Hard Knox - Riley Hart Page 0,47
into Richmond with him, because I did miss dancing, clubs, and gay bars. No, the discomfort was all Knox related because if I went out, I would have the chance to hook up—which I should want, damn it. I missed orgasming with other people, thank you very much. The annoying part was, I didn’t want anyone but him.
“Yeah,” I replied. “Yeah, I’d like that.”
“Good. I would say we could go tonight, but Kellan and I already told Nat we’d go out with her. She and her boyfriend broke up.”
“Nat?”
“Natalie. She’s a good friend of mine and Kell’s. And she’s a nurse, so the two of you will have that in common.”
“Oh, I think I’ve heard her mentioned before.”
“Do you want to go with us? And if you’re free next Friday or Saturday, we can go to Richmond.”
“That’d be great,” I replied, meaning it. The whole not-wanting-anyone-other-than-Knox thing was still there, but I needed to put myself out there, needed to find more friends. I liked the idea of hanging out with Josh, Kellan, and Natalie.
“Great. Sounds good. I still have your number, so I’ll text you. We’re doing Mexican for dinner at seven, and then we’ll head to Griff’s.”
Josh smiled, but it wasn’t a flirty smile, more of a friendship smile, which I was glad of. As hot as he was, it wasn’t him I hoped would want me.
Stop it! Stop thinking about Knox!
“I’m looking forward to it. Thanks for inviting me.”
“No worries. I know what it’s like to be the new guy. Plus, everyone is pairing up around me. First Kell, then Law. I need some single buddies.” He laughed.
“There’s Griff and Knox too.”
“Yeah, they’re great, but Knox is straight and I can’t see him heading into Richmond with me to party.”
There was a sharp pang in my chest, even though there shouldn’t be. Knox was straight, and even though we’d kissed, which probably meant he was bi, he’d made it clear that was a one-time thing and he didn’t want anything more.
“And Griffin is…Griff.” He shrugged. “I mean, straight too, not that a straight guy can’t go to a gay bar. I’m sure both of them would, but it’s not the same. Going out like that isn’t Griff’s thing.”
Hmm, well, that was interesting. He’d said two things about Griffin, the second one not really needed after the first. “You guys are close?” I asked.
“To tell you the truth, I don’t even know how to answer that. Kellan’s my best friend, and Griff was always just his overprotective brother. We’ve been hanging out a bit, and we’re friends, but…I don’t know. It’s hard to put into words. I’ve never known anyone like him.”
Josh had spoken casually. There wasn’t any obvious desire or anything to what he said, yet it still struck me for some reason. But then, what did I know? It wasn’t as if I knew much about Griffin or Josh.
“Anyway, I need to get back to work, and I’m sure you came here for more reasons than to talk to me. I’ll text you and see you tonight.”
I stood, and we walked back into the main part of the gym together. Josh said goodbye, and I went over to start my workout. Kellan showed up not long after. He spoke to Josh for a few minutes, who pointed me out. Kellan came over, and we exercised together. He mentioned my going out with Josh the next weekend, so he must have said something. He told me about his favorite bars in Richmond, and we shot the shit about random things.
Afterward, we had a smoothie and sat to chat some more. I liked Kellan. I liked both him and Josh. See, I could do this. I could make other friends in Havenwood. I didn’t need Knox Wheeler at all.
Damned if I still didn’t miss him, though.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Knox
Logan was staying at Dale’s again, so when Law said he and Remy were going to Griff’s, I decided I’d go have a beer too. I’d tossed around the thought of calling Callum, asking him if he wanted to go, or just inviting him over, but I was still confused. The truth was, the longer I stayed away from him, the more I told myself I wasn’t really attracted to him. That it had been a fluke, and we were friends, and the next time he was standing in front of me, I’d realize I didn’t want him.
Clearly, I wasn’t brave enough to test that theory.
I was sitting on my stool at