Scarred Hearts (Blackrock) (39 page)
After speaking with my instructor I am on cloud nine, I don't even mind my two-hour English class. Although this professor and I do not get along at all I keep checking my watch waiting for lunch to come; I have my bag packed waiting to be dismissed. Racing onto the quad I see Knox waiting for me in my usual seat with lunch, Dropping my bag at his feet I jump on his lap "Hi baby" I giggle "Hi darlin" I can't stop the big smile on my face "You'll never guess what" I say very animated, Knox is smiling at me "My forensic computer instructor, the former FBI agent just told me there is one position left for a 40 hour training class in Richmond and he wants me to take it" Knox is looking at me debating what to say "When is this class?"
"The first week of December, someone dropped out so there is a last minute place and his friend runs the class" Knox scratches his jaw looking over my shoulder "Sounds good darlin, so you gonna take it?" I can see he is a little upset but this is about my career "Yeah I want to but I have until Wednesday to let him know. It would be a good opportunity for me" He smiles fixing a loose hair behind my ear "It would darlin you should do it, I will be miserable but I'll be here when you get back" "You better" I say between kisses. He holds up a chicken wrap to me "Here lunch is served" I take it from him "Thank you my love".
Sitting on Knox's lap I take a bite of my wrap then hold it for him to bite we have a little routine, he has his hands under my sweater playing with my belly bling when Max sits down looking pissed as hell. I look up at him through my eyelashes "Max" he heaves a sigh "This is fucking shit Knox" he says balling his fists on the table, Knox and I look at each other. What the heck is wrong with him "What is?" Knox asks Max rubs his face. I can see the tension in his jaw, his body is tense, he stands up again kicking at some leaves on the ground "Mother-Fucker" he shouts.
"Max are you going to tell me what is wrong with you, I can't read your mind? And what are you doing here early?" Max looks at both of us "I don't know if you want me to tell Bailey, No offense" he says to me. "Max seriously, I don't fucking keep anything from her so spit it out" Knox says annoyed I put my arm around his neck rubbing his back and shoulder. Max heaves another sigh then sits down "I was just in the admissions office sorting out some paperwork" he swallows hard looking between Knox and I "She is back bro, I saw her reregistering. She changed her hair and shit but it's her I never forget a face" he shakes his head. I feel Knox tense up beneath me looking at him "Who is he talking about?" Knox looks pained as he looks at me I can feel his heart beating hard against his ribs "Lindsey" My mouth falls open in shock.
"Knox are you ok?" I can't believe what I just heard why the heck would she come back after all the pain she had caused. I am in protection mode now, I pull Knox closer to me looking around the Quad trying to see what she looks like, maybe see if she is watching us. Taking my face in his hands Knox kisses me "It's ok darlin she won't bother me" I snort, "Yeah or I will beat the shit out of her" Knox hugs me tight "Love you have to go to class" I kiss him goodbye and watch him walk towards the main building.
Turning to Max I grab his arm "How bad is this?" he rakes his hands through his hair "Fuck Bailey I don't know. I just hope she stays away from him" I am pissed really pissed "He is mine Max, she better not go within a hundred feet of him. What does she look like?" he takes out his phone showing me the picture he took a few minutes ago. "Max! I saw her before when I was in Marion with Paige and she was the one from the take out a few weeks ago" I shake my head "Was she watching us? I mean what the hell" Max looks at me for a few minutes "I hope he is ok Bailey, she really messed with his head. I will not let that happen to him again" Standing up I give him a hug "see you later" he nods as I walk back to class. My mind is racing; thoughts are swirling around of Knox, her and me. What is her game here, why the fuck is she here? I sit at my desk waiting for Paige, who walks in with a smile "Hey what's up?" looking at her from the corner of my eye "A whole load of shit Paige" she looks confused "Is that why Max was pissed off just now?" I nod to her. The class goes by slowly, I keep looking out of the window trying to see if I can spot her walking around but I haven't been able to pick her out. I open a chat window and search for Knox, finding him in his business class.
Me: Babe you Ok?
