He thinks it over and then laughs, slapping my back. “And here I thought I was stealing your girlfriend. Huh. Holy fuck.”
“Nope.” My lips make a popping noise as I wait for him to freak out or say something douchey.
“Huh.”
“Huh?”
He grins and then shrugs. “I mean, he doesn’t do it for me. But if you think he’s hot, cool.”
“That’s it?”
He looks hurt now, frowning. “You think I wouldn’t be okay with you fucking a dude?”
I shrug. “I don’t know. I’m pretty sure my dad wouldn’t be okay with it. He can’t find out.”
He flops down on the couch after grabbing a beer I hope was his and taking a swig. “Well, your dad is an asshole. Mine too. But I’m not. And I’m not going to tell anyone nor do I care who you fuck.”
Oddly enough, I believe him. I sit down next to him, wondering how I misjudged him. “Making out with Bree Moore?”
He chuckles. “Yeah, probably not the best idea when I was drunk off my ass already. I thought I was seeing things when she walked through the door.”
“She seemed pretty out of it.”
“I only saw her drink one beer. But we did do a couple of shots together too.”
“Rhett’s gonna kick your ass.” I kick my feet up on the table in front of the couch, and he looks genuinely worried.
“You think? I swear I didn’t force her. She kissed me, and I kissed her back.” He holds his hands up. “I swear, I even kept my hands around her waist. Bree’s a good girl. I like her.”
I actually believe him. “I think you’ll be fine. She’s a strong girl too. I don’t think she would have been here if she didn’t want to be. But I think she’s kind of upset now too.”
“Yeah, she’s cool.” His goofy grin doesn’t leave his face, and I shake my head before I stand up.
“Look, I’m going over to Rhett’s. Don’t let them burn down the house. Okay?”
“Yeah, go get you some. I’ll hold down the fort.” Though he looks like he’s about to pass out.
I laugh and leave, driving over to Rhett’s, but he isn’t home yet. He looked really worried, so there’s no way I’m leaving before I get a chance to talk to him.
Who knew my friends actually weren’t all that bad?
THIRTY-FIVE
What the hell is happening? Bree just fucking outed Grayson. He seemed calm about it. Well, at least not angry about it, although totally freaked-out. But still, it’s not okay. How could she do that?
And how could she show up at his place and get drunk? Bree doesn’t drink. This isn’t like her. She finishes puking in the bushes and leans against my car. “Oh my god.”
“You told Josh about me and Grayson. What the fuck, Bree?”
Her watery eyes meet mine, and she looks horrified. “I’m so sorry. Oh my god, Rhett. I’m so sorry. I don’t know why I said that. It slipped, and it was so stupid. I’m so sorry.”
I know she is, and I lean next to her. “What’s going on? You never drink.”
She wipes at her mouth with her hand as another tear slides down her cheek. “It was just so crazy watching you and Fletch walk across that stage today, moving on to the next part of your lives. Leaving me.”
I wrap an arm around her and hold her close. “I’m not going anywhere. I’m here, Bree.”
She sniffs, her voice sad. “You are, but you’re not. You have Grayson, and you’ll be starting your career soon. Fletcher is moving out. It all hit me hard.” She sniffs again and then turns her head to look at me with those desperately sad eyes. “I’m so sorry. I’ll apologize to him. I promise. That was fucked up. I didn’t mean to.”
I hug her tighter. “I know you didn’t. And thank you. I don’t think he’s mad, more shocked. But for now, let’s get you home, okay?”
She nods. “I’m so sorry, Rhett.”
I kiss the top of her head. “I know. I’m sorry I haven’t been there for you. I’ll do better, okay? I promise. You know I love you.”
She makes a choked sobbing sound and nods her head before wiping at her eyes and pushing off the car. “I know.”
She climbs into the passenger seat, and I take one last glance in the direction of the house before getting behind the wheel. She looks so damn tired, and she leans against the window with her eyes closed. I decide to do no more questioning tonight.
We can talk more tomorrow, so I turn her favorite music up and drive her to Blair and Rhys’s house, parking in the drive and walking her up to the front door. When I unlock the door with the key I still have, I’m met instantly by a concerned Rhys.
Not surprising—he’s protective. “What’s wrong?” his deep voice rumbles with concern.
Bree straightens her shoulders and offers him a strong, “Nothing. I’m fine. Rhett just gave me a ride home.”
He doesn’t buy it, but neither of us say a word. She kisses my cheek and then his before walking off toward her room. Blair walks into the foyer, looking at Bree, then me, and then Rhys. “What’s going on?”
Bree keeps walking, and I keep my voice low. “I think she could maybe use a little talk.”
Blair nods in determination and understanding, taking off after Bree. Rhys closes the door behind me after I walk fully into the house. “You need a talk too?”
I shrug—so damn tired from this night—and okay, maybe from the last few years. “Yeah, maybe.”
He gives a clipped nod and jerks his head in the direction of the living room where I follow him, both of us taking a seat on the oversized sofa. “What’s up?”
So many damn things. I want to tell him everything. This man has given me a second chance in life. He’s the reason I graduated today, the reason I found my passion in art that led to my future career. He gave me a safe place when I never dreamed I could have that. “You’re straight, right? Like totally straight?” I blurt that out instead of a thank-you. And of course, he instantly looks confused.
Because why wouldn’t he be? Jesus.
“I mean . . .” I huff, annoyed with myself. “You’re only interested in women.”
“I’m only interested in one woman. Yeah. Why? What’s going on?”
I don’t think he’ll think any differently of me. I don’t. I know he’s not like Grayson’s dad. “I think I’m in love with a guy.” Shit. That was way too fucking real.
In love?
Shit.
His face lights up in surprise, but it’s different. I don’t know how I can tell, but somehow, I know his shock is more about the love part than the guy part. But before he can say anything in response, his eyes glance behind the couch where Blair is standing with wide eyes.
Well, fuck me.
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to overhear that. Bree is out, and I . . .” She actually looks flustered. That’s a first.
“It’s okay. I want to talk to you too.”
She lights up at that and walks over to sit in-between us, placing a hand on my knee. “You’re in love?”
I smile to myself because I was right. They’re going to focus on the love part. “I um . . .” My voice isn’t working. “I think so.”