“You’re nothing like him, man. You’re good. So fucking good. And despite all that shit, you’ve got people around you that love you. A sister,” I say, shooting a look at Stella and my girl. “A sister who would raise hell for you, and a real dad. One I’m pretty sure would do anything to make this better.”
“They must fucking hate me right now.” His voice cracks as he says this, and when I get a look in his eyes, I find them glassy with emotion.
“They don’t. I fucking promise you that.”
Two girls over his shoulder catch my eye.
“You’ve got an admirer at four o’clock,” I shout.
He turns the second I say it.
“Get out of your head. Take Nico with you,” I suggest, knowing what the two of them can be like together when there’s too much alcohol involved.
“It just fucking comes back the next day.”
“It’ll get better, Tobes. I fucking swear to you.”
Tingles erupt down my body, and I know why before Toby speaks.
“You should go, your girl is ready to hit the dance floor again.”
“Damn, I was hoping she might be ready to hit the hotel room. You fucking seen that dress?”
“Yeah, bro. You’re a lucky motherfucker. Both of you are,” he says, nodding to where Seb’s standing with Stella.
“We’ll be saying the same to you one day.”
“If I make it that long,” he mutters sadly.
“Tobes, don’t—“
Warm hands slip around my sides before Emmie nestles into me.
“Hey,” she says, looking between the two of us. Her voice is raspy from shouting and slightly slurred from the alcohol. It's hot and has a direct line to my dick, it seems. “Sorry, am I interrupting?” she shouts, a frown marring her brow.
“No, you’re good,” Toby says, looking over at the girls who are still attempting to capture his attention. They squeal in excitement, one of them pushing the other to make her come over. “Looks like I might have a new friend anyway.”
Emmie follows his line of sight before nodding. “Enjoy that then, Tobes. Just remember… you’re the good one.”
He scoffs at that and takes off.
“Missing me?” I ask, turning to Emmie and wrapping my arms around her waist as hers land over my shoulders.
She presses closer, her breasts brushing against my chest as she reaches up on her toes so she can whisper in my ear.
“Wanna get out of here?”
“Is that a trick question?”
“Maybe. Who knows what devilish plans I’ve got up my sleeve for when we get back.”
“I’m sure I can get on board with every single one.”
Unwrapping her arms from my neck, I take her hand in mine and begin marching toward the exit.
“Wait,” she shouts. “Stel and Seb are coming too.”
“Oh course they are,” I mutter.