When he comes through the door, he grabs me up in his arms and buries his face in my wild hair, released from its silk bonnet the short time I slept. He’s vibrating, and this time wetness skims my neck.
I don’t offer him comfort because I don’t have any to give. I’ve joined in with his shaking. “Please, tell me what’s wrong. You’re scaring me.”
He whimpers into my hair, then releases me to go into the bathroom where he uses a tissue to blow his nose. “God, I’m sorry. Everything’s okay.”
“Clearly not, Knox.”
“I mean, nobody’s injured or dying or anything. Don’t be scared. I’m just really upset.”
I breathe deeply a couple of times to get my nerves together, then lead him to the bed where we can sit comfortably. “Tell me what happened.” I hold his hands, rub his arms, kiss his cheek—anything to calm him.
“My room joins Dad’s.”
“Okay.”
“Dean Ellerson was there after you left.”
Is he crying over his father getting some? I know he doesn’t like the woman, but his mother died over fifteen years ago. Be sympathetic for fuck’s sake. “Okay. You’re upset because they’re still carrying on the affair.”
He looks at me with watery eyes. “No, why would I care? My father can do whatever he wants, and does. It’s the conversation they were having.” He gets up to go to the bathroom again and I stay put, giving him time to get himself together. Clearly, I’m not helping and can’t until he gets it out.
When he falls onto the bed and lies back, there’s a strip of skin visible showcasing his toned abs and I have to forcibly pull my gaze back to his face. You’re the worst, Rowan.
Thankfully his eyes are closed. “They were arguing about me. Apparently, Dad gave the school an endowment at Dean Ellerson’s request.”
I remain quiet because I’m still not tracking. Rich people give their alma mater money all the time. And considering his father actually bribed someone to let him in school, this seems mild.
He sits back up, resigned. “Don’t you see? It was less than a year before I graduated from high school. I got into school based on his donation. He’s been pulling the strings all along.” He must register my bewildered look because that’s not how he got into school. “What?”
“I guess I’m confused. My mom said you got in because your dad bribed someone in the school.”
His eyes widen and he shifts away from me. “You knew this entire time?”
“Of course.”
“You didn’t say a word?”
“Knox, I didn’t even know you. I blamed you for my being waitlisted. Your father bought your way in, and I felt like you took my spot. I figured you knew. That’s why—”
He shakes his head and stands, then runs his fingers through his hair, pulling on the strands. “No, you’re wrong.”
His face reddens and for the first time, I realize he’s not just upset. He’s beyond that. “Hey, you know how talented you are, right? Does it matter now? You’re the most intelligent and gifted person I know.”
“It’s all been a lie. Even you. I can’t believe I—” He strides to the door, practically ripping the heavy door from its hinges.
“Knox, don’t go.” When I get to the door, he’s disappearing into the stairwell. I don’t even have shoes on and there’s no way I’ll catch him anyway. He’s a runner and I’m so not.
I sit on the sofa until light streams through the closed drapes, calling his phone every couple of minutes until it starts going directly to voicemail. Knox wouldn’t miss competition no matter what so I hold on to that. He may not speak to me, but when noon comes, at least I’ll know he’s okay.
Fried Spaghetti
(because everyone knows that’s the only pasta Rowan can make)
3 cups leftover spaghetti with sauce
1/4 cup bacon grease
Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat with bacon grease. Add spaghetti with sauce and stir around until steaming.
Yield: 2 servings
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
That’s a wrap.
Noon comes and seated at the Everheart table are Weston, Declan, and…Flynn? Knox isn’t anywhere to be seen.
Wyatt moves his chair closer to mine and leans in. “Are you okay? You look a hot mess.”
I can’t even get upset because I own a mirror. I’m operating on the two hours of sleep I got before Knox pounded on my door. When I finally went into the bathroom to get ready, the person staring back at me in the mirror was almost unrecognizable. My curly hair was pointing everywhere imaginable and even matted on the side where Knox cried into it. My eyes were bloodshot like I pulled a kegger all night. All the water in the world couldn’t fix my hair or my eyes.
“I’m worried about Knox.”
He nods, lifting his brows. “It’s a huge shambles, isn’t it?”
“What do you know?”
Hannah tuts, narrowing her eyes at Wyatt.
He moves his chair back a bit. “It’s none of my business.”
“Don’t make me hurt you, little boy. What. Do. You. Know?”
He looks at Hannah, biting the corner of his lip.
“Don’t look at her. Look at me. Seriously, I will hurt you. I’m worried sick about Knox.”
“Declan said he dropped out of the competition.”
I slap a hand over my mouth. “Oh no.” I can’t believe this is happening. Even if being a chef was more his father’s dream than his, this was the only way of possibly breaking free. “Why?”
“Apparently there was some big dust-up between father and son. But I heard he was planning on dropping out anyway. He wanted you to win.”
“Declan told you that?” Wyatt must be mistaken. Knox wouldn’t just give it to me. Especially after our fight and what he sees as a betrayal.
“No, Weston told me that bit. He said Knox’s feelings for
