“Home.” And there was no way Zach was getting anywhere near Oscar. He was too innocent. And in love with Tate. “Which is where I’m going to take the two of you.”
Reed blew another raspberry. “That’s not happening. I can’t go home drunk.” He hooked his arm through Zach’s.
“And where do you propose you’re going to go, huh? I can’t just leave you here.”
“Always such a good boy, aren’t you, Casanova?”
My dick perked up at the nickname he had given me. “Knock it off, Reed. I’m only trying to look out for you. You know what? Fuck it. Stay here. Find your own way home or don’t. It’s not my damn fault you decided to do too many shots and are too embarrassed to go home to your parent’s place because you’re shit-faced and won’t take the help I’m offering you. I’m sorry that I’m not good enough for you.” I started to storm off, only to hear Zach call out to me.
“Cole, wait.” I turned to find Zach right behind me. “He’s not always a happy drunk. Reed doesn’t mean what he’s saying.”
“Lies! Yes, I do!” Reed shot back.
I closed my eyes and shook my head. “I can call Jackson. I’m sure you can stay there. They have plenty of room, and itwouldn’t be the first time they’ve taken in strays.” I flinched as soon as the words came out of my mouth.
“Strays?” Reed huffed. “We are not strays. I will call my father before I let you take care of me, Cole Whitaker.” He folded his arms across his chest and glared at me. I knew he was trying to look mean, but he looked more like an angry kitten, all fluffy and cute as he pouted at me.
Zach’s eyes ping-ponged between the two of us. “Look, while I appreciate whatever sexy flirting the two of you are doing, I think we should probably go. People are sort of staring, and these shoes are really uncomfortable, and I know once I take these pants off, they aren’t going back on.” He waved at the tight leather he was wearing. “So, can we come to your place? A couch will be fine.”
“Traitor,” Reed hissed.
“My car is parked outside.” I flashed a smile at both of them. “Your chariot awaits.”
Zach grabbed Reed’s hand. “Babe, come on. I’m tired. It’s just one night and then we can go back to your parents’ place.”
“Fine. But I’m sleeping on the couch with Zach,” Reed grunted.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Reed
Iwoke up tangled in bed sheets that smelled familiar. It felt almost like a hug from a long-lost friend. The bed felt way too comfortable to be mine. I pressed my face into the soft pillow as my brain began to wander back to last night, to Cole on his skates at the game, the way he looked when I told him I couldn’t tell him the truth, and the shots I had consumed with Zach. Too many, too fast. That would explain the dull headache behind my eyes. I groaned as I tried to pry them open, and that’s when I realized I wasn’t in my childhood bedroom. I struggled to get up, still wrapped in the bedding, and tumbled onto the floor. Pain zipped up my hip. Hopefully, that wouldn’t leave any permanent damage.
“Shit.” I managed to untangle myself just as the sound of footsteps echoed down the hall and then the door flew open. I stared at Cole as he watched me, his blue eyes dancing with amusement. “This isn’t funny.” I stood up, only to realize I was wearing nothing but an over-sized shirt that didn’t belong to me and my underwear. “Did you do this?” I pointed to myself before I tugged down the front of the shirt.
He chuckled. “It’s a little bit funny.” Cole leaned down to grab the sheets. “And no, I didn’t. Zach thought you’d rather sleep naked, but I pumped the brakes at that. He helped you change.”Not that it wasn’t anything he hadn’t seen before.
“Is this your room?” I glanced around at the creamy white walls, the beige curtains, and the painting of the Ferris wheel that hung over the bed. “Did we share a bed, too?”
I didn’t exactly hate the idea. I had enjoyed waking up with him. His warmth wrapped around me. It had been comforting, and I had felt safe.
Cole shook his head as he started to make the bed. “It’s one of the guestrooms.”
“One of? How many do you have?”
“We have two.”
My eyes widened.We?Who the fuck waswe? Did he have some live-in girlfriend I didn’t know about? One that he had been keeping a secret? Not that it was any of my business. He could date anyone he wanted. I had made sure of that.
“If you tell me where my clothes are, I can get dressed and get out of your hair.”
“You don’t have to leave, Reed,” Cole told me. “I thought we could talk now. Alone. Just the two of us.”
I shook my head.I’d rather eat glass. “I’m good, thanks.”
“Why are you making this so difficult?” He huffed. “Jesus, Reed, I think I deserve some answers.”
The sound of giggles and laughter filled the air. Wait. I would know that sound anywhere. I marched out of the room, down the stairs, and followed the sound to find Zach sitting on the kitchen counter. He was dressed in a pair of lacy blue underwear and a shirt that hung from his shoulder, while Oscar faintly smiled and nodded at him. I felt a hand on my shoulder and heat against my back.