Chapter 15
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
RORY
“Here’s to Rory being a big girl now,” Tyler teased, holding a shot glass up in a toast. I rolled my eyes, lifting mine to humor him.
“Thanks, Ty.”
He winked and downed it, flagging Skeeter and Diesel down as they walked in our direction.
Guilt consumed me at not telling him about Slash, and I startled as Skeeter’s arm dropped around my shoulders and his teeth nipped my jaw.
“Hey, baby girl. Sorry we’re late. Happy Birthday.”
“Thanks. You’re not late, it’s fine,” I smiled, trying to relax.
“Why are all these people here? You don’t even like them,” he asked bluntly as he scanned the crowd, making me snort.
“The guys made it an open invite.”
“That’s asking for trouble,” he scoffed. “I say we just get drunk alone upstairs and spend the night in bed.”
I tensed, a frown tugging at his mouth as he felt it, but he didn’t say anything.
“Rain check. I can’t run off to fuck all night with a houseful of people here.”
I could’ve. None of them were here for me, they just wanted to party.
His frown deepened, and he leaned down to talk in my ear. “You okay?”
“Yeah. I’m just itching to get fucked up and dance,” I said as I forced a grin, standing on tiptoe to kiss him.
His fingers wrapped around my throat lightly as he took control, and he reluctantly pulled back when Tyler appeared.
“Hey, if it isn’t my fairy blow daddy. Hook me up so I can get high.”
“Don’t call me that,” Skeeter scowled, releasing my throat and turning to glare at him. “Money talks, but your mouth doesn’t have to.”
Tyler snickered, motioning to the stairs, and I let them wander off to do their deal without me.
“Happy Birthday, Donovan,” Diesel smiled, holding a bottle of whiskey out. “As promised.”
“You’re the best,” I groaned, accepting it and twisting the cap to down some, making him raise an eyebrow.
“Rough day?”
“Something like that. Did you guys have a good day?” I asked, offering it to him.
“It wasn’t too bad once Slash agreed not to go on a run with us. He was in a piss-poor mood all morning and I was sick of his shit,” he grumbled, taking the bottle for a swig before handing it back. “Don’t think his day got any better either. He trashed the office when we got back this afternoon.”
I swallowed, knowing the mood he was in personally. “What set him off?”
“Skeet and him were arguing all morning. Skeet would only go on a job if Slash didn’t, and Slash didn’t like that,” he shrugged. “I need to set up and make some money. Come find me later.”
“Will do,” I said brightly, waiting for him to leave before noticing the guys had all wandered off too.
I took the time to slip outside, walking down to the pool to have a cigarette, and I wasn’t surprised when Lukas appeared a few seconds later. I couldn’t exactly blame them for keeping an eye on me after I’d snuck off from the last big party and gotten kidnapped.
“I told them the big party was dumb,” Lukas chuckled, sitting on the chair close by and patting his lap. I hesitated before moving towards him, straddling his lap and getting comfortable as I smoked.
He stole it from me and took a drag, my hand dropping to his stomach as my other gripped the bottle so I could have a mouthful before replying. “The party was a nice idea.”
“Just not your idea of fun,” he grinned, offering my cigarette back.
I shrugged, feeling awkward. “They could’ve bought pizza and beer and I would’ve been just as happy.”
“I know. Something’s eating at you. You’re hiding it pretty good, but I can tell.”
My stomach soured, and I knew I hadn’t kept my thoughts off my face from the way he was watching me.
“I just don’t really care for my birthday, that’s all,” I lied, tossing my cigarette butt aside and leaning forward to tuck my face into the crook of his neck, being careful not to tip the bottle all over him. His arms circled me, holding me as he shuffled to get comfortable.
“Next year we’ll do it your way. We can hang out at Jensen's and eat junk while watching bad movies.”
“Sounds like a dream,” I admitted, closing my eyes as he dropped a kiss on my head.
“You sure you’re okay?”
I wanted to tell him, but how could I? I’d been kissing Slash right back, rubbing on him like a fucking cat.
I knew I wasn’t technically dating the guys, but it still felt wrong.
“I’m fine.”
“You come and find me if you want to talk about it,” he said seriously, and I lifted my head to meet his gaze. He looked so concerned, and I leaned forward to give him a soft kiss.
One of his hands slid into my hair to keep me close, but he didn’t demand more from me, just taking what I was giving him.
“You two snuck off to fuck? Rude,” Jensen teased, dropping onto the chair beside us and taking my bottle. “Pretend I’m not even here. I’ll just watch.”
“You’re an asshole,” Lukas grumbled, pulling back and eyeing him.
“I’m joking. Sort of. Caden was looking for you, Rory. He wants to do cake,” Jensen answered, making me recoil.
