Taking Chances (Blackrock Book 2) (49 page)

“Darlin’,
nice to see you having fun.” I just about keep my tone civil as
I look around the table. Bailey turns so her face is inches from mine
her blue eyes are glacial as she glares at me.

“Yes
thank you, it is nice to have fun.”

Bailey

I
am so mad that he is here looking pissed off at me when I am doing
nothing wrong. He pulls a chair from the table beside us and sits his
ass down in between me, and the guy Cody.

“Hey
bro, you want a drink?” Cody asks but Knox declines.

“Nope
just here to walk my girl home.” Mike points at Knox.

“Hey
you’re the fiancé, congrats man.” He holds his
hand out to Knox who shakes it. “Yeah Bailey was telling us to
come check out your bar next week. We just got here to play
football.” Knox nods but I see his jaw muscles jump and I know
he is mad. I finish my drink and Paige nods.

“Okay
guys, it was nice meeting you. I might see you round campus.” I
wave grabbing my purse and Paige then we leave with broody Knox
behind us.

We
walk back in silence. “I’ll see you later,” Paige
says crossing the street when we reach Georges bar. Knox holds open
the door and I step inside seeing his cousin talking to Max. I stand
by the end of the bar and talk to Amber.

“Hey
girl, where have you been?”

I
smile at her. “Roosters.” She laughs at me shaking her
head.

Knox
brings me a bottle of water and I snatch it from his hand Max comes
over to me.

“Sis.”
He puts his arm around my shoulders.

“Hey
Max, how’s it going?”

He
smirks at me. “Great, you?”

I
drink some water then put it down. “Fucking perfect” He
looks at me then we both laugh and I hug him. “I was with Paige
for a while she told me.” He nods and shrugs.

“She
was upset too Max, but I am not getting into it. I am just saying.”
I hold my hands up in surrender.

“I
know, I’ll talk to her tonight.” He kisses my cheek and
walks back behind the bar. Their cousin and her friends approach me.

“Hi
Bailey, right?” I nod and smile while I delete all of Knox’s
calls from today. “Knox showed me videos of you singing today,”
she tells me and I nod.

“Yeah
when was that?” I snort.

“Oh
we spent the day at the beach with them.” She points to Knox
and Max and I nod.

“I’m
sure that was fun.”

One
of the girls looks at me. “It would have been,” she
mumbles then walks over to the bar.

I
watch as she flirts with Knox I follow her over and stand beside her,
listening as she recounts the day with him.

“You
have strong arms you know.” she smiles at him. “You held
me in the water for a long time.” Resting her chin on her palm,
she looks at him. Knox looks at her then me and I raise my eyebrow at
him.

“We
had fun together, huh?” she asks, reaching out touching his
bicep.

This
whole thing reminds me of last year and before I know it I grab her
fingers and bend them back until she steps away from the bar. Turning
I walk out of the bar before I get into trouble or start a fight and
this time it would be me starting it.

“Darlin’,
wait,” his voice is like nails on a chalkboard right now. He
grabs my elbow and I stop. “Baby please.”

I
scoff pulling my elbow away. “Don’t fucking baby me, I
was only talking to those guys not frolicking in the fucking surf
with them.”

I
step onto the road but he pulls me back holding me close to him.
“Bailey, wait for me to lock up and we can walk home together.”
I relax and he lets me go then I march across the road ignoring his
calls, a few minutes later I hear him run up behind me then fall in
step beside me. “What are you mad at?” he asks and I
whack him with my purse.

“Fuck
off.” I keep walking.

“Did
you just old lady me with your purse?” he laughs.

I
stop and look at him. “Knox, just stop. Last week you were all
‘I’m so in love with you’ and now you act like a
typical twenty two year old, blowing me off and messing with some
other chick. I mean the minute you hear I am talking with some guys
you leave your fucking job to hunt me down, but all along you were
having fun in the sun with another girl. When you are really ready to
make a commitment then come see me.” Pushing past him, I walk
home.

