I tipped my Solo cup in his direction. “Yes. Smart man. I’m the least interesting person here. I want to know what all my people are doing.”
They talked. I toked and drank, happy as a little clam. Bex and Asher were hitting the books hard, he was killing it on the field, and she’d just had her second art show of her college career where two of her photographs had sold for a chunk of change. They were so cute and golden, and you wouldn’t think they’d fit, but they were so gone for each other.
Bash and Grace were living together in psycho-obsessive bliss—his, but a little bit hers too. He’d been in community college, but the demand for his graffiti murals had grown so much, he’d dropped his classes to do that full time—and my friend was making bank. Gracie was happy in college, working on her art on the side, supporting her man. They were so cute, I could gag, but I didn’t because I loved them.
Gabe and Pen were my constants. I was equally close to them both, and we were always texting and calling, so I knew what they were up to. Gabe was a soccer star. Pen was a science nerd. They were a power couple, set to dominate the world.
All up to date, I went for a walk to the kitchen in search of something else to drink. My Solo cup was woefully empty. A few people were hanging there, but the area in front of the rows of alcohol was empty. I picked up a bottle, then another, contemplating which combination would keep me in this floaty, happy state.
I was not thinking about Theo’s absence. Or that he hadn’t responded to my text telling him the address. That wouldn’t keep me floaty—and definitely not happy.
It was no big deal if he didn’t show. Six people had traveled to town just for me. They’d dropped their responsibilities to celebrate my birthday. I had that, so I didn’t need a single other thing. Or person.
Our group migrated to the den where Bex and Ash were playing pool. I squeezed between Bash and Grace and Gabe and Pen on a big couch, my boys at my sides. Gabe procured another blunt for me because he was the absolute shit. I laid my head on his shoulder while I smoked and reached across his legs to hold Penelope’s hand. My sweet angel girl, letting me borrow her boyfriend’s shoulder and holding my hand. Never been a realer one than Penelope Shade.
“Helen?”
From nowhere, Theo appeared in front of me. He didn’t look happy, with slanted brows, his mouth in a tight line.
I waved. “Dude, you’re here.”
“I’m here.” His head cocked as he scanned the scene. Me between two hot boys, one with his arm around me, my head on the other’s shoulder. I was pretty certain he was missing the girls on their other sides. The ones they were devoted to down to their bones. The ones I was devoted to in the same way.
“Who’s that?” Gabe barked.
“That’s Theo,” I answered.
Gabe shot off the couch, making me tumble into Penelope’s side. She caught me with a giggle, pushing me back toward Bash, who was rising slower, but with purpose.
Gabe stuck his hand out. “Gabe Fuller. Who are you?”
Theo shook his hand, an even deeper frown marring his face. “Helen told you. I’m Theo Whitlock.”
“Sounds fancy as shit.” Gabe twisted around to look at me. “You hook up with a fancy boy?”
“Shut up.” Yeah, it was dawning on me that inviting Theo here had been a very bad idea. I’d obviously been dick drunk when I’d issued the invitation.
“You’re here for Helen?” Bash asked lowly.
Theo didn’t flinch. “Yeah. I’m here for Helen.”
With a chin jerk, Bash shook his hand. “Don’t be an asshole to her. She’s had enough of that in her life. Doesn’t need more of it.”
Asher and Bex had come over too. Ash had his arms crossed over his wide football player chest. I knew him, and I found him intimidating.
“This is dumb.” I hopped up as fast as I could with a floaty head and got in front of Theo. “Stop being dumb. This is Theo. He’s my friend. He’s not going to hurt me because there’s nothing to hurt. I’m safe. I don’t need three daddies chasing him away with a shotgun.”
Theo clamped a hand on my hip and pulled my back to his chest. Gabe zeroed in on where I was being held. Asher shrugged. Bash’s nostrils flared.
“You’re our girl,” Gabe pouted. “It’s our job to look out for you.”
“Nothing you can say will convince me. Time will tell.” Bash glowered at Theo. Then again, Bash glowered at almost everyone.
“It’s not like that,” I insisted.
Theo lowered his mouth to my ear. “It is.”
“Dude,” I hissed.
It so wasn’t like that. Otherwise, I’d be pissed he hadn’t texted me for hours and showed up late to the party. Since we were just friends with bennies, it was cool. All was cool. No big deal. I wasn’t mad, and I definitely hadn’t been disappointed before he got here. Cool, cool.
Grace and Penelope, who were much nicer than their boyfriends, introduced themselves to Theo. Bex did too, though she was kind of snarly about it, which I appreciated, since I shared the same trait.
I twisted in Theo’s hold. “You need a drink. Or a smoke. Do you smoke?”
He stared at me, sweeping me with his gaze, then nodded once. “Show me where the drinks are?”
“Yeah.”
Theo wove his fingers with mine, but I led the way back to the kitchen. I showed him the rows of liquor, but he ignored them and backed me into the counter, bracketing my hips with his hands on either side of me.
“Helen,” he growled.
I raised my chin. “Theodore.”
“You’re high.”
“A little. Is that a problem?”
“Nope. You’re cute.”
“You were late.” Oh shit, I hadn’t meant to say that.
He bowed his head so his forehead landed on mine. “Your text didn’t come through until about forty-five minutes ago. I was getting pissed, thinking you had changed your mind, and then it was there. You said you were getting here at nine in the text, and it was already eleven. I immediately felt like shit for being pissed and hauled ass to get here.”
I swallowed. “That explains it.”
“Did you think I wasn’t coming?”
“Yes.”
He brushed his lips against mine. “I’m sorry.”
That made me wobbly. I wasn’t used to anyone being sorry they’d let me down. But here Theo stood, owning and apologizing for something he couldn't control, because he was that guy. The one who was too good to be true.
“It’s not your fault.”
“Still sorry.” He kissed me a little harder. “I didn’t like the scene I walked in on, if I’m being honest.”
Oh yeah, there was reality. I knew it had been around here somewhere. Theo was good, but he definitely wasn’t perfect. He could be a judgy asshole, just like the rest of them.
“Me hanging out with my friends? And their girlfriends?”
“It took me a while to notice the other girls.”
I laughed softly. “I was holding Penelope’s hand, dude.”
“And had your head on that guy’s shoulder.” He cupped my jaw. “Don’t dude me. I’m not your bro.”
“Who are you then?”
“You know.” He was getting growly, and I was just drunk enough not to buck against his possessive streak. If I’d been sober, it would have annoyed me, but right now, my clit was throbbing.