Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 95951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
“This is the best day of my life.” His mom chokes on a sob, and his dad rushes to comfort her.
“Asa, why don’t you see what’s in there?” I ask, nodding toward the tote bag.
“You’re pretty,” he says. He looks at Knox. “Is she your girlfriend?” He wrinkles his little nose as if he’s not quite sure he likes the idea of a girlfriend.
“She’s a good friend of mine and works for the Rampage,” Knox answers. His voice is calm, but the look he flashes at me tells me he hates this as much as I do, but we have to stay the course.
Asa digs into his bag and pulls out a jersey, a stuffed Rowdy the Rhino mascot, a football, some pictures, stickers, and a ton of other stuff. I brought one of everything I could get my hands on from our social media materials room.
We spend the next three hours with Asa and his parents. Knox is so good with him. He’s patient with all of his questions and signs everything Asa hands him, even his tablet and his water jug that’s provided by the hospital. I spend those three hours smiling and fighting back tears. Life is so unfair. This little man, just seven years old, three weeks from turning eight, as he keeps reminding us, is battling cancer. It breaks my heart, but it also warms it to see that smile on his face.
Once we’ve said our goodbyes and are in the truck, Knox exhales and turns to face me. “These trips are always hard, but I love that a few hours of my time made that little boy so happy.”
“Thank you for doing this.”
“I’ll never say no to something like this. Don’t ever hesitate to ask. My only request is that it not be blasted over the media channels.”
“I’m sure the parents and staff will take pictures.”
“That’s fine, but I don’t want the Rampage to capitalize on it. Use the annual nursing home visit and the million other events for that. Not this. Not him,” Knox says, unable to hide the emotion in his voice.
“Deal. You’re a good man, Knox Beckett.”
“Your man, Corie Reynolds,” he says, leaning over the console to kiss me. “Now, let’s go grab some dinner. I’m starving.”
“Do you think that’s a good idea? Us being seen together?”
“It was a work event, but we'll hit a drive-thru if it makes you uncomfortable. But, baby, my stomach is pissed. I need to feed it.” He gives me a cheeky grin, and I nod.
“Drive-thru it is.”
We hit the first one we see, drive to a nearby park, and eat before Knox takes me back to my car. With his dark windows, he kisses me goodbye, which tells me he really doesn’t want to say goodbye.
I never want to say goodbye to him.
It’s been over a week since Knox and I visited the children’s hospital. The Rampage had back-to-back away games, so we’ve not had much time together. This week, they played the Georgia Badgers. It was a Thursday night game that I watched curled up in my bed. Knox tried to get me to go to his place, but I felt weird being there without him.
Since the team was off this weekend, my brother decided everyone would come to his place on Sunday to watch the other teams play on TV. “Sizing up the competition”, he called it. That’s today. The kitchen island is littered with snacks that Sloane and I made and things the guys brought.
Sloane and I claimed the loveseat while Landry, Knox, and Reid are piled on the couch. Baker and Foster are each kicked back in a recliner. It’s been a good day, and I’m so thankful for my best friend to be here as a buffer. She kept the guys occupied with a story from one of her preschool kids while Knox pulled me down the hall and kissed me like he hadn’t seen me in months.
“Fuck,” Knox mutters under his breath.
We all turn to look at him. “What’s up, Beckett?” Foster asks.
“My mom and my sister,” he grumbles. “They’re saying I need to bring a plus one to the wedding, and if not, they’re going to invite Sara, the neighbor who grew up beside us. They claim it’s so I don’t have to sit alone.” He rolls his eyes at their reasoning.
“Are you not taking your girlfriend?” Landry asks.
“No. She’s not able to be there. Something was scheduled before we got together.” Knox doesn’t miss a beat, but I see the tightening of his jaw.
“Wait. Isn’t Sara the one who snuck into your bedroom, and you found her butt-ass naked?” Baker asks.
“Oh, shit!” Reid covers his mouth. “I remember that story.”
“What did you do?” I ask, because my boyfriend just announced there was a naked girl in his bed. Sure, it was high school, but call me curious.