Brandon was silent for a long moment. Finally, a grunt. “Fine,” he said. “Give me ten minutes, okay? Meet me at my place. You picking up Bethy?”
“Beth isn’t coming,” Knox said.
“What? Why not?” Brandon asked. “She always comes.”
“Well, she’s not coming tonight,” Knox said.
Brandon was there in exactly ten minutes, disgruntled as ever. Know was as well, for different reasons. He had no idea why he was on edge with Brandon’s questions. Beth always did come when they were hanging out. That much was true. It was almost like they could count on her to settle them down when things got heated, talk them out of doing especially stupid shit, and clean up when they passed out from drinking or sheer exhaustion. Knox had no idea how she managed to actually have fun with them when she was always looking out for them, but he loved having her around. Her presence calmed him for some strange reason, and even when he was with other girls and his friends, it was never the same thing.
“You guys get into a fight or something?” Steve asked, running his fingers over his buzzed head. He was on the couch, shirt off, ridiculous tattoos already on full display, ankles kicked up on the chipped coffee table.
Some old school MTV shows was on the TV but no one was really watching it. Ryan was on the other side of the couch, one arm resting on the cushion, empty bowl on the floor next to him. Knowing Ryan, it had probably been full of Lucky Charms.
“Why would you think we got into a fight?” Knox snapped. He dropped in the recliner while Brandon trotted into the kitchen.
“Whoa, man.” Steven shot his hands up in surrender.
“Ooh, someone’s on his period,” Ryan said, sitting up slightly. “So, where is she then?”
“How do you know she’s anywhere?” Knox asked. He didn’t know why this annoyed him so much, didn’t know why he didn’t want to talk about Beth and where she was. “She could be home. Maybe she just didn’t want to hang out with you assholes.”
Brandon snorted from the kitchen before bringing in bottles of Corona for everyone except Knox. They all knew his strict diet during the season, and they respected that. “Yeah, right, man,” he said. “Beth’s in love with me. There’s no way in hell she’d pass up an opportunity to hang out with me.”
Knox snorted, his lips twitching up.
“Ah, there’s a smile,” Brandon said. “You want water or a Coke?”
Knox shook his head. “Already had a Coke,” he said.
Brandon raised his brows and glanced over to Ryan and Steve. “Already had a Coke?” he asked. “Dude, what the fuck happened? Did you guys get in a fight or something? You never drink a Coke unless you’re hanging or you’re pissed off about something.”
“What makes you think it has anything to do with Beth?” Knox asked, suddenly put out. He ran his palms down his thighs, trying to ignore the looks passing between his friends. There was a knowing glint in each one of their eyes and it unnerved him. It was like they all knew a secret he wasn’t aware of, and he didn’t understand where the fuck that was coming from.
“Because you only get pissed like this when it has to do with Beth,” Steve pointed out, keeping his eyes on Brandon’s flatscreen. “She’s the only one who can get you all pissed off.”
“And she’s the only one who can calm you the fuck down,” Ryan added. “You know, after you guys fight and shit.”
“We don’t fight,” Knox said. “We don’t fight.”
“You know what,” Brandon said, twisting the cap off his beer. “I’m not going to touch that one.”
“What does that mean?” Knox asked.
He was glad he hadn’t sat down yet. Restless energy was fumbling around in his body and he needed to let it go. If he was at home, he might have hopped on his treadmill or shot pucks at the net in his backyard until he worked off the energy. As it was, all he could do was pace.
“He’s pacing, guys,” Steve said to the other two. “We have a pacer.”
“Oh, yeah, it’s bad,” Ryan said, glancing over at Knox.
“What the fuck are you guys talking about?” Knox asked. He glanced at one of Brandon’s surfboards, leaning against the hallway that led to the bedrooms. If he knew how to surf at all, he would have been all over that, but he didn’t, and he wasn’t in the mood to get wet, especially not in the cold-ass Pacific Ocean.
