Ava pouted and crossed her arms over her chest. “Fine then, ruin my fun.”
I laughed watching the two of them interact before looking back at Garrett. Boyfriend. Could I go to a party as his boyfriend? Ava was right, we could control the narrative and the fact that we were being invited at all was a great sign.
“I think a party sounds like a great idea.”
Garrett
Tylookedfuckinggood.He’d styled up his hair so the front swirled a bit over his forehead. He wore a white T-shirt that was a little tighter than what he’d normally wear and these black jeans that hugged his ass. His high-top chucks complimented the outfit, giving him an old-school vibe.
The realization that we were going out in public and I could touch him, claim him, was a head rush. Tyler was fucking mine, and I was about to make sure everyone knew it. If anyone had an issue with us tonight, we weren’t going to tolerate it. We devised an escape plan in case it all went south, but I had a feeling we wouldn’t be needing it.
I felt a little underdressed next to him. I thought it was cute he wanted to dress up for this, but I’d settled for my usual shorts and a tank because it was still fucking hot. He rolled his eyes at me as I shoved my feet into the flip-flops by the front door.
“Can’t take you anywhere,” he teased, tugging on the straps of my tank, and pulling me in for a quick kiss before we climbed into the car. He blasted the AC as he backed out of the driveway and started the drive to Cassie’s house.
The evening was humid and sticky when we pulled up outside the house. Lots of people were already spilling out onto the lawn. Most of them had a red solo cup in hand which was pretty bold for being outside and underage. Normally Cassie’s parties didn’t get called on, however.
Unlike the last time we’d come to a party here, we didn’t have to park as far away. And this time we walked up to the house hand in hand. No one seemed to pay us any mind until we walked through the door.
A squeal pierced the air, and small arms flung themselves around my neck. “You actually came!”
I laughed, letting go of Tyler’s hand to return Cassie’s hug. “We couldn’t turn down an invitation from you.”
She stepped back a little, hands still on my elbows as she looked between the two of us. “You know, I always thought there was something going on with you two. I just couldn’t prove it. I’m so happy for you guys.” She let go of me and hugged Tyler next. He wasn’t expecting it and held his arms out to his sides as she embraced him.
When she finally released him she stood back, crossing her arms, propping her chin in one hand and studying us. “You know, if you’re ever looking for a third…”
“No,” I cut her off. I would never even consider it. Had I shared partners with her in the past? Yes. But never with Tyler. He was all mine.
Her laugh was light and playful as she shoved at my shoulder. It felt good that she was at least on our side. “Gah, Gar-bear. No need to get so protective. But, God, that would be so hot.” She fanned herself as she walked away.
Cassie had always been a little wild with sex, and she’d been fun while it lasted, but that was in the past. I felt nothing for her as she walked away, adding a little extra sway to her hips as she went.
I pulled Tyler into the kitchen to grab us some drinks. Since one of us would be driving, we couldn’t get carried away. I pulled two beers from the cooler and Tyler quickly shook his head when I handed one to him.
“You don’t want one?” I asked, interested in why he was suddenly turning it down.
He shifted, biting his lip and looking around the room. He finally turned his gaze back to me, muttering softly, “I don’t really like the taste.”
I laughed as I dropped the beer back into the cooler, taking just the one for myself. “No problem. No one is forcing you to drink it. You know you could have always told me no before right?”
Tyler’s shoulders sagged with relief before he laughed. “I don’t know. It just seemed like another one of those expectations. Everyone drinks it, and it’s weird if you don’t.”
I shrugged, popping off the top and taking a swig. The brand that was supplied tonight wasn’t my favorite, but it would do the trick. “Did you want to find something else to drink?”
“Water is fine,” Tyler answered.
I grabbed him a bottle of water and we made our way back to the living room. Inside the house, it was harder to miss the few people who leaned in to whisper as we passed. I tried to not let it bother me. Like Ava had said, we weren’t doing anything wrong.
When we got to the couch, I sat down and pulled Tyler to sit with me. He yelped when I pulled on his arm. Instead of landing in the seat next to me, he landed half on my lap.
“I’m sorry,” he said as he tried to scoot away. My grip on his arm tightened because he wasn’t going anywhere.
“I want you in my lap,” I said.
He tensed for a moment, looking around the room. There were a lot of eyes on us. People were probably watching a little more closely than what was completely necessary, but that was to be expected. Toby and Maisy had turned us into a sideshow attraction.
The music blared through the speakers Cassie had set up. It was a thumping beat that pulsed in my chest as I tightened my arms around Tyler’s waist. I glared at onlookers as I looked around the room. They should mind their own business instead of worrying about what I was doing with my stepbrother.
