Chapter 26
“Damn, there are a lot of people here!” Chase yells over the music blaring from the radio. And he’s not exaggerating; cars line the street on both sides, with many parked in the front yard and driveway.
After almost an hour of riding, my buzz has mostly faded, and seeing all these cars sends my anxiety into overdrive.
More people means a higher chance of running into someone I’d rather avoid.
Taylor mentioned to Danielle that there would be alcoholic beverages at the party, and I plan to take full advantage of that.
We pull into a parking spot across the driveway, three cars back from Taylor’s house. The boys, ever the gentlemen, quickly hop out of the truck, swing open our doors, and extend their hands to help us step out. Chivalry is very much alive.
As we stroll across the street, the enticing aroma of grilled food envelops us. The familiar music from the backyard creates a lively atmosphere, while the sound of laughter and animated conversations weaves through the air, elevating the vibrant energy of the scene.
Danielle and I share arms, smiling as we ascend the steps to the front door. “Deep breaths, Olive,” I murmur under my breath.
Glancing over my shoulder, I spot the boys trailing right behind us.
Theo gives me a devilish wink, quickly waking the butterflies in my stomach.
I blow him an innocent kiss and pull my focus back on the front door decorations: the entrance features black and gold balloons dancing lightly in the breeze.
A small letter sign hangs over the top of the door frame: Happy 21st birthday, Taylor!
Stepping up to the mat, I reach to knock, but Danielle steps forward and opens the door before I can, giving me a lopsided grin as she enters. This bitch.
The music and chattering are much louder than before.
Every room resonates with laughter and beer bottles clanging together.
A table sits to the right. Long black and gold tassels hang from the wall above it.
Each side of the table holds gold vases with black and white feathers sprouting from the top.
Long beads of pearls scattered around the surface.
A fancy menu sits in the middle of the table, featuring five different cocktails and their ingredients.
Surrounding the menu are rows of clear cocktail glasses filled with enticing beverages.
I start with the Bee’s Knees, a delightful mix of honey, lemon, and gin.
I take a generous sip; the sweet notes of lemon caress my taste buds while the gin provides a pleasant warmth at the back of my throat.
Woo, I pucker my lips at the amount of alcohol I taste. If every drink is as potent as this, I might want to limit myself to just two glasses.
Danielle selects the Aviation cocktail, a stunning dark purple hue that catches the eye.
I’m definitely going to try that next. As I turn to ask the guys what they’ll be drinking, I see them pulling beers from a large cooler by the front door.
Looking around, I realize every guy has a beer in hand—except for one.
He’s sitting on the couch with a girl nestled on his lap. I observe him, taking quick sips of his hidden cocktail, cleverly concealing it behind her, clearly trying to hide his beverage. What a douchebag.
“Hey, girls!! “ a familiar voice shouts from behind me. I turn to see Taylor approaching us; Ryan is over to the side, talking with Chase and Theo.
I forgot they went to school together, just as Danielle and I did with Taylor. She is wearing a gorgeous plum-colored thigh-length dress. Her short silver-blonde hair hangs right below her chin. She’s wearing a headband wrapped in pearls with gold feathers on one side.
Danielle and I wish her a happy birthday and thank her for inviting us to her birthday festivities.
I watch as Taylor looks back and forth between us and the boys.
She tries stifling a grin by placing her gloved hand near her mouth.
“I see you ladies lucked up and got a packaged deal,” she murmurs playfully, cutting her eyes to Chase and Theo.
The three of us turn our attention to the boys.
She continues. “I’ve only been around them a few times since Ryan and I started dating, but he has rambled on about their loyalty.” She looks at me specifically.
My cheeks flush immediately. I know she is referring to Noah. Everyone who knows me from school has whispered around about the time my close friend screwed my boyfriend and then got her ass whooped in a parking lot. I refrain from responding, giving her a quick nod before guzzling some of my drink.
Relief washes over me, knowing that I won’t run into them here. I don’t know if Taylor still talks to Chloe, but I never expected her not to after what happened. It was just known for us to never be in the same place at the same time.
