Filed To Story: The Perfect Spiral Book PDF Free by Ashley Constantine
My eyelids grew heavier with each passing minute, and soon, I surrendered to the pull of sleep. I was relieved to finally drift off after spending what felt like an eternity in my room.
I had no intention of leaving anytime soon. A deep, restful sleep was exactly what I needed after the day I’d had.
Awakening to a sliver of sunlight piercing my eyelids, I sigh, rolling over and tugging the covers up to my chin. The soft, rhythmic snores from outside my room coax a small smile onto my face. They actually camped outside my room last night?
Did I overreact yesterday? It wasn’t the first time I’d been overlooked when I was out with Knox. But it was the first time I’d been alone with him, without the buffer of a friend to share in the experience of being ignored by the throng of girls he magnetically attracts.
The soft tap of fingers on my door pulls me from my thoughts, grounding me back in reality. I roll over, reaching for my phone to check the time.
I don’t remember falling asleep.
“Sis? You awake?” Sam’s whisper filters through the door.
I sigh audibly, swinging my legs over the side of the bed and padding to the door, my feet cracking in protest after hours of rest. I sit down on the other side of the door, tapping lightly in response. I see her fingers curl under the door, reaching for mine.
“ET phone home,” we both say, giggling softly so as not to wake the others.
“Open up, Al.” Following her request, I unlock the door, revealing Sam slumped against the frame, her body angled towards me. She offers me a weary smile, the toll of a sleepless night evident in her eyes. I peek out the door to find the boys sprawled on the floor in a variety of uncomfortable positions.
They’re going to hate me for this. My gaze lands on Knox, fast asleep opposite my door, cocooned in a sleeping bag and surrounded by pillows.
“He never moved from that spot. Not once,” Sam whispers, careful not to disturb their slumber. I can’t tear my eyes away from him. His hair is a tousled mess, and it appears he’s shirtless, his discarded shirt lying beside him.
“You should talk to him. He feels bad.”
I nod, my gaze still fixed on him. Guilt washes over me as I consider the discomfort he must have endured, staying there all night. I scoot across the floor until I’m hovering over him.
I can’t help but let my eyes wander over his bare chest. Shaking off the distraction, I poke his cheek lightly. He doesn’t stir. He must be in a deep sleep.
I poke him again, harder this time. He stirs slightly but doesn’t wake. He’s so cu??/p>
No! Alex, stop.
“Knox?” I whisper, continuing to poke his cheek. He opens one eye, looking at me before rolling over, not fully registering my presence.
Suddenly, his eyes snap open and he sits up. “Baby doll?” He struggles to free himself from the sleeping bag. I nod at him.
His arms reach out, cupping my face and pulling me close until I’m practically lying on top of him. He kisses the side of my head, wrapping his arms around me protectively. I freeze, wide-eyed at his actions, unsure of how to respond.
“I’m sorry, Alex. I’m really sorry. I feel like an ass,” he begins. I release a breath I didn’t realize I was holding and lean back just as the others begin to stir.
I glance around at the bodies slowly coming to life around my doorway. “Can I talk to you in my room?” I ask him. He stands up quicker than I thought possible, extending a hand to help me up.
I scramble out of his touch, turning to see Sam smirking at me. Rolling my eyes, I lead the way into my room,
*+
KIKA
Knox
O III
??following close behind.
I hold the door open for him, locking it behind us. “I overreacted, yes-
“Alex, you have every right to be pissed at me. I stood there and watched it all happen. The girls, the paparazzi… they were hounding you, and I just stood there when I should’ve spoken up.”
“Knox, it’s fine. It’s not the first time, and it won’t be the last. I shouldn’t have reacted like that. With everything that happened with Drew… I’m just a little more… sensitive. And for all I know, I could be getting my period soon, so that doesn’t help
“Uh, TMI, baby doll, TMI!” He scrunches his nose at me. Maybe I should’ve kept that to myself.
“Sorry, Look, I’m just going to stay out of your way. I don’t feel like dealing with the wrath of every girl in the country right now. But I do pity the next girlfriend you have,” I joke, sitting next to him on my bed.
I pull my knees up to my chest, resting my chin on top and wrapping my arms around my legs. I need to protect myself. I need time to myself.
“Alex. I’m sorry about what happened, but I don’t want things to be awkward between us. Please don’t distance yourself from me. I… I can’t… you’re my baby doll,” he sighs, looking at me.
I can’t bring myself to meet his gaze. It’s better if we keep our distance, like old times. It’ll be better for him. He sighs when he sees I’m not wearing his jersey.
“Knox, listen, it’s going to be better for both of us if we maintain some distance. Your popularity and fan base will rebound, and all of this will be forgotten. The media will back off from both of us.”
“Alex. I couldn’t care less about my popularity! I won’t let this happen again. I’m not going to-“
“Knox, please. This lifestyle isn’t for me. I’m constantly being mobbed by your female fans. I’m tired of defending myself against them. It’s too much, and I can’t keep relying on Andy and Wes to bail me out.”
“I’ll hire bodyguards then. I’ll protect you, Alex. Please, don’t do this, baby doll.”
I finally turn to face him, his eyes are glossy, on the brink of tears. The look he’s giving me is too much to bear.
Why does he want me to stick around? He doesn’t even like me, does he?
“I don’t need bodyguards, Knox. I just need everything to go back to the way it was. I think it’s best if we keep our distance. The media frenzy, the fan girls-it’s all too much. You might be used to it, or the girls you date might be, but
I’m not. It’s not for me.”
He stands up and crouches down, his hands resting on either side of my waist. His eyes search mine, as if he’s looking for something
We stay like that for a few moments. He rests his forehead on my legs, seemingly trying to control his breathing.
Why does this feel like a breakup? My heart aches from this conversation. But I had to say it. It’s been too hard to ignore or deny anymore
New Book: Returned To Make Them Pay
On her wedding anniversary, Alicia is drugged and stumbles into the wrong room—straight into the arms of the powerful Caden Ward, a man rumored never to touch women. Their night of passion shocks even him, especially when he discovers she’s still a virgin after two years of marriage to Joshua Yates.