Page 40 of Falling For My Best Friend's Brother

“Is that a quote?”

He nodded. “C.S Lewis. It’s my favorite.”

A chuckle escaped me. “You know, a few weeks ago, I would have never put the word love and Knox in the same sentence. I was convinced you were the devil.”

His grin was pure mischief. “You never know. I might kick puppies in my spare time.”

“Please. If you had a puppy, you’d love it to death.”

For a second, I thought he was going to argue with me. Then his body vibrated in soft laughter, and I knew I’d won this round.

“Fine. You got me. I would love it to death. But for now, my priority is my company, and I’m dedicated to ensuring its continuous survival.”

I nodded, registering the seriousness in his voice, as well as the slight hint of worry he didn’t do a very good job of hiding.

“I think my godfather really liked you,” I said. “And that’s saying something because the only people Uncle Dean really likes are his family.”

Knox turned his head to me, sighing. “Listen, Nina—”

“No, you listen, Knox. I didn’t tell my godfather anything he didn’t already know. All I did was make him see why he shouldgive you a chance. You did everything else yourself. And why the fuck are you so averse to receiving help? Life is hard enough.”

The car went silent. I held his gaze for what had to be half a minute, waiting for him to say something. Blood rushed to my ears, carrying with it echoes of my words. Asking the question out loud made me realize it was true. Knox didn’t like asking for or receiving help. Like, as if doing that would reduce his masculinity or something. I didn’t understand it.

“Did Lindsay ever tell you how our father died?”

I inhaled deeply, mind reeling. “Yeah. Car accident.”

He shook his head. “There was an accident, yes, but it wasn’t what killed him. He died because we couldn’t afford to pay for his surgery.”

My heart sank. “I didn’t know that.”

Knox wetted his lower lip. “I’m not surprised Lindsay didn’t tell you. It was a very dark time in our lives.” He rubbed his hand down his face like he was physically struggling to breathe. “He was rushed to the hospital with ample time. All we had to do was make a fifty percent deposit, and the surgery would begin.

“We didn’t have health insurance, nor did we have spare money lying around. We were so broke that I had to work harder than everyone else to pay my tuition during the summer. We barely had enough to eat. I was twenty-three and fresh out of college, just like you are right now. I still remember it like it wasyesterday. The only money I had left was three hundred dollars saved from one of my jobs.”

I held my breath as his words filled the car. As much as I wanted to, I couldn’t relate to him—there had always been more than enough food at my house. But I felt his pain.

“I moved out immediately after college. I went to stay with a friend until I could get my own place. It was my way of ensuring they had more to eat, especially Lindsay, even if it was only a little. Long story short, while he was in the hospital, my mom and I tried everything we could to get the money needed for the surgery.

“Friends, family, people we thought we could trust, they all turned us away. We were desperate and lost and completely alone.” His voice cracked on the last word. “I made a vow that day. I needed help then, and no one offered; I would never need anyone’s help ever again.”

His eyes connected with mine once more and I saw the pure anguish swirling in them. “So, yes. I want to earn everything I have. I want to know that my hard work has gotten me where I am. Because relying on people will only lead to heartache and pain and I have felt enough pain to last me two lifetimes. Even if I have to struggle and fight for every dollar that I make, at least I’d know that it was all me.”

The tears that ran down my face were more of sympathy than anything else. I reached for him, taking his hand in mine. “Knox…”

He smiled, but it did not spread to his eyes. “If those are tears of pity, they’re wasted on me.”

“Shut up and let me cry for you. It's obvious you won’t do it for yourself.”

Even though he chuckled, he let me cry for a few moments and I treasured it.

When I was sure I could speak without bursting into tears, I told him, “Say what you will, Knox Coleman, but I know you’re not a bad guy. You might not care for help, but you know it’s not just you on the line.”

He exhaled shakily, nodding. “I know.”

“AndIthink you’re scared.”

He scoffed. “You think?”

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