My Number One: Kasha & Knox (15 page)

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“It can’t be this serious, Kash. Granted, you screwed her man, but there’s gotta be more,” Tea broke the long silence.

I lifted my shoulders to shrug her off. Tea hadn’t said anything wrong or foreign. Getting pissed off over Knox would’ve been a usual response. Sending a hitman after me, one that returned for blood, was a story all in itself. After my best friend’s obvious remarks, I had no response. Neither of us spoke again until we reached Teagan’s townhouse, some fifteen minutes south in Middletown.

“He hasn’t called?” Tea’s question was tinged with an accusatory tone.

“I don’t know. I turned it off right after we left out.” I knew what was going through my friend’s mind. I knew her long enough and had been privy to her far off antics to know her mind was racing. So I added, “Knox isn’t that guy, Tea.”

“What guy, Kasha?” Without waiting for a reply, Tea shut down the car, hopped out and promptly collected the bags from the back seat. “He isn’t what guy, Kash? You’re too innocent to know that type of guy. That shit in Florida,” her voice dipped low, “don’t believe it’s that simple. Van was a worthless ass. You don’t know trouble.”

“And what about you, Teagan?” I pitched out in a heightened tone as she hurried behind while carrying two travel bags. “You might’ve been with a few assholes, but what do you know otherwise?”

“Do you think I’m in Delaware for the scenery? That flakey chick isn’t me by one damn bit, Kasha! And it damn sure better not be who you plan on being.” Once inside, Tea dropped the luggage she’d carried, then spun to her friend. “Since you have this blind loyalty for this guy, fine. But whatever his girl’s got going on, I can assure you that she’s not done with him and she’s sure as hell not finished pursuing your ass.”

“I want him, Tea.” I hated the downplayed references, but knew they were perhaps factual.

“And you’re sure he’s not just up for some ass?”

Even in the midst of serious talk, Tea still had time to spew silliness. I made every attempt to keep a straight face, biting my lips shut and getting creepy with a wide-eyed stare.

“I need you to be good, safe.” That quickly, she went from joking around to cautious. This was her, and she was meant to be my sister in this life. I was willing to take her any way she came packaged. “I can’t . . .”

“You’re beyond silly, but Teagan, you don’t have to explain anything to me.”

“I know that I don’t, but someday I will.” Tea’s eyes glistened with the reply.

I didn’t miss that part. From time to time she’d bare her soul to me; not often, but enough. I always picked up on what she consistently threw out. Part of me didn’t want to wait for someday to come, I wanted to know now. Something, or perhaps someone, had hurt my friend. I watched Tea move further into the home with regret compiling within. I remained close to the door, almost unwilling to proceed through this unbelievably tiresome day any longer. I couldn’t help but wonder why life had to be so complex.

Why did there have to be heartbreak?

Why did good people have to get hurt?

Why, although it went against what I professed, couldn’t the rotten ones just remain together? Why instead did they have to corrupt the world with their shenanigans and bullshit?

Feeling even more worn out than before, I rubbed the back of my hand at my cheeks. It was only as I went to reach for the next bag that I realized it wasn’t on my shoulder. I stepped over the ones we’d released in the middle of the entrance hallway, while preparing to exit the door.

“Tea, I’ll be—”

The same asshole that had come to my place earlier reached for me. It wasn’t enough that we had fought him off before; he now had the upper hand as his hand went at my neck. He was maybe six-five, with a grip capable of lifting me from the floor. My legs dangled.

The circulation had already started to cut. My breathing slowed. Even the darkness seemed to loom. I prepared to give in as a single teardrop rolled down my cheek. Then I thought about Teagan. It was clear that this man was set to kill me. But what would he do to my bestie?

Dear God!

This thought gave me reason to fight.

I swung my feet, though they were nowhere close to touching the ground. I opened my eyes wide, only to stare into jet black ones that must’ve been owned by the Devil. This guy scared the crap out of me. Between the height and the powerful way in which he took to ending my life, he had to be the most terrifying force I’d ever come in contact with. But I would not give in. When I couldn’t secure a grip of his black tee shirt, or even lessen his hold by clawing at his fists, I opened my arms to the sides. I shook just enough, with every bit of the strength I had remaining. This only helped his cause, as he promptly rushed me to a nearby wall to the left.

“Please,” I barely managed.

“Shooo,” he responded as his brash fingers tightened around my neck.

My hands continued wailing at the sides until, in an unintended move, I felt the hallway table. I raised an arm just enough to reach the lamp that I’d given Teagan as a housewarming gift. I made a quick yank, and bashed the side of the guy’s head with one wave.

