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Things start shifting around in my chest in a way I can’t really explain. I like hearing shit like that from him. I like it more than I should. The smart thing to do would be to nip this in the bud. It’s not like I have what it takes to be a boyfriend. I’m Glen McCallister’s son. He’s a prick, I’m a prick, only in different ways. And the whole boyfriend thing requires trust, and that ship has fucking sailed for me.
Unsure how to reply to his message, I leave it alone for now.
“Oh shit. Your stepbro is here. Dick it is!” Brenner claps his hands, my head snapping up to see Troy standing at the other end of the bar. He’s with the guys from his frat—Lance, Jesse, and…motherfucker.
Troy is saying something to Lance, but that’s not who caught my eye. Baby Thermo Geek is standing there, eyes on Troy like he hung the damn moon, like if Troy told him to, he’d get on his knees for Troy right fucking there.
You can’t have him. He’s mine.
I try to shake that thought from my head, but it’s glued, nailed, and cemented down.
“Fuck, I hate his little frat boys. Such NPCs,” Taylor says.
“Let’s go say hi.” Brenner tries to go, but I grab his arm to stop him.
“Let’s not and say we did.”
“Aw, come on, Atlas. I really want to bone Troy.”
I roll my eyes. “You say that like it’s a given.”
“You don’t like dudes, so you might not realize how hot I am. I’ll ask, and while I rarely hear no, if that’s what someone says, I always respect that, and I will if Troy says no too.”
I stop him again, knowing it’s ridiculous, knowing there’s nothing wrong with Brenner flirting with Troy…in theory.
“Lay off him, B. I’m not fucking around,” is what comes out. Both my friends frown like they didn’t see that coming because yeah, it shouldn’t have come, just like Troy and I shouldn’t have come together last night, but clearly all those things are happening. “Just…not him,” I add, silently pleading for him not to push the issue. I already have to worry about Ash. I don’t want to worry about Brenner too, though technically either of them would be better for Troy than I am.
“Yeah, sure. Whatever.”
I let out a sigh of relief that I don’t have to explain myself. I’d probably do it too if that was the only way to keep him from hitting on T. Brenner and Taylor know when I’m serious, though, and our friendship is thick enough that neither would do something to upset me, just like I wouldn’t with them.
We grab another round of drinks and down those too, pop music thumping through the building. Strobe lights flash, making shadows dance against the walls. Crave is packed tonight, despite it still being pretty early. It will only get worse as the night progresses.
“Hey,” I hear close to my ear in a soft, feminine voice. I turn around to see…Lindy? I’ve seen her around campus and at a lot of parties.
“Hey.” Lindy is hot, there’s no denying it. She’s thick and curvy with plump lips and a nice smile. As hot as she is, if she’s looking to hook up, I’m totally not feeling it. It’s not her fault; it’s Troy’s. Even if I hadn’t told him no one else could touch me either, I still can’t think of anyone but him.
“I’ve seen you around a lot, right? You’re Atlas.”
I nod, hoping I won’t have to admit I don’t know her name for sure.
“I’m Lindy.”
“Nice to meet you.”
I’m racking my brain for a way to respond, to make sure she knows I’m not interested so she doesn’t waste too much time on me, when she says, “You want to dance?”
Fuck. “I can’t. I’m hangin’ with my boys tonight.”
There’s a shove in the middle of my back. “I’ll dance!” Taylor tells her.
I’d just said I was hanging with my boys, but Lindy either doesn’t catch on or doesn’t care.
“Okay.” She shrugs, and the two of them disappear together.
When we’re alone—well, as alone was we can be in a full bar—Brenner says, “What’s going on with you, man? You’ve been weird lately.”
Yeah, I have, even before last night happened. I just…fuck, I don’t know. I’m just tired of shit, of everything. Except being with Troy.
