18
Sean
Jess never comes backwith Coy for the rest of her food. It shouldn’t bother me; it’s not as if she owes me anything. I mean, it’s only a fucking burrito, but I’m a fucking loser because I sit and wait a good hour, staring at her foil wrap and the one we picked up forhim. I finally surrender to the fact they aren’t returning and put the food in the fridge. I can only imagine what’s keeping them, and because of that I can’t find it in me to return to my room. Not as though I’d hear anything, but there’s no way in hell I’ll chance it. Listening to Coy fuck her—the utter thought of it drives me mad, but the reality would surely tip mysanity.
Fuck!
Hitting the road this summer is gonna be pure agony. God, I don’t know how I’ll survive. It’s no longer merely about Coy being undeserving, it’s now about me wanting Jess for myself. And I’ve never been that guy. I don’t lust after someone else’s girl. Not when there’re plenty of available women to choose from. But Jess isn’t some girl. In fact, I’m quite certain there is no one on this Earth like her. One morning of her to myself and I want more. The more she gives, the more I’m convinced she’s the kind of woman I’d go to war for. With Coy in the picture, I wonder if it’ll come down tothat.
The house is quiet today, a blessed day off from practice, meetings, and recording. Deb’s the only one I see, leaving to run errands for a few hours. I’m tired from the early morning wake-up call and hours of driving, so I lounge around the living room, watch television, and play with Tony until he’s worn out. The AC blasts while sunshine pours in through the windows, creating a heady mix. The minute Tony jumps on the couch and curls into my side I know I’m a goner, and within minutes I passout.
“The fuck, Sean!” Trent’s laugh along with harsh overhead light jolts me from deep, peaceful sleep to instantalertness.
Shielding my eyes from the glare streaming down, I push up on one elbow to look over the couch, only to find the reflection of the room against the darkness from outside. “Shit. What time is it?” I sit up and scrub my hands over myface.
Trent leans into the doorframe, and shakes his head. “It’s past eight. We all thought you ran away from home.” He laughs and calls over his shoulder, “I found him. In here.” Trent walks to one of the large chairs and sits, kicking his long legs out infront.
Austin appears in the doorway with a scowl on his face. “You’re notdressed.”
“Sure, I am.” I glance down at my shorts and cotton T-shirt. I mean, it’s not my best look but all my body parts are covered. I tilt my head with afrown.
“You forgot.” Austin rolls his eyes and that’s when I notice both he and Trent are dressed to goout.
Trent’s lips curve up with his smile and he laughs. “Dude, really? Youforgot.”
“What am Iforgetting?”
Austin bugs his eyes out and throws up his hands. “The party on Sunset. Bedo told us about ityesterday.”
“Shit. I forgot.” I wince and chuckle when Trent does the same. “Sorry.”
“Dude, you need to get ready.” Austin pulls out his cell to check the screen and levels his stare to my place on the couch. “Like,now.”
I think about the effort a party would take. About the small talk and schmoozing required. Loud music. A big crowd. Watching Coy and Jess together. Honestly, the entire scene sounds exhausting. I’m not in the mood. “Go without me. I’m staying here.” I shrug and push off the couch, thirsty for somewater.
Austin follows me to the kitchen. “No. Come on, this is our chance to get out! We finally have a hall pass and you’re gonna staybehind?”
I open the fridge, pull out a bottle, and take a long gulp before meeting his stare with a grin. “Yeah, Iam.”
“I don’t think that’s such a good idea.” Trent leans against the counter and narrows a much too seriousstare.
“You don’t trust me alone with your mom?” I wink, but before I can chuckle at my own joke he cuts meoff.
“That’s not who I’m talkingabout.”
“Who are we talking about?” Coy comes into the kitchen. His hair’s slicked back and still wet from ashower.
Austin pats me on the back. “Sean and Trent’smom.”
“I can’t stay away from her ziti. What can I say?” I push the joke through my lips with a smile I don’t feel because the mere presence of this asshole sours my mood. By his barely veiled sneer, the feeling ismutual.
“That so.” Coy works his jaw back and forth. He doesn’t attempt to mask the glare he sends my way. As if he’s on to me. As if he knowssomething. But how is that even possible unless Jess saidsomething. . . ?
But she wouldn’t do that. Why would she? Not unless she has feelings for me, too. Wishful thinking or not, I cling to the hope and school my features. I don’t back down from Coy’s stare. I won’t give him the satisfaction. He might be able to manipulate Jess, but he doesn’t intimidate me. Not onebit.
Trent’s phone chimes. “Car’s outside. Last chance,Sean.”
“You all have fun withoutme.”
