I don’t know if it’s the sound of his voice, the way the term of endearment sounded coming from his lips, or the magic of his fingers, but I explode, ripping apart at the seams. An intense feeling takes over my entire body, and I swear I see stars. Knox doesn’t stop, continuing to rub me through it until I come down from my high. By the time that I open my eyes again, everything feels lighter.
“That… was incredible.”
He smiles in a way that could melt my heart if I let it. It’s an image I’d like to burn into my mind and save for eternity. He looks so proud of himself, yet so enamored by me. There is a glimmer in his eyes that threatens to steal every piece of me, as if I wouldn’t hand it over willingly.
Without a doubt in my mind, I know one thing for sure—Knox Vaughn is going to change my life. I just hope it’s for the better.
11
KNOX
I sit in the passenger seat while Grayson flies down the road. He’s completely erratic, though I can’t say I blame him. I just hope he knows what he’s doing.
“All right. Why don’t you just calm down a little before you kill us both?”
“Calm down?” he barks incredulously. “He beat her so bad it ruptured her fucking spleen! He would have murdered her if I hadn’t stopped him, and you want me to calm down?”
Drifting around corners, I grip the handle on the ceiling of the car. I know the more I say, the angrier he’ll get. Whatever mission he’s on, there is nothing that will deter him from it. Hopefully, he’s thinking with a clear head.
As we pull up behind the rusted Buick, my eyes land on a shadow in the distance. There’s no denying it’s Craig Montgomery. I’ve seen his drunk ass stumble out of his house so many times in the years, I’d know that silhouette anywhere.
“You were right, he’s fucking here.” Grayson gets out of the car and slams the door behind him. “Aye, asshole! You and I need to talk.”
I wake in a panic, taking a deep breath and wincing at the tenderness in my ribs. My eyes search around for Hayworth, knowing I need to stop him, but no one is there. It was just a nightmare—a sick, reoccurring nightmare, going entirely off memory.
I grab one of the pain pills the doctor prescribed from my nightstand and swallow it down with some water. The dull ache in my head and my chest are something I’m practically used to by now, but I’d rather not feel it at all.
My first fight last Saturday night didn’t exactly go according to plan. I wasn’t nearly as ready as I should have been, and I damn near lost. If it hadn’t been for the knockout punch I managed to throw with the last burst of energy I had, I probably would have.
After it was over and Cal got done counting his cut of the money, Grayson brought me over to North Haven Medical. We had to make a dumb-ass excuse—something about fucking around when I shouldn’t have been and falling off a roof. I don’t think they bought it, but they didn’t ask any further questions.
The CT scan showed I had a mild concussion and further tests determined my ribs were bruised as well, making the doctor insist on keeping me for at least 48 hours for observation. By the time that I got out of there, I had only one thing on my mind. Delaney fucking Callahan.
I’ve never been one to think about a girl when I’m not getting in her pants, but Bambi is something else. She’s managed to burrow her way deep inside my mind and won’t go away no matter how hard I try to focus on something else. I don’t know how else to explain it. It’s like the darkness in me is drawn to the light in her.
WHEN I GET TO school on Tuesday, my friends are all exactly where I’d expect to find them. Zayn does a double-take when I approach, making sure he’s seeing me correctly. As if he can read my mind, he takes out his pack of cigarettes and tosses them to me.
“Where the fuck have you been?”
I shrug, playing it off. “Had some shit to do.”
“Didn’t stop you from taking my car yesterday, though, prick,” Stone gripes. “I had to make Easton drive me, with Tessa. It was like riding home in a porn flick. And don’t think I didn’t notice you picking up Delaney.”
“Oh, now it all makes sense,” Z laughs. “So much for no private school pussy.”
“Yeah, yeah. Fuck off.”
The memory of yesterday plays in my head, making me want nothing more than to relive those few hours. After we hooked up in Stone’s car, she came with me back to my house. Being as my mom works evenings at the diner right outside town, we had the whole place to ourselves.
“Shit,” Stone whines. “Does that mean I lost the damn bet?”
