Page 68 of Meowy & Bright

“You can take me anywhere. Just go.”

“That bad?” she asks and puts the SUV into reverse.

“You have no idea.” I actually have no clue how I feel right now. Everything is jumbled inside me. The SUV starts to make a loud beeping sound.

“Merry!” I shout when I look at the screen on her dashboard and realize she’s about to back into the mailbox, but it’s too late.

“Oh shit!” I gasp as she runs right over it. Her phone starts to ring.

“Mr. Grumpy is calling,” the SUV announces over the speakers. Merry clears it.

“Okay, maybe we won’t go to see my new boss’s digs,” she says as her phone starts ringing again. Mr. Grumpy Pants is clearly not giving up.

Even though I’m upset, I can’t help but burst into laughter. “Just get me out of here,” I manage to get out as the tears rolled down my face. I’m not sure if they are from mirth or sadness. I think it’s a mix of both.

That shoe I’m always waiting to drop finally has. And once again, I find myself running away from Knox.

19

KNOX

“Bloody Nora.” I roll my eyes and step back from her grasping claws. “What the fuck is this?”

“It’s time for you to admit you want me.” She bats her lashes at me, trying to give off ‘sexy’ but looking more like ‘something’s in my eye.’

“What I want is for you to get the hell out of my shop.” I point to the bay door. Greasy winds around my ankles, clearly pissed Nora took his spot on the car.

“Knox.” She stands and puts her hands on her hips.

I don’t look at her. I’ve seen as much of Nora as anyone should have to.

“Where are your clothes? You know what? Doesn’t matter. Get out.”

“I thought you were playing coy with me for years.” She prances closer.

“Stop.” I hold a hand out.

“But when that dull girl from high school came back to town, you really pulled out all the stops. Acting like you were dating Ruby just to make me jealous.”

“Ruby is far from dull, not that you’d ever realize it. You barely have fluff between your ears. But that doesn’t matter. I love Ruby. I don’t want you and never have. I can’t make it any clearer.”

“Still playing coy.” She giggles in a high-pitched, little girl tone and takes another step.

“I’m warning you, Nora. Stop.”

She shrugs. “And what if I don’t?”

“Nora, don’t—”

She takes another step, but this time her high-heeled foot hits only air. She lands in the pit with a thunk and the sound of a dozen wrenches tumbling onto the concrete floor.

“I told you to stop.” I sigh and peer over the edge at her.

“Ow!” She sits up right as an oil can tips over and douses her. “What is—no!”

“Son?”

I whirl to find my dad behind me. “What are you doing here?”

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