THEO
“No offense, but are you planning on going home anytime soon?” Seb asks from the other sofa where he and Stella are twisted together like a pretzel.
I blow out a breath and stare up at the ceiling to my flat.
Stella whispers something in Seb’s ear and his eyes widen, a smile appearing on his face.
“You’re so fucking right,” he tells her, but his eyes hold mine, assuring I see his amusement from whatever she just said. “Sad fuck, it’s only been a few hours.”
“Time probably feels like it’s standing still,” Stella says, loud enough that I can hear her this time.
“Ah, I remember it well. When you were in America—”
“He was a cunt.” I finish for him. “I know what you two are implying, and you’re talking shit.”
“Are we?” Stella asks, sitting up a little higher. “It’s been a day and you’re all fidgety and shit.”
“It’s got nothing to do with her.”
A smile twitches at Stella’s lips.
“Her?” she asks, faking confusion. “I was talking about you not working, but if this is about Em—”
“Don’t,” I snap. “Don’t say her fucking—”
“Bro,” Seb barks, pushing Stella out of the way for a beat before placing her so she’s straddling his lap. “You are so fucked. You might as well just admit it. We see it all. And, we’ll even keep your dirty secret from the others.”
“No idea what you’re talking about.”
Stella laughs before it cuts off with a loud gasp from whatever Seb is doing to her that I can’t see. I knew I was on borrowed time with the two of them. The quiet cuddling was too good to be true.
“It’s okay to miss her,” she moans, her head falling back.
“Miss her?” I scoff. “I’m enjoying the peace.”
“Liar,” Seb mumbles before peeling Stella’s hoodie up, exposing her bra.
“Fucking hell, man. If you wanted me to leave, you could have just said.”
“You don’t have to leave. Watch if you want.”
“Oh shit,” Stella cries, “You should probably leave.”
“Christ,” I mutter, pushing from the sofa and taking my empty bottles to the kitchen as Stella grinds down on Seb’s lap.
“I’ll see you guys tomorrow.”
“Yup. Your parents’ party. Got it.”
Seb puts his thumb up behind Stella’s back and I let myself out, leaving them to their antics.
I might not want to sit there and watch them fuck, but equally, I don’t really want to sit alone in the silence of my flat.
I pull my phone out of my pocket as I make my way to my own kitchen for another drink.
Nico, Alex and Toby are out somewhere. They invited us all earlier, but I wasn’t really in the mood for it.
I’m still not. But… ugh.