Chapter 6 : Yay, Willow Springs

Lexie

They kept staring even after I got into the car with Knox. Seriously, why drive three cars and pick me up? Couldn't they drive at least one?

Getting into the car with Knox wasn't exactly what I had expected. The drive was quiet, and I didn't talk about what had happened at the clubhouse. I was shocked beyond comparison and, at the same time, turned on, if that made any sense.

“You're awfully quiet,” he said after thirty minutes of complete silence.

“What?” I asked, turning to look at him. He glanced at me for a second before focusing on the road.

“I said, you are awfully quiet.”

“No, I'm not. This is how I am, quiet and calm.”

He scoffed, flashing a white grin. “No, you're not.”

I folded my arms across my large chest, basically offended at this point. What was he trying to prove?

“Then, do tell. How am I usually?”

“The Lexie I remember is a chatterbox.”

“Well, people change, Knox.”

He remained calm, as if thinking about what I'd just said. I was right, though. I was no longer the “Lexie he remembered.” I was different, a woman now with enough sense to know that going on this dinner date was a huge mistake.

He was about to say something else when his phone rang, the sound reverberating through the car's speakers. He glanced at the caller ID before rolling his eyes and answering the call.

“Hey, man!” Rhett's voice filled the car. I looked at Knox with a confused expression.

He shrugged lightly, listening to what Rhett was about to say.

“Where are you?”

“Out,” was all he said.

“O-kay. Could you bring Lexie over to the clubhouse?”

“Why?” Knox asked, and Rhett sighed.

“Because there's a party for her here. I've invited the boys, and I need you to bring her here. Dad is here too.”

“Oh. Sure.”

“You're not with her, are you?” Rhett asked, and I almost gasped.

“No, why would I be? I'll bring her over.”

“Thanks, man. I knew I could count on you,” he said before ending the call.

“Change of plans, mama. We're going to the clubhouse.”

“What? No freaking way. At least, can we go after dinner?”

I really wasn't ready to miss this dinner for a clubhouse party. This was the deal, and I feared that if we didn't have dinner, things would get out of hand afterwards.

“Why are you so adamant about going to dinner?”

“Because this was the deal, and you're backing out.”

“Because there was a change in plans.”

“It doesn't matter. A deal is a deal.”

He chuckled, then turned to look at me. I stared at him intensely, my eyes trailing down to his full lips and beautifully sculpted Cupid's bow.

“Don't worry, mama. There are other ways to keep our mouths shut.”

Like what? I wanted to ask, but I stopped myself before I could. For a tiny second, I wanted to hear it.

What did I have to do to shut him up?

What was he thinking?

Knox informed Christian and Dom, and before long, we were driving into the clubhouse compound. Music boomed from inside. Some of the men were outside, holding a chick in one hand and a cigar in the other. Some girls were lap-dancing for them in the open.

We got out of the car and walked inside. I glanced down at my dress before looking at everyone, including Knox and the other two. I was the only one overdressed. They weren't even wearing freaking tuxedos, and I was only just noticing that.

As we entered, the red and green lights flashed before my eyes. I squinted, my glasses still perched on the bridge of my nose, and pushed them back up as I scanned the room for Rhett.

“Where is he?” I shouted over the music. Christian shrugged, while Dom, in his white shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing his tattoos, just glared at him. I shot a quick look at Knox, and he pointed inside.

“There's no party without Rhett.” He walked farther inside, and I followed, squeezing past people dancing and grinding against each other. I spotted Rhett, who was barely wearing anything except his pants and was grinding against three women. The flashing red lights highlighted the alcohol trickling down his torso.

Where was Dad? And was this what a welcome party looked like?

“Rhett?!” He turned at the sound of his name and smiled the moment he spotted me. He staggered towards me, rushing over to where I stood.

“Lexieeeee! Thank goodness you're here!”

“You're drunk, Rhett. Is this supposed to be a welcome party?”

“Of courseeee. Here.” He pushed the bottle of alcohol he was holding into my hands.

“Have fun! Meet people!”

“You know what? I'm done!” I dropped the bottle on the floor and walked away. I could hear Rhett laughing as I left the clubhouse. Knox followed me, calling after me, but I kept walking until I was outside and far away from the music.

“Lex, wait!” He stopped me mid-stride, his hands gripping my arm. I turned to him, his hands still wrapped around my arm.

“What the hell is your problem?” I snapped, yanking my arm out of his grip.

“My problem?” He raised an eyebrow. “You're the one storming out of a party thrown in your honor.”

“A party?” I let out a humorless laugh. “Knox, that was a damn circus! My brother was half-naked, grinding against three women, and you're telling me that's a party?”

His lips twitched, a smile tugging at the corners.

“Don't you dare laugh,” I warned.

“I’m not laughing, mama.”

“Yes, you are! You're literally smiling.”

“Okay, okayyyyy. You're cute when you're angry, you know?”

Did he have a death wish? I wasn't cute; I was serious, and he was here laughing at me.

“I'm going home.”

“Fine. I'll take you.”

“No, thank you. I'll call a cab.”

He tilted his head, studying me. “You think I'm letting you stand outside the clubhouse alone at this hour? Fuck, no.”

“I'm a grown woman, Knox. I can take care of myself.”

“I know.” His voice dropped, losing its teasing edge. “That doesn't mean I can't take care of you too.”

Those words hurt me more than they should have. I found myself staring at him, speechless. I eventually looked away, pretending to be fascinated by the gravel beneath my feet.

Why did he have to say things like that? Why couldn't he be the annoying Knox I remembered? The one who pulled my hair when I was younger and stole food off my plate just to annoy me?

Not this devastatingly handsome man who knew the right words to say.

“I didn't… mean that,” he said, looking at me like he hadn't just made my heart do a somersault.

Of course he didn't. Why would he? It's not like he answered the letters five years ago, nor did he read them.

“Shall we?”

I looked back at the clubhouse one more time before walking with him to his car. So much for a welcome party, and yay, back to fucking Willow Springs.