Page 33 of Bad Habits
“Can you believe that?” I whispered, trying to work up some enthusiasm for the pizza dominating our table. “He’s in a really bad place, Knox. I’ve never seen him like that before.”
Knox apparently hadn’t lost his appetite because he was digging into the pizza like he hadn’t eaten in a week. Mr. Sensitive. The same guy who preached his friends were his family.
I nudged him. “Are you listening to me, or are you just gonna sit there stuffing your face?”
“I heard you,” he muttered, wiping his mouth with a paper napkin. “And I think you’re overreacting. Dade’s fine. He’ll bounce back just as soon as he meets another hot little honey to help him forget the last one.”
Is that what Knox would do if I walked out of his life, look for the nexthot little honeyto replace me? “You think women are like tires, Knox? You can replace one with another, no big deal?”
He rolled his eyes. “Did I say that? Quit being so sensitive.” He raised his hand to flag the waitress. “Hey hon, can I grab a Coors when you get a minute?”
“Sure thing,” she said, smiling at him.
“I should have ordered beer in the first place,” he said, reaching for another piece of pizza. “Beer and piz—”
“Oh just shut up!”
He reared back. “What the hell did I do?”
I didn’t know why I was so mad at him. Maybe it was because he acted like he couldn’t relate to Dade. And maybe he couldn’t. He’d never been in love. Never had his heart broken. And that was crazy for a guy in his thirties, wasn’t it?
“At least Dade cares enough to try. He puts himself out there, even if it doesn’t turn out the way—”
“You can say that again, he puts himself out there. I don’t even know why he bothers. The guy could have any woman he wants. Hell, he could have half a dozen women at once, if he wants. Why would he slip a ring on…” He stopped talking when he realized my jaw was hanging open. “What?”
Could he really be so clueless? We’d just had sex. He told me loved me. Now he was acting like women were interchangeable. Playthings to be traded when he got bored. “Get up. I need to use the restroom.”
“Ugh, don’t all pissy. I just—”
“Get. Up.” I pushed against his shoulder. “I mean it. I have to go to the bathroom.” And remind myself why I put up with this dumbass.
He shook his head as he slid out of the booth, looking disgusted. “You blow everything out of proportion.”
I smiled sweetly and patted his cheek when I realized more than a few people were watching us, “Bite me.”
* * *
Knox
Cece thought she was punishing me by dancing with some loser who hit her up on her way back from the restroom. I didn’t give a shit who she danced with, I was busy responding to all the comments on social media about our concert. People said we’d killed it. That I’d never sounded better… or looked hotter. I smiled at those comments, cause I was a guy, and didn’t mind having my ego stroked every once in a while. Especially since the girl who’d been stroking me earlier was pissed at me.
Cece. The little firecracker. I had to admit, I thought she was hot as hell when she got mad and told me off. Maybe tonight we’d have our first round of make-up sex. I’d definitely be down for that.
I looked up just in time to see the douche she was dancing with try to kiss her. She reared back and shook her head while mouthing an apology.
Yeah, that wasn’t happening. I jumped up and crossed the dance floor. It was like the parting of the frickin’ Red Sea as people made a path for me. Sometimes fame had its perks. “Time’s up, buddy,” I said, stepping up to the clown in the backwards ball cap and ripped jeans.
He jerked a thumb towards me and said to Cece, “I thought you said he wasn’t your boyfriend.”
I glared at her, challenging her to send me away. Even though she was mad at me, I knew she wouldn’t. She didn’t want to waste any more time with this dipshit when she could be wrapped up in my arms, getting lost in my kisses, remembering all the fun we’d had that afternoon.
She sighed before stepping back. “It’s complicated,” she said, finally. “But, uh, I’d like to have a word with Knox, so if you don’t mind?”
He licked his lips while eyeing her so long I wanted to punch him in the side of the head. “Come find me later, baby. Let me buy you a drink.”
“Listen you little, puke,” I said, getting in his face. “I’ll be buying the lady’s drink and if you bother her again—”
“Knox!” Cece stepped between us, planting her hand on my chest. “Are you crazy?” she whispered. “You can’t do this here.”
