Page 16

A challenge shimmers in Knox’s eyes, and something primal in me rises to meet it. Fine. He wants to play? I’ll give him exactly what he’s asking for.

“No problem,” I say, voice steady. I hand Maura the Jack and Coke, hating how the liquid sloshes in the cup, and grab a waiver. “Sign this.” Apparently, if you slap customers, you might get sued. Who knew?

I try not to meet his gaze as he signs the paperwork. When he’s done, I add the waiver to the folder that Maura keeps on the bottom shelf and take a breath.

How many times have I imagined shouting at him for what he did? A slap will be easy. Even still, my hands shake as I climb onto the bar. Knox gazes up at me, heat flashing over his face. My eyes narrow to slits. He has no right to feel that way about me. I ball my hands at my side and slowly sit, planting myself in front of him.

The jean shorts I’m wearing ride up as I position myself, Knox slides between my parted thighs. Too close. His masculine scent twines around me, gaze traveling up my legs, lingering at my waist before lifting to my face. That look, possessive and blatantly hungry, sends heat pooling low in my belly, reminding me that we’re both no longer kids.

That once upon a time we wound up in a closet together during seven minutes in heaven. That kiss rewired my brain. My throat goes dry and his gaze flicks to my neck, where my pulse jumps. His lips twitch. That cocky look sends fire through my veins.

“You look as gorgeous as I remember.” There’s a roughness in his voice that makes my curiosity pique, but I have to be strong. I have to protect my heart.

Besides, who does he think he is telling me that after all this time?

Maura gives me the shot and glass of water. With a saccharine smile, I hold it out for Knox. “Drink.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Our fingers brush during the exchange, and electricity zips through me. I suck in a sharp breath, hating how my body responds to his proximity after everything he’s done.

Knox holds my gaze as he throws back the shot, throat working as he swallows. He sets the glass on the bar with a deliberate click and his hands, the ones that used to make me feel safe, fall to my thighs. His thumbs brush against my bare skin.

Rage boils in my gut. “Fuck you,” I hiss, tossing the water in his face and cocking my arm before swinging it. My palm connects with his cheek with a resounding crack. The sting reverberates through my arm as his head snaps to the side.

Suddenly people start demanding the same shot, but all I can focus on is the anger hazing my vision. Heart thundering in my chest, I lean toward him and hiss, “Don’t you ever touch me again,” before shoving his hands off my legs.

His irises darken, droplets of water still dripping from his lashes, and a muscle in his jaw twitches as he raises a hand to his reddening cheek. But Knox doesn’t look angry. He looks satisfied, like he enjoyed the pain.

“Welcome home, Callie Mae,” he says, voice rough, lips curving into that devastating half-smile I used to dream about. “I’ve missed you, too.”

The rest of my shift flies by in a blur of fake smiles, overpriced drinks, and wandering tourist hands. My feet are screaming for a break by the time I clock out at one in the morning. Maura presses a to-go cup of water and electrolytes into my hand.

“You did great,” she says, squeezing my shoulder. “Hydrate. Tomorrow will be easier.”

I nod, too tired to form words, and wave goodbye to Bree and Linc. The back door to the employee parking lot creaks as I push it open. God, I can’t wait to sleep. Exhaling, I start for my car and stop short.

Knox is leaning against my Rav-4 like he owns the damn thing. His head is tipped back, staring at the stars. The moonlight caresses the sharp line of his jaw, illuminating the strong column of his throat. For one breath, one stupid heartbeat, my chest aches with longing.

The door snaps closed and the illusion breaks. This is the boy—the man who broke me first.

His head swings down and his gaze finds mine. “Callie.” My name is like sin on his lips. A temptation I have to resist with every fiber of my being.

Remember what he did. Remember how much it hurt.

“Get away from my car,” I growl, closing the distance between us.

He doesn’t move, just tucks his hands deeper into his jean pockets. “You’ve been gone a long time.”

Nope. I’m not doing this. “Move.”

“How have you been?” he asks as though that video he shared of me hooking up with his brothers didn’t ruin my life. We were young. Horny. And apparently Knox was cruel enough to record it and share it on social media. The whole town saw it. I still don’t understand why he did it. Part of me wants to demand to know why, but some things are better left in the past. I can’t relive that hurt all over again. Not right now.

“How have I been?” I let out a laugh that sounds more like a wounded animal. “Are you seriously asking me that after what you did?”

He winces. Is the guilt getting to him? “Callie⁠—”

“Don’t. Just don’t.” I take a step closer, anger bubbling up inside me like a volcano ready to erupt. “I didn’t come back here to play catch up with the guy who filmed me without my consent.”

Knox clenches his jaw. “That’s not what happened.”