“Well, work on it quicker, Theo. Raven’s in danger, and I can only protect her so much,” I snap.
Theo gives me the eye, but I ignore him. My private life is no one’s business but my own. Unless he specifically needs to know, I ain’t telling him shit.
By the time we’ve been here for a few hours, I’m feeling more relaxed and less tense. My phone vibrates on the table, and I pick it up to see a message from Raven.
Raven
I’m going out to dinner with Mia. I’ll be back later.
Is Leo going with you?
Raven
Yes, Daddy.
This girl.
I’m with the boys, I’ll be home later. Behave.
Raven
Where’s the fun in that, Daddy? *winky face emoji*
I think my heart just stopped in my chest.
“What the fuck are you smiling about?” Noah grunts.
“Ah, poor, sweet, delusional, Noah,” I mock. “It’s what us normal people call smiling. You should try it sometime.” I wink at him, and he rolls his eyes.
“Give me something to smile about and I will,” he gripes, nursing his beer.
Theo stands up, going for the belt on his pants.
“No, Theo.”
“Sit the fuck down, man.”
“I don’t want to see that again.”
Caleb shields his eyes, Noah’s looking anywhere other than at Theo, and I’m trying to grapple with him to sit him the fuck back down.
Theo pouts. “You guys are no fun.”
“Oh, I’m fun, I just don’t wanna seethat.” Noah gestures toTheo’s crotch.
“You weren’t complaining last night,” Theo exclaims in mock indignation, his hand clutching at his chest. “I thought you loved me.”
Noah looks about ready to punch Theo as he snaps, “There was no last night, asshole, so shut it.”
“Ooooh, I love feisty Noah.” Theo gives a full-body shiver in excitement.
“Theo, you know Noah doesn’t like it when you talk to him like that. He’s a grumpy asshole who needs a hug” —Caleb pauses his speech, lifting a strand of his hair up— “and a haircut. Ronnie Radke issolast season.”
Noah bats Caleb’s hand away, and I laugh. These guys have always had the ability to make me smile. I may grumble sometimes, but I couldn’t do life without them. They’re my ride or dies.
“I don’t know, Caleb,” Theo muses, looking intently at Noah. “I’d say he looks more like Matt Tuck, circa The Poison album.”
Caleb snaps his fingers. “You’re a genius. I knew he reminded me of someone.”
