Page 39 of Up In Flames
Maybe Ididtake advantage of Patrick.
Chapter 15
Knox
Wednesday morning, I do something I haven’t done since opening my doors all those years ago: call in sick.
I just can’t face Taylor today. I don’t know what the hell got into me last night.A shitload of bourbon,my asshole of a brain points out.
Now I have the guilt of lying to Phil and Javi on my conscience, along with using Taylor, and I’m still a mess over having to call Karen back.
While my hungover ass is in the shower, I decide to hash my shit out with Karen first. I’ve already ripped the proverbial Band-Aid off, and I don’t want this hanging over my head any longer than it absolutely has to.
I already knew she was getting remarried. I’d found that out through the grapevine a while ago, back when Hudson and Shannon were just getting together. I’d honestly assumed she’d already tied the knot, but hearing that she plans to do it at the cabin was the real kick to the balls. I loved that place, and she knew it. So did her parents, which is why they left it to us in their will.
To use it as her new wedding venue is a dick move.
Slightly more prepared to hear her voice this time, I keep myself together long enough to agree to grab coffee on Saturday morning to sign her stupid papers. The phone call wasn’t so bad, but my stomach’s still going to be a mess for the next few days.
I try to keep myself busy the rest of the day by doing all the responsible adult shit I’ve neglected recently, but by three o’clock, I’m dying. Finally, allowing myself to surrender to the thoughts I’ve been running from all morning, I relive the moments Taylor was in my lap last night. The way it felt when his lips brushed against my neck. The way histonguefelt brushing against the same spot. Despite his position on my lap, it wasn’t overtly sexual, but was somehow still the most erotic experience of my life.
More confused than ever, and a little scared I’m going to do something to get myself in trouble, I grab my phone and shoot a message to the guys in our group chat. Hell, I’ve opened up to Taylor about Karen, maybe it’s time I told the guys about Taylor.
Knox
I need to talk.
Yeah,my friends stay busy and have their own families, but none of us work traditional nine-to-five jobs, and right now, I’m insanely thankful for that.
Phoenix
Sounds serious, Knoxy.
Colt’s with Alexis, so Walk’s coming with me. We’re on our way.
Jake
Dyl and I are wrapping up at the shop. We’ll be over ASAP.
Hudson
Just pulled back into the warehouse.
Give me fifteen to finish paperwork, and I’ll be there.
Thirty minutes later,a Range Rover and two trucks pull into my driveway. When I hear the first car door slam, I start rethinking this.
Oddly, it’s Walker who gets to my front door first. He doesn’t bother knocking, just comes in and claps a hand on my shoulder. It’s so different from the way Taylor touches me.
“Hey, Knox. We’re glad you called. We’ve been worried, but we know you needed to open up on your own timeline.”
Behind him, Jake, Dylan, and Hudson file through my door, offering fist bumps. Phoenix brings up the rear and ball taps me with a grin on his face. “‘Bout time you tell us what’s really going on, you cagey bastard.”
Honestly, this is why I love Phoenix the most.
“Anybody want a drink?” I offer.
“No,” Phoenix says. “It’s three-thirty in the afternoon and we aren’t on the water. Now sit your troubled ass down and start talking.”
