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I looked back to see Thatcher walking toward us and blinked, realizing my vision was a tad bit blurry. But the moment my eyes locked on King, they seemed to clear up quickly. He was scowling, and I wondered what had happened to make him look so unpleasant.
“You found me,” Sebastian replied, barely glancing at the other two. “What do you want?”
Thatcher walked into the row and sat down on the other side of Sebastian. “Nothing. Just curious. Well, King was the one who was curious. He couldn’t find Rumor, and you were the last one seen with her.”
I frowned. Who had seen me with Sebastian? Did he mean at the stables? And why had King been looking for me? A shadow came over me, and I tilted my head back to see King taking the seat beside me. I took a drink from my glass and studied him over the rim of it, then found myself laughing again. I didn’t know why exactly. He was still scowling and looking all mean, but it was funny.
“How many of those have you had?” he asked me, reaching for my glass.
I moved it back away from him. “I don’t know, but you can’t have it,” I informed him.
“Three,” Sebastian said. “Give or take. Mostly give.”
King held out his hand for my glass, as if I would give it to him. “That’s too many. Minna makes those strong. Hand it to me, Rumor.”
The way he spoke to me like I was a child should make me mad. I should tell him to kiss my ass. But I snickered and took another drink, watching as his brows drew together.
“Now, Rumor.” His tone deepened.
I swallowed the salty sweetness and shook my head. “I am not one of your little…obedient females. I don’t…don’t have to do anything you say.”
I heard a deep chuckle behind me, but I didn’t turn around to see which of them was laughing at me.
“Okay, so maybe I let her have too much. But she was relaxed for a change,” Sebastian said.
I nodded. I was relaxed. I agreed with him.
King reached for my glass again, and I tried to snatch it away, but he took it from me too quickly.
“Give it back!” I demanded.
“No.”
“You are not my daddy!” I informed him.
He paused and raised an eyebrow, then set the drink down on the other side of him without taking his eyes off me. “No, I’m not.” His voice sounded husky as he studied my face.
I crossed my arms over my chest and huffed, then turned to stare at the screen. We had been doing just fine without him here. We didn’t need him and his bossy ways. This wasn’t his house. It was Sebastian’s house. Thatcher’s, too, but I didn’t think I liked him very much, so he didn’t count.
I turned to look at Sebastian. “Can I have your glass?” I asked him.
His gaze lifted to look behind me, and he pressed his lips together, then shook his head as he returned his attention to me. “I’m sorry. I don’t want you to be sick and hate me in the morning.”
That was how it was going to be? Fine. I would just leave. I stood up and felt slightly off-balance for a moment and reached to grab something to steady me when two large hands wrapped around my waist.
“Easy,” King said close to my ear.
I shivered and turned my head just barely to peer up at him.
His jaw was clenched again, like he was mad. Second time today that I’d seen angry King. Nothing like the King I’d grown accustomed to. The King I liked. As a friend, of course. I was married, or I was a widow—I wasn’t sure exactly.
“I’ll take you home,” King said, then wrapped an arm around my waist and started to lead me away from the others.
“Wait,” I said, trying to turn back around but he stopped me. With a frustrated sigh, I glared at him. “I need to tell Sebastian bye and thank him for tonight.”
“He heard you. He’s been thanked. Let’s go,” King replied, the tic in his jaw unmistakable. Even if I was slightly tipsy.
“This is rude,” I told him.
