Chapter 24
Auggie
Isuccessfully manage to avoid my dad’s calls all week. I figure the longer I put off talking to him about it, the longer my options remain open.
That said, Leon’s happy with everything I’ve done so far. He took a slight downturn over the weekend which meant he had Monday and Tuesday off work too, and the fact he didn’t fight me on staying curled up in my bed did these little fluttering things to my chest—that I’m totally still ignoring.
I am a mature professional who does not get lines like these mixed up.
Still, when he’s spooning me in his sleep at night, heavy breaths hitting the back of my neck and warm arm gripping tight around my waist, I maybe blur the lines a little.
A harmless amount. The kind of blurring where you look at two friends and can imagine them dating but know they really aren’t because they’re not idiots.
That’s us. Not idiots. Just friends. Who maybe make each other come.
Occasionally.
Not, like, on the regular or anything.
Leon goes back home on Wednesday, and it’s fun to witness his surprise at how much I’ve gotten done there.
The whole top half of the house is ready to be painted, and all the bathrooms need is a final fit-out.
It’s lucky I made friends with Piper because she bullied Rowan and Circus into stopping by and giving me a hand with a few things, and once Tanner heard Leon was sick, he showed up too and spent most of his time off work there until Royce came and dragged him home.
It’s been nice to be able to spend that time with Leon’s friends because firstly, I like them. And secondly, we have that damn Fourth of July party to go to.
I hate, hate, hate parties.
Don’t get me wrong, I love being invited, and being around people, and the opportunity to spend more time with Leon is always going to be a hells yes from me, but it’s the not knowing side that gets to me.
There will be a few people there, and I have no idea how to be social and not cling to Leon all night.
I don’t want that. I want to prove I can fit in with his friends and be independent and only need him like a little bit.
I spend longer than usual getting ready. Leon’s seen my club side, and seen me disgusting and sweaty at work, and naked, and wet, but tonight, I want to look like the kind of guy he can see himself with.
Umm, hanging out with. Casually. Because the last thing I want is to embarrass him in front of his friends.
I want him to want to be seen with me.
So I play it safe, while still choosing clothes that show off my best assets. I make sure to use extra of the shampoo I’ve caught Leon sniffing, set my curls the way I like, and put on a face mask.
I don’t know why I’m so stressed. This isn’t a date. It’s not. Even if my gut is all giddy and I’ve changed my shirt three times.
We’re not even driving there together, which makes me more anxious than I’ll let on. What if he’s not there when I show up and I’m just awkwardly bobbing in the corner trying to blend into the drywall?
No, I’m not doing this. I refuse to doubt myself.
Meeting my eyes in the mirror, I give myself my most super-serious stare I can manage. “You will not fuck up tonight.”
I’ve done so well for over a week now. Leon’s been happy with the progress, and he’s given me some pointers on things I missed, but otherwise, I’ve been feeling … like I know what I’m doing. Which is weird. And amazing.
I actually like feeling good about myself.
So tonight I am going to show up by myself and charm his friends and be social and fun and cool, and at the end of the night, we are going to leave together.
Because as flirty as Leon has been since feeling better, we still haven’t had sex again, and I’m getting desperate.
If he wants to edge me for weeks on end, he’s doing a good job of it.
Circus warned me it’s going to be a big night, so I order an Uber and plug in the address I was given. I’m still not completely confident the place exists, given I couldn’t find anything on maps, but luring me out into the middle of nowhere is unnecessarily cruel for someone who barely knows me.
My knees bounce the whole ride out there, and when we turn down a tree-lined drive with large “No Trespassing” signs, my anxiousness kicks up a notch. The sun is already on its way to dipping below the mountains, and it’s darker under the tree coverage.
I’m trying so hard to focus on not being totally uncomfortable that I’m completely unprepared for the absolute mansion that appears through the trees.
“Holy … wow.”
I thank the driver and climb out, then try not to be completely intimidated as I walk down the long oak-and-metal-framed entrance. This place … it’s, well, the architecture is incredible, and whoever built it … amazing. I’m in awe.
There are a few cars sitting outside, and I recognize one of them as Leon’s truck. It seems odd Circus wouldn’t have given him the same warning about drinking that he gave me, and now I’m stressing that I misinterpreted what he meant by “big night.”
I force down a steadying breath and knock.
