19. Erin
Chapter nineteen
Erin
We waited outside on the curb. The line to get in the restaurant was out the door. Libby dressed in a pair of light-washed jeans and a cream long-sleeve blouse. Derik was in a pair of ripped skinny jeans that were bedazzled on his ass pockets and a hoodie plastered with the town’s university logo on the front. Even Seth, who was a damn furnace, had a Henley on, and his jeans, which unfortunately for my one-sided ogling, cupped his ass as perfectly as they did his thighs.
I stood in line behind Seth and Derik, Libby in front of them. The three of them chatted, towering over me. I tried to keep up but kept stealing glimpses of Seth’s rear end. I finally gave up and sighed.
There’s no point . It’s hopeless.
I can’t focus long enough to catch the tail end of their conversation.
I wrapped my arms around myself, shivering. I was freezing my ass off and it was taking damn near forever to get inside. I bounced on the balls of my feet to warm myself up and get blood flowing.
These shorts really were a horrible idea.
This is what I get for leaning into my day-dreaming escapade.
Someone moved in close behind me and I shoved my elbow straight back before spinning around. My nostrils flared, and I threw my now clenched fists in front of me, blocking whatever was coming at me.
“Now, Miss Snow, is that how you greet friends?” It was Josh. He rubbed his ribcage where my elbow had knocked into him. “My apologies, though. I hadn’t meant to sneak up on you. Seth had messaged me and invited me out to dinner with you all after I’d left.”
I dropped my hands to my hips, digging in my fingers. I glared up at him. “Most people would say something instead of just moving in behind a woman, you pretentious jerk.”
“You’re correct, Miss Snow. Again, my apologies,” he shrugged off his jacket, handing it to me and I shoved it back. “However, I’d noticed you were shivering and thought some additional body heat might’ve been helpful.” He looked me up and down, judgment flitting through his blue eyes. I mirrored his grazing look. “Or maybe I was wrong in that assumption, as it seems you thought it an excellent idea to wander outside in shorts in this weather.”
I was reeling. Seth and Derik finally realized someone else had shown up and turned around, Seth moving to stand a bit closer to me. I stepped further away, only to do so right into Josh.
I glared up at him. “At least I showed up dressed like a normal person, not some secret psych-millionaire crime boss. Who wears a suit to The Taco House?”
“This suit, if you must know Miss Snow, is what I wear for my day job. I drove here once I completed my work and a few meetings at the office.”
“Uh huh.”
Seth chimed in, “Nice to see you were able to make it out, Josh.”
“My pleasure, Seth. I regret having to leave once Miss Snow awoke this morning. I had a few urgent matters to deal with at the office.”
Seth nodded. “Can’t help it, I figure. But Libby was there anyway, so no worries.”
I stole a glance at Libby, having appeared on the other side of Seth. She smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes.
I wonder what that’s about.
I faced forward, my back to Josh and his judgey-ness. The line moved forward until we were finally inside. I was still shivering. A heavy fabric slid onto my shoulders. I peaked over my shoulder to see that Snooty Ass had taken off his suit jacket, draping it across my shoulders. It was warm, really warm, actually. I mumbled a thanks and he nodded in response.
Doesn’t mean you’re off the hook for creeping up on me, jerk.
I rotated a bit to send Josh a quick sideways glance. He was looking at his phone. But he looked…hot. The sleeves of his white button-up shirt were rolled halfway up his arms, exposing his toned forearms, one hand tucked into the pocket of his black suit pants. The top three buttons on his button-up were undone, exposing wisps of chestnut chest hair, a shade lighter than his slicked-back, dark chestnut hair on his head. His jawline flexed in concentration while he typed away on his screen. His shirt was sculpted onto him, accentuating his shoulders, stretching at the seams around his biceps.
Any thoughts of Seth from earlier completely disappeared as I was sucked into thoughts of Josh and what exactly he might be able to do with that muscle hidden under his clothes. I licked my lips.
Well, that was a quick recovery there, Snow. Want to take it down a notch? You’re practically panting after the guy.
I shook my head.
I’ve got to slow down on the books. Dunk myself in an ice bath. Something.
I’m out of control.
I hardly even know the guy.
