Page 60 of Falling For My Best Friend's Brother

“Yeah.” Knox went on. “The renovations at my house are done. Actually, it’s been done for a few days now. I just…” His eyes darted away from me for a second, then returned. “I guess it doesn’t matter. I only wanted to let you know that I’m leaving tonight.”

No, don’t go. Please stay. I’m carrying your child. Don’t make me stay here alone.

I wanted to speak these words, to scream them from the top of my lungs, but I couldn’t. My tongue felt like it had been tied up, my breath quickened, and my lungs tightened. I was panicking. Closing my eyes, I counted back from a hundred.

“Nina?” Knox called, his voice floating in the background. I registered his concern.

Ninety-two.But what about us, Knox?

Ninety.What about everything we did together? Our memories? The good times we had together?

Eighty-three.You told me you had feelings for me. Am I supposed to just forget that and move on with my life?

Seventy-five.What would happen to our baby?

Sixty-nine…

A hand grabbed my shoulder, jerking me. “Nina? Princess, come on, talk to me. Say something. Anything.”

Fifty-six.But I am talking, Knox. I’m saying it all.

Fifty.

I opened my eyes. Knox’s face was twisted deep in concern as he stared down at me. I loved him so much. Too much. My heart ached and squeezed and then shrunk and suddenly I knew what I had to do. It was the hardest thing ever, but it was necessary.

Spreading my lips, I tried to muster up a smile. “I’m happy for you. Be safe, alright?” I almost addedDon’t be a stranger, but something told me that it was exactly what he needed to be to me.

I must’ve looked like a crackhead, because Knox was frowning. “What just happened? You spaced out.”

“Yeah… Uh… Tired. I’ve been painting all day.”

He looked skeptical, but his hand on my shoulder dropped. “I’m proud of you for taking your passion so seriously, Nina. You should know that.”

I nodded. “Thanks”

Knox took a step back, creating distance between us. The tears came again. I held it back. “Well, I guess this is it.”

It was weird and awkward. Knox seemed like he didn’t want to leave, but I knew it was the opposite. Maybe he would miss the sex, but that was all he would miss. Not me, or the late-night cuddles, or the calm and peaceful conversations or all the kisses we shared while eating pizza.

“I guess so too.”

Say something, please. Tell me you care, and this wasn’t the end of us.

We shared a look. Moments passed, but he didn’t move. His gaze lingered on me, and I thought I saw something akin to regret flash in his eyes. Probably regret that we’d gotten here in the first place.

Then he spoke up, “I wanted to thank you, Nina, for your help with Dean. I might be bull-headed and unyielding sometimes, but at least I can recognize when someone helps me. I know all this wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’t put in a good word for me. So… thank you.”

I swallowed down the thick ball of saliva at the base of my throat. “I assure you; I didn’t do anything. This is all you, Knox.”

He bobbed his head again, drifting back into an awkward silence. This was the weirdest and hardest goodbye I’d ever had to give. I wanted it to be done and over with so I could finally let loose the tears that I’d been holding at bay.

My voice was thick with emotion when I said, “Goodbye, Knox. I hope you succeed in all your adventures.”

I didn’t wait to see the look on his face before shutting the door. Afterwards, I fell to the floor and cried like a baby.

Chapter twenty-two

Nina

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