Knox: Hi darlin fancy seeing you in here
Me: lol yeah I miss my man
Knox: Miss you too, hey do you want to ditch next class don't want to be here
Me: Sure babe I'll meet you at my car in thirty
Knox: Ok see you
Thirty minutes later I am waiting by my car for him, Paige comes over "Hey you off?" "Yeah Knox wants to ditch, I think he needs a time out" I laugh. Paige is lost, obviously Max didn't tell her "His Ex is going here again and she hurt him bad" "Ouch, I hope she never runs into you, I saw your right hook first hand" we both laugh as Knox walks over to us, Paige waves "See you guys tonight, Monday night Mexican" she pumps her fist in the air. "Ok later"
Knox and I get into my car "Where to babe?" I ask looking at him "Anywhere Bailey" starting the car I pull out of campus heading out of town to the Diner we ate at when we visited my nan. When we arrive Knox looks around "Why did you come all the way out here?" "Because it's away from everyone we know and everyone we want to forget" he smiles at me as we get out of the car "You're amazing, you know that?" I take his hand in mine walking into the diner. "Hey this was where we had our first unofficial date," I say sliding into the booth. Knox slides in beside me putting his arm around my shoulders "Yeah darlin it was and I am happy we had it" he leans his head against mine letting out a sigh. "Knox tell me what's up, did Max upset you?" he leans into my hair smelling it "No I just don't want to spend my day wondering if she will appear in any of my classes.
I just wanted to get away today," "Babe I will take you away anytime" I kiss him "I love you" The waitress chooses this moment to appear, we both order coffee. "Bailey you are my angel" we sit in silence as I watch Knox lost in thought. I am not sure how to help him with this; I have never been in a situation where an Ex who ripped you apart comes back for more. I am really hoping she leaves him alone but deep down I doubt that she will. I turn to watch the cars drive by, playing with the packets of sugar mulling everything over in my mind. I feel Knox move beside me, turning I watch as he puts his face into his hands leaning his elbows on the table. I Really am a terrible girlfriend I am supposed to be giving him words of wisdom or some kind of comfort but I don't know how or what to do.
Placing my hand on his back I can feel how tense he is, just the mention of this chick and he is all worked up. "Knox, Do you want to talk?" leaning back in the booth he sighs. "I'm sorry darlin I just don't get why she is back and the more I tell myself to stop thinking about her the more I do" I can see how tormented he is so I put my legs on top of his "Sing to me" I ask looking at him. I notice a blush creep up on his cheeks "Baby, are you blushing? You sing in front of loads of people every week" he runs his hands up and down my legs looking at me "Yeah but you have never asked me to sing for you" This guy is so deep I think I have only scratched the surface "What would like me to sing?" he smiles at me "Anything you want baby" pulling me into his arms he taps out a rhythm on my legs then begins "Come back to bed" by John Mayer. Leaning my head against his I hum along with him. He sings to me in the middle of the little diner holding me close looking into my eyes the whole time, when he finishes the waitress claps from behind the counter making him blush even more. I can't help but laugh at him "Knox Porter blushing, you do surprise me" he leans over kissing me. "We should go, I don't want Max and Paige complaining if we miss Mexican night," he says against my lips.
Driving back to Blackrock Knox seems to be a little better, Monday night Mexican is a new thing Paige came up with. This is our second week to do it and I do like it myself, the four of us can have dinner and some fun. We arrive at the Mexican place to find Max and Paige already at a table "Hey Bro, where did you go?" Max asks as we sit down. Knox just shrugs taking up his menu "Nowhere special"
I look over at him; I don't believe he said that about our little diner. Maybe it was only special to me. I don't even look at the menu I will just get same as last week. "So Bailey I was thinking we can start our project on Wednesday, it's the only day both of us can go to the library together" Paige says looking at me "Sure sounds good, these guys have band practice anyway". Knox orders a beer with his meal, the rest of us stick with soda. Trying to be discrete I look at Max with my eyebrows raised, he nods back at me, I hope he can find out just how much this "Lindsey" has effected Knox. The meal is not as fun as last week, Max, Paige and I are trying to have a good time but Knox is still in his own world.
By six o'clock I am tired, I tried to help him but clearly I am in over my head. Grabbing my bag I stand up "Ok night all I will see you lot tomorrow" I wave at them as I walk away, Knox didn't even register that I left.
Knox
Max really floored me with his announcement at lunch today, I have no idea what the professor is saying in this class. I just want to get the hell out of here, out of this school, out of this town. I see the chat icon bounce at the end of my computer, it's probably Eric fucking around again opening it I am surprised that its Bailey. I ask her to ditch with me I am expecting her usual answer of "no I can't" when she does a one eighty and says yes. Damn she is always surprising me; I have to be one hell of a lucky guy to be with her.
