Knockemout, #3
Things We Left Behind
by Lucy Score
Contents
14
Overview
Sloane pitches using the legal-aid fund to help Mary Louise Upshaw, sparking a protective standoff with the men. The group agrees to research before visiting the prison. Later, friends overhaul Sloane’s disastrous dating profile, and simmering attraction with Lucian surfaces. A cryptic reference to Sloane’s old wrist injury rattles Lucian.
Summary
At Knox and Naomi’s, Sloane pulls Naomi and Lina aside to propose using their legal-aid fund to help Mary Louise Upshaw, who received a twenty-year sentence after likely protecting her son. Naomi and Lina support meeting Mary Louise despite potential costs.
Knox, Nash, and Lucian object to the women visiting the prison, citing safety and emotional fallout. Sloane asserts her autonomy, tensions spike, and Knox tries to solve it with a large check. Sloane calls for calm and proposes research first; the group agrees to table the decision.
With the conflict paused, Lina pivots to Sloane’s dating app. Sloane’s profile is revealed as a red-flag magnet—cat-heavy username, elf-costume photo, and wild hair. The men reluctantly serve as “experts,” and the friends stage new photos and workshop a better username.
During the makeshift shoot, Sloane shares a smoldering look—aimed at Lucian—that ends up captured in a flattering photo. Lucian recognizes the look, silently offers her his bourbon, and retreats, underscoring their uneasy truce and unresolved attraction.
As they refine the profile, Lucian notices Sloane rubbing her wrist and quietly asks about it. Sloane deflects with a vague story about a high school break; the mention unsettles Lucian and he withdraws again, leaving the others joking as Sloane’s profile begins drawing immediate matches.
Who Appears
- SloaneProposes aiding Mary Louise Upshaw, pushes back on control, revamps her dating profile, and reveals a tense reaction to an old wrist injury.
- Lucian RollinsOpposes the prison visit, shares bourbon with Sloane, reacts to her flirtatious photo and wrist mention, then pointedly withdraws.
- NaomiSupports funding Mary Louise’s case and helps restage Sloane’s dating photos and profile.
- LinaBacks Sloane’s plan, volunteers to visit Mary Louise, and leads the dating profile overhaul.
- KnoxObjects to the prison visit, tries to solve it with a check, then critiques and assists Sloane’s profile photos.
- NashProtective but agreeable; joins the debate and helps direct photos, labeling Sloane’s old profile a red flag.
- WaylayDrops in mid-scene, jokes with the group, and observes the dating profile makeover.