Theo #2
“It’s fine.” I waved dismissively. Gravel crunched outside, and I knew more people were showing up. Now wasn’t the time to spiral about this, or talk about Sean.
A car horn honked a few times, and I grinned. I rested the bottle of wine on the table by the door before I yanked it open. I nearly fell to my knees when I saw Willow holding another basket full of sweets.
“You’re trying to kill her,” I said, exasperated.
“Gracie made her Pop-Tarts,” she blurted. “You can’t deny the girl her favorite pastry, Theo.”
I groaned and shoved the door open wider, letting them enter.
“This is my brother, Ronan, and his girl, Willow.” I pointed at each of them, then turned toward the guys. “You know Archer, and this is Trent.”
“I’ve heard a lot about you,” Ronan said, stepping forward, his hand outstretched. Trent stared at it, but didn’t reach for it just like I knew he wouldn’t.
“He doesn’t do handshakes.” I kept my voice low, to not embarrass him, and gently tugged Ronan back by his T-shirt. Ronan nodded a few times before turning his hand toward Archer.
“It’s been a while,” he said, and Archer grinned.
“Last time I saw you, you were still gangly and awkward-looking. But it looks like you got a gym membership and filled out. Good for you, man.” His gaze turned toward Willow. “Like, really good for you. I’m Archer Hastings, honey. And you are?”
She let out a nervous laugh. “I’m Willow Gray, Ronan’s girlfriend .”
Ronan wrapped a protective arm around Willow, and pulled her into his side. Archer lifted his hands again.
“Just being polite and introducing myself.”
“Well, you’ve done it,” Ronan said tightly. “We’re going to find Trinity.”
“Check the kitchen or backyard. I know they’re planning something, and I have a feeling it involves glitter or something else equally as annoying.
” I waved them in that direction as another car pulled up outside.
The door was still open, and I had a clear view of my circle driveway quickly filling up with cars.
My stomach dropped as I took in the dark green paint, the tinted windows. The car door opened, and sweat gathered along my palms.
Then…
A head full of fire-engine red hair popped up, and there she was.
Brynne Hughes.
Her head swiveled my way as if she could feel me staring at her. Our eyes met, and everything faded away.
Trent and Archer’s voices were nothing but a muffled sound way in the distance, and thoughts of whatever prank Trinity was planning no longer mattered. Because I was staring at Brynne, and she was staring at me, and the only thing I could think about was how fucking gorgeous she looked.
I never understood what people meant when they said someone’s beauty took their breath away, but in that moment, I understood it.
She rounded the car, and I got my first look at her .
She wore a short emerald-green dress, the silky fabric reflecting the dimming sunlight with every step. It showed off her full thighs, and the top was so low cut, all I could think about was the way her breasts looked in that photo last night.
Her gaze was on the ground as she walked up the stone walkway, her high, thin heels making her wobble. I rushed out the door, holding my hand out for her as she approached the bottom step.
Slowly—agonizingly slowly—she lifted her big, brown doe eyes to mine, and the rest of the air in my lungs left me in a defeated whoosh .
Her palm slid against mine as she let me help her up the few steps. She stopped just inches from me, so close I could feel the heat from her body.
My mouth opened, but no sound came out. Not a breath. Not a word.
I looked like a fish, opening and closing it, like I was gasping for air. She took all the thoughts in my head and jumbled them, made me forget how to speak, how to breathe, how to do anything but stare at her.
Then she gestured toward my jeans, and I felt my entire body heat. Could she see my cock hardening beneath the denim? Was she thinking about the picture I sent her last night?
“You’re in jeans,” she said, her voice low and raspy. I’d never heard it like that before—smokey, each syllable a gentle caress against my heated skin.
“I feel incredibly underdressed compared to you.”
Red bloomed on her cheeks, and she dragged her diamond along her necklace. “I didn’t realize casual meant… casual .”
“Archer and Trent are in slacks, if that makes you feel better.” Her brows inched together. “My friends.” I threw my thumb over my shoulder, and her gaze followed it. Something flashed across her features, but I didn’t understand it.
“Oh.” She tugged on the hem of her skirt. “I didn’t know…” She shook herself. “Of course—I mean, of course your friends would be here. It’s a party.” A too-loud laugh left her. “It’s your party, I mean. And parties usually mean friends come.”
“Trinity is inside,” I said. Her shoulders fell slightly, and again, that unreadable expression flitted across her face. “I think she’s recruited Scout to do something. I’m not sure what, but?—”
“I’ll see if they need help.”
She stepped closer, and my breath hitched. “You look—” My voice was strangled, like my throat was moments away from closing completely. “ Nice .”
Her smile tightened. “You too.”
Without another word, she darted around me and made a beeline straight for the kitchen. I stared after her, watched as she disappeared into the room. Archer whistled low, and I blinked. I’d forgotten he was even there.
“Since she doesn’t want anything to do with you, think I have a chance?” He rubbed his palms together as he stared toward the kitchen.
Quicker than I knew I could move, I flew across the threshold into the foyer, my hand gripping his shirt. “Do not look at her,” I snarled. “Don’t go near her. Don’t talk to her. Pretend like she doesn’t fucking exist. I swear to god, Archer, do not fuck with her.”
I didn’t know what I was even doing. I just knew the thought of her laughing at someone else’s joke made my skin crawl. Watching her staring dreamy-eyed at Archer made me want to punch something. Thinking about her leaving with him tonight made me want to kill him.
But I took a deep breath and smoothed my palm over the crumpled fabric. “Sorry,” I said, roughly clearing my throat. Archer’s eyes were wide as he stared at me.
“I was just kidding, man. She’s all yours.”
“She’s not—” I swallowed thickly, the words tasting like ash. “She’s not… mine .”
“No?” Archer scrubbed his hand over his jaw. “Seems like it.”
I shook my head. “She’s Trinity’s best friend, and she’s Scout’s teacher. We’re just—” I nearly choked on the word. “ Friends .”
We were friends. That was all we were. That was what we agreed to.
That was what I’d said.
It stayed on the app and never bled into our real lives.
But I said that, agreed to it, before I had to see her in person again.
Before I had to look her in the eye and think of all the depraved things I’d fantasized about doing to her the night before.
We had to pretend like I hadn’t blown my fucking load all over my stomach while I stared at a picture of her body and read her dirty words.
Even if she was flustered, she seemed to be less affected by it all than I was.
I took a deep breath. “We’re friends,” I said again. “That’s all.”
My fingers flexed at my side. Archer clapped my shoulder, his lips twisting into a grin.
“Whatever you say, man.” He glanced out the open door and subtly lifted his finger. “Game face. Sean’s here.”