She is driving somewhere I am not paying much attention, my mind keeps playing back all of the crap I thought I had forgotten. All of the good memories that I don't want anymore, Lindsey is in my past and I have Bailey now so why do I want to see her so bad. I needed to get away from school to stop myself hunting her down on campus. When the car stops I look around seeing the diner, I ask Bailey why we are here and she tells me it's our first unofficial date spot. I don't know why girls do that shit, now if we don't work out I can't ever come back here because it will remind me of her and all her pain she told me that day. Getting out of the car I see a big smile on her face, Man why am I being a dick to her. I love her and I don't want to loose her.
I watch as she slides into the booth, I decide to sit beside her just being close to her may help me get my mind straight. We order coffee and my mind drifts again, I remember when I first met Lindsey, she tripped over my bag in class face planting in my lap. She was so embarrassed but I looked at her and thought, why not she looks ok. So I started talking to her over a few weeks then eventually I asked her on a date. Jesus Christ, why am I thinking of that shit now, I squeeze my head with my hands trying to purge all thoughts of her from my mind. My body is so tense it hurts, Feeling Bailey rub my back snaps me out of those thoughts. Bailey asks if I want to talk to her, I feel like a dick for ignoring her. I can only tell her how I am feeling and I don't understand why Lindsey is back, this shit is getting to me more than I thought it would.
Feeling Bailey's legs on my lap I look over to her, she is beautiful, smiling at me. Then out of let field she asks me to sing to her, I don't know why but this girl really gets me. She teases me for blushing but I can't help it, this whole time she has never asked me to sing to her. I do it all the time but I don't think she knows that. My mind is blank; I can't think of one song that I can sing. I was messing with her iPod yesterday remembering a John Mayer song I heard, I decided on that; I don't even know the name of it.
When I finish the old lady starts clapping, Bailey is teasing me again so I kiss her. I like hearing her tease me but right now I just want to get out of here. Its Mexican night so I suggest we leave, I really want to go home but I don't want to have Max asking me questions all fucking night. I see him and Paige sitting together all smiles and looking at each other, I know Bailey and I are usually like that but at this minute I just want to hit someone. I need to calm down I am being stupid, this chick has been out of my life for over a year now so why am I letting her consume me. Fuck, I need a drink.
I can't enjoy my dinner Bailey and the others are talking about school and this FBI training she is going on, I don't want to hear about that shit right now. I really want to get on my Harley and fuck off for a few days this town has become way to small now. Maybe Bailey will let me tag along on her trip, turning to ask her I notice she is gone. I am confused is she in the restroom, "Max where did she go?" I ask pointing at her empty chair. Max looks at me like "Bro she said goodbye to you about half hour ago" I look at him then her chair "Really? I didn't hear her" Paige looks at me then at Max who speaks up "Yeah we know you have ignored us all night. I am taking Paige home now, see you later" they both get up and walk out of the place. Fuck! What hell is wrong with me? Throwing some money on the table I head over to the bar to get my bike. I should call her first; I don't want to show up unannounced.
I press her name listening to the phone ring and ring and ring, Maybe she is not talking to me now. Jesus can't I get one relationship right, I will have to go see her now I don't want her to be pissed at me.
I arrive home to find my dad asleep on the sofa "Hi dad" I say jumping on him, he hugs me back "Hi sweetheart, sorry I must have fallen asleep" he stands up hugging me again. "Glad your back dad" I say genuinely happy to see him. "Do you want dinner? I can order out" he asks me "Oh no sorry I just ate, I am going to hit the shower then tell you my news" I say walking up stairs. My dad looks at me "Oh really I hope it's not boy related" I laugh "No that's my other good news" I call over my shoulder, I hear him groan which makes me laugh more.
After my shower dad and I are talking in the kitchen I tell him about what agent Daniels told me about the training. He thinks I should take the opportunity and so do I "So how was DC?" he sighs "Good but tiring, Hopefully I won't need to go back until the New Year" "Again?" I ask him, he nods "Yeah its work Bailey, I have to go" I am just about to answer him when I hear the roar of a motorcycle engine. My dad looks at me "Someone you know?" I can't help the smile on my face "Yes dad that would be my boyfriend" I say heading out to the porch.