He instantly sent me crashing to the ground. Though my throat burned, I recognized the fight was far from over. I kept hitting the strange, tall intruder over and again until he fell to the ground.

He’d violated my space and Tea’s. He’d touched me. He’d forced himself into my space with that damned gasoline scent that was bound to remain with me each and every time this day came to mind.

“Leave me alone!” I screamed about a minute later when the discomfort had worn off somewhat.

“Kash, what the hell’s going on?” Tea called out from behind. I was lost and couldn’t stop myself. Neither could I stop the teardrops that were landing on a now weak guy who had meant to take me out.

“Teagan . . .” I cried out low.

“How? What?” For once Tea was at a loss. This was never her. She always knew how to handle situations. But this time, I turned to comfort her as we waited for the police to arrive and claim the intruder.

~

~

“Are you sure that boyfriend of yours doesn’t have anything to do with this?” This guy must’ve had a direct line to my problems. Just to think, I’ve never had an issue here, but now this asshole cop showed up each and every time I had a problem. “Where is he?”

Two other cops had come earlier, before these arrived. Those had already gotten the intruder out and off to the station. This one wouldn’t budge, even when his buddy made it clear that they needed to follow through with the guy that had attacked me.

“I’m sorry, but was this called in for you?” Teagan approached him, then slid in between the extremely short distance he stood from me. “You were at my friend’s place earlier, but somehow managed to end up at mine, fifteen minutes away? Furthermore, those other guys got here before you two. They got the asshole out. They took notes and asked all the damn questions in the world. Now what?”

“Young lady—”

“See, that’s where you’re wrong. I’m not a lady.” Tea wrapped both sets of fingers around my upper arms and moved me from out of the line of fire. “I will call 9-1-1 if there’s an issue.”

So I stood off to the side as the bravest girl in life went toe-to-toe with Officer Joe. All this while Office Rich swooned over her. And with each passing second, my bestie’s voice grew to match the troublemaker cop.

“Okay guys . . .” His buddy finally spoke up when we noticed the guy’s fingers twitching at his sides. “This has been a stressful day for these two.”

“Depends on who’s really causing the stress,” Officer Joe blurted out.

“Ladies, we’ll be going.” Just as Officer Rich redirected his partner for the door, Rory stepped in.

“Excuse me, who are you now?” Joe, yes, no longer Officer since he was pissing me off, gripped his waistline.

“He’s good. He’s a friend.” I leapt forward.

“That’s debatable,” Tea prompted with a wicked grin. She then winked at Rory and paved the way for the others. “Wait, how—”

I knew what she was about to say, but her questions would’ve kept the cops there longer. Only after they left out did we talk freely.

“How did you know we were here?” I asked ahead of Tea.

“Knox texted your number. I didn’t see the phone right away, but when I tried reaching back out, it went to voicemail. Couldn’t understand why he did any of that. So I went to your place.”

“Yeah, the same guy that did that followed us here,” I interjected.

“How did you know to come here?” Tea rolled her eyes at him. She didn’t hide her disdain for Rory.

“Where else would she go?” Rory threw at Tea. Her eyes formed slight lines to match the less than friendly way her lips relaxed. “I’ve been taking shit from you for years now, Teagan, all over some bullshit misunderstanding.”

“So?”

“So? So, get over yourself. Hate me for all I care, but set that shit aside. I need to figure out what’s up with Knox. That’s where my energy is going now.”

Tea’s mouth quivered. The center portion of her lips stuck out. Knowing my hotheaded bestie Teagan Boone the way I did, she had to be getting ready to rip into him. So we stood almost perfectly still. My attention shifted from Tea to Rory to an empty space with an invisible question mark representing Knox.

“Wait, why would something be going on with Knox?” It only now set in, making me instantly regret my earlier attitude.

“His truck’s at his house. He’s not.” Rory took time with the words. They were meant for me, but the room stood in attention to Tea. Not once did he shift those incredible blues away from her. “Him sending your number and not answering now, that shit’s out in left field.”

“Why the hell are we standing around?” I panic. “That jackass tracked us down. What if . . .” Tears formed in my eyes. I slipped out of touch with everything all at once, just when my vision blurred. “No . . . No . . . No!” I rush in circles. I’m heated, instantly soaked with a mixture of sweat and tears.

“I can handle this. What exactly happened with these break-ins?” Rory slowly peeled focus from Tea. She extended her arms to hug me as I recalled the drama of the past day. Once everything came full circle, I began sobbing.