I smirk, taking out my phone and flipping to the picture I took last night. Delaney’s hair is a mess and her eyes are closed, but she still looks fucking sinful with my cock in her mouth. She was so nervous to do it, and I almost didn’t let her, but when she asked me to teach her how, there was no way I could resist. Still, seeing this picture now and knowing I’m the only one who has seen her this way—no money in the world is worth sharing this shit.
I click the screen to my phone off and slip it back in my pocket. “You did, but there is no way in hell I’m showing you. I’ll bring your money tomorrow.”
“Fuck, yeah!” He cheers.
Stone goes back to playing hacky sack with Gage and Easton while Zayn eyes me intently. I light the cigarette clamped between my lips and hand him back his lighter, inhaling and holding it in.
“So, are you two a thing now? Has someone actually managed to tame the Knox Vaughn?”
I let out the smoke, chuckling at how intense he’s making it sound. “Nah. We’re just having some fun. At the end of the year, she’ll fuck off to whatever Ivy League school she’s intended for, and I’ll be left here.”
The skeptical look on his face tells me he doesn’t fully believe the shit coming out of my mouth, but he lets it go for now. Meanwhile, I try not to let the heaviness of the truth drag me under. She’s just another pretty face.
THE UNDERGROUND IS PACKED for being a Thursday night. You’d think these fights would only take place on the weekends, but they happen every damn night. There always happens to be a couple heated motherfuckers who need an outlet for their anger.
Despite my current injuries, Cal has me on the schedule tonight. Grayson’s, however, isn’t until this weekend. His are less nerve-racking, being as they have an end that doesn’t require someone being unconscious at a minimum, but it’s still a fight. The only thing I can say about Pretty Boy is that he can hold his own. Unfortunately, I’ve seen that first hand.
“There’s my boys!” Cal’s voice booms through the office that has windows on each side looking over both rings. “How are we doing tonight? Vaughn, you ready to go after last weekend?”
“Yeah, I’ll be fine. It’s just a couple minor injuries.”
“Good, good.” He turns his attention to Grayson. “And how about you? You’re going to be there to support our boy, right?”
Grayson nods. “Yes, sir. Jackson is meeting us down in the training room in a few minutes so we can make sure he’s in good shape.”
“Perfect. I have a lot of money riding on tonight. Don’t let me down.”
Of course, it’s always about the money with him. Fuck the fact that I could get myself killed out there. The only person Cal ever cares about is himself; that much is clear. It’s why he essentially rigs these fights to go in his favor, paying for his fighters’ training to make sure they’re the best they can be. The scheme he’s running is probably considered some type of fraud, but none of this is legal anyway. No honor among thieves, and all that.
THE CHEERS OF THE crowd are practically deafening as the two guys in the ring beat the everliving shit out of each other. It’s only the standard level, since there is only one Death Trap fight every few days, but they’re going just as hard. By the time the final bell sounds, I’m pretty sure the one guy has lost at least two of his teeth—he’s gushing blood like a fountain.
There’s a half-hour intermission between this fight and mine, and the more
I wait, the more nervous I become. Jackson spent twenty minutes stretching me out and warming me up, so I know I’m ready. I just don’t know much about the guy I’m up against. Apparently, he’s a scrawny little shit who has no business here, but sometimes it’s the smaller guys who turn out to be the scrappiest.
As the time gets closer, they start to announce the fighters. I’m standing on the side with Grayson, getting fired up and in the zone, when an arrogant voice I’d recognize anywhere meets my ears.
“Well, well, well. Look who it is.”
I turn around to find Carter, sizing me up like he’s ready to replace my opponent if only someone will tag him in. Grayson’s eyes widen when he sees him.
“What are you doing here?”
I don’t wait for the response. “What the fuck do you want, Trayland?”
“I want you to stay away from Delaney Callahan,” he sneers.
“Sorry, bud. No can do. You’re going to have to talk to Laney about that one.”
He comes closer, getting in my face until we’re only centimeters apart. “No, see, I don’t think I do, because I’m telling you. Stay the fuck away from her.”
