Page 9 of King of Kings
I’ve barely had a chance to get out of the car, when Kins comes barreling out of the house.
“Thank you so much for coming, Sophia.” She smiles, and her excitement is contagious.
“No, thank you. I was just mindlessly flipping through cheesy movies at home. I’m glad to have some company.”
We head inside and she grabs a bottle of water from the fridge, pointing out a couple of bottles of wine for me.
Maybe the night won’t be a bust.
“Where are all your friends tonight?” I ask her, curious as to why someone her age is sitting at home.
“Everyone had plans. I didn’t really feel up to a party. Truthfully, I haven’t felt up to doing too much lately. I’ve been avoiding everyone.” She shrugs.
“Are you doing okay?” I ask.
“Yes. I promise. Life is good, in general. Sometimes, I just don’t feel like doing the same old thing every single night.” She sighs.
Now that I understand. I’ve always been an old soul. Especially after the troubles that alcohol brought me all those years ago.
The night I made the biggest mistake of my life was fueled by too much alcohol, and I’ll never be able to take it back.
“Thanks for convincing me to come out!” I shout to Kai over the music.
“You’re welcome,” he says, pulling me closer on the dance floor.
It would be nice if I were attracted to Kai. He’s my age, he’s handsome, and he checks off all the boxes.
For some reason though, the brooding older brother has always been the one to catch my eye.
“I’m going to grab a drink,” I tell him, gesturing towards the kitchen.
He nods, continuing to move around the dance floor.
Kai is completely wasted, and I’m trying to get on that level. Maybe then I’ll be able to forget about my feelings for his brother who wants nothing to do with me.
“He’s so fine,” I hear a girl in the kitchen saying to the group of girls next to her.
“He’s untouchable,” one of the others says, taking a drink.
“That’s not true. Elaine Henderson fucked him last summer,” one of them says.
“I don’t believe that,” a redhead says, rolling her eyes.
“It’s true. She had details and everything. She said he loves experienced women, so she had no problems getting in his pants.”
“Please. There’s no way Knox Kingston slept with Elaine.”
My body freezes. I almost drop my drink at the sound of his name.
Of course Knox would like an experienced woman. I never thought he’d be attracted to me. I’m his brother’s friend. A virgin with absolutely no idea what she’s doing.
I just kind of thought he liked me.
Fuck this. Maybe I’ll get some experience and then shoot my shot.
“I get that,” I say, shaking myself out of my memories.
I sense there’s more than what she’s telling me, but I know Kinsley will talk when she’s ready. I take comfort in knowing she’s seeing a therapist, and one of the best at that.