The Lineup(24)

After she stomps down the hallway, I ask, “Uh, maybe I should go. This seems like a private matter.”

Knox shakes his head. “No, you have to stay now because I’m afraid what will happen if the test is positive. I’m not sure if she’ll be happy or ready to rip my balls off and stuff them down my throat.”

“Valid concern.” I look down the hallway where Emory disappeared. “She was straight-up terrifying back there.”

“Tell me about it. She’s been like that for the last week. I have no idea what to do. One minute she’s laughing, then she’s crying, and then she’s laughing again . . . between sobs. Dude, it’s some freaky shit.”

“Yeah, she sounds pregnant. Are you excited?”

“I mean”—he scratches the back of his head—“it’s a little out of order than how I would want things to go, but yeah, I’m excited. I want babies with Emory, I just hope she’s okay with it.”

“I’m sure she will be. She would be an awesome mom and you would be a subpar dad.”

“Wow, thanks.”

We both laugh and I adjust myself on the couch, turning more toward Knox. “So, I uh . . . went to see Dottie at her office today.”

“Jesus, fuck. Why?” Knox groans, slouching.

“Because, I owed her a date and if anything, I keep my word. I took her food.”

“How did she react to seeing you? Did she mention me?”

“Umm.” I look away. “You know, she might have mentioned your name.”

“Jason. Fucking hell, man.”

“Before you start throwing up everywhere—”

“Why would I throw up?”

I shrug. “Nerves?” Knox rolls his eyes so I continue. “I told her you didn’t tell me anything, that you wouldn’t. I blamed it all on Carson.”

That makes Knox chuckle. “Okay, I can get on board with that. So what did she say? Was she into the date?”

“Well, at first, she threatened security on me, but I coerced my way into her office along with food and quite the spread of dinnerware. I set up our food and we ate . . . in silence.”

“Oh fuck.” He chuckles. “She silenced you?”

“Yup.” Shifting, I get closer. “Have you ever seen her eat before?” I bring my hand up to my mouth and impersonate her rather robust way of eating, going to town on my hand. Knox throws his head back and laughs while shaking it yes.

“Oh shit, yes. When she’s into something she’s eating, it’s like she can’t focus on anything else. It’s a sight to behold.”

“You could say that,” I say, draping my arm over the couch. “Frankly, I was impressed, and maybe a little turned on. If she can eat a burger like that, how good would she eat my dick?”

Knox punches my side. He does it so fast I have no way of protecting myself.

“Dude,” I moan, falling into the couch. “What the hell was that for?”

“Don’t talk about Emory’s friends eating dick. Jesus, man.”

“Touchy,” I grunt out.

“Get back to what happened. She ate her burger and then what?”

“Like I said, it was kind of a turn-on, seeing her devour her meat like that. Oh fuck, and she made this offhand comment about being able to handle any meat that comes her way. I got hard immediately.”

“You’re so fucking horny.”

“It’s been a while, so don’t dick shame me.” I take a bite of my brownie, letting the chocolate soothe my aching loins. It’s been a loooong time since I’ve been in the presence of a naked woman and even though she was a snarly beast of a woman, there was something about Dottie that piqued my interest. Until she sent me on my way.

“Just get on with it.”

“After we were finished eating, I tried to strike up a conversation, but I probably took the wrong approach by commenting on how she downed her burger.”

Knox winces. “Not smart.”

“Yeah, I realize that now, but before I knew it, I was being dragged out of her office by security.”

“Oh fuck, seriously?” Knox laughs.

“Yup, arm in arm, dragged right out of there. But don’t worry, by the time we made it to the lobby, I was best friends with the guys.”

“I wasn’t worried.” Such a dick. “Dottie is a tough one. She’s hardened over the years. Back in college, she was warmer, more welcoming, but over the last few years, she’s really become more closed off. Emory was saying it’s because—”

“I’M PREGNANT,” Emory yells as she sprints down the hallway, right into Knox’s arms.

“What? Are you serious?”

“Yes, we’re having a baby.”

“Holy shit, babe.”

Emory cries.

Knox cries.

Hell, I get teary eyed. And as I watch them kiss and talk quietly about the little bundle of joy they created, it hits me how fast things are changing. My best friend is going to be a dad. A dad. But that kid? He’ll be the luckiest kid on the planet . . . but I can’t help wondering . . . what was the end to Knox’s sentence?





Chapter Seven





DOTTIE