Story: Things we never got over (spoilers)

This is going to be the whole story in a nutshell so that it might contain spoilers. So, those who want to read it or haven't completed it, please skip this post.

The narrative centers on Naomi Witt, who arrives in the small town of Knockemout following her sister, Tina, only to be immediately embroiled in chaos and encounter the grumpy but attractive Knox Morgan. The excerpts trace the development of their contentious yet undeniable romantic relationship, navigating issues like custody of Naomi’s niece, Waylay, who was abandoned by Tina, and ongoing conflicts with Tina and her criminal associates. Key plot points include Naomi securing a job, Knox supporting her and Waylay, and the near-fatal shooting of Knox’s brother, Nash, ultimately leading to Knox and Naomi confronting their commitment issues and proposing marriage.

The Story

The story begins as Naomi Witt arrives in Knockemout, Virginia, utterly exhausted and reeling from the worst day of her life. She is a runaway bride who fled her own wedding the day before, leaving her fiancé, Warner, at the altar. Her emotional state is fragile.

Naomi immediately encounters Knox Morgan, a "bad-tempered, sexy man-beast" whom she refers to as "Viking." Knox immediately mistakes Naomi for her estranged twin sister, Tina, whom he despises, calling Naomi "the trash." Despite the intense hostility, Naomi notes the immediate, dangerous, and adrenaline-filled physical attraction between them.

The next day, Naomi discovers that her car and purse have been stolen. At the police station, Knox's brother, Officer Nash Morgan, and Knox find out that Tina stole them. The biggest shock occurs when Naomi returns to her motel room to find Tina had broken in, messed up the room, stolen her belongings, and abandoned her 11-year-old daughter, Waylay, whom Naomi did not know existed. Waylay was a kid who seemed used to her mother's instability. Naomi is overwhelmed and feels her entire life has "imploded."

The Reluctant Protector and Emotional Avoidance

Despite repeatedly insisting that Naomi is "not my type" and that he wants "never seeing you again," Knox immediately steps up as a protective figure, earning the title of a "reluctant hero." He secures Naomi and Waylay housing at his grandmother Liza J's cottage, buys her a new, expensive phone with a daisy case, and ensures she has a job at his bar, Honky Tonk.

He actively works to push her away, calling her an "uppity, needy pain in the ass."

Naomi, a lifelong "people pleaser," struggles internally, wanting to make up for Tina’s destructive nature and simultaneously fight the overwhelming physical desire for her rude but sexy boss.

Deepening Attachment and External Threats (Spoilers)

The pair continues a volatile dynamic where Knox performs acts of selfless care while maintaining emotional distance. This pattern leads to their intense sexual relationship, which Knox insists is "just sex." Naomi finds the sex "phenomenal."

Major Plot Spoilers & Emotional Reveals:

1. Warner's Confrontation: Naomi's ex-fiancé, Warner, tracks her down at Honky Tonk and attempts to force her to return, saying he misses her cooking and laundry. Naomi is terrified but stands her ground. Knox and his friend Lucian Rollins intervene, and Knox punches Warner, breaking his nose, to stop him from touching Naomi. Naomi later reveals that Warner was physically abusive, grabbing her hair during a fight and slapping her on the night of the rehearsal dinner.

2. Waylay's Trauma and Tina's Cruelty: Waylay is bullied by her teacher, Mrs. Felch, because Tina slept with Mrs. Felch’s husband. Waylay, unwilling to ask for help, tries to get revenge with field mice and a computer virus. Afterward, Waylay reveals Tina cut her hair as a punishment, taking away something she took pride in. Knox delivers a heartfelt, fierce speech to Waylay, telling her that Tina’s actions were due to her being "broken" and instructing the girl that if anyone tries to control her body, she should "kick ’em in the ass, then come find me."

3. Knox's Childhood Trauma: Knox finally confesses that his deepest fear stems from a tragic childhood marked by loss: his alcoholic father abandoned him and Nash, and the death of their grandfather, Pop, caused their beloved grandmother, Liza J, to emotionally shut down and "stop living." Knox is convinced he is genetically predisposed to falling apart after loss and therefore cannot allow himself to love Naomi or Waylay.

4. The Self-Sabotage Breakup: Driven by fear, Knox brings Naomi to Dino’s to break up with her. He tells her they must "stop this thing before one of us gets too attached," insisting she is "too much." Naomi is devastated, whispering that she is an "idiot" for falling for him, but she maintains an "icy" composure, refuses his money, and tells him she will no longer let him tell her what to do.

The Climax: Kidnapping and Rescue (Biggest Spoilers)

The situation escalates dramatically following Nash's shooting (Nash was shot and severely wounded earlier by an unknown assailant involved in crime-ring activity).

1. The Double Disappearance: Waylay and Naomi go missing simultaneously. Naomi learns Tina has been breaking into the cottage (where Naomi and Waylay were staying), looking for something. Tina lies to Naomi, luring her into a car by pretending Waylay is with her.

2. Tina's Motive and the Flash Drive: Tina and her boyfriend, Duncan Hugo (son of crime boss Anthony Hugo), have kidnapped Waylay because they believe she knows the location of a stolen flash drive containing damaging information. Naomi, still holding onto hope for Tina, accompanies her sister to Duncan's chop shop. Tina intends to use Naomi as leverage.

3. The Plan and the Fight: Naomi and Waylay are held captive, and Duncan Hugo threatens to shoot Naomi. Waylay, proving her bravery and intelligence, lies and says the drive is hidden at the library. Naomi trades clothes with Tina, planning to escape. Knox tracks them using Naomi's phone and arrives with Nash and Lucian. A massive fight ensues, during which Nash's stitches open up, and Knox uses his rage to fight Duncan.

4. The Confession of Love: Knox finds Naomi bruised and unconscious. Terrified by the thought of losing her, he holds her and breaks down, confessing to the barely conscious Naomi, "I fucking love you," and demanding she marry him. Naomi, realizing her feelings are mutual, manages to croak out, "Coffee," and later tells Knox, "Because I already do, dummy."

The Happy Ending

Knox makes a complete emotional reversal, embracing commitment and safety for his new family.

• Knox's Commitment: Knox proposes marriage, stating he is "not wasting another minute" without making her his wife. He vows, "If there’s anything in this world you want, I’m going to get it for you."

• Family Security: He helps arrange Waylay's permanent guardianship by having Tina sign over her parental rights. He gives Naomi's parents his cabin and facilitates their move to Knockemout. He arranges for Naomi, Waylay, and himself to move into Liza J’s large house (the former lodge).

• Resolution: Naomi hosts a grand twelfth birthday party for Waylay, and Waylay, secure in her family, claims she already has "everything I wanted." The story concludes with Knox demanding a wedding soon and asking that Naomi wear "daisies in your hair." The core theme is resolved: choosing love over fear, even when facing the pain of potential loss.