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“You didn’t have to.” His gaze dropped to the table. “You never drink unless you pour it or see it being poured. You want your usual?”
I stared at him, shocked that he’d watched me closely enough to know that. He was right, though. I didn’t trust anyone to pour my drinks for me. He didn’t wait for me to answer and left the area to head to the bar. My heart thudded as I watched him push through the growing crowd. I didn’t trust anyone with my drinks—except him. I trusted him a hell of a lot more than I did anyone else.
Falling back onto the couch, I stewed over that thought as I scanned the partygoers. I recognized more than a few people, and my gaze halted on one face. It was the guy I had been with in the woods the first night I met Gage. He and his friends were taking up an entire table near the dance floor, and I didn’t look away as I tried to remember his damn name.
“Here.”
I looked up, startled to see Gage standing near me and holding out my Long Island Iced Tea. I hadn’t even seen him come back.
“Thanks,” I muttered, taking the drink from him. “Where’s yours?”
“I’m not drinking.” He sat down next to me. “You can enjoy your night. I know you were excited about it.”
Warmth spread across my chest, and I leaned into him, only for him to tense and scoot away. My spine straightened, and I curbed my hurt as I sipped my drink.
“You only want me behind closed doors?” I asked, keeping my voice neutral. “Am I not good enough to be seen with in public?”
“Fuck,” he cursed, grabbing my arm when I moved to stand. “No. I want to tell the world that you’re all fucking mine.”
“Could have fooled me.”
“Listen.” He tugged me closer, keeping his voice just loud enough that I could hear him over the music. “Remember what I told you about my past? I’ve been more visible than I have in years, and they could be watching. I don’t want them to know you’re important to me.”
“You think someone is watching you?” I questioned, keeping his stare. “Or do youknowsomeone is watching?”
“Call it a calculated guess.”
“Who was in the car last week, Gage? Why didn’t you come to Ellie’s with me?”
“No one,” he answered sharply. “I just want you to know that I’d have my hands all over you right now if I could.”
I downed the rest of my drink, setting the empty glass on the table. “You’re keeping something from me.”
“No, I’m not.”
“And now you’re lying.” I got to my feet, turning to look at him. “You don’t trust me?”
“You know I do,” he gritted out.
“Then let me help you with whatever’s been bothering you.”
“Go find Alicia and enjoy your night.”
His demand had me bristling, and I scowled. “Fine. Have fun by yourself.”
I spun around, looking for Alicia. Instead, I caught sight of Jace and Pratt. They were on a couch across the dance floor and looked like they were having a serious conversation.
“Alicia’s over there,” Gage said, pointing to the back of the club.
“I need to do something first.”
“What?”
“Eavesdrop.”
He yelled after me as I darted away, bounding down the couple of steps and weaving my way across the dance floor, keeping my eyes on Jace. I climbed the steps on the other side, making sure to keep out of view as I slunk behind the couch they were sitting on. But before I could hear a word of what they were saying, a girl fell onto the cushion beside Jace.
“Hey,” she purred, pushing herself against him. “Am I interrupting?”
