and I’m so freaking grateful for the empty feeling inside me because it means I don’t have to fight tears over knowing just how I’ve ruined Tomi’s life. Fuck.
“So. Are you guys seeing each other or what?”
I sigh and shrug. “I don’t know. I think he wanted to before—I mean, before he found out I’d lied to the club. Now I just… I don’t know.”
Trink frowns at me, downing the last of her beer before cracking open another one. Clearly they’re not going anywhere soon. “Explain it to me. Explain the whole thing, start to finish, and I’ll try to figure this out for you. I mean, it’s a little gross with him being my brother but fuck it, I’d rather it be you than some other bitch.”
I open my mouth and Poe interrupts me. “She doesn’t mean the sex bits, leave those the hell out. I still can’t believe Tomi bagged someone as hot as you, he’s fucking blessed.”
Trink fake gags and I open another beer before I start the story. I need the buzz to get me through it.
Because there’s only the three of us, I feel comfortable enough to work my way through the beers, my buzz quickly turning into the room spinning and my words slurring. I’m fucking drunk, for the first time in my life I’ve pushed it past my limit.
It’s fine until there are lights in the driveway and Trink groans from where she’s dancing to some song playing on her phone. “Fuck me.”
Poe scrambles up off of the floor. “What is it? Is it Demons? I’ll call it in, fuck, where’s my gun?”
Trink scoffs. “No, dumbass, it’s our ride. I told Tomi I wouldn’t drink too much and here I am… fucking wasted.”
My heart clenches in my chest.
Lovestruck.
Oh God.
Oh fuck, I’m too far gone to deal with him like this.
Poe giggles at the look on my face. “You didn’t promise him shit, Angel! You’ll be fine. Fuck, tell him to go home! Tomi! Go home, Angel is too drunk for boy bullshit.”
I can’t move from where I’m lying on the couch so there’s no stopping her, no trying to get her to shut her freaking mouth and quit embarrassing the life out of me. At least I’m incapable of blushing in my current state.
From where I’m sprawled out I can see Rue scowling down at Poe while she dances around excitedly, yammering on about painting this place but I can’t even chime in because she’s talking a mile a minute.
Eventually, he gets over her shit and slings her over his shoulder in one swoop. He ignores her squeals of outrage and just stomps out, cussing and muttering about idiot girls.
Tomi stares down at Trink like she’s his number one problem and she glares back up at him like he’s some evil brother she can’t stand.
This whole night has proved to me how much they adore each other.
“This is taking it easy?”
She grins at him. “Hell yeah it is! I even managed to talk Poe outta lighting your hog on fire for being a dick to Angel. You’re fucking welcome.”
He scowls at her and then shoos her out the door, shutting it and locking it behind her.
Wait.
He’s still in the house. In my house with me and not driving away with his family. Oh God. This can’t end well.
He stalks over to me, looking around at all of the cracks and shitty holes I’ve just patched up.
“I get that it’s a pile of shit but it’s my pile of shit, you know?”
He frowns at me like I’m being an asshole but he’s the one standing there staring at the peeling paint like it’s so fucking fascinating.
“Angel, I’m trying to figure out how the fuck you got up there to caulk shit. Like I give a fuck what this place looks like, it’s yours and I’m gonna make sure it’s safe for you.”
I frown at him, watching as he walks up to the back door and looks out at my backyard like he’s expecting some Demon assholes to show up.
“What are you doing here, Tomi?”
He scowls at me and stalks over, grabbing a bottle of beer out of the bag Poe’s left behind. He offers me one but I need to sober up a little.
“Wherever you are, that’s where I’m staying. That’s how this goes now, Angel.”
My heart does this stupid flutter in my chest like that was the most romantic thing I’ve ever heard.
Wait.
It kind of is.
“And what if I don’t want you here?