“You only pace when you’re pissed off about something, man,” Brandon said. “And you never get pissed unless it has something to do with Beth.”
“Remember when you got into a fight with that dude she was dating when we were in middle school?” Steve asked, leaning forward and pointing while his other fingers still cradled his Corona. “I still don’t think Beth knows that that’s why he broke up with her. He was so scared to tell her the truth because he thought Knox would beat the shit out of him again.”
Everyone started laughing but Knox.
“He was cheating on her,” Knox pointed out.
“Macy cheated on me but I didn’t see you beat her up,” Ryan pointed out. “Or even give her a stern talking to.”
Knox shot him a look. “You know what, Brandon,” he said. “I think I’ll take your shitty-ass beer if I’m going to have to hear shit like this.”
“Well, it’s true,” Brandon said, ducking back in the kitchen. When he came back, he stopped in front of Knox but had yet to actually hand him the beer. “Is this where I’m supposed to be the good friend that tells you not to drink because of your fitness regime bullshit or whatever? Because, if so, you need to tell me or else I’m just going to give you the beer.”
“Just give me that,” Knox said, snatching it away from Brandon. He twisted the cap and took a long tug of the beer. His head filled with bubbles since he hadn’t drunk anything remotely alcoholic in the last few months, but the rush made him feel good, and that was what he needed.
Steve and Ryan glanced at each other.
“You sure you’re okay, buddy?” Ryan asked slowly, carefully.
“Fuck yeah,” Knox said. He took another long gulp of his drink. “Now, let’s do some stupid shit.”
8
Beth
Kent was definitely out of her league, Beth realized. For one, he cleaned up nice. Currently, he was wearing a buttoned-down shirt loosely tucked into charcoal slacks. His black hair was combed, blue eyes sparkling with mischief.
Jesus.
That was a man.
There was no other appropriate word she could think of that would accurately describe him. He had broad shoulders that swept across the width of his body, and his muscle was still obvious even behind the semi-formal clothes. She had been around hockey her entire life so she was familiar with the players dressing up and looking good, but no one had ever looked the way Kent did. She had never even talked to a guy who looked the way Kent looked, in her life. As it was, she had no idea what to even say, other than the fact that she was looking forward to eating here.
She was glad she opted to meet him here only because she was pretty sure there would have been heavy awkwardness in the car, and Beth was not good with awkwardness, especially on a first date.
If that was what this was. She wasn’t sure if it counted. The guy barely knew her. How could he possibly know whether or not he wanted to date her.
Maybe because that’s the whole point of what dating is?
“You okay?”
Kent’s low, smooth voice broke her out of her thoughts. Of course, he had said something. And of course, she had missed it. She was too busy looking at him to actually hear anything.
Nice one, Hardy.
“What? Oh, yes, definitely.” She nodded, jerking her head up and down.
The grin on his smile widened and his eyes glittered with amusement. Her heart skipped a beat at the sight of it. He was beautiful. How was he even talking to her right now? What made him want to take her out in the first place?
“Good,” he said. “Ready? I’m excited to try this place. Everyone on the Mayhem h
as nothing but good things to say about this place.”
“Not Knox,” Beth said before she realized what was actually coming out of her mouth. “He hates fancy places like this.”
Kent’s lips curled up slightly, and he reached out to her. She took his hand and he expertly weaved his fingers through hers. His hand was cool and blistered, the mark of a true hockey player. His thumb gently caressed her knuckles, causing the butterflies in her stomach to start flying into each other.
“Yeah, he has interesting taste, doesn’t he?” Kent asked. “So, you guys are friends?” He tugged her towards him gently, and they began to make their way to the restaurant hand in hand.
Beth blinked when she realized he had asked her a question. This was all so surreal for her.
“Uh, yeah.” She nodded. “Since kindergarten.”
