Chapter 45 Knox
KNOX
SINNERS AND SAINTS GROUP CHAT
Me: Healing.
Axel: That’s not a number.
Me: 6.
Axel: Nice. Down from a solid 9. Progress.
Ryker: How are you actually feeling?
Axel: Wait. No lecture about the phone? No “DESTROY THIS IMMEDIATELY”? No caps lock meltdown?
Ryker: Maybe I’ve realized I like being able to check on him.
Axel: CHARACTER GROWTH. Everybody clap for Ryker.
Blake: *Clapping emoji*
Jace: *Clapping emoji*
Axel: I’m so proud. My little worrywart is becoming a real boy.
Ryker: I will end you.
Axel: There he is.
Jace: You scared the shit out of us, Knox.
Blake: Seconded. I don’t want to see you at Mercy Harbor again unless you’re visiting.
Me: No plans to return.
Axel: So, is Harper nursing you back to health? *Winking emoji*
Ryker: Don’t.
Axel: What? It’s a valid medical question.
Ryker: It’s really not.
Axel: Is she fluffing your pillows, Knox? Checking your temperature? Sponge baths?
Me: I’m not answering that.
Axel: THE SILENCE SPEAKS VOLUMES.
Blake: To be fair, she was out of her mind with worry. I’ve never seen someone pace that much. She wore a track in my waiting room floor.
Axel: That’s love, my friend. That is a woman who has it BAD.
Jace: He’s not wrong.
Axel: Screenshot that. Jace said I’m not wrong. This is historic.
Jace: Don’t push it.
Blake: That woman cares for you. Deeply.
Axel: So, basically, what we’re saying is, don’t fuck it up.
Me: Wasn’t planning to.
Ryker: Does this mean you’ll actually try at your next parole hearing?
Me: I want out. For real this time.
Axel: Wow. A woman makes you want to be a better man. Groundbreaking. Somebody call Hallmark.
Jace: Let him have this.
Axel: I’m HAPPY for him. This is my happy voice.
Ryker: Your happy voice sounds exactly like your annoying voice.
Axel: They’re the same voice.
Axel: Oh, hey, whatever happened to that assfart of an ex?
Me: Fired.
Axel: Outstanding. Beautiful. Chef’s kiss. Love that for us.
Me: He’s not a problem inside these walls anymore. But I’m worried he won’t let her go.
Ryker: That’s a problem for another day. Today, you focus on healing.
Blake: Speaking of which, actual medical advice: Stay hydrated; don’t skip the antibiotics, even when you feel better; and for the love of God, stop trying to sit up too fast. You’re not impressing anyone.
Axel: He’s trying to impress Harper. *Winking emoji*
Blake: Harper would prefer he not rip his stitches.
Axel: You don’t know that. Some women find blood sexy.
Ryker: What is wrong with you?
Axel: So many things. We don’t have time.
Me: Thank you. All of you. Harper told me you were there. That you came.
Jace: Of course we came.
Blake: You’re family, Knox.
Axel: Okay NO. Stop it. Do NOT get soft and gooey on us. I have a reputation to maintain.
Ryker: What reputation?
Axel: As an emotionally unavailable man with perfect comedic timing and no feelings.
Blake: You literally teared up in the waiting room.
Axel: SLANDER. LIES.
Jace: I saw it too.
Axel: You saw NOTHING.
Me: You cried over me?
Axel: I had something in my eye.
Ryker: For two hours?
Axel: It was a big something.
Blake: It was called “feelings.”
Axel: I’m muting this chat.
Axel: I want it on record that I hate all of you.
Axel: Except Knox. Glad you’re not dead, buddy.
Axel: But the rest of you? Dead to me.
Me: Love you too, guys.