Page 76 of The I Do Over

Daniel went to respond, but Xander beat him to it.

“Do you happen to remember the day that we all were at Meet Me at the Altar because Cooper was going to try to convince Emilie to take him back by doing that wholeAnOfficer and a Gentlemanthing?”

“Um…yeah. What does that…?”

This time, Daniel replied. “You said, and I quote, ‘The day you see me begging any of you for help with my love life, do me a favor, and punch me in the throat.’ End quote.” Then he grinned. “Xander and I were just trying to figure out which one of us was going to get the honors.”

“And I still think it’s unfair that we were excluded from being in the running,” Josie chimed in.

“Right? He’s basically been mocking us too!” Daisy added.

Good grief, Knox thought. This was so not going the way he thought it would. He was about to say something, but Skylar held up a hand to stop him.

“Shame on all of you,” she said firmly. “This man is clearly in deep, emotional pain and instead of supporting him like he clearly needs, you’re all standing here making light of the situation. How would you feel if the tables were turned and you were the one with the broken heart?”

Knox glanced around and saw a few uncomfortable expressions.

“Knox might not have agreed with the decisions all of you made, but when you needed advice or someone to talk to, he was there for you. Maybe you should all put your snarkiness aside and focus on being a friend.” Then she looked at Knox and handed him a cupcake. “No one’s going to force you to read the letters. At least, I know I’m not. They’re personal and only you will know when the time is right. For now, just tell us what you need and we’ll do it.”

He'd always liked Skylar, but never thought she’d be the one to put a roomful of people in their places on his behalf.

It was oddly comforting.

“That’s just it. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do,” he said wearily. Looking up at Daniel and Xander, he shrugged. “You guys were right. I can’t make her choose between me and her family, but at the same time…I don’t see her father giving a damn inch where I’m concerned. The old guy went right for the jugular even when I was trying to be respectful.”

“Okay, but you said she did try to put him in his place,” Daniel reminded him. “You got stuck on one aspect…”

“It’s a pretty big aspect,” he countered. “I’m not wrong for wanting my name cleared.”

“Dude, do you hear yourself?” Xander asked. “You know you didn’t do anything wrong back then. You know it, your folks know it, and Maddie knows it and she’s beaten herself up over it for years. So basically, it seems like the only guy who doesn’t know—or who doesn’t want to admit it—is the douchebag father. You’re going to give up the chance of being with the girl you’ve loved since you were fourteen over that guy? Seriously? I thought you were smarter than that.”

“I just don’t know how I’m supposed to be around this guy…”

“Let me ask you something,” Xander proposed. “You had no choice but to see her dad, and your decision was to leave Maddie over it. How do you feel?”

“What the hell kind of question is that?”

“Just answer it.”

“Shitty, okay?” he shouted. “I feel shitty!”

Nodding, Xander crossed his arms over his chest. “Yeah, you feel shitty and you’re alone. Wouldn’t you rather be with her than without her? Wouldn’t you rather be working this out with her than by yourself?”

“I’m not completely by myself…”

“Ugh, trust me, you’re by yourself,” Daniel muttered.

“Um…I have a question. When is it ever going to come up again? Honestly,” Josie asked cautiously. “Sure it does seem odd to even ask considering the circumstances, but do you really think her dad’s going to come around any time soon?”

“That’s just it. I don’t know,” he replied hoarsely. “For all I know, he came back after I left and the two of them had a Knox-bashing session.”

“You don’t honestly believe that, do you?” Lea asked. “I realize we all only met Maddie once, but she hardly seems like the bashing type. And on top of that, she was genuinely sick. She could still be sick in bed…”

“It was just food poisoning,” Knox explained. “Bad leftovers.”

“How do you know?” Daisy asked. “You left. She could have a bad flu or a virus or be pregnant. There are tons of reasons for a woman to randomly throw up.” She paused and seemed to notice that everyone—including Knox—was staring at her in shock. “What? What did I say?”

“Why would you even put that out there?” Skye demanded. “Like he doesn’t have enough on his plate, you have to go and throw thePword out there?”

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