By the time they reached the restaurant, Beth realized just how popular this place was. Suddenly, she felt out of place. Fashion Island felt off-limits for her. She had grown up in Irvine, where she went to The Spectrum every weekend with her friends. She knew that mall like the back of her hand. Fashion Island seemed to be reserved for those who lived exclusively in Newport Beach or Corona Del Mar. It was glitzy and glamorous, and even the patrons who filled up the restaurant were clearly high end fancy people in name brand formal clothes while Beth was in a dress from Target.
But Kent didn’t seem to care.
He waited in line until he reached the hostess and flashed her a smile. He had dimples in his cheeks as well, Beth realized, and her heart skipped a beat when she noticed them. Did she have a thing for guys with dimples? She must.
“Hi,” Kent said. “We’re looking for a table for two, if you have it?”
“Do you have a reservation?” the hostess asked, smiling up at Kent. It was clear she was attracted to him. If this was Knox, Beth would be glaring right now. But she wasn’t. How could she, when she understood the aesthetic pleasure someone like Kent brought to anyone who happened to look at him.
Not that Knox wasn’t good looking. He was. But Kent was manly, Knox boyish. There was a distinction there. Though, if Beth was being honest, she could see the appeal to both.
“Unfortunately, I don’t,” he said, leaning forward. “I’m hoping maybe you can help me impress my date, though, and slide us in somewhere? I’m new in town and I’m trying to make a good impression.”
The hostess looked over at Beth, her eyes scanning her. Beth felt herself straighten under her curious perusal and tried to give her a warm smile. Even though she felt judged, even though she felt like she wasn’t pretty enough for someone like Kent, she stood her ground and held her own. Knox would have been proud of her.
Not that she was thinking of Knox.
Knox was the guy who would always sense when girls were being bitches and would call them out on it. He was her most adamant defender, her protector from anyone who even looked at her the wrong way. He definitely would have said something to the hostess for that look.
Maybe it was a good thing he wasn’t here because they definitely wouldn’t have gotten a table that way.
“I’ll see what I can do,” the hostess said, dragging her eyes back to Kent. Her eyes sparkled again, lips curling up.
“You’re good,” Beth said with a grin.
“What?” Kent said, but that twinkle was still in his eyes.
Beth snorted, rolling her eyes, and then realized she just snorted. In front of Greek God Kent. What the hell was her problem? Her entire face set itself on fire, which was good, because she had been considering doing it herself because how the hell could she live that down after making such an ass in front of herself? But he started to chuckle, and the sound was so entirely intoxicating that Beth couldn’t help but start laughing as well.
“What?” Kent asked again, playfully bumping shoulders with her. “You seem to be implying something and I’m just curious what that might be.”
“You know exactly what you’re doing,” Beth said. She was still red and couldn’t look up from her feet just yet, but she wasn’t as uncomfortable around him the way she thought she’d be. “I’m surprised you don’t carry some water with you so they can lap it out of your hands.”
Kent threw his head back and laughed. A couple of people waiting for their table glanced over at them, but Beth wasn’t even embarrassed. How could she be, when he sounded like that? His laughter was intoxicating and she found she had the urge to want to do it again.
“Mr. Cavile?” the hostess said, returning at that moment. “My boss recognized you. We set up a table in the back, close to the kitchen. Would that work for you?”
Her gaze was solely focused on his, which Beth understood. What surprised her was when Kent looked down at her and quirked a brow. “What do you think?” he asked.
“I think, let’s do it,” she said, feeling a thrum of excitement through her body.
He nodded once and offered her his arm. Beth’s cheeks pinched again but she didn’t hesitate to slide her arm through his. He smelled like cologne and something else, something clean and masculine like the forest after the rain. She could feel the warmth radiating from his body and she pressed closer to him, hoping to steal some of it for herself. The restaurant’s AC was on full blast and she hadn’t brought a jacket since she didn’t have one that went with the outfit.
The two followed the hostess through the main floor until they reached a small table tucked near the entrance of the kitchen. Kent pulled out her chair like a gentleman and a waiter came by and offered up wine samples, which both of them agreed to. Beth tried not to look younger than she was. Technically, she shouldn’t be drinking wine, but no one seemed to care.