My icky thoughts evaporate when I feel strong arms wrap around my waist from behind. The delicious smell of oak cocoons around me. A delightful scent that will stick with me forever. Theo presses his hard body into my backside, pulling me flush to him. I feel his stubble tickle my earlobe.
“I couldn’t resist being away from you any longer.” His words melt into my hot skin. I lay my head back onto his chest. “I look around at these other girls, and all I see is you, and somehow you’re all mine,” he mutters into my ear.
My eyes slam shut from the intensity of his rich, deep voice.
“Good gosh, love birds, save it for later!” Danielle’s voice fills my ears.
My eyes fly open; Taylor and Ryan are headed for the backdoor while Danielle and Chase stare at Theo and me.
Danielle rolls her eyes. “Let’s check out the backyard festivities!” She then turns on her heel, smacking Chase on the ass in mid-walk. I muffle a laugh as Theo clasps our hands together to walk outside.
Taylor and Ryan went all out for the backyard.
The patio has multiple tables where people are playing poker.
Some men take it as far as puffing on cigars while shuffling cards.
Starting at the backdoor, there is a red carpet running out to the middle of the yard.
There are posts set up in a square shape with lights stringing from them.
In the center, groups of people dance and sip on their beverages.
Behind the small dance area, I see the fire pit where I first spotted the man standing next to me.
I glance over at him, still captivated by his presence.
Life has a funny way of bringing people into our lives.
If I had never attended that party here on my birthday, I would have never met Theo.
The thought makes my stomach churn. Yet, something tells me we would have found each other somehow, regardless.
“Let’s dance, bitch!” Danielle chants, grabbing my wrist and leading me toward where others are dancing. I look back at Theo, who is showcasing his best-crooked smile.
Chase shakes his head playfully, leaning in to say something to Theo.
I give them both a shrug before bringing my attention back to Danielle. We really got the package deal with those two.
Whoever controls the music must have read our minds because throwbacks are now playing on the speakers. Danielle and I shriek in excitement. We both chug the rest of our drinks, tossing the empty cups into a nearby garbage can.
My body relaxes now that I’ve had a strong cocktail, and I can feel myself moving to the music.
Every beat pulses through me like a warm liquid, and each song evokes a memory from our early high school days.
We remember every dance to each song, literally dancing our asses off and laughing so hard that my stomach hurts.
Danielle twirls me around several times, and when I regain my balance, I look towards the fire pit, catching a glimpse of something out of the corner of my eye. I sway back and forth to the music, keeping my eyes fixed on the fire and the people gathered around it.
A light breeze stirs my hair, giving me a feeling of déjà vu. I watch as the smoke from the fire wafts away, and there he stands—tall and beautiful.
I stop moving, never taking my eyes off him. His brows furrow as he gazes at me intensely. He strides toward me, his hands comfortably resting in the pockets of his slacks. Memories flood my mind from the first time we met; I remember feeling frozen as he approached, stealing the air from my lungs.
He still has that intoxicating effect on me, but this time, I surrender completely to it. Instead of the internal struggle I often face, I allow my longing soul to take control.
As his body slams into mine with a graceful force, I am acutely aware of the electric connection between us, as if our very souls are woven together in an intricate dance.
His hands explore the delicate curve where my arched back meets my hips, his fingers tracing along my skin and igniting sparks of desire.
With each movement, he pulls me closer, our bodies swaying rhythmically to the pulsating music around us, lost in the intoxicating moment that feels both exhilarating and utterly consuming.
I finally look around and realize that Danielle and Chase are gone. “Where did they go?” I ask.
Theo presses his lips together before answering, “Chase said they needed to get something from the truck. They scurried off pretty quickly.”
I shake my head, both of us aware of what they’re really up to. A part of me wishes it was Theo and me sneaking off instead. He looks at me with a smirk, almost like he can read my thoughts.
He then spins me around, grabbing my hips and pulling my backside into him.
The memory of us under the pier flashes through my mind.
I remember I had finally lost control at that moment.
And damn, it felt so good. I focus back on Theo’s grasp on my hips, placing my hands over his.
I slowly roll my hips to the beat of the music.