“Hey guys, table’s ready,” Seth said to Josh and me, his thumb pointed over his shoulder to where Libby and Derik followed a young waitress, her fiery-blue ponytail bobbing behind her.
“Coming, coming,” I hitched as I trailed behind Seth, gnawing on my bottom lip. Josh followed behind us. The waitress led us to a booth in the back of the restaurant and handed each of us a drink menu before sprinting off to her next table. Derik and Libby slid into one side of the booth and Seth slid into the other. I sighed and moved to sit next to Seth, Josh scooting in right behind me.
Too close. They’re both too close.
My cheeks flushed and I forced down my rampant imagination.
I need space.
How the hell am I going to make it through this meal being sandwiched between these guys?
Fuck me, dude.
Not literally though, please.
OH MY GOD. Calm the fuck down, Erin. What is happening?
I’m losing my freaking mind.
“I think I’m going to get one of their bottomless margaritas. Anyone want to split it with me?” Libby asked, her bubbliness in full swing. I took her in, pulling back the jealousy goggles once again. I really didn’t know Libby that well. At all actually, outside of her power and what little snippets of information I’d heard from Seth and Derik.
Oh what the hell.
“I’ll split it with you, Libby. I used to get them here all the time when I first moved out here,” I cracked a smile. “Although I had to sneak them back then.”
She whooped, “Yay!” She lit up, flagging down another waitress. “How did you end up moving out here, anyway? Seth never told us.”
That was surprising, as they all seemed to know about my dad and him having been an Angel, when I had zero inclination on that bit of information until recently. “I figured you guys knew,” I shot Seth a glare, further pushing down thoughts from the ride over. “You didn’t seem surprised about my dad being an Angel.” My voice surprisingly even.
“I mean one of our parents has to be for us to be Nephilim, so process of elimination, Short Stuff,” Derik said, sliding his arm around the back of the booth, fingers lightly resting on Libby’s shoulder.
Wait…does Derik…?
“Fair enough.” I wiggled my ass in the booth and scooted backwards so I was flush against the apricot-quilted booth-back. I angled myself so I was leaning a bit, loosely crossing my arms over my chest. I crossed my ankles as well, channeling the essence of being entirely nonchalant. I might’ve been mentally praying that they all bought the level of ease I was fully orchestrating.
The Angels, God or whoever, must’ve been listening because our waitress brought out the margarita for Libby and me. The damn thing was the size of a fishbowl with a few of those mini shot bottles scattered throughout. I hoped the guys would join in because I wasn’t sure about Libby, but my ass was a total lightweight when it came to drinking. I didn’t do much of it and never had. I’ve always preferred being alert and keeping my eyes on what was around me. But Seth was there. Derik, given recent events, I had a feeling that although he got under my skin, I would be safe around him. Josh, I still wasn’t sure due to the whole emotional whiplash and seemingly patriarch response to my choice of clothing and personality.
Libby swung one of the straws my way before wrapping her lips around hers and sucking down gulps of the sugary alcohol. I leaned forward, drawing my straw to my lips as well, taking a deep pull. The alcohol burned on the way down.
“Holy shit they made this strong.” A bright toothy smile split Libby’s face. I couldn’t help but smile too. A little relaxation was needed. Even if I’d only been awake less than a full day after being out of commission. We giggled at each other before each slurping down more of the party-sized drink.
A buzz kissed its way through my body, my cheeks heated and my lips freely curving upward. I twisted in the booth, grinning up at Seth. “I actually moved out here and applied to the university because of this guy.”
To hell with it, he might only see me as Project-Protection, but I’m going to enjoy myself tonight.
I gave him an overly dramatic wink and I turned back to the rest of the table. “We’d written to each other after he moved away. A couple times a week for the entirety of my four years of high school. Once I was nearing the end of my senior year, and decided to give the college thing a try, I applied to a bunch of different colleges,” I brushed a strand of hair over my ear. “None of them really fit what I was looking for. Then Seth wrote to me, suggesting I should come out here. So, I packed a bag, drove out here to visit the campus and do a few tours then decided this was where I wanted to be. And the rest is pretty much history.”
Libby’s eyes were huge and all doe-eyed. “Wait, how long have you guys known each other?”
I shrugged. “Since we were in diapers pretty much. Our parents knew each other,” I twisted my head in Seth’s direction. “Actually, you said your mom was an Angel. Is that how they actually met?”
