36. Selene
36
SELENE
K nox and I head downstairs hand in hand, and when we reach the last step, I look into the living room. Blaise and Wilder are staring at the television, playing a video game I don’t recognize. Asher isn’t here because he and Isla are having a date night.
Wilder pauses the game and turns to face us with a smirk. “Well, well, well. Look who finally decided to grace us with their presence.” He waggles his eyebrows suggestively. “Sounded like you two were having quite the workout session up there.”
Heat rushes to my cheeks and I quickly drop Knox's hand. “You just wish the situation was reversed!” I chuckle before I continue. “Who wants dinner? I'm starving!” I call over my shoulder before I make a beeline for the kitchen.
Knox laughs, but I don’t bother looking to see if he’s following me. I start pulling out the ingredients Knox bought so that I could make chicken alfredo pasta and garlic bread. It took a lot of convincing for him to believe that I actually wanted to do this after the last time I made food here and Wilder made his joke. Speaking of, I can hear them talking smack to each in the living room.
“Shut up, Wilder,” Knox says. “Like you're one to talk. Remember that girl you brought home last week? We all heard you two going at it.”
“Hey, when you've got skills like mine, it's hard to be subtle,” Wilder replies.
I roll my eyes and focus on the task at hand. Boys. Kind of assholes.
As I start boiling the water for the pasta, I feel someone walk up behind me. Strong arms wrap around my waist, and I lean back into Knox's solid chest.
“Need any help?” he says in my ear.
I shiver slightly but manage to keep my voice steady. “I think I've got it under control. Why don't you go make sure Wilder and Blaise don't kill each other out there?”
Knox chuckles. “Nah, they'll be fine. I'd rather stay here with you.”
He nuzzles into my neck, and I have to bite back a moan. Damn him for being so irresistible. I'm trying to focus here.
“Knox,” I warn, but it comes out breathy. My protest is such bullshit and we both know it. “I'm going to burn the garlic if you keep distracting me.”
“Let it burn,” he growls, spinning me around to face him.
Just as he leans in to kiss me, Wilder bursts into the kitchen. “Something smells amazing in here!” He pauses when he sees our position and smirks. “Oh, sorry. Didn't mean to interrupt.”
I quickly disentangle myself from Knox's arms. “You're not interrupting anything.”
Knox shoots Wilder a glare that could melt steel, but Wilder just shrugs it off. “Hey, don't stop on my account. I'm just here for the food.”
I clear my throat, trying to regain some composure. “Well, you're going to have to wait a bit longer. It's not ready yet.”
“No worries, I can be patient.” Wilder hops up to sit on the counter and swings his legs like he’s a little kid. Which is comical given how big he is.
I raise an eyebrow at Wilder. “Are you sure about that? Patient isn't exactly the first word that comes to mind when I think of you.”
Wilder clutches his chest dramatically. “That hurts, Selene. I'll have you know I'm the very definition of patience. Just ask any of the ladies I’ve been with.”
Knox scoffs as he continues to help me with dinner. “More like the definition of a pain in the ass.”
“Jealousy is a disease, bro. Get well soon,” Wilder tosses back at Knox with a grin.
Then something pops in my mind that I can’t stop myself from saying. “Would Jade say the same?”
I immediately regret throwing Jade under the bus. Knox looks at me, but I can’t read his expression. Not that it matters much because it's too late. Wilder's grin falters for a split second before he recovers.
“Jade? What about her?” he asks, trying to sound nonchalant. But I can see the tension in his shoulders.
I shrug, turning back to stir the pasta. “Nothing, really. I just noticed you two seem...close.”
Wilder hops off the counter, his usual smirk replaced by a frown. “We're just best friends, Selene. Don't make it into something it's not.”
“I didn't say it was anything,” I reply innocently. “Just an observation.”
If someone didn’t know where awkward was, it is definitely standing in the corner of this kitchen, making its presence known more by the second. Knox clears his throat. “Hey, Wilder, why don't you go set the table? Selene should be done with dinner soon.”
Wilder nods, looking relieved for the out. “Sure thing, bro.”
As he leaves the kitchen, I glance over at Knox. “What was that about?”
Knox sighs, rubbing the back of his neck. “It's...complicated with those two. They've been dancing around each other for years, but neither will make a move.”
I frown as I drain the pasta. “Why not? They obviously like each other.”
“Because Wilder is the class clown basically,” Knox explains, leaning against the counter. “And I don’t think Jade takes him seriously at all.”
“Well, maybe Wilder needs to show Jade that there's more to him than just jokes,” I say thoughtfully as I stir the alfredo sauce. “I mean, he seems like a good guy.”
Knox nods slowly. “You're probably right. But I don't think Wilder knows how to do that. Being the jokester...it's his thing, you know?”
His words strike a chord with me. I think about my own tendency to use humor or the party girl image to deflect when I'm feeling insecure or vulnerable. Like earlier, when the guys were teasing us about having sex. Do I do the same thing Wilder does? I guess I do, in a way.
As I'm pondering the parallels between Wilder's coping mechanisms and my own, the garlic bread timer dings, jolting me out of my thoughts. I quickly pull the tray out of the oven, the warm, garlicky aroma filling the kitchen.
Knox inhales deeply, a smile spreading across his face. “Damn, that smells good. Thanks, baby.”
I grin at him as I transfer the golden-brown slices to a serving plate. “Well, someone has to make sure you hockey boys are eating home-cooked meals once in a while.”
Knox chuckles, shaking his head. “You sound like my mom. Next thing I know, you'll be hiding veggies in the pasta sauce.”
