It's Pucking Complicated

Tension: Resolved

ISADORA

Knox still hasn't looked up and I'm starting to get worried.

I shift uncomfortably in my seat, not taking my eyes off him. I try to think of something to say, but nothing positive springs to mind. He's clearly going through something and I have no way of reaching him.

But at last, he looks up and his eyes meet mine. He looks a lot calmer, that's for sure, and maybe a little guilty.

"I'm sorry," he says again.

"What happened?" I ask. Technically, I should wait for him to share what happened with me, and if he doesn't want to, then he won't, but I'm really curious right now. What could possibly have made him act out like this?

"Halvick," he says. At first, I think it's a warning to me, because he likes calling me by my last name even though I asked him not to, but then he adds, "We had an altercation. It's not what you're thinking, no. He basically made it seem like I tripped him, and I got in s**t with the coach."

"Oh," I say. "That sounds awful."

"Yeah."

"I'm sorry."

He shakes his head. "It's not your fault. Or anyone else's, to be exact."

I don't know what else to say to this, so I keep my lips sealed. This is so typical of Justin, though. He's always been a big coward. I know we're putting on this show for him, but I really hope he won't be at the campsite.

"We don't have to stop by my parents' if you don't want to," he claims. He looks down at the plate and reaches for it, fingers brushing against my thighs briefly. "You also don't have to eat these if you don't want to."

I reach for the plate and bring it back down. "No, I want to."

"You're sure?"

"Yeah. And about making a turn there afterward, the choice is yours. It's your house."

"I don't want you to be uncomfortable."

"I'm not. Your parents are really nice people."

Something flashes across his eyes and he averts his gaze. I look away, too, focusing on the plate of cookies on my lap. Just to lighten the mood, I add, "Unlike you."

Knox snorts, and when I glance at him, I notice that he's fighting a smile. "I could say the same thing about you, you know?"

"No, you can't."

"Why's that?"

"You haven't met my parents."

"So, you're saying they're not nice people?"

"My mother's nice," I say right away. "She likes baking, too."

After a few beats of silence, he asks, "And your Dad?"

I press my lips together. I wouldn't know where to begin even if I wanted to share the truth with him. "Let's just say his business partners probably know him better than I do. He provides and makes sure I have everything I need—that's his version of love."

Knox doesn't comment. What could he even say? Instead, he starts the car again and we're back on the road moments later.

"Does he know about your relationship with your half-brother?" he asks suddenly.

"He knows we can't stand each other."

"And he's never done anything to fix it?"

I scoff and shake my head. "Oh, he's tried, alright, and he put me in situations I never wanted to be in."

"But was it always one-sided? Did you ever wish he'd treat you differently?"

I shift uncomfortably in my seat. "When I was younger, yeah. But he's been awful to me from the very beginning and I just reciprocated the feeling. Now, I just don't care about maintaining any relationship with him."

"Even if he someday decides to change and apologize to you?"

"That'll never happen."

"You never know."

"I know."

"Well, then," he shrugs before glancing at me. "You know him better than I do, so I won't argue with you there."

Even though we don't exchange more words after that, the air between us isn't unpleasant. I stare out the window and watch the tree line blur past the car, and in no time, we arrive at the campsite.

The sun is just starting to dip on the horizon and everything has a warm glow to it, and even the lake seems to be glowing from where Knox's car is parked, but it's deceiving. I don't know what to expect from this little trip, but I'm on guard. I count at least fifty people milling around. Tents are already up and the music is already going.

Knox takes a deep breath beside me. I never considered that he'd also be nervous about this whole thing—I thought it was just a me thing. I mean, why should he be nervous? These are his friends.

"Ready?" he asks me.

My grip on the glass plate tightens. "I guess so. You know all these people?"

"Most of them." He opens the door and climbs out, stretching his arms high above his head. His hoodie hikes up his torso, exposing the toned muscles beneath. I look aware before he can catch me staring and assume the worst. "You coming?"

I take a deep breath and nod. As soon as I step outside, a gust of cold wind hits me and goosebumps spread all over my body. Crap, I didn't think it'd be so cold. The sun isn't even all the way down yet. I'm wearing jeans, but I can feel the bite through the thick material. Yes, I packed warm pajamas, but what am I supposed to wear in the meantime? I just have a thin sweater on.

I reach for my phone, notice that there are no calls or texts—surprise, surprise—and shove it in the back pocket of my jeans.

Knox pulls open the back and starts taking all the stuff out. I stand with the plate of cookies in my hand, unsure of what I have to do. He cuts me a look as he reaches for my duffel bag and asks, "You'll need something warmer."

"I know."

He eyes my bag, then arches a brow at me. "You're sure you packed a jacket?"

I meet his eyes, then shake my head.

His shoulders droop a little and I explain, "I didn't know it would get so cold here. I didn't think about it."

His forehead wrinkles as he says, "It gets really cold here. We're too close to the water. I have a hoodie you can borrow, but we'll see."

I don't ask him what that means. Instead, I follow him to the main area, where the other tents are erected. When a few people notice us, or rather, him, they walk over to greet him. Among them is his friend Josh. He nods in greeting at me, then asks him, "I thought you weren't coming anymore."

"I had to stop somewhere," Knox answers also dismissively, not even looking at him. He's looking around for a place to set up the tent. He was right about one thing—the good spots are all taken.

Josh shakes his head. "There's a good place way over there. More people showed up—you know how this kinda thing goes. My tent's gonna be close to yours. Come on. I'll help you put it up."

I look around for Justin, and when I don't spot him right away, I feel relieved. Maybe he's not coming at all. That would be the best-case scenario at this point.

But I do end up making eye contact with Phillippe.

Crap. I forgot he was going to be here.

He's standing next to a few guys I haven't seen before. He offers me a thin smile and waves. I duck my head, anger crashing over me. I nearly walk right into Knox, who's staring at Phillippe with a look I can't decipher.