Chapter 5
“...so I guess that was when I knew I had to break up with her, you know? She talked this huge game but couldn’t keep up with my appetite.”
Knox used his napkin to wipe his mouth as he finished yet another story of another model he had broken up with. It always seemed to be for the same reason. Apparently, his libido was in overdrive these days and all of these women had sworn that they would be able to feed it, and they all failed.
“Uh huh,” I mumbled into my half empty glass of water. I hadn’t ordered much for this late night dinner, early breakfast because I didn’t have much money on me. I had to save as much of it as I could for gas on the drive back home.
“Do you live around here?” he asked, mercifully changing the subject.
“What?” Oh. Um, no.”
“How far did you come out for the show?” he pressed curiously.
“Three hours,” I admitted as I pushed my plate of half eaten nachos away.
“Can I get you guys anything else?”
The cheerful server asked suddenly, almost causing me to jump out of my skin. I looked up at her and shook my head, watching as she looked at my brother, waiting patiently for his reply. But when he didn’t say anything I glanced over at him and noticed that his eyes were on me instead of her.
“Just the check,” he finally said after a few moments of tense silence.
While we waited for the server to come back with the bill, Knox reached for his jacket and fished out his phone. I felt envious, then immediately like shit for the feeling. Lennox had the brand new iPhone and while I knew he worked damn hard to be able to afford all of the luxuries that he had, I was starting to feel less and less of a human being in his presence.
“Have a nice night, y’all!” Impossibly Cheerful Server said as she dropped the bill on the table. I reached for it to figure out my portion, hoping that with the tip included, I’d still have enough for a half tank of gas, but Knox slapped my hand the moment I rested it on the square piece of paper, and slipped it out of my reach.
“Save your pennies,” he said breezily as he fished out a thick wad of cash from his pocket.
I was sure that it didn’t come out the way he meant it to—at least, I hoped not. But when he grinned at me again as he got to his feet and pulled his jacket on, I forgave him.
And when I got to my feet as he patiently waited—when he wrapped an arm around my shoulders and gave me a firm, but gentle squeeze as we walked out of the diner … I found myself needing him.
* * *
“What year is this fucking thing?” Knox teased as soon as we got back to my car. It took a little longer than it should have because there were still a few teenagers hanging around outside the venue. He stopped to sign some autographs, took a few more pictures, then told them to get home.
“It still runs,” I said defensively, to which my brother laughed good-naturedly.
“Lighten up, Jules,’ he replied as he settled into the passenger seat and reclined the back. After he secured his seatbelt, he closed his eyes for a moment before turning his face toward me and smiling as he peeked through an open eye.
I shook my head and chuckled softly as I put the car in drive and pulled out of the lot that sat adjacent to the venue.
It cost ten dollars to park in here, but Knox paid for dinner so that leaves me with twenty five dollars. Hopefully that’ll be enough to get us back home.
Wait—
“Where are you guys headed tomorrow?” I asked nervously. I had beaten my car to shit chasing them around and I knew I wouldn’t be able to drive him to his next destination any time soon.
“Nowhere. It’s our day off,” he replied though a wide yawn.
Thank fuck.
“I messaged Mick and let them know that I’d probably fly to the next stop so they don’t have to wait for me,” he said, which explained why he flashed the latest, greatest in Apple products. “So, tell me little brother. Which way is home?”
“South,” I replied quietly as I pulled onto the almost desolate road and made my way toward the highway.
Chapter 6
Four and a half hours later, we finally reached my front door. I had to stop for gas and Knox took the time to stretch his legs and smoke a cigarette, which honestly surprised me. I remember that I had once stolen a cigarette from Mom’s pack and he caught me hiding in the small wooded area behind the house with it. I’d never seen him so angry. He slapped it out of my hand, sat me down on ground and lectured me on the dangers of smoking.