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My brows raise as I look at Jace. He scrunches his nose and gives me an apologetic smile.
"I swear, I only invited Grayson, Savannah, and Delaney."
Turning around, Knox Vaughn is standing here with an arrogant smile on his face. He knows that his mere presence has the ability to irk the shit out of me. Granted, my hatred for him is nowhere near what it was a few years ago. And the advice he gave me about Tye was actually pretty useful.
"You said you wouldn't be a dick," Delaney chastises him playfully then focuses on me. "Happy Birthday, Carter."
Delaney Callahan is a knockout in her own right, and it's no surprise that I was fucking crazy about her my senior year. She had this good girl vibe about her; I mean, she wouldn't even curse for the most part. There was a point where I thought I'd never get over her after she chose Knox instead of me, but now, I can see exactly why the two of them fit so well together.
I pull her in for a hug, just to piss off her boyfriend. "Thanks. You guys really didn't have to come all the way here for this."
"And miss your birthday?" Savannah asks. "Don't be stupid."
It's really nice to see all my friends in one place again. The last time we were together was Jace's trial, but that wasn’t exactly a happy occasion. We all had one concern and that was being there for Jace. This, however, is different. This, I can enjoy.
THE THING ABOUT TYEis that she sucks my attention in like a goddamn black hole. It doesn't matter who is talking to me. If she's in the room, I can't focus on anything but her. Even now, Jace, Grayson, and Wyatt are all having a conversation about football, one of my favorite topics, but my eyes are on Tye, who is smiling behind the bar.
"You look like a lovesick puppy," Grayson tells me.
"Oh, and like you were any better with Savannah?" Jace says with a snort. "I seem to remember someone literally getting on their knees in the middle of a high school hallway."
I chuckle at my idiot friends, but my eyes are glued to where Tye stands, her head thrown back, her slender throat exposed as she laughs at something Kennedy said. I don't understand how anyone could be near her and not be mesmerized by everything she is. I'd be perfectly content to just sit and admire her.
As much as I'm enjoying this party, I can't wait to get home—with her in my bed and in my arms. After all, it's my birthday. She can't say no. Just like Jace couldn't say no when I told him to stay at Paige's tonight.
WHEN JACE WENT OVERthe guest list with me for tonight, I approved it thinking that most of the people wouldn't show up. With everyone away at college, I wouldn't blame them if they said they couldn't make it. One thing I didn't take into consideration, though, is the history between Easton and Delaney's twin sister, Tessa.
It's honestly something that just slipped my mind, despite the fact that Delaney met Knox while her sister was dating Easton. I know there have been some issues with Kennedy and Easton about Tessa since they've started dating, but I always thought it was just Kennedy being a jealous girlfriend. I can't fault her for it. Just seeing Tye talk to another guy makes me want to punch someone in the face. When Tessa walks in, however, it's all over Easton's face just how right Kennedy is to be worried.
Zayn tries to get his attention, tries to pull him back into the conversation before Kennedy, who happens to be standing right next to him, notices. But luck isn't on Easton's side. Delaney instantly runs across the room and jumps into her sister's arms, and it makes everyone pay attention—including Kennedy. She looks over at Tessa and then back at Easton, who is watching with hearts in his eyes as his ex hugs her sister.
"Unbelievable," Kennedy mutters.
She drops her gaze to the ground and walks away with a defeated look on her face. Knox rolls his eyes and smacks Easton upside the back of the head.
"Ouch," he whines. "What was that for?"
"Being an idiot," he deadpans. "Go fix that."
Easton sighs and goes to follow Kennedy while Knox shakes his head.
"I swear, that girl's pussy must be made of fucking gold if he's still this hung up on her."
"Pretty much," Jace admits, making all eyes, including Paige's, turn to him. "What? I had it first."
Paige clears her throat, and Jace's smile drops right off his face. He looks at his girlfriend and smiles guiltily. He must have forgotten she was there.
"Yours is better," he says, trying to redeem himself, and we all cringe.
She rolls her eyes with a smile. "Keep that foot in your mouth, babe."
Tessa comes over and wraps her arms around me. "Happy Birthday, Carter."
"Thanks, Tess."
She hugs everyone hello, Jace included much to Paige's dismay. When she's done, she stands next to Knox and her brows furrow.
"Psst," she whispers. "Knox?"
