25
The car ride was eerily silent. The soft lull of the radio was the only consistent sound besides our collective breathing. Clarissa decided to ride with us as well, taking the front seat as Knox joined me in the back.
I chose to forego the seat belt, needing to be as close to Knox as was respectfully possible. I cuddled into his side, looking up every once in a while to make sure he was still okay. Knox had tilted his head back against the headrest, closing his eyes.
I sighed taking hold of his hand, opting to play with his fingers as I listened to his steady breaths.
We pulled up to my house first.
Leaving Knox for the rest of the night was the very last thing I wanted and although I reasonably knew Serena would not like if he stayed the night, I couldn't in my right mind let him leave.
I looked up at Knox as Liam pulled up to the curb.
It seemed as if my eyes conveyed all the plea they needed to as Knox got out of the car with me, wishing Clarissa and Liam a 'goodnight.'
The lights in the house were all off but the door was unlocked for us - well, me. I glanced around the entry as I stepped in, noticing not even any of the upstairs lights were on.
"She must be asleep." I whispered to Knox as he stepped in behind me, quietly shutting the door behind him.
"Annie, I shouldn't stay." Knox sighed, rubbing a hand down his face.
I knew he was right. I knew he shouldn't. On top of Serena not liking it, he had just gotten into a crash and was probably shaken up. But that was all the more reason why he needed to stay too. Maybe I was being selfish but I know he needs me just as much as I need him.
"Just for a little?" I asked back in a whisper.
Knox thought for a moment before giving me a single nod. With that, I led us up the stairs slowly so as to make as little noise as possible. If not for Serena being such a heavy sleeper, I wasn't sure we'd be able to make it up with these creaky stairs.
Once in my room, I shut and locked the door behind us. Slipping off his shoes and shirt, Knox let out a quiet groan as he laid down on my bed.
I was much slower to take off my shoes, eyeing Knox as I went to lay down next to him. The second my knee hit the bed, his arm shot out to pull me into his chest. He immediately nuzzled his face into my neck, taking a deep breath.
"Are you hurt?" I breathed out, realizing I should have asked this much much sooner.
"Nah." Knox brushed off a little too quickly for my liking.
"Are you sure? It looked pretty bad." I pried further, pulling away from him so I could see his eyes.
"Just gave me a little whiplash, nothing serious. I've been in worse." He confessed, sighing.
I hummed, satisfied enough to let it go for now. I pressed a kiss to his jaw before cuddling back into his chest.
"Annie." Knox called softly.
I hummed in response, unable to peel my eyes back open.
"I need to go, baby." He said.
I frowned, nuzzling further into his arms in protest.
"I promise I'll see you in the morning. You and I both know I can't stay tonight." He sighed, pressing a kiss to the top of my head.
"Fine." I grumbled, letting go of Knox so he could stand back up and go.
I watched, pouting the whole time as he slipped his shirt and shoes back on before walking to my window and pulling it open.
"Sweet dreams, baby." He whispered before climbing through the window and out of sight.
I wasn't aware of when I fell asleep, next thing I knew it was morning and I was waking up to a knock on my bedroom door. Stumbling out of bed, I unlocked and opened the door to a smiling Serena.
I dragged my hand down my face before giving her the best smile I could for having just woken up.
"How was your night?" She asked, walking in and sitting at my bed.
"It was nice. Nothing special, but nice to get out of the house." I said. It wasn't a complete lie, it really was nice being out with Knox but it definitely could have gone better. Serena didn't need to know that, though.
"How was your night?" I asked back, redirecting the focus off of me as quick as possible.
I was pissed. Last night's crash was the most insane way I've seen someone interfere with a race. I mean a fucking bullet to my tire? As glad as I am that it wasn't worse than that, the whole thing makes no sense.
Having to leave my car there over night also meant that I got a ticket. I just knew my parents were going to have a field day with that.
After leaving Annie last night, I walked to Liam's. It wasn't a long walk, but it was nice to have some alone time to clear my head regardless. Liam wasn't shocked when I walked through his door. He just waved me off to the guest room.
As much as I would have loved to spend the night with Annie, last night was not the right time.
I couldn't stay there after everything that had happened, I really just needed to get my mind together.
I also knew it'd put me in a bad spot with Serena if she ever found out and the last thing I wanted was to get on her bad side. I just didn't want to risk it.
I called a tow truck first thing this morning, towing it to an auto shop. Liam drove me to the shop while they fixed the tire, leaving it good as new.
"I'm glad you're okay, man. That shit was fucking crazy." Liam said as he drove.
"Yeah, thanks. Weird as fuck for real." I mumbled, still tired as I barely got any real sleep last night.
"Sean's already trying to find out who did it." Liam said.
I nodded my head, grateful to have friends who would look out for me.
"Give him his cut for me, yeah?" I asked, pulling out some of the cash from the envelope before handing it to Liam as he nodded.
Liam dropped me off in the parking lot just as they finished with my car. I paid them and took back my keys before driving straight to Annie's house.
I pulled up to the curb just as I saw Serena leaving the house. She smiled, waving as I stepped out of the car. I thought for a moment that she would stop and talk to me but she just got into her car and pulled out.
I let out a sigh of relief at not being interrogated about last night before walking up and knocking on the front door.