Then he clears his throat, rolls his shoulders back, and shakes his head. “I’m not gonna stop you,” he says finally. “But I’ve got an early skate tomorrow.”
There it is. The inevitableno.
I try to play it off, but something inside me still dips. “Yeah,” I mutter with a laugh under my breath. “Figured.”
His eyes flick over my face as he stands and I avert my gaze as he walks toward the door and leaves.
I drag a hand through my hair and exhale slowly. I don’t know why I thought he’d say yes.
It’s not like I wanted a babysitter around. The last thing I need is Nathan Hayes at a party judging every sip I take and every person I flirt with.
Still…
Part of me was kind of hoping he’d say yes.
6
NATHAN
The second I step inside, I want to leave.
It’s hot, crowded, and too loud. People are pressed shoulder-to-shoulder, music shaking the floor, and someone’s spilled something sticky near the door, because my shoes practically glue themselves to the ground. Great start.
There are people everywhere, crowded into corners, laughing too loudly, yelling over whatever song is blasting. It’s a lot. And don’t get me wrong, I like a good night out as much as the next guy. But parties like this? They’ve never really been my thing.
I don’t know why I came.
This is all Logan’s fault, of course, because his voice is still stuck in my head.Be fun for once.
So here I am at this crowded frat party, feeling uncomfortable as hell as I edge deeper into the house, keeping close to the wall until I find a spot that feels remotely breathable. Someone bumps into me, splashes their drink on me, mumbles something I can’t hear, and keeps walking.
I shake off the alcohol clinging to my sleeve, but I pause when my eyes catch Logan standing in the middle of the room, surrounded by people—of course. Drink in hand, laughterspilling out of him, every inch of him radiating that same easy charm he wears like a second skin.
He looks completely at ease, like this is where he belongs.
I stand there longer than I should, watching. Long enough to realize I’m still looking, and to force my eyes away.
My gaze moves across the room and I spot Ryan in the living room with my sister tucked into his side, resting her head on his shoulder.
I start walking toward them, weaving through the crowd. Maisie’s laugh cuts through the music, and when I glance over, Austin’s got her half in his lap, whispering something in her ear that makes her swat at him, but he just grins wider.
“Never thought I’d see the day,” Ryan says with a teasing tone in his voice. “Austin Rhodes, domesticated.”
“Shut up,” he says as he keeps his eyes on Maisie, looking happier than I’ve ever seen him.
For a second, I think about turning around. No one would notice if I left. I could go home, take a shower, maybe read, pretend I made an appearance.
But then I hear a laugh I’d recognize anywhere.
I glance over my shoulder, locking eyes with him as his grin widens, and before I can look away, he’s already moving toward me.
When he reaches me, he shakes his head. “Holy shit. I can’t believe it,” he says. “You actually showed.”
“Don’t make it a big deal,” I mutter. “Someone’s gotta keep an eye on you.”
His mouth quirks. “So you’re here to babysit. Cute.”
“It’s not?—”