30
It was absolutely no surprise that Liam and Clarissa were already in the water by the time Knox and I walked out to the dock. My legs still had a slight shake to them that I hope is way less noticeable than it feels.
"Where's Sean?" I asked Knox as we approached the other two.
Knox quirked a brow but simply shrugged in response.
I frowned but didn't pry any further before setting down my towel on the wood of the dock. I barely managed to stand back up straight again before I was scooped into Knox's arms. I let out a small scream, pinching my nose as he leaped with me into the water.
I sputtered upon resurfacing, taken completely off guard.
Knox laughed, sending me a cheeky smile before swimming off.
The rest of the afternoon was spent swimming in the lake, splashing about.
Clarissa and I were unsurprisingly the first to get out, opting instead to lay on our towels and soak up as much sun as we could. Knox and Liam began juggling a soccer ball on the shore not too long after.
It wasn't until we all had retreated inside and freshened up when Sean finally arrived.
I was cuddled into Knox's side on the couch while playing uno with Liam and Clarissa when Sean barged in with no warning.
I jumped slightly in my spot, instinctively moving even closer to Knox.
The boys didn't seem to be alarmed at all, though.
They didn't even bat an eye when Sean came in with a girl wrapped under his arm.
My eyes widened as I took the two of them in. I glanced at Clarissa who thankfully seemed to be just as equally in shock.
Sean dropped his arm, sauntering in and dropping a single bag at the bottom of the stairs. The girl quirked her lips, not moving an inch from where Sean had left her.
"Liam." She greeted, batting her eyelashes before turning to Knox, "Knox-y."
"Lila." Liam nodded, not looking up as he played his next card.
Clarissa visibly bit her tongue as she glanced at Liam before she too played her next card.
Knox cleared his throat, nodding in her direction but didn't utter a single word.
I frowned. Something about Knox knowing who this girl was did not sit right with me. I shifted, suddenly losing interest in any aspect of continuing this game.
"Beer?" Sean asked, his footsteps heavy as he entered the kitchen.
"Ay." Liam called, sighing as he flung the rest of his cards on the table - effectively ending the game.
"Me too." Clarissa grumbled, following suit before sending another scathing look towards Lila.
Lila scoffed, stalking over to the chair in the corner before plopping down. Just then, she turned her attention to me.
"I don't think we've met before." She said, her eyes twinkling.
I shifted again, pulling myself slightly away from Knox who didn't hesitate to pull me back against him - his arm tight around my waist.
I cleared my throat, choosing to ignore Knox's weird behavior, "I'm Annie." I sent her a wary smile. I was trying my best to be welcoming but I knew I was failing miserably.
"Knox's new flavor I take it?" She laughed, leaning back in her seat as Sean handed her a beer.
My brows furrowed and I tilted my head in confusion. Knox's fingers flexed as they dug harder into my side.
"Flavor?" I asked in confusion, the question slipping off my tongue before I could help it.
Lila grinned, her face crinkling slightly in amusement, "You can't be serious." She laughed.
I was on the verge of asking her what she meant again when Knox stood up, bringing me with him.
Turning to Sean, he spoke in a low threatening tone, "Get her the fuck out of here."
My eyes widened as I glanced between everyone in the room. I held my breath in shock, knowing whatever was about to happen was not going to be good.
"Oh so you both can bring your pussy but I can't?" Sean spat back, standing up too.
"Sean." Liam warned, also standing up as if prepared to stop whatever was going on.
I gasped, taking a half-step back at Sean's words. Knox dropped my hand, stepping completely in front of me. I gulped watching Knox roll his shoulders back as he practically squared up to Sean.
"I said to get her the fuck out of here." Knox warned again, his tone calm and unwavering.
Sean scoffed, shaking his head as he glanced back at Lila who seemed to be reveling in the chaos she brought with her.
Without another word, Lila stood up and carefully set her beer down on the coffee table. Sending everyone a mocking smile, she started walking toward the door. "You coming, Sean-y?" She called.
Sean's jaw ticked as he gave Liam and Knox one more look before he grabbed their bag and followed her out the door.
Nobody moved until we could hear the car pulling out of the driveway and rumbling off in the distance.
Clarissa let out a loud sigh, "Fucking skank." She frowned, standing up. "I'm sorry, Annie. Don't take it personally. She has the personality of a wet rag."
I nodded, still frowning as I glanced over at Knox.
"I think I'd like to go to bed now." I admitted softly, doing my best to avoid eye contact with everyone before turning around and walking away.
My heart beat rapidly as I heard Knox's quick footsteps following me into the bedroom.
I thought about closing the door behind me, blocking him from coming in, but my attempt was half-hearted and weak.
I barely pushed the door only slightly behind me as I walked in when Knox's hand met the wood to stop it.
I didn't dare turn around - choosing to ignore him, I walked over to my clothes and began looking for my pajamas.
I heard the door close with a soft click. Knox's deliberate footsteps stopping directly behind me a second later.
I shuddered, holding my breath in anticipation. What I was expecting, I wasn't sure.
"I'm not saying I've been a saint, Annie, but I hope by now you see that you're not just a flavor to me." Knox said. His hand reached to my hip, slowly turning me around to face him again.
"Why did she say that?" I asked in a whisper, my voice wavering.
Knox sighed, his thumbs drawing circles into my hips - as much a comfort for him as it was for me.
"Lila likes to hang around the race track. She prides herself on getting what she wants and my lack of interest has been a perpetual shot to her ego. She was doing her best to bring you down with her." Knox explained softly, his eyes never leaving mine.
I gulped, nodding as my shoulders begun to relax.
Lila was beautiful and under any other circumstances, what she said would have intimidated me. However, Knox was right. He's given me no reason to question his interest or feelings for me so it was silly of me to believe her for even a second.
"Why did Sean bring her then?" I asked.
Knox shook his head, clenching his jaw for a moment before responding, "I'd like to know too, baby."