Seth nodded. “Yeah. They were partners, I found out later.” I wave of nausea hit me.
Oh no.
“When you say partners…” I felt like I was going to puke.
Seth apparently thought it was hilarious. “Oh, God no, Erin. Gross. I mean like on the front lines and in this whole external fight for the innocent thing. Most Angels work in pairs, as do we. They were a compliment to each others’ powers and fought together so long, they were like siblings from what I was told.”
Relief washed over me. “Oh okay, that’s pretty cool. Way less gross.”
Libby snorted. “No kidding.”
I took another swig, the buzz ramped up. I looked around the restaurant, seeing if I could find our waitress because I needed food in me or I was going to be more of a mess than usual by the time we left. In my determination to find our waitress and flag her down, I managed to subconsciously pull one of my knees onto the booth seat. I propped myself up, leaning forward once I spotted her. I waved one of my hands in the air to get her attention. I lost my balance and fell forward. Directly into Josh’s lap, knocking his beer out of the way in the process. My stomach landed right on top of his crotch. The rest of me halfway out of the booth, and my ass essentially on full view for Seth. Shorts—specifically the ones I stupidly decided on—were most definitely a horrible idea.
I scrambled, trying to fumble my way into a sitting position and off of Josh’s crotch. He reached his hand out under my arm to help me back up, pulling me toward his chest while doing so. I used my other arm to push myself up. My hand gripped Josh’s thigh in the process, making sure I didn’t lose my balance. Josh grunted and I looked down to realize that it wasn’t his thigh that I had my hand firmly grasping.
Oh no.
Fuck.
Fucking fuck.
I shot upward apologizing profusely, offering to cover his beer and the replacement. I grabbed a handful of napkins off the table, dabbing profusely at the wet spot now covering his pant leg. Libby and Derik were in hysterics, laughing their asses off. I could feel the heat that radiated off of Seth from where he sat half behind-half next to me since I was now sitting with my legs tucked under me.
Josh coughed out, “Ahem, Miss Snow, although I understand that was an accident and greatly appreciate your attempt to dry me off,” Josh shifted in his seat, bringing his voice down to a husky whisper. “You’re not exactly improving the matter.” He gently grabbed the napkins from me, and I glanced down.
The blush that stampeded its way over every inch of my skin deepened. In my panic trying to dry the guy off, I ended up rubbing him down and he was sporting one hell of a tent. I looked back up to see that Josh’s eyes held a glimmer of amusement in them.
Someone. Something. Shoot me. Now. Please.
Our waitress showed up at that moment, saving me from saying anything that would dig me further into the pit of embarrassment I’d landed myself in. “Are you all ready to order?” she asked, a fake smile and pitched.
I’m never going to live this one down.
We placed our orders, each of us getting a plate of tacos. I ordered a large thing of nachos, offering to split it with Josh as an apology. I could feel my ears burning and glanced at Seth out of the corner of my eye.
He seethed. Clenching and unclenching his fist on top of the table. He slid his other arm along the back of the booth after I sat back and tried to ignore the fiasco that I just caused.
Why are you the one seething?
You didn’t just embarrass the hell out of yourself by unintentionally groping someone.
I took the straw for the margarita and slurped a good bit of it down. I was going to need it if I was going to make it through the rest of the evening.
“So, uh Libby, what about you?” I asked, needing to change the subject and shift any attention off of me.
“Bad breakup with a girlfriend. I wanted to move as far away from her as possible and ended up here,” she waved her hand in the air, brushing it off. “And then a few months later I ran into these buffoons when my abilities started coming in and I’ve been stuck around them ever since.” After I chugged the rest of our margarita, she called another waitress over, ordering a Sex on the Beach, dubbing it her go-to.
I laughed at that. “You’ve put up with Derik the whole time you’ve known Seth? That’s rough.”
Derik shot me a wicked grin. “Only ‘cause Blondie here wants my body.”
Libby damn near choked on her drink. Reddish orange shot out of her nose; a shade darker than the pink that flooded her cheeks. Derik and Seth were laughing their asses off.