“Aw sweetie, we should stay at a hotel for the night,” she comforted. It reminded me of the day we met and the way she’d tried to protect from any further harm. Though that was different, this wasn’t debatable. There would be no walking away or hiding.

Rory starting pacing, while he swung into the air off and on.

“You both need to calm down. Stressing isn’t gonna magically lead you to him.”

Rory spun on his heel, and then stomped over into Tea’s space. We were in the living room, standing in front of a brown leather love seat to the left and matching chaise to the right. Only then did I realize we had yet to sit or calm down. Honestly though, how could we?

“I’ll find Knox,” Rory stated as a fact, in a deeper tone than he’d used previously.

“I can’t let you go after him alone,” I said clearly and precisely. Tea would fight my decision, and so would Rory. “I won’t be able to rest if I’m not a part of this.” This was my choice. From one to the other, I studied them. How could anyone truly understand the love I felt for Knox? We’d only just made things click, but we were “here” all along. “There’s nothing you can say to—”

“Sweetie, you don’t know this sort of life.” Tea reached for me. Her pupils had widened and mouth corners dipped. She pitied me, like I was a weak link . . . like I was liable to get taken out . . . like I would make things worse.

“I’ve had it with you dropping warnings that mean shit. If you’re so tough, prove it; otherwise, get the hell out of my way.” The sting of more tears loomed right there. At any moment I was bound to explode—not with anger, but sadness and frustration. I didn’t mean to take things out on her. She just happened to be there.

“Kasha, I know you’re pissed.” Tea reached for my arms.

“I’m going to be brave,” I stated under my breath, though my insides were sliced up with worry. “I’m going to be brave.” The problem with that mantra was that the minute her fingers rested against my skin, I caved.

“Aw, sweetie, don’t cry.”

“I’m scared, Tea. What if he’s not okay? What if—”

“Shit!” Rory yelled right before his boot landed at the edge of the wall. Between the red hair and the sparkly eyes, he developed a devilish glow.

“What’s this all about?” Tea looked up at his. I followed the trail of her words. “What are you guys into? I hope it’s nothing illegal.”

“Knox is a good guy,” Rory replied in a distant manner.

“Screw the good guy talk. Are you guys on some illegal shit?” She redirected me into a nearby single-seater then stormed over to where he’d started pacing the floor.

“I don’t need to answer to you or anyone else. I just need to deal with this issue. Got it?”

But Tea wouldn’t let it go. That wasn’t her style. The wilder, the more wicked, the tastier, the riskier the opposition, the more determined she became to jump into the fight. It wasn’t that she was a troublemaker; quite the opposite. She just believed in making things better when they didn’t seem quite right.

“Can you guys take it easy? We don’t have time for a fight. Knox is somewhere, and I need to find that somewhere. Whether you like it or not, I’ll find him.”

“Wait, has Erika called?” Tea suddenly asked, snapping her fingers.

“Called me?” I shook my head, unable to stop the smirk from capturing my face.

“Do you think I’m an idiot, Kash?” she flashed my way before flinging her neck and sending a wave of hair fluttering around as she turned back to Rory. “Did she call you?”

“Why would she call me?”

“Looking for Knox. Duh?”

Even in the midst of their fussing, I saw the very present sparkle in Tea’s glare. Her lips puckered and she slipped into a more relaxed stance with her leg off to the side. I hadn’t seen that behavior toward him since the night they’d first met.

“I don’t think she has my number—”

“And where’s the third wheel? He seems to get in the way of your bromance with Knox,” she added.

Rory snarled. A light bulb appeared to have gone off in his mind.

“You think it has something to do with Bash?” I quizzed, getting an inkling of sorts.

Rory shrugged. I didn’t trust it because his mode, including the energy he’d been giving off, shifted. “He was supposed to head up to the city.”

“Which city?” Tea asked. “For a house?”

“Honestly, I couldn’t answer that.” Rory reached into his pocket to retrieve his phone. His thumb ran up and down the screen. I made note of how Tea hung on his actions, much similar to me.

As soon as I heard the echoed sounds of ringing, I whispered, “Don’t mention Knox.” Saying his name just about did me in. I clutched for my chest, to rest the palm of my hand over my heart. Suddenly images of a bloodied Knox flashed before me. I saw him as the officer that Van had beaten, maybe even killed, early that morning, years ago. A gush of air escaped my lips. I clutched my arms tighter to my chest, squeezing my clothes.

No, I refused to believe Knox’s fate would match that guy’s. Not my Knox. Not now. Not ever. I had to hold out hope for our future. Regardless of how things now seemed, I needed to believe in us, in his safety and in our love conquering all. Especially where uncertainty loomed.

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