“You were busy. I didn’t want to interrupt.”
I can’t help the arrogant, desolate satisfaction spreading in my bones at the irritated tone of her voice.
She’sjealous.
Good. So am I.
So fucking jealous I want to nail Dean for good measure.
“I wasn’t busy. I could’ve used saving from Jasmine. She’s Nico’s assistant, and she’s pretty determined to manage my money.” I point at the pool. “That’s her girlfriend.”
Thalia’s cheeks heat to the faintest shade of pink when I lace our fingers. “You’re very confusing, Theo.”
“No. I’m careful.”
I’m a liar. Iamconfusing. Her and myself. I’m undecided. A pendulum going back and forth between wanting her in my bed, not wanting to hurt her, wanting her to be mine, and not wanting to lose her.
“Hey, man!” Adrian, one of Nico’s buddies’ cheers, swaying on his feet as he saunters toward us. He looks like he could do with a cup of coffee to sober up too. He steps in our way, staring at Thalia. “Who’s your friend?”
“Hey, man. I didn’t expect you here.”Leave.“This is Thalia.”Stay away from her, or I’ll maim you.
“You’re the new cart girl!” he booms. “Nico told me about you. Now that I’ve seen you, I might start golfing.” He laughs the same way all drunk people do, the sound like needles in my eardrums. “Can I get you a drink?”
“She’s got a drink,” I say, then swear under my breath because she actually doesn’t.
Nico approaches, stopping Adrian from asking another question. He shakes his hand, glaring at me, jaw set tight. “Come on, I need you.”
“I’ll be right back. Go find Shawn and Jack,” I tell Thalia before following my brother. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing,” he shrugs, tugging from his bottle. “You looked like you needed an out.”
“I didn’t, but you might want to tell your buddy to back the fuck away from Thalia.”
Nico cocks an eyebrow, peeking over his shoulder to where his friend still talks to her, unleashing his charm. “You like her, don’t you?”
“Don’t be stupid. I told you we’re friends. I’m looking out for her. We both know Adrian just wants to fuck her, and she’s better than that.”
“She’s smart, Theo,” he says in a school principal’s voice. “Don’t act all big-brother. She can take care of herself.”
I glance in Thalia’s direction a moment later, but she’s gone and nowhere to be seen. Shawn and Jack play beer pong versing Jasmine and her girlfriend, but no sign of Thalia there, either. It’d be easier to keep my shit in check if she’d stay in plain sight.
Nico smirks. “Either chill out or make a move.”
“Make a move? We live together. I can’t sleep with her without it blowing up in my face.”
“Sex is all you want?” He shakes his head, entertained by the idea. “You’re full of shit, but have it your way. If you don’t want her, stop touching her all the time and chill out. If she wants to sleep with Adrian, you can’t stop her.”
I wave him off, annoyed because who the fuck made him the know-it-all? Thalia’s not mine. I’ve got no right to freak out, but the worry and possessiveness blooming in the pit of my stomach can’t be shaken.
Ten minutes later, I enter the house, hoping to find Thalia and Adrian. I also hope I won’t find them kissing because fuck knows what I’ll do then.
Nothing good for sure.
They’re not in the living room or in the kitchen, but I spot Thalia out front. She’s not with Adrian, though. She’s with Dean again. He’s smoking while she rests against my car, arms crossed over her chest.
Shawn enters the kitchen, rubbing his hands together, sporting a supersized shit-eating grin. “Nico said you need some sense knocked into you. What’s the deal, bro?”
The sly bastard.