12. Dahlia
DAHLIA
Gavin offers up his room if we want to hang out a bit while he kicks out the guy Felix got into a fight with, but I just want to go home.
“You’d think people would find something else to talk about, right?” Holly asks quietly as the guys say their goodbyes. “It’s so last month’s news.”
A small laugh manages to bubble up in my chest.
“Seriously. Don’t worry about it. That guy was an idiot.”
“Thank you.”
She steps forward and gives me a tentative hug. I like Felix’s sisters. I like them a lot. Stella was fun and made me laugh, but Holly has a reassuring way about her that makes me appreciate her extra right now.
I lost Jane and haven’t seen Daisy or Violet in a couple hours. It’s still weird being at parties and not glued to their sides. Tonight was fun though. Up until that jerk ruined it.
“Do you want to catch a ride with us?” Teddy asks Felix.
“No. Go ahead. I’m gonna walk Dahlia home.”
“It’s okay. I think I can manage.”
“I’m walking you home,” he says, leaving no room to argue.
Outside, Holly and Teddy head in the opposite direction, so it’s just me and Felix making the short walk next door.
He’s quiet until we get near the front door. “I’m really sorry about tonight.”
“It’s fine. Nothing I haven’t heard before.”
“Yeah, but I promised it wouldn’t happen when I was around.”
The tic of his jaw tells me he’s serious. He’s blaming himself for that asshole.
“You can’t control what other people say or do.”
“Like hell I can’t,” he mutters.
A real smile pulls at the corners of my mouth. He’s not used to people sucking. I bet everyone has treated him like a god from the time he could hold a football. “Did you hurt your hand?”
He looks down at it as if he just thought to check it out for himself. He opens and closes his fingers into a fist. “It’s fine.”
Without thinking, I reach for his hand and take it gently in mine to examine it. His knuckles are red and a little swollen. I run my thumb lightly over his injured knuckles. “Does that hurt?”
“No.” His voice is deeper than it was a minute ago. He curls his fingers around mine to stop me from dropping his hand.
“Liar.”
“It was worth it.” Blue eyes hold mine captive. All night we hung out, but with so many people around, it didn’t feel like this. Like I can’t breathe. Having all of Felix’s attention is a lot to handle.
Summoning all my courage, I whisper, “Do you want to come inside?”
He hesitates, and I panic.
“You should ice your hand. I have an emergency ice pack in the freezer for after those especially brutal practices and workouts.”
His lips part. He’s still holding my hand, and the reminder sends goosebumps racing up my arm.
He steps forward, gaze locked on my mouth. He leans in slowly, never taking his eyes off my lips.
“Dahlia! Oh my gosh. I just heard.” An out of breath Violet comes out of nowhere, jogging toward us.
Felix takes a step back and our hands fall apart.
“I was dancing, and Gavin waited until the song ended to tell me.” She takes a deep breath and looks between us, as if she’s just realized she might have been interrupting something.
“I should go.” Felix puts more distance between us. “Looks like the calvary has arrived.”
I start to ask what he’s talking about, but then I spot Daisy and Jane walking in our direction.
Violet opens the door and goes inside, calling over her shoulder. “I’ll dig out my emergency bottle of black cherry vodka.”
Felix shoves his hands in his pockets and disappears down the sidewalk before I can say goodbye.
Daisy glances between us as she gets to the door. “He looks pissed.”
“Did he really take on three guys?” Jane asks.
I follow them inside and shut the door. “No. It was just one really jerky guy.”
“I’m so sorry I lost you.” Jane kicks off her heels. “You and Felix were talking, so I didn’t want to keep being the annoying third wheel.”
Violet comes back into the living room and the four of us sit on the floor, abandoning the furniture so we can sit closer together. She unscrews the top of the liquor bottle and pours each of us some in small, plastic cups.
“You guys didn’t have to leave,” I say.
“Of course, we did.” Daisy nudges me with her knee. “We love you and we wanted to make sure you were okay.”
“I am. Really. That guy was just a jerk.” The more people Felix has introduced me to, the more I realize that most don’t care. Am I still humiliated? Yes. But I’m done hiding.
“Well, in that case, give us the play-by-play of the fight. I’m liking Felix more and more. Anyone that would throw down for your honor.” Violet inches closer. “Gavin banned that dude from ever coming to another party at The White House.”
“Wow,” I say. I didn’t expect that.
“I cannot believe I missed it,” Jane says with a shake of her head. “I leave you alone for five minutes.”
I fill them in on the night and then the fight, as best as I remember it.
It all happened so fast. One second I was wishing the ground would swallow me up and the next Felix was punching the guy.
I hate to admit it because I’m generally anti-violence, no matter the situation, but it was amazing to have someone show up for me in that moment.
And even more amazing for that someone to be Felix.
Sometime after one in the morning, I finally head upstairs to my room. The window in my room looks out toward the street. Cars still line the road in front of our house and a couple walks by, hand in hand, headed home from the party. The music has quieted, but the party is still going next door.
I stand at the window and watch for a few seconds, suddenly wondering if Felix went home or back to the party. He gave me his number, but I haven’t used it yet. I change quickly and then climb into bed, phone in hand.
Me
Are you still up? Also, it’s Dahlia.
I delete it before I send and try again.
Me
Thank you for tonight. I had fun. Hope your hand is okay.
I close my eyes and squeal as I press send. I immediately want to take it back. It’s after one in the morning. Now I seem desperate and like I’m?—
I jump when my phone pings with a new text.
Felix
I had fun too. My hand is fine. I wish I’d hit him harder.
Stupid butterflies in my stomach did not get the memo that punching people is bad.