“Cake?”
“Yeah. He ordered a ridiculously big cake and wants you to blow out the candles,” he smirked, his face falling when I shook my head.
“I’m not doing that.”
“Why not?”
“I’m supposed to smile while hundreds of people that hate me sing Happy Birthday? Fat chance, Gilbert. Tell him to just cut it up and let people eat it.”
“Told you,” Lukas muttered, taking my hand. “No one’s making you blow out candles.”
“Holloway thought you’d like it. Lukas said you haven’t had a birthday cake since your mom left,” Jensen continued, and I gave Lukas a dirty look.
“Sorry,” he mumbled, his hand giving my hip a gentle squeeze. “I thought we’d get a small cake and do something ourselves, not this.”
Jensen sighed, getting to his feet and giving me a quick kiss before swigging the bottle and holding it out to me. “I’ll tell him.”
“I sound ungrateful, but I—”
“No, we know you don’t like big displays of shit. This party and the cake was the opposite of what we should’ve done,” he said firmly, making me groan as he headed back into the house.
“Now I feel like a bitch. They were so excited to organize this for me.”
“In your defense, I told them you’d hate it,” Lukas replied, almost making me drop my bottle as he stood with me still in his arms, forcing me to wrap my legs around him.
“Luke!”
“I won’t drop you,” he huffed, moving to place my butt on the table and standing between my legs, taking the bottle and placing it on the table. “I got you a present.”
Tension rolled through me as he pulled a small jewelry box from his pocket and offered it to me, my eyes going wide. “What the fuck is that?”
“Not a ring, don’t panic,” he snorted, grabbing my hand and placing the box in it. “Go on. Open it.”
“You know I don’t like—”
“It’s not some kind of extravagant gift. I know you, remember?” he said with amusement, placing his hands on my thighs.
He might not have known me over the last few years, but he was right.
I stared at the small box, hesitating before opening it to find a simple silver necklace with a heart pendant. There were no diamonds or fancy gemstones, and my chest burned as emotion filled me.
It was exactly something I’d wear.
“Thank you,” I murmured, lifting my gaze to his, unsure of what else to say. I wasn’t used to receiving gifts, let alone something so meaningful.
“You’re welcome. Happy Birthday,” he smiled, kissing my forehead.
I took it out of the box to get a better look at it, holding it out to him. “Can you help me put it on?”
“Of course,” he answered, taking it and opening the clasp before sliding each end around my neck and leaning over to see so he could secure it.
“This feels like girlfriend territory,” I laughed nervously, and he shook his head.
“This isn’t me being pushy. I saw it and just wanted you to have it, promise.”
“I really like it,” I replied, tugging him closer with the front of his shirt to kiss him.
It started out gentle, but then his tongue was demanding access to my mouth and my hands were gripping the back of his shirt to keep him close.
One of his hands slid up the back of my shirt, and I groaned as he pressed against me.
Confident Lukas was so fucking hot.
I bit back a hiss of discomfort as his hand moved between my legs for me to grind on, but I knew he felt me tense from the way he immediately pulled back to look at my face.
“Did I hurt you?”
“No,” I said quickly, pushing him back a little so I could shut my legs. “I just—”
“Hey, look at me,” he said softly, cupping my cheek. “It’s okay. I’m sorry, I overstepped.”
“You didn’t.”
“I did. You’re allowed to be hesitant, Rory. You’ve been through a lot, so take your time.” He moved back further so I could stand, offering me his hand. “Grab your bottle and let’s head inside. I’ll dance with you.”
My body was more sore than anything, but I couldn’t tell him. He’d want to know which one of the guys had been that rough with me, and I couldn’t explain the real situation.
So, I grabbed the bottle in one hand while he pocketed the small necklace box, then I took his hand and headed back into the house.
I was relieved to find people eating cake as we walked through the crowd, knowing I wasn’t walking into some kind of surprise candle lighting thing. I still felt bad after the guys had gone to so much effort for me, but it just wasn’t my thing.
We danced and drank for a while, and I actually found that I was enjoying myself.
“Come get high with me?” Tyler grinned as he pressed against my back, sliding his arms around my middle and kissing my neck. Lukas gave him a dirty look, and Tyler chuckled. “Don’t be a buzzkill, Luke. It’s her birthday.”
“I don’t like you doing it either, dude,” Lukas replied, eyeing us as Tyler dragged me across the room towards Skeeter and Diesel, who were set up on the couches by the coffee table.
People were smoking weed and doing lines, my heart rate spiking with anticipation.
This was exactly what I needed to get out of my head.
“Line up for our girl, Skeet,” Tyler announced as he dropped onto the couch beside Skeeter and yanked me onto his lap.