Libby smacked Derik’s chest, a loud thwack . “You, jerk!” She laughed. “I put up with you because underneath that jerk-exterior, you’re a big softie,” she ran her emerald eyes down his torso before looking Derik directly in the eye. An evil grin playing on her lips. “But maybe I was wrong.”
“Okay, first of all, there is nothing soft about me, Blondie,” Derik winked at Libby. “Secondly, I am an absolute delight to be around.” He jutted his chin upward, crossing his arms and added a “hmph” for emphasis.
They’d make a cute couple.
I glanced at Seth out of the corner of my eye, his laughing fit reduced to a toothy grin as he looked back and forth between Libby and Derik as they continued to bicker.
The low light from The Taco House illuminated the deep blues of his eyes. The depths of the ocean danced within them, twinkling. His shaggy, midnight hair swooped across his forehead, bangs dangled at his brow. He was beautiful. My heart shuddered in my chest.
I sighed.
No chance in hell.
The condom of your livelihood, remember?
Captain Protector.
The Protectormator.
A breath of air tickled my neck. “They always bicker like this by the way,” Josh muttered, his voice low.
I dragged my hungry gaze from Seth. “Oh really? How long does it usually last?”
Amusement laced his response. “Typically all night. But we’ll see.”
The corners of my mouth lifted. “They’re like an old married couple.” I felt Josh chuckle next to me.
“I would be inclined to agree”—he took a swig of his beer—“if they were genuinely interested in one another.”
I mulled that over, hoping I wasn’t reading too much into it as my mind immediately switched to how close Libby and Seth were with each other. He’d be crazy not to want her and vice versa.
Our waitress brought out our food. I pushed my apology nachos in between Josh and me, not taking no for an answer. Before she sprinted to her next table, I stopped our waitress to order another drink, asking her to surprise me as long as it was strong and sugary.
I snatched a nacho off the plate in front of me, dipping it in the bowl of melted queso before shoving it into my mouth. My eyelids slid shut, moaning as the salt and spice hit my tongue. One of the guys choked on their tacos.
“Oh my God, these are the best freaking things in town,” I muffled, dancing in my seat.
Seth reached for the nachos, his arm brushing against my boob in the process, jolting me.
Excuse me, Sir.
I smacked his hand away. “Mine,” I hissed, pushing the plate of deliciousness closer to Josh. “I didn’t accidentally grope you , so get your own, Muscles. These are for me and Josh.” I stuck my tongue out. Heat flashed in Seth eyes darting between the two of us, my side nearly squished into Josh’s with how small our booth was.
Seth reached for the nachos again, snatching one before I could smack his arm again. He bit into it, eyes trained on me, darkening. My heart rate quickened as he slowly ran his tongue over his lips, the corners of his mouth twitched.
My mouth hung open.
“You’re going to catch flies, Miss Snow. Might want to close your mouth. Or eat your nachos.” Josh’s husky tone sounded in my ear.
I clamped my mouth shut and went back to my food. I was fighting not to picture what exactly Seth could potentially do with his tongue.
If he was actually interested, Dumbass.
I huffed.
During our little standoff, one of the waitresses had dropped off my drink. It was baby-doll pink with some sour worm shaped gummies sticking out the top. And glitter. Lots of freaking glitter. I grabbed it and sucked it down. It was freaking heaven. Pure sugar, I couldn’t even taste the alcohol.
“I take it your sugar-drink was up to par, Miss Snow?” Josh asked, amusement laced his tone.
I shook my head. “Mhm,” I bit into one of the sour candies. “Really sweet. I kinda want another one.” I giggled, as warmth spread through me.
I offered Josh a gummy worm as I took another bite of mine. “Going back to earlier, what’s your story, Mr. Tall, Dark, and Mysterious?”
Ballsy, aren’t we?
He let out a throaty chuckle. “Tall, Dark, and Mysterious? Aren’t you original, Miss Snow?” He sipped from his beer again, really milking the thing. “I’ve been around for quite a long time, dear. Three centuries to be exact. Seen a few wars. Traveled our world to every known edge. Have bed numerous lovers. It’s a long time but nothing more than what you’d expect, Miss Snow. I assure you my story isn’t nearly as interesting as you think.”
I pouted. “There goes that fantasy then. Bummer,” my words began to slur. “So then, Josh-ua, how’d ya end up in this little ol’ college town?”
