Things We Never Got Over (Knockemout, #1)

by Lucy Score

“Why are your arms and knees all scraped up?” I glanced down at the abrasions on my skin. “I climbed out of a church basement window.” “Cool. So, we’re going into town?”

“If this is what it takes to get out of this fucking store without passing out from a goddamn hard-on, I’m buying you the fucking underwear.”

Just seeing him, hugging him, made me feel more grounded. “You gonna introduce me to Blondie and the Beast?” Stef asked. “Not done hugging yet,” I insisted. “Hurry it up. Beast looks like he wants to shoot me.” “He’s more of a Viking than a beast.”

“You’re the one who has to live your life. Don’t apologize to other people for the decisions you make for yourself.”

“Because sometimes people don’t know how to ask for what they really need. You needed a hug.” “No. I didn’t,” he rasped. He was quiet for a long moment, and I listened to his heartbeat. “I needed you.” My own breath tripped in my throat. I tried to pull back to look up at him, but he held me where I was. “Just shut up, Daisy,” he advised. “Okay.”

“Gotta head out. Some shit to take care of before the big family dinner tonight celebrating Way’s first day and Naomi’s parents coming to town.” “I hate you,” Nash said. But there was no real heat to his words. “Let this be a lesson to you, little brother. You gotta make your moves faster or else someone else’ll make ’em for you.” I started for the door. “Tell Way to let me know if anyone at school messes with her,” Nash called. “Will do.” “Tell Naomi she’s welcome to swing by any time.” “Not happening.”

“You’re evil.” “We’re evil. But we can be bought,” Fi reminded me.

The ref blew the final whistle. “That’s game!” Waylay stood stock-still, staring at the ball in the back of the net as if she couldn’t believe what she’d just done. And then she turned. Her teammates raced to her, shrieking and giggling. But she was looking beyond them. She was looking at me. And then she was running. And so was I. I caught her when she jumped into my arms and swung her around. “You did it!” “Did you see? Did you see what I did, Aunt Naomi?” “I saw, honey. I’m so proud of you!” “Can we get ice cream, and can I swear when I watch football with Knox?” “Yes and I guess so.” She hugged me tight around the neck and whispered, “This is the best day of my life.” I was trying to blink back tears when someone pulled her from my arms. It was Knox, and he was settling Waylay on his shoulders as the rest of the players and parents gathered around to congratulate her. Knox shot me one of his rare, full-on grins that made me dizzy.

“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,”

“Are we alive?” Waylay asked under me. “We’re alive, honey,” Naomi assured her. Carefully, I eased my weight off them. They both stared up at me with identical grins. I pointed at Waylay. “You’re gettin’ a damn birthday party. And after that, we’re gettin’ married,” I told Naomi.

“What the hell is this? A parade?” asked one of the uniformed officers. A motorcycle rolled in. Followed by another and another. A dozen total. They were followed by four vehicles. Engines cut. Doors opened. And Knockemout showed the fuck up.