Knox
follows me all the way and watches me get ready for bed then I grab a
blanket and sleep on the sofa he groans,

“Oh
come on Bailey, not this again.” I throw a pillow at him and
turn away. He crawls up over me kissing my face then scoops me into
his arms. “Max has the sofa tonight darlin’, so you’re
stuck with me” I huff as he puts me in bed and throws the
blanket back on the sofa. Sliding in beside me he kisses my shoulder.
“I’m sorry I forgot about the barbeque and I am one
hundred percent committed to you darlin’. I don’t want
any other girl, only you.” He kisses my cheek then my temple
while sliding his hand up and down my arm. “Am I forgiven?”
I shake my head no.

“No,
well lets see what I can do about that.” He kisses down my arm
reaching my hand kissing each finger then he pulls off my ring.

“Hey
what are you doing?” I try to grab it back but he holds it up
in the air then gets off the bed and kneels beside me.

“Bailey
I am still crazy in love with you and I want to marry you, so will
you be my wife?”

Holding
the ring out he grins at me. I roll my eyes. “Yes Knox, I will
be your wife.” He slides the ring back onto my finger and I
give him a slap for taking it off. “Don’t take it off me
again or I’ll I say no.” He nods hopping in beside me.

“Truce?”
I nod and he pouts at me. “Darlin’, you okay?”

“Fine.
Goodnight babe.” Wrapping his arms around me he sings to me.
“You’re such a kiss ass” he stops singing to laugh
and kiss me.

He
whispers how much he loves me and then tells me about that chick and
the beach I can feel myself getting angry but he has a strong hold on
me so I can’t move.

“Let
me go Knox, I want to sleep.” He nuzzles my neck and kisses
behind my ear.

“Are
you going to hit me?”

“No,”
I snap and he lets me go. Climbing out of bed, I walk into the
kitchen and make a hot chocolate. I can hear Max opening the door and
walking up the hall.

“Hey
why are you still up?” he asks sitting down beside me.

“I’m
trying to calm down before I commit murder.”

He
laughs at me. “You two are fucking nuts.” He shakes his
head and steals a sip of my drink.

“You
talk to Paige?”

He
sighs, “Define talk, exactly?”

I
give him a hug. “I’m sorry Max. I love you so you’re
good.”

He
smiles at me then stands. “Night Bailey.” I frown because
he never calls me that. Turning off the lights I walk back into the
bedroom finding Knox staring at the ceiling.

“You’re
impossible to stay mad at,” I say, crawling in beside him
resting my head on his chest he smooth’s my hair then tilts my
chin up.

“You’re
beautiful.” I smile at him wrapping my arm around him I close
my eyes.

I
wake up just after eight in the morning and decide to make waffles
and bacon for breakfast. Soon I am joined by, the most handsome twins
ever.

“Something
smells good.” Knox yawns then wraps his arms around me.
“Morning darlin’.” I kiss him then turn back to the
bacon.

“Grab
the plates.” Max makes the coffees and we sit to eat. “What
are we doing today?” I ask looking at them they look at each
other then at me.

“Don’t
know. Why? What you got in mind?”

I
smile at them. “Nothing just thought we could hang out today
unless you have other plans.” Max looks away and Knox bites his
lip.

“Spill
it. You are both crap at trying to hide stuff.”

Max
laughs shaking his head no. “We told the girls we would hang
out with them today. My uncle is having a barbeque.” Knox looks
at me and I nod.

“Well
considering your uncle hates me, I guess I am not invited.”

He
frowns. “You are invited, darlin’, and George doesn’t
hate you.”

We
arrive at his house by noon. Max scoops up spike and plays with him.
We all walk out to the back yard but I stay behind Knox a bit trying
to stay away from George, but he sees me and frowns.

“You
out.” He points at me with the spatula and flicks it, sending a
bit of meat to the grass.

Knox
looks at him. “She’s not; leaving she is my guest.”

George
looks at Knox clearly pissed off. “Yeah and this is my house. I
heard you started more trouble last night. I told you, she was banned
from my bar, but yet there she is doing what she does best.” He
keeps going off on me so I turn around and leave. Knox follows me as
I’m climbing into my car.

“Darlin,’
don’t leave.” He runs around to me stopping me from
getting inside.

“I’m
fine babe. I’ll hang out at mall or something and pick you up
later.” Knox closes the door and drags me back inside and out
to the back yard. George and I avoid each other like the plague.

I
listen to them recount their childhood and watch little miss flirty
pants eyeballing Knox, Jesus why can’t my life be normal or at
least not fucked up from lunatics wanting to sue me and freaks trying
to covet my fiancé.