I can faintly hear my name being announced over the loudspeaker, but my focus remains on the fucker in front of me. “Are you going to stop me, shithead?”
“Okay, okay.” Grayson forces himself in between us, pushing Carter back. “You need to get the hell out of here!”
“I mean it, Vaughn! I want you nowhere near her.”
Who the fuck does he think he is, telling me what I can do? I take a step toward him, fuming, but Grayson instantly holds me back with a hand on my chest.
“Now’s not the fucking time, man. You need to get in the ring.” I keep my gaze locked on Carter as he glares back at me. “Knox! Get the fuck in the ring!”
Finally, Grayson’s words get through to me, and I walk through the crowd and duck inside the ropes. Gray waits for Carter to leave and then comes to stand by the ring. The referee explains the rules, which are basically first one to go unconscious loses, and that the fight doesn’t end until that happens.
I look across the ring and take in my opponent. Cal was right—he is a scrawny thing, but that probably means he’s fast. Still, now that Carter Trayland’s got me wound up, I’m not worried at all.
The bell sounds, starting the match, and the two of us dance in circles. He throws a couple of punches that I easily dodge before finally swinging. My fist connects with his face harshly, only for me to swing again—into his stomach this time. As my mind pictures Delaney with Carter, I start pounding relentlessly. Other than a few hits to my chest, this kid doesn’t stand a chance. I don’t even realize he’s knocked out until the ref and Grayson pull me off him.
Thankfully, the guy still has a pulse, and as the makeshift medics carry him out of the ring, I’m announced the winner. The crowd goes wild, with some people chanting my name like a prayer. I look up at the office and see Cal looking down at me. He nods in approval, and I relax. I’ve made it through another fight.
GRAYSON PULLS UP TO my house and I climb out of the car, thanking him as I shut the door behind me. When I go to step up onto my porch, however, I find someone sitting there that I haven’t seen in years.
“Brett?”
He stands up and comes toward me. “Hey, Knox.”
“Long time no see, man. What’s up?” I give him a bro-hug but don’t mask the confusion from my face.
“I didn’t want to come here, but I need your help. It’s about Hailey.”
12
DELANEY
If there was a king of playing hot and cold, someone to win the game, it would be Knox. One minute he’s texting me constantly and the next—nothing. I thought I would see him this weekend, but he’s been nowhere to be found. The texts I send either go completely unanswered or get some half-assed response. It’s infuriating.
Maybe if I had some idea where his mind is at, I wouldn’t be so paranoid. Everything seemed like it was going fine, until it wasn’t. We were talking all the time, hanging out and having fun whenever we got a minute alone. Now, it’s like we’re right back to where we started.
“Hey, Lane?” Tessa comes into my room unannounced, as usual. “Have you seen my sunglasses? I can’t find them anywhere.”
I look up from my phone for a second and roll my eyes as soon as I see her. “They’re on your head.”
“Seriously?” She reaches up and finds them. “My God, I’m losing my mind.” When I don’t take the opportunity to make fun of her, she comes to sit beside me. “What’s got you all dull and gloomy?”
“Knox. I’m not sure what’s going on. He goes from burning hot to ice cold without any notice or reasoning at all. I don’t get it.”
Tess sighs, looking like she’s hiding something. “I don’t know, babes. Maybe he got what he wanted and now he’s not interested anymore.”
“Is that really what you think?” I’d be lying if I said the idea didn’t hurt.
“It wouldn’t be the first time. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll punch him in the face for it if that’s the case, but it’s Knox. It wouldn’t surprise me with him.” She pats my bed twice before standing back up. “If you want, come with me to Zayn’s party this weekend. You can get down to the bottom of it.”
I give her the best smile I can manage. “Thanks. I’ll let you know.”
THE WEEK IS FILLED with so many different emotions, ranging from I’m so mad to I genuinely don’t care. Every time I feel confident and strong, I tell myself that I’m going to get over it and move on. Maybe even take Carter up on his invitation to take me out. However, that mood eventually ends, and I find myself texting him, hoping to get more than a one-word answer out of him. It always ends the same—full of disappointment.