He shrugged. “I was on a mission out here. And the scenery drew me in.” Short and simple.
For someone so full of themselves, he sure is short in talking about himself.
Lame.
“No girl involved? No tragic backstory?”
His eyes flickered. “No, Miss Snow. I’m sorry to disappoint you.”
I cocked my head to the side, really taking him in. Deep chestnut-brown hair, perfectly slicked back. Even the stray stand when he first arrived at The Taco House had been swept back into place. His jawline sharp, stubble now gone. His eyes the color of a clear summer sky, speckled with shades of a light, almost amber shade throughout. He was handsome, beautiful, even.
A grin crept across his lips.
Shit, did I say that out loud?
“I can stay here with Miss Snow to ensure she finishes her meal, if you’d like. I’m sure training could wait until tomorrow.” Josh flicked his gaze behind me.
I must’ve zoned out again.
I swept my eyes over our table; everyone had finished their food but me.
“Are you sure? She can be a handful when she drinks.”
I whipped around, shooting daggers at Seth. In the process, I knocked over an empty beer bottle. “I am not! I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself, thank you.”
Jackass.
Seth’s eyebrows shot up, flicking his line-of-sight to the toppled over beer bottle. “Uh huh. I guess it knocked itself over then?”
He’s enjoying this.
“I’m not a child, you jerk. You guys go, I’ll finish my food then head out. I’ll hail a cab or something.” I shot back.
“Nope, not happening.”
I whimpered. “Seeettthhh. Come on.”
“Short Stuff, he’s got a point. It’d be safer if one of us stayed with you.” I glared at Derik, wishing at that moment I could catch his blonde mop on fire.
“Traitor.”
Josh cooed, “Miss Snow, if you believe it to be that miserable sitting here with me alone, then I shall make it as if I’m not even here, if you’d like. But I’ll be escorting you home.”
Home.
The simple mention of it left an ache in my chest. Reminding myself.
“Fine. But you keep your mouth shut and let me eat in peace and quiet. And don’t even pull some Seth shit and try to cover my meal. It’s on me. Including those nachos.” I growled.
Josh nodded before we both scooted out of the booth to let Seth out. I slid back into my seat and Josh gracefully slid into Derik and Libby’s spot. They all said their goodbyes, Seth lingering for a brief moment. His eyes shifted between Josh and me. His brows pushed together before letting out a sigh and letting me know he’d see me at his place.
Weird.
I started eating once they left. Taking my time, mulling over the night and my wavering buzz. “You can leave now that Seths gone. I’ll hitch a ride home.”
“What happened to wanting me to keep my mouth shut?”
“You can still do that while you leave. Like I said, I'm fine,” I shoved another street taco in my mouth, mumbling as I chewed. “He just wants to play protector. He’s done it since we were kids. I was always the clumsy, reckless, frail friend, who he decided he had to take care of and protect,” I threw a crumb from the tortilla on my plate, slumping into the back of the booth. “I know Seth means well, but I’m not helpless. I don’t want to be a project. I can take care of myself.”
I’ve done it long enough.
“Miss Snow, as I’m sure you very well could handle yourself, you are still new to this world. You aren’t even a fully fledged Nephilim. Your powers are just beginning to expose themselves. And you have zero battle training. Although Mr. Draven and I don’t always see eye to eye with one another, you have been through a great deal over the last week and it would be best that someone stays nearby for the time being. It goes beyond ‘playing protector.’ It’s our job. By all means, be absolutely irate with Seth, but please for the sanity of the group, please don’t make it more difficult than it must be.”
I just stared at Josh.
Way to guilt trip me.
I’ll play along but I’m not some lost kitten that needs to be coddled or nursed back to health.
“Whatever. You guys are like helicopter parents. Maybe worse.” My buzz was totally gone, this conversation drained the last of it.
“Explain, Miss Snow. What exactly is a helicopter parent?”
“Seriously? It’s someone who’s overbearing. To an obnoxious level.”
“Ah, I see. If it helps, I don’t find any more joy in being your babysitter than you do,” he leaned forward, clasping his hands together in front of his face. A darkness flooded his pupils. “Although, I will say, you are rather entertaining. I don’t typically get groped in group settings.”
I fumed. “Prick.”