Knox goes to take a step forward, but I instantly step in the way. “Okay, stop.” I put my hands on his chest but his eyes stay on Carter. “Stop. I’ll come with you.”
Reluctantly, he steps away and gets back in the driver’s seat. I smile sadly at Carter.
“I’ll let you know about this weekend.”
He rolls his eyes but nods. “All right. Be careful with him.”
I open the passenger side and get in. “Don’t worry. He won’t hurt me.”
As soon as I shut the door, Knox presses the gas pedal to the floor and the car speeds down the street. I pull the seatbelt across my body and buckle it in. Once I’m done, I look over at him. He’s completely focused on the road, but I can see the tension in his jaw.
“Are you going to tell me where you’ve been the last couple days? Or why you couldn’t so much as answer my text?”
He ignores my questions completely. “Were you going to say yes?”
“Huh?”
“To Carter,” he clarifies, his hand tightening around the steering wheel. “Are you going to go out with him?”
“I don’t know. Is there a reason I shouldn’t?”
“You’re damn right there is.”
“And what’s that?”
“Me.”
I chuckle dryly. “You? The you that vanishes without a trace and then comes back insisting you get a say in what I do when you’re not around? You’re right. That sounds totally reasonable.”
The rest of the drive is quiet as he pulls up to a place I’ve never been before, but the view is incredible. It overlooks the whole town and the city beyond it. I look around, taking it all in, when he finally exhales.
“I was in the hospital.”
My eyes widen as I whip my head toward him. “You were what? Are you okay? Why didn’t you tell anyone?”
“That. That’s exactly why. I didn’t want anyone to worry.”
“What happened?”
He leans back against the headrest. “I was in a fight. I’m fine. Just a few bruised ribs and a concussion.”
“A fight?” He nods, and I sigh in disapproval. “You really need a better way to take out your frustrations.”
“I have one—jerking off.”
“Oh my God! Don’t tell me that.”
Chuckling, he bounces his eyebrows. “What, you mean to tell me you don’t rub one out every once in a while?”
I bury my face in my hands. “Rub one…what? No. We are not having this conversation.”
“Wait.” He reaches over and places his hand on my thigh. “You mean you’ve never—” I drop my hands and shake my head. “How do you get off?”
“I-I don’t. I mean, I haven’t.”
Embarrassed, I look out at the view and fiddle with my hands. Meanwhile, Knox retreats into his own seat. He’s quiet for a second, making me think I completely blew it with my honesty, but then he snickers.
“You’re just full of surprises, aren’t you Bambi?”