Fighting was more Cal’s style, not mine. I knew how to, and I could hold my own in a fight, but I didn’t like using my fists to make a point.
I also wasn’t usually the kind of person to take an immediate disliking to someone and show it. It was like I couldn’t hide it though—and a part of me didn’t want to.
Letting my gaze scan the city skyline, I wondered if I could manage to slip away unseen, to my room, for the rest of the night. In hindsight, I probably should have headed straight there, but before I could come to a decision…the balcony door slid open. I turned, about to tell whoever it was to fuck right off.
The sound of music, laughter, and conversations from inside pooled out to mix with the late-night sounds of the city as Calum and Evan stumbled out onto the veranda, Calum tripping over the slight step out. He caught himself and stumbled over to me as Evan closed the door behind them, cutting off the sounds from inside. I relaxed a little, the comfort I got from simply being in the presence of my two best friends soothing my aggravation.
“’Sup, fucker?” Calum lifted his chin, his piercing blue eyes glossy. He was three sheets to the wind. Evan was a little sturdier on his feet, but his eyes were glassy too; he was feeling no pain either.
“Not much, just needed some air.”
“Get enough yet? You’ve been out here for a half hour already,” Evan tutted, tugging a joint out of his shirt pocket and lighting it up. He puffed on it a few times before offering it to Calum. Cal took a hit and passed it to me.
I’d taken it easy on the drinking so far, kept it to beer instead of hard liquor. I hadn’t wanted to lose control of myself and do something that would draw attention to my secret attraction—like punch Connor’s boyfriend in his stupid square jaw. I was alreadydangerouslyclose to losing it without the added curse of hard liquor clouding my judgment, but pot wouldn’t hurt.
If anything, it’d mellow me out a little, and I needed that mellow.
I took it, inhaling it deep into my lungs, and closed my eyes, holding it for a moment before exhaling and releasing it.
“Who you trying to avoid, anyway?” Evan asked. As drunk as Calum was, he still turned to watch me.
“Brighton,” I tossed out her name on a whim—knowing both guys would understand. Evan let out a groan and I coughed as the smoke caught in my throat.
“Ugh. She’s like a dog with a bone, that one. One I don’t even want to bone…again, anyway,” he said, taking the joint from me. “She’s really got it out for you though. Wants to add you to her collection really bad,” Evan added with a chuckle.
“Well, it isn’t ever going to happen,” I replied as the joint made its way around again. Cal hit it hard, then passed it to me. I took a quick hit and passed it back to Evan.
Before he could raise it to his lips, Calum started to sway where he stood. At this point in the evening, he probably had more alcohol in his system than he did blood.
Evan dropped the joint and caught him before he could crash to the ground. I stepped over and grabbed his other arm, lifting it over my shoulders. “Guess it’s nighty-night time already,” Evan laughed, shaking his head at me.
Cal’s eyes were barely opened, but he grinned. “I’ll see her there.”
“What?” Evan frowned. But Calum just sighed, his smile slipping away. “See who?” he asked me.
“I don’t know.” I shrugged it off. But we looked at each other like we knew, the same name on our minds—the onlyherit could be.Harper. Some nights, he tried to outdrink the guilt and the guilt won. Neither one of us knew how to help him, other than making sure he was looked after when he got to drinking. “Let’s get him to his room before he’s out cold.”
We made our way to the door, Calum’s weight distributed evenly between the two of us. Connor saw us coming and opened the sliding door, her brow furrowed with concern. She’d ditched the crown, but still managed to look like royalty without it.
“Our little party boy had too much to drink, it’s bedtime,” Evan informed her. His words stirred Calum back into consciousness, and his eyes popped open.
“I’m good, let’s do another toast.” His words were slurred, his eyes glossy and unfocused. “Wanna sing again, Connie? Let’s sing.”
“All right, come on then,” Connor replied, humoring him. But instead of leading the way into the living room, she veered right, passing through the kitchen.
She paused long enough to grab a bottle of water from the refrigerator before continuing to the stairs, passing the security guard with a smile. She walked up the stairs, Evan and I stumbling after her still holding Calum between us.
I couldn’t help but stare at her ass as she walked ahead of us. Tonight, she’d worn a black dress that fit snugly to her slender body, the hem of it scarcely reaching halfway down her creamy thighs.
She had paired it with fishnet stockings and thigh-high black boots, her red hair falling down her back in thick curls I couldn’t help but want to tangle my fingers in. The overall effect had me wondering if it was possible to have a heart attack at twenty-six.
Exhaling, I forced my eyes away, catching Evan’s raised brows. He looked at me too, mouthing the words ,“THAT ASS.” I scowled at him and he grinned, playfully waggling his eyebrows.
Evan might have been the least serious out of the three of us, but he was probably the most observant. He’d long since picked up on my feelings for Connor and loved to razz me about it when Calum wasn’t around, or sober enough to pick up on it. Not that I’d admit he was right.
Connor reached the top of the stairs and turned left, strolling to her brother’s bedroom. Her hips swaying naturally with each step, my trachea growing smaller and tighter with each step she took. She stopped before Cal’s door and opened it.
The upstairs level of our penthouse had a guest bath and four bedrooms. The three main bedrooms were bigger with ensuite bathrooms and private balconies. The fourth bedroom was smaller than the others, although still expansive. We used it as a guest room when we had family pay visits.