“Auggie!” Circus opens the door and throws his arms wide. “Come in! Grab a drink. Make yourself at home. Leon should be out there somewhere.” He winks at me, and I pretend to ignore it.
I’m glad I arrived a little later than he said, because it looks like most people are here already.
I’m assuming. Because I swear half of Sunbury has shown up.
Which, okay, is a slight exaggeration. There’s their usual group and about ten or so others, which is still more people than I was expecting.
The living area has huge glass panels looking out at the rocky overhang of Crown Trails, and everyone is either clustered in groups around the long dining table or outside on the lawn.
I spot Leon talking to someone I haven’t seen before, someone entirely too engrossed by their conversation.
I watch his head fall back as he laughs, eyes squinted up, and the guy beside him couldn’t look more pleased with himself.
My eyes narrow.
Okay.
Normal.
And totally fine.
There’s no reason whatsoever that Leon would be waiting around for me to get here. Which is a good thing. Because it gives me the chance to strike up a conversation with new people and show him how completely self-sufficient I am.
I make my way around the party, and between Royce, Tanner, Piper, and Dahlia, I manage to fill the time while I slowly sip my drink and pretend like I belong.
Over the evening, Leon spends time with his friends and gives me a lot of his attention, but every time I see him talking to that man again, it makes me more and more uncomfortable.
The guy nudges Leon, and their body language sets my suspicions on fire. Slightly leaned in together, arms almost brushing. The gross feeling in my gut ignites.
The man looks a little older than us, and he’s built, and I guess he could be considered handsome if I didn’t want to poke his eyes out. Because his eyes are way too close together. Obviously. Only reason.
He probably would have been my type too, if I wasn’t completely focused on Leon. Which is concerning, because Leon and I have the same type apparently.
Which isn’t me.
“You okay, Auggie?” Piper asks.
“Who’s Leon talking to?” I don’t even try to play it cool.
Piper tilts her head in his direction. “I think he’s the guy Rowan hired. I’m not sure. I haven’t seen him around before.”
So he’s not an old friend, then, because if I’ve learned anything about Sunbury, it’s that everyone knows everyone, and if Piper doesn’t know him, he’s new.
Shiny and new.
With his too-close eyes. And his chin dimple that’s covered in just the right amount of scruff.
He’s like a prettier version of Leon. Where Leon is all rough around the edges, this guy is polished to perfection, right down to his tan.
He looks like a gym guy.
“Want my advice?” Piper asks.
“Advice? What advice? What on earth would I need advice for?”
“Well, the growling for one thing. The murderous stare for another.”
“I’m not staring.”
“But you don’t deny you’re growling?”
Hmm … kinda hard to deny when I’m being this loud. “What’s your advice?”
“Don’t crush on the boss. Especially Leon.”
“Why especially Leon?”
“Because he hasn’t had a relationship as long as I’ve known him. He’s all about the one-night stand and has a lot of them. You’re really sweet, and the only way I can see things ending with Leon is badly.”
Honestly, same. But I’m so goddamn attracted to him that if he wants more, there’s no way I could say no. If he wants more with gym guy … that growly feeling returns in force.
Nope.
Not happening.
This has gone on too long.
Leon said he wants my D, and there’s no way I’m playing sloppy seconds to some pretty guy.
I gather all the courage I have—and all the courage I don’t have—grab a bottle of the beer Leon is drinking, then make my approach.
They don’t notice until I’m right beside them, inserting myself into their conversation.
“Well, this looks like an interesting conversation,” I say.
Leon glances at me, and gym guy looks me over from head to toe.
“Yeah …” He gives Leon a slimy smile that makes me wrinkle my nose. “I’m new in town, and Leon’s being very welcoming.”
Very welcoming, uh-huh. I’m sure he is. “Well, if there’s one thing I’ve learned since moving to Sunbury, it’s that it’s a welcoming town. Everyone here is super nice and kind and would be more than happy to show you around. I’m Auggie.”
Gym guy looks amused but shakes my hand anyway. “Bart.”
“Like the Simpsons?”
He laughs like I’ve said something funny, but as if he hasn’t heard that same thing a thousand times already.
Bart looks around me at Leon. “You know this kid?”
“Not a kid.”
The words fall from us in unison, and while maybe the first time it happened had been a fluke, this time definitely isn’t. Leon studies me like he knows exactly what I’m thinking.