“You what?”
“You heard me. After class, I drove back home to catch Ronin’s soccer game. When I got back to town, I hit up a couple people and made my way to Jase’s house to hang with those guys. We ended up at his girlfriend’s house, I think? It was a good night, low-key but fun. This chick from Delta sucks cock like she’s doing the Lord’s work. Like I said, it was a good night. So, I head out this morning, but my car isn’t there. Then I remembered that I parked on a side street. Half an hour later, my ass was tired and my car was nowhere in sight, so I texted you.” He shrugs, as if it’s a totally normal occurrence to lose your fucking car.
“Knox, what the fuck are you doing?”
“Eating a bagel. Then you’re gonna run me back to Grant Street so we can drive around and find Felicia. I fucking love that car.”
“That’s not what I mean and you know it.” I’m going into full-on parent mode here, but dammit, someone has to. Knox’s parents, such as they are, are completely useless, particularly where addiction and excess are concerned.
“Oh, I’m fully aware of your meaning,” he says, taking a sip of his coffee. “And that’s some bullshit. We’re in college. We drink. We party. It’s what we do. Ok, maybe you don’t, but that doesn’t mean I need to abstain. Besides, who am I hurting, Ty? I’m not driving. I’m not an angry drunk or a mean one. I’m not failing my classes, and, last I checked, your trust fund wasn’t paying my tuition.”
Great fucking job, Ty. Now he’s pissed and won’t listen to a word you say. “Look, I just--”
“I know. But it’s not the same thing and you know it. I’m not getting anybody else wasted, not furnishing liquor to minors, other than myself, and I’m sure as hell not doing all the fucked-up shit Brett did.”
“I know, but--”
“But you need to start to trust us to lead our own lives, man. Much as I love living with you three, I know it’s not gonna last forever. But trust me--I can have a few drinks at a party without it turning into total chaos, just like Whit can have a bad day without it turning into a crisis, the same way the world won’t stop turning if Booker misses weekly ministry.”
He’s right, and I know this, but it’s hard to let go. “Yea? Tell that last part to Booker’s dad.”
“Uh, that’s a hard pass. I try to avoid all conversations with Mr. Zabek.”
“Probably a good strategy.” I check my watch. “Shit. It’s getting late. But you’ll need to see if Booker or Whit can drive your ass around to look for your car. I’ve gotta get to the lab.”
“The lab?”
“Yea, for class.”
“Did you forget you’re an English major? Or, holy Jesus, tell me there are not grammar labs. Fuck. Do you, like, sit around diagramming sentences and shit?”
I crack half a smile. “No, asshole. The writing lab. I need to tutor there a couple hours a week this semester as part of one of my classes. And my shift starts in ten minutes, so I gotta roll.”
“Jesus. You’re leaving me here?”
“Uh, it’s a safe space, dude. Besides, Whit’s done for the day. Tell him to get his ass to campus.”
Knox taps out a quick text and then looks up. “He better haul ass. Or maybe I’ll wait outside.”
“What’s your issue?” I turn around to scan the coffee shop. Immediately, I see what’s bugging Knox. “Why do you hate that guy?” I ask.
“I don’t hate him. He hates me. Ian McBride is a pompous cocksucker.”
“Say it louder, Knox,” I joke, but I hustle him outside anyway. I’m not getting kicked out of my favorite coffee shop because Knox starts shit with the barista.
“Fine, but I’m right. And it has zero to do with the fact the guy sucks cock in real life. Like I give a shit how anyone gets their rocks off. We had Psych seminar together last year and that fuckstick had to have the last word in every discussion. He’s one of those people who has to be the smartest guy in the room, you know? And I’m not here for that shit.”
“Not here for what shit?” Whit strides up to us.
“Jesus, how’d you get here so fast?”
“Easy. I was in the library. What’s up?”
“I’ll let Knox explain. I need to get to the lab.” I turn toward the door, but freeze when I hear Knox’s words.
“Too bad you can’t stick around so I can tell you about your girl.”
“What are you talking about?” I face him fully.
