Page 17 of Knight

Sure as hell left me though. “You’re always sorry.” I try not to entertain if Damien was the one to give him that cut. I’m also trying hard not to ask if Damien is okay.

“You can’t ask me to choose sides when King’s dad just died.” Christian pours himself a glass, his words stinging.

“Gee, thanks,” I mutter into my glass, taking another gulp of beer.

“Jo, I’m here for you.” Christian reaches across the table, his warm hand moving on top of mine. “I mean that.”

If only I can believe that.

When I look at him, he’s staring into my eyes as if he’s trying to stamp his words in my mind. Giving him a faint smile, Nate moves the conversation on to Marion’s outfit. I want to believe they’re all here for me, but can I?

* * *

The morning doesn’t bring any more clarity. My head is still a fog, aches making it hard to open my eyes. I got zero sleep, my body and mind both exhausted. And that’s not because Bella slept over in Willow’s room, giggling to reruns of The Fresh Prince all night.

I thought I’d get answers yesterday but all I have are more questions.

Are Damien and I finished?

What is his dad hiding?

Didn’t you?

His words play in my head and no matter how much his voice makes my stomach roll, I can’t get that question out of my mind.

My phone vibrates on the white nightstand, the phone that he got me. I don’t pull the blanket from over my head when I reach for it, my hand slapping against the cold table before I pull it in under the sheets.

Allie: Coffee break? Pick you up in 20!

Before I can answer, Willow opens the door to my room. “Jo?”

My voice is groggy when I respond, a soft croak, “What?”

“Checking if you’re awake.” The mattress dips under her weight and I move the blanket below my nose to see her. She’s already dressed in her uniform before I look at the time on my phone.

Shit. I forgot to set my alarm. It’s already past eight. Sitting up, my eyes narrow to a squint. The light peeking through the curtain is blinding. “Thanks. You okay?”

Her big brown eyes wander my face, cheeks brighter with a touch of blush. She doesn’t need it. Her cheeks are already high and round. They stand out. Not like mine. Slender and pointy. “Yeah but, are you gonna be okay at school today?”

Probably not. “Yeah, Allie’s picking me up, so you and Bella can ride with Henry.”

“Yeah, that’s best,” she says, finding my arm and pulling me up.

“Best?” What does she know?

“Willow! You have to see this!” Bella calls from my sister’s room through our shared ensuite. “Jasper’s QuickToc is hilarious!”

Willow looks at the door before turning back to me. “Ignore everyone today. You’re good at that right?”

I arch an eyebrow, taking a breath as my curls hit the headboard. “That won’t be a problem.” She smiles and before she skips back to her room, I notice a green headband in her hair. It makes me scrunch my nose. “Low,” I call. She turns around, a hand on the doorknob and I hesitate before asking, “It’s still you and me, right? Like always?”

Her shoulders drop as she makes her way back to my bed. She sticks out her pinky and a genuine smile finally graces my face. I link her finger with mine, both of us kissing our thumbs in our most holy gesture. “Always,” she confirms with an extra kiss.

My phone vibrates again and I hug her before taking another look.

Allie: I’m here! With a joint ;)

After pulling on my uniform in record time, it takes twenty minutes before I’m meeting Allie. Climbing into her Mercedes truck, Willow and Bella leave behind us with Henry.

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