He returned a few minutes to grab their order.
Beth still had no idea what she wanted but found some cheesy pasta meal she thought looked good. After their menus were collected and they were left alone again, Beth sat back in her chair, letting her hands rest in her lap.
“You look lovely,” Kent said, his eyes scanning her body without being lecherous about it. If anything, it made Beth feel desired, like he saw her as a living, breathing woman rather than someone he grew up with who was safely tucked in the category of friend only. Not that she was thinking of Knox right now.
No way.
“Thank you,” Beth said.
“So,” he said. “Tell me about yourself.”
“Oh.” Beth’s cheeks turned red. She wasn’t used to being the center of attention, and she wasn’t a fan of it. However, she also knew that this was a date and he wanted to get to know her, which was a good thing. “Well, I’m a student at UCI. I haven’t declared a major, but I kind of like the thought of being a teacher. I wanted to be a vet but I hated the idea of putting down animals, so I decided against that early on. I love dogs, but because I live on campus, I can’t have one. Yet.”
“I have two,” Kent said. “You should come over and meet them. They’d love you.”
Beth’s lips pulled apart, practically beaming. He was already talking about her meeting his dogs. That was a good sign, right?
“Well, I’d love to meet them,” she said. “What about you? I mean, obviously you’re a Mayhem player.”
“Yes,” Kent said with a nod. “I’ve been playing since I was two. Grew up in Michigan. Small town. Played in the Kalamazoo League until I was Bantam, and then we moved to Novi because the hockey was just better, more competitive.”
Beth nodded. She liked the way he talked, liked the way his eyes were locked into hers so she knew exactly that he was talking to her and no one else. She didn’t think she had ever felt this special before. With Knox, she was just one of the guys. But now…
Not that she was thinking of Knox.
“Do you have any brothers and sisters?” she asked, glancing at the flickering candle in the middle of the table. She wanted to take a sip of her wine, but she didn’t hold her alcohol well, so she didn’t think it was a good idea.
“Two sisters, both older,” he said.
“They can be -”
Before he could finish his sentence, her phone blared with a ringtone.
Beth’s face was on fire and she fumbled through her purse to find it. “I am so sorry,” she said. She was about to silence it when she saw Ryan’s number flash on screen.
Something had happened.
Something to Knox.
Ryan wasn’t a caller.
“I have to take this,” she said, standing up. “I’m so sorry.”
God, this better be a fucking emergency or she was going to kill them all.
9
Knox
“Ryan? Why are you -”
“Ryan?” Knox blinked, trying to figure out why Beth would assume Ryan was calling her. His head was spinning, and even though he wasn’t moving, his body was woozy, almost as though he didn’t have a hold of his bearings.
But it didn’t matter. He was talking to her, and if he was talking to her, that meant she wasn’t having sex with Kent. And that was the plan the whole time. To make sure she was safe.
“Knox?” Her voice was quiet, almost unsure, like she couldn’t really believe it was him.
“God, I love when you say my name,” he murmured before he could stop himself.
There was laughter bubbling up from Brandon’s couch but Knox didn’t care. They were probably laughing at that show they were watching. It had nothing to do with him, nothing to do with the way the world was spinning around him. Except it had stopped once he heard the sound of her voice, his name from her lips.
“Knox,” she said again. “Are-are you drunk?”
“Drunk?” He sounded offended. “You know I don’t drink during the season. How dare you, Beth. How dare you?”
There was a resigned coming from her end. “You are, aren’t you?” A beat. “What are you even doing, Knox? Why are you acting like this? Is this because I went out with Kent?”
“Why do you have to make everything about you, Beth,” he said. “Beth, Beth, Beth. You know what’s weird? Your name. Your name isn’t even short for Elizabeth. It’s just Beth. Don’t you think that’s weird.”
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