“I’m sure.” She pumps her fingers around my wrist, asking me to drop the subject or thanking me for offering her an out. I can’t tell. “Go on, talk! I want to know what the deal is with you and Mr. Hayes.”
Until Theo comes back with a tall glass of blue liquid, I’m forced to explain my living situation and answer mildly inappropriate questions, but as soon as he comes closer, Cass’s expression morphs into the same impassiveness she treats all Hayes with. Not even a minute later, she excuses herself, rushing after Mary-Jane.
I jot down a mental note to invite Cass for coffee and out shopping one day to try and help her through the Logan crush.
Theo takes me outside to the back garden, where close to a hundred people mingle, enjoying the music supplied by a professional DJ set up on a make-shift stage. I expected the party to take place inside, but the living room acts as a meet-and-greet slash staging area, and the main event is here.
It resembles a typical college party you see in American comedies, but people in their twenties are drinking whiskey and wine instead of college kids drinking beer out of red solo cups. There’s plenty of nudity around, though. Many women stripped out of their dresses, parading in bikinis or lacey lingerie, taking advantage of inflatable flamingos in the pool. A few couples make out here and there; one is almost dry humping on one of the loungers.
Two bouncers hang around the perimeter, probably ensuring no one starts a fight and breaks Nico’s expensive patio furniture by accident. A beer pong table stands to the left of the stage, and Theo pulls me over in that direction.
“Thalia!” Jack booms, approaching with Shawn. They both grace me with quick once-overs and approving smiles. “You look amazing! I’m glad it fits.”
“I’m surprised it fits,” I admit, “but thank you. You saved me a frenzied shopping trip today.”
They kiss my cheek, and Jack twirls me around, admiring the dress. We somehow fall into the rhythm of the music, moving away from the table to dance among other people.
I’m at ease, lost in the music, and start to think maybe I can make it around here. Maybe my past hasn’t ruined my future. Maybe I can live my best life among new friends. I’m incoherently happy, and I hope it’ll last.
“You’ve got to tell me what’s going on with you and Theo! I swear I won’t tell Shawn or anyone else.” Jack takes me to the bar a few songs later, eyes sparkling, excitement oozing out of his pores. “Please... pretty please! I can see the way you look at him, girl. You want him!”
I’ve spent enough time with Theo’s family to know that Jack and I share a mutual spiritual connection. He will, most likely, recite my words back to Shawn in a heartbeat, despite his promises, but who knows? I might be wrong. Building real relationships is all about letting go of my suspicious nature.
“Can you blame me? You’ve seen him. Youknowhim.”
Jack’s mouth splits into a wide grin, and he elbows my ribs. “I knew it!” He claps, gesturing for the bartender to come over. “So, what’s the game plan? Theo’s a hard cookie to crack. They all are, but I think he’s into you too, you know? He watches you like a hawk.”
I lean closer, lowering my voice. “That’s because he knows this dress is too tight for panties.”
Jack’s eyes grow wider as he playfully pushes me away with a sly grin. “You little tease!”
I glance toward the beer pong table where we left Shawn and Theo. My smile slips, and stomach sinks like a bag of sand thrown in the river. He’s talking to a beautiful woman whose truth tells me I should book a motel room for the night, or I’ll have to listen to his sex life.
I like it hard.
My mind fills with growing tendrils of a headache that threatens to explode into a full-blown migraine when Theo laughs at whatever the woman says. They’re close, inches apart, and he’s not stopping her from tracing her fingers up his arm.
I avert my gaze, bile burning the back of my throat.
There goes my hope trotting away, followed closely by my good mood and confidence.
“Thalia.” As if summoned into action by the stench of disappointment and vulnerability that suddenly surrounds me, Dean approaches, flashing a slimy Hollywood smile to show off the white pearls that must’ve cost a small fortune. “Fancy seeing you here.”
“Hey, Dean,” I say on a sigh. “I didn’t expect you here, either.”
He didn’t request a new cart girl, which is a clear sign the game isn’t over. It’s halftime, and Dean’s preparing to strike again. He changed the tactic from a ruthless, obnoxious attack to more subtle flirting, but even that doesn’t sit well with me after the fiasco our drink outing was.
Jack pulls his eyebrows together, ready to interject, but his eyes wander to Shawn as if he’s scouting for backup, and he must catch a glimpse of Theo flirting with the blonde because his lips draw into a pout. “I’ll leave you to it, babe,” he says in a theatrical tone that’s supposed to let Dean know he’s gay and not interested in me in any way.
Dean rests against the pop-up bar, a glass of neat whiskey in hand, hair swept to the side. “Jail, huh?” he asks, reading my truth. “I guess the charges were dropped.”
I check the writing across his crisp white smart shirt and cock an eyebrow, intrigued by the man for the first time.
I killed seventy-three men.
“Soldier?”
“Three years in Afghanistan.”