set herself on fire to keep someone else warm. Demanding to have your own needs met isn’t problematic—it’s heroic, and kids are watching. They’re always watching. If you set an example that tells her the only way she’s worthy of love is by giving everyone everything, she’ll internalize that message.”
“There’s a difference between taking care of someone because you love them and taking care of
someone because you want them to love you,” she continued.
Your feelings are real and valid. Don’t let anyone tell you you shouldn’t feel the way you feel. Okay?”
The pang in my chest became a physical ache, and I wondered if I should call a cardiologist. This wasn’t normal. This wasn’t how it was supposed to go.
“How did soccer practice go? I meant to swing by but—” “It’s okay. You don’t have to pretend. Aunt Naomi ’n me are used to people not wanting us.” “Way, that’s not fucking fair. That’s not why things didn’t work out between your aunt and me.”
“I’m serious, kid. You two are too good for me. Sooner or later, you both would have figured it out. You deserve better.”
“If you really thought that, you’d be working hard to be good enough. Not dumping us like we’re trash.” “I never said you were trash.” “You never said much of anything, did you?” she said. “Now, leave Aunt Naomi alone. You’re right. She deserves better than some guy who isn’t smart enough to see how awesome she is.” “I know how awesome she is. I know how awesome you are,”
“This guy knows what’s up,” she said, pointing to our bartender friend. “Two ladies come into this place talking about the same man, and Imma keep the drinks coming,”
“Yeah, what?” I pressed. “I would have loved you.” “How do you know?” I demanded, my voice a rasp. “Because I already do, dummy.”