“Earth
to Bailey,”

Knox
waves his hand in front of my face and I smile “hi babe”
he kisses me while bracing his hand on my chair.

“You hungry tiger?”
He smirks then looks over his shoulder at the chick from last night
so I smack him on the head. “Ouch.” He laughs,

“I
was only following your line of sight.”

Pulling
me up he sits in my chair and I sit on his lap. “You okay?”
he whispers as I look around the garden at the few people here but
only two actually like me.

“Would
you mind if I went home?”

He
nods at me. “Very much so, why do you want to leave?”

“Seriously
babe, I’m not comfortable here. Sorry.” He watches me for
a few minutes then lifts me off of him.

“Okay,
we’re out,” he calls waving at Max and his cousin.

“What
bro, it’s early?” Max moans, walking over to us fixing
his hair.

Knox
points to me. “She wants to leave” Max looks at me for a
few minutes then shrugs.

“Whatever
man, do your shit.” He waves Knox off then walks away.

“Babe,
you stay I am going call me when you want to come home, preferably
alone.”

I
nod over at the chick and he rolls his eyes at me wrapping his arms
around my waist he crushes his lips to mine.

I
pull away and look at him. “What was that for?” He kisses
my temple. “Because I love you and I want everyone to know it.”
He winks then bites my lower lip playfully.

“Good
show, babe, but I am still leaving.” Taking my hand we walk out
together.

“Me
too. Now let’s go home and get naked.”

Laughing
I slap him on the ass and push him out of the door. The minute we
walk through the door my phone rings. Knox has me up against the wall
his tongue exploring my mouth we don’t stop but my phone keeps
ringing and ringing. I pull away rolling my eyes and answer my phone
to my dad.

“Sweetheart,
pack up some clothes we are leaving on the seven am flight.”
Knox tries to kiss me again.

“What?
Why were are we going?” I ask stupidly and I can hear my dad
curse.

“Ethan
got us a hearing for tomorrow after lunch so we have to be there.”

“Okay,
see you tomorrow.”

Hanging
up the phone I slump to the floor Knox looks down at me. “Was I
that bad?”

Shaking
my head, I chuckle at him. “No babe I am going to Grove in the
morning for some hearing. My dad booked flights.”

Knox
sits down beside me in the hallway behind the front door. “Am I
invited?”

Shrugging
I drop my phone in his lap. “Call and ask him I don’t
know”

Taking
my phone, he calls my dad and talks for fifteen minutes about what is
happening and my role in it. Knox agrees to stay behind tomorrow but
looks pissed off after he hangs up. He wraps an arm around my
shoulders. “Not invited beautiful” He kisses my temple
pulling me to his chest.

The
next morning Knox gets up early with me, making me scrambled eggs and
toast.

“Call
me darlin’,” he warns and I nod.

“I
will babe.”

Taking
my hand, he rubs my finger just above my ring. “I mean it,
Bailey. Every five minutes if you have to. Hell, just leave me on
while you’re in there.”

I
laugh at him. “I’ll be fine. I have my dad and my uncle.”
His leg is bouncing so I know he is worried and his hands haven’t
left his hair all morning. “Knox.”

He
smiles at me. “Yeah darlin’?” Reaching over, I
brush the hair out of his eyes.

“Get
a hair cut, babe. I’ll be back tonight.” I smile at him
before standing to leave. He walks me down to the parking lot to wait
for my dad holding me close he rubs my back.

“Fuck,
I want to go with you,” he mumbles.

“I
know babe, but it’s only a few hours. Maybe you and Max can
take the bikes for a spin.” I watch the security arm lift and a
black town car pull in. “Okay babe, that’s me,” I
say, kissing him again as the car stops beside us opening the door
for me.

Knox
frowns. “Bye darlin’.” We kiss again and I wave as
I climb inside.

“Hey
dad.” He is looking through more papers and my eyes are hurting
just looking at him. We pull out onto the street turning I wave at
Knox from the back window.

We
arrive in Grove after ten am and go straight to my uncle’s
office downtown. He and my dad are arguing about a pay off and I
stand.

“Hey,
I am not paying that asshole a penny,” I tell them both because
my head is killing me from listening to them.