I had no idea what she was talking about. Then again, I was high as fuck, so life was good and Elena was a distant memory.
Grace gasped. “What happened? You didn’t tell me.”
Pen snorted and shook her head. “Not my place to tell. I just think our Hells had a really good time. That’s all I’m saying.”
Gabe put his face in hers. “Are you keeping something from me, love of my fucking life?”
She pressed a hand to his scruffy cheek. “This is one of those things you don’t want to know about Helen.”
I finally caught on to what Pen was talking about. “Oh my god, no one is talking about my sex life. And Elena needs to mind her damn business.”
Bash grunted. “Change of subject.”
I tipped my Solo cup in his direction. “Yes. Smart man. I’m the least interesting person here. I want to know what all my people are doing.”
They talked. I toked and drank, happy as a little clam. Bex and Asher were hitting the books hard, he was killing it on the field, and she’d just had her second art show of her college career where two of her photographs had sold for a chunk of change. They were so cute and golden, and you wouldn’t think they’d fit, but they were so gone for each other.
Bash and Grace were living together in psycho-obsessive bliss—his, but a little bit hers too. He’d been in community college, but the demand for his graffiti murals had grown so much, he’d dropped his classes to do that full time—and my friend was makingbank. Gracie was happy in college, working on her art on the side, supporting her man. They were so cute, I could gag, but I didn’t because I loved them.
Gabe and Pen were my constants. I was equally close to them both, and we were always texting and calling, so I knew what they were up to. Gabe was a soccer star. Pen was a science nerd. They were a power couple, set to dominate the world.
All up to date, I went for a walk to the kitchen in search of something else to drink. My Solo cup was woefully empty. A few people were hanging there, but the area in front of the rows of alcohol was empty. I picked up a bottle, then another, contemplating which combination would keep me in this floaty, happy state.
I was not thinking about Theo’s absence. Or that he hadn’t responded to my text telling him the address. That wouldn’t keep me floaty—and definitely not happy.
It was no big deal if he didn’t show. Six people had traveled to town just for me. They’d dropped their responsibilities to celebrate my birthday. I had that, so I didn’t need a single other thing. Or person.
Our group migrated to the den where Bex and Ash were playing pool. I squeezed between Bash and Grace and Gabe and Pen on a big couch, my boys at my sides. Gabe procured another blunt for me because he was the absolute shit. I laid my head on his shoulder while I smoked and reached across his legs to hold Penelope’s hand. My sweet angel girl, letting me borrow her boyfriend’s shoulder and holding my hand. Never been a realer one than Penelope Shade.
“Helen?”
From nowhere, Theo appeared in front of me. He didn’t look happy, with slanted brows, his mouth in a tight line.
I waved. “Dude, you’re here.”
“I’m here.” His head cocked as he scanned the scene. Me between two hot boys, one with his arm around me, my head on the other’s shoulder. I was pretty certain he was missing the girls on their other sides. The ones they were devoted to down to their bones. The ones I was devoted to in the same way.
“Who’s that?” Gabe barked.
“That’s Theo,” I answered.
Gabe shot off the couch, making me tumble into Penelope’s side. She caught me with a giggle, pushing me back toward Bash, who was rising slower, but with purpose.
Gabe stuck his hand out. “Gabe Fuller. Who are you?”
Theo shook his hand, an even deeper frown marring his face. “Helen told you. I’m Theo Whitlock.”
“Sounds fancy as shit.” Gabe twisted around to look at me. “You hook up with a fancy boy?”
“Shut up.” Yeah, it was dawning on me that inviting Theo here had been a very bad idea. I’d obviously been dick drunk when I’d issued the invitation.
“You’re here for Helen?” Bash asked lowly.
Theo didn’t flinch. “Yeah. I’m here for Helen.”
With a chin jerk, Bash shook his hand. “Don’t be an asshole to her. She’s had enough of that in her life. Doesn’t need more of it.”
Asher and Bex had come over too. Ash had his arms crossed over his wide football player chest. I knew him, and I found him intimidating.