“Don't tempt me,” I tease, bumping his hip with mine as I hand him food to carry to the dining room table. “I can’t wait to see her and your abuela again.”
Knox's face softens at the mention of his family. “They can't wait to see you again too,” he says. “Mamita keeps asking when you're coming over again. I think she likes you more than me.”
I laugh as we carry the food into the dining room. “Well, can you blame her? I'm a delight.”
Wilder and Blaise are already seated at the table, their eyes widening as they take in the spread. “Damn, Selene, you went all out,” Blaise says.
“I figured you guys deserved a real meal for once,” I reply, setting down the pasta dish. “Instead of just pizza and protein shakes.”
“Hey, don't knock the pizza and protein shakes,” Wilder says, holding up his hands. “That's the fuel of champions right there.”
Knox snorts as he takes his seat next to me. “Yeah, if by champions you mean guys who can barely skate a lap without wheezing.”
“Excuse you, I am a finely tuned athletic machine.” Wilder flexes his biceps to prove his point.
I roll my eyes at Wilder's antics as I sit down across from him. “Sure, Wilder. Knox mentioned you were huffing and puffing at practice yesterday.”
Wilder glares at Knox. “Bro, that’s fucked up.” He turns back to me “And after I complimented how good the food smelled too.”
Blaise chuckles as he reaches for the garlic bread. “But she's got you there.”
As we all dig into the food, conversation flows easily. Despite the earlier tension with Wilder, he seems to have bounced back to his usual joking self.
“Hey, this is really good, Selene,” Blaise says around a mouthful of pasta. “Like really good.”
I smile at the unexpected compliment from the usually stoic Blaise. “Thanks. I’m glad you enjoyed it. I put a lot of love into it.”
Wilder makes an exaggerated gagging noise. “Gross. Love? In my food? No thanks.”
“Says the guy who just scarfed down two helpings,” Knox points out, gesturing at Wilder's already empty plate. “I’m not even sure you tasted the food.”
Wilder shrugs unapologetically. “What can I say? I'm a growing boy.”
“More like a bottomless pit,” Blaise mutters.
I chuckle and shake my head as Knox's hand finds mine under the table. He gives it a gentle squeeze. I glance over at him, and he winks at me. I don’t even bother trying to hide my grin.
Soon the meal winds down and everything is cleared courtesy of Blaise and Wilder, who decided to clean up since Knox and I cooked. Once that is done, we all settle into the living room, the guys sprawling across opposite ends of one couch while I curl up in Knox’s lap in an armchair. He drapes an arm around my waist, pulling me even closer.
“So, what's the plan for tonight?” Wilder asks, propping his feet up on the coffee table. “We could hit up downtown, see what kind of trouble we can stir up.”
Knox shakes his head. “Nah, man. I think I'm good just hanging out here.”
Wilder makes a whipping noise and gesture, earning a glare from Knox. “Come on, bro. Don't be lame. Live a little!”
“I am living,” Knox replies. “Living my best life right here with my girl.” He punctuates his statement by pressing a kiss to my neck.
I can't help but smile, but apparently that’s enough for Wilder. He pushes himself off the couch and makes a grand announcement. “Well, if you two are just going to be all gross and couple-y, I'm out.” He turns to look at his other roommate. “Blaise, you in?”
Blaise considers for a moment before shrugging. “Sure, why not. Beats third-wheeling these lovebirds.”
As Wilder and Blaise head out, I remember my plan to throw Knox a surprise birthday party. I untangle myself from his lap, giving him a quick peck on the cheek.
“I'll be right back,” I say. “I just need to ask Blaise something real quick.”
Knox raises an eyebrow but nods. “Hurry back.”
I catch up to Blaise just as he's grabbing his coat from the hook by the door. “Hey, Blaise, wait up a sec.”
He turns, looking at me curiously. “What's up?”
I lower my voice, glancing back to make sure Knox is out of earshot. “I want to plan a surprise party for Knox's birthday in a couple weeks. I was hoping you could help me out and we can have it here?”
A slow smile spreads across Blaise's face. “That's a great idea. Knox never makes a big deal out of his birthday, but I think he'd really appreciate this.”
Relief floods through me. “Awesome. I'll start putting together a guest list and figuring out decorations and stuff. Just keep it quiet, okay?”
Blaise mimes zipping his lips. “My lips are sealed. Knox won't suspect a thing.”
“Thanks, Blaise. You're the best.” I give him a quick hug before he heads out the door after Wilder.
I return to the living room where Knox has moved to the couch and is now channel surfing. As I sit down, he wraps an arm around my shoulder and says, “What was that about with Blaise?”
“Oh nothing,” I reply, waving a hand. “Just needed to ask him about...a class.”
Knox pulls back slightly, narrowing his gaze. “You and Blaise have a class together? Since when?”
Crap. I scramble for a good explanation. “We don’t, but he had the same professor last semester. It's, um, an elective. Intro to...Sports Psychology. Figured it might be interesting, you know, with you being an athlete and all.” I give him what I hope is a winning smile.
Knox studies me for a moment, and I hold my breath, praying he buys it. Then he shrugs and pulls me closer again. “Makes sense. You're always looking out for me.” He grins and taps my nose playfully. “My little cheerleader.”
I swat at his chest and laugh. “Excuse you, I am nobody's cheerleader. If anything, you should be my cheerleader and praise me, Hockey Hottie.”
“I'll cheer for you anytime, baby,” he replies with a wink. “In fact...” He shifts suddenly, flipping us so I'm pinned beneath him on the couch. “Let me show you just how good I am at praising you.”
Before I can blink, my giggles turn into moans as a quiet evening with my boyfriend turns into anything but.