Chapter 12- Still the Same

Paige's POV

I walked back to the party, trying to ignore the strange interaction I had just had with Knox. I really should’ve known better.

For one stupid second, I’d actually thought Knox Donovan wasn't the same jerk I’d grown up with.

What was with his mood swing, one moment he’s calm and reasonable and the next he turns into a condescending jerk.

Apparently, I was still gullible enough to believe miracles happened.

I sank back onto the couch and reached for my drink, taking a long sip. Leah was dancing with the hockey team and some girls. She was definitely enjoying herself.

“Paigey…” Leah stumbled toward me with a grin that could only belong to someone who’d had far too much to drink.

She practically collapsed beside me.

“There you are.” She squinted at me. “Where’d you go?”

“Outside, to get some air.”

“Without me?” she gasped dramatically, pressing a hand to her chest. “That’s… rude.” The sharp sting of vodka rolled off her breath.

My stomach tightened.

“You’ve been drinking?”

She blinked at me, then grinned—slow and crooked.

“Maybe.”

“Leahhh.”

“What?” She lifted both hands in surrender, nearly losing her balance in the process. “I’m just… making friends.”

“By emptying the bar?”

She laughed a little too loudly, throwing an arm around my shoulders. Her weight sagged against me.

“I am making friends.”

That was exactly what worried me.

Leah’s filter had always been the first thing alcohol stole.

Before I could convince her to head home, a familiar voice cut through the music.

“I was wondering where you disappeared to.”

Leah’s head snapped up.

Enzo walked over, amusement written all over his face. “I think your friend is officially done for the night.”

“I’m fine,” Leah protested, pointing at him before nearly tipping sideways.

Enzo caught her elbow before she could slide off the couch.

“See?” Enzo said, guiding her back to the chair.

Leah suddenly squinted up at Enzo like she’d just noticed him for the first time.

“…Has anyone ever told you you’re really handsome?”

My eyes widened.

Oh no.

Enzo laughed awkwardly. “Uh—”

“And your smile?” Leah continued, waving a finger at him. “Your smile is, like… illegal.”

“Leah.” I grabbed her wrist before she could keep going.

She looked at me, confused.

“What?”

“We’re leaving.”

“What? No!” She frowned dramatically. “I’m talking my cr—”

“You’ve made enough friends for one night,” I said cutting her off before she said something she might regret.

“I haven’t even told him—”

“Nope.” I was already pulling her to her feet.

She stumbled into me, giggling.

Enzo rubbed the back of his neck, trying—and failing—not to laugh.

“I think she’s officially done.”

“She’s been done,” I muttered.

“I can call you guys a cab.”

“I’ll take them.”

Knox’s voice came from behind us.

I turned.

He stood with one hand shoved into his pocket, looking entirely too calm for someone who’d spent the last ten minutes irritating the life out of me.

Enzo looked between us.

“You sure?”

Knox shrugged.

I opened my mouth.

“We’ll be fin—”

Before I could finish, Leah clapped her hands.

“Yay! Family chauffeur!”

I closed my eyes.

Perfect.

Leah was already snoring softly in the backseat by the time I climbed into the passenger seat. I immediately realized this wasn’t the SUV he’d driven the other night.

A sports car.

Of course.

Between hockey and the Tatum’s family money, Knox could probably afford to switch cars every day if he wanted.

I sat uncomfortably in my seat, fumbling for the seatbelt. Knox got in the driver's seat, and I heard a quiet sigh come from beside me.

“You’re locking it.”

“I am not.” I shot him a glare before giving it one more determined yank. “I know how a seatbelt works.” I tugged it again.

It jammed again.

“…Move.”

“What?” Embarrassed, I mutter. I'm pretty sure he would make fun of my ignorance.

Before I could argue, Knox leaned forward cornering me between his chest and the seat. My breath caught, he was so close I could literally count his thick long lashes.

“Why? What do you want?” I stutter.

He was far too close. A slight smile touched his lips. He leaned in even more one hand reached past me for the belt while the other braced lightly against the edge of my seat.

“Nothing.” A slow smirk touched his lips.

He was already close enough for me to feel the warmth of his body. One hand reached past me for the belt while the other braced lightly against the edge of my seat.

“Just helping with your seatbelt.” With one smooth tug, the belt slid free.

He drew it across me and guided the buckle and latched it beside my hip.

For a heartbeat, neither of us moved. His face was only inches from mine. Heat crept up my neck. His gaze dropped to my mouth for the briefest second before he seemed to catch himself.

“There.” He cleared his throat and pulled back abruptly.

“Thanks,” I muttered. I felt so stupid for having my head all swirly around him, but he was so attractive that sometimes I forget what a dick he is.

The drive was quiet at first. Leah’s soft snores filled the backseat. Neither of us said another word.

“She doesn’t usually drink this much.” His voice cut through the silence.

I looked back at Leah, who was hugging the seatbelt in her sleep.

“It was a party.”

“Mm.” he mumbled “You were supposed to keep an eye on her.”

I turned to face him, with a dry, defiant look.

“I’m sorry?”

He kept his eyes on the road.

“You heard me.”

A laugh escaped me.

“So this is my fault now?”

“I didn’t say that.”

“You didn’t have to, its always my fault” I say glaring at him.

His jaw tightened. “I didn't say that, but you just always have a talent for getting her into trouble.”

That one landed.

Of course.

Same old Knox, I was never good enough to be friends with his sister—the girl with the alcoholic mom.

The butterflies I’d felt barely a minute ago shriveled up and died on the spot.

I turned back to the window. I didn’t even bother arguing.

It was exhausting trying to defend myself to someone who’d already made up his mind about me.

Outside, the streetlights blurred into long streaks of gold.

For one stupid moment, I’d actually believed Leah, maybe he had changed. Maybe helping me in the club, defending me. Maybe even that conversation outside had meant something.

It hadn’t.

Knox Tatum was still the same bully I’d grown up with.

And I wasn’t stupid enough to forget it again.