By the time Thursday rolls around, I’m tired of his game. Clearly trying to talk to him through text isn’t going to work, so my only option to find out what’s going on is to just confront him. The idea alone is anxiety inducing, but I know it needs to be done.
I say goodbye to Savannah and Grayson before heading outside. I march out the door and down the steps, determined to get answers, but the sight of a certain someone stops me in my tracks and practically stabs me in the chest.
Knox is in front of North Haven High, but he isn’t alone. He’s with some blonde-haired girl who’s standing a little too close to be just friends. The two of them are talking, and the girl smiles brightly as she laughs. Thinking Tessa could be right is painful enough, but seeing this—it’s a total different level of heartache.
“Wow,” Carter whispers, appearing next to me from out of nowhere. “That didn’t take him long at all.”
My brows furrow as I squint at Carter quickly and then look back at Knox. “What? Do you know who she is?”
He nods. “That’s Hailey, Vaughn’s ex-girlfriend.”
Knox has an ex-girlfriend? I shouldn’t be surprised. She’s gorgeous, and clearly far more experienced than me. I was stupid to think I was ever more than a novelty to him.
“I didn’t know he dated anyone.”
“Yeah. They’ve been on and off since freshman year. They’re basically end game. It’s just a matter of when they decide to stop screwing each other over and accept it.”
As if he can feel me watching him, Knox glances over, and our eyes meet. He freezes for a moment, only to give me a sad smile and look away. It’s then that I know I’ve seen enough. I need to leave before I let him—or Carter—see me upset. Neither of them can see me cry.
FRIDAY IS THE FIRST day where I don’t send a single text message to Knox. A part of me had hoped he’d be bothered by the silence and reach out, but of course, that was just wishful thinking. My phone stays quiet except for texts from Savannah about New York. She left yesterday to visit Juilliard for the weekend, since she’ll be going to school there in the fall. I’m happy for her, but I don’t know what I’m going to do without my best friend.
By the time the sun sets, I ca
n’t sit still anymore. He doesn’t get to just leave me waiting in limbo, without so much as a goodbye. And he sure as hell doesn’t get to keep me from living my life simply because he doesn’t want to be in it anymore. No. I’m done tiptoeing around it all.
I get up from my bed and go over to Tessa’s door, knocking on it harshly. It swings open and she looks at me, her makeup half done, as if I’ve lost my mind.
“Don’t leave without me. I’m coming with you.”
The words come out of my mouth with such determination that my sister does nothing but smile. Enough is enough. Goody Two-Shoes has left the building.
DEALING WITH THE CHAOS at Zayn’s parties is kind of like riding a bike—you get better with practice and time. The amount of people doing drugs or showing a little too much PDA doesn’t even bother me anymore. As long as someone doesn’t try pulling me into a threesome again, I’m good.
“Oh, hey, Delaney,” Stone greets me, sharing a look with Zayn and Gage. “We didn’t think you’d be here tonight.”
Tessa throws her arm around my shoulder and pulls me close. “She needed a night to relax, and what better place than this?”
Zayn shoots me a smile that instantly has me feeling more welcome. “There isn’t one. Don’t worry, we’ll get you to let loose.”
Easton goes to get Tessa a beer and comes back with a bottle of water for me. I thank him before taking a sip, allowing the cold liquid to help calm me down. Maybe I wasn’t exactly ready for this, knowing the potential to see him is high, but there’s no backing down now. Hell, it’s not even guaranteed he’ll be here tonight. He may be too busy with his girlfriend. Even thinking it puts a heavy feeling in my stomach.
I stay close to Tess and laugh as Gage and Stone have a contest to see who can chug six beers the fastest—first one to build a tower with the empty cups wins. Zayn looks behind me and rolls his eyes with an attitude I’ve never really seen on him. He’s normally so calm, cool, and collected. However, when I turn around, I see why.
The Saint: An Enemies to Lovers Romance (Haven Grace Prep Book 2) Page 9
