“Hey, Sly,” my team captain says. “Or should I saymatey?”
He’s teasing, but I’m grinding my teeth so hard, I might break Gwen’s spell.
“You okay, man?” Don’s eyebrows lower as he reads my face.
“What’s going on over here?” My voice is growly.
“Owen,” Gina laughs, her voice noticeably higher. “We’re just chatting. I-I’ve been friends with Donovan for years…”
“Friends. Is this friendly?”
“Yeah.” Donovan straightens to his full height, a taunting grin curling his lips. “You got a problem with it?”
I stand straighter as well, not backing down. Donovan is an inch taller than I am, but I don’t really give a shit. I’m ready to punch him straight in his crooked nose.
“Maybe I do.”
His shoulders drop, and he exhales a laugh. “Owen, bruh. It’s not what you think. Trust me.”
Gina’s eyes are wide, and she puts her hands on both my arms, turning me away from him. “Come with me.”
I hold Donovan’s pale blue eyes a beat longer before letting Gina drag me into the kitchen. We push through the door, where I see Maddie sitting at the bar with Zander,dancing him back and forth along the granite countertop as she watchesIt’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brownon Gina’s iPad.
“What were you doing out there?” Her voice is a sharp whisper.
“He was hitting on you.”
“Oh my gosh, Owen, he was not!”
“He had his hands on you, and his face was in your hair.” Most likely sniffing up all of her sweet cherry scent.
Something like amusement dances in her eyes as she grabs my wrist, dragging me to the back of the kitchen, away from everyone, and into the laundry room, slamming the door.
My brow arches, and I reach for her.
She blocks my hand. “I’m going to tell you something, and you have to swear to me you will never,everrepeat it.”
“I don’t like the sound of that.”
“Stop misreading everything and listen to me.” Her green eyes flash with impatience, and fuck, bossy Gina is hot.
“Okay.” I hold up both hands.
“Donovan is gay.”
The small room falls silent, and we blink at each other. The noise of the party seems far away in this small room, behind the closed door. The sound of our breathing is louder, and I wonder if anyone would hear if we…
Then I realize she’s waiting for me to say something, which now seems silly. I’m a lot less mad than I was ten seconds ago.
I straighten, looking around the room, my unexpected, jealous rage forgotten. “You’re sure about that?”
“Oh my gosh, yes!” She drops her head back, groaning. “All last year, Maverick and Haddy were trying to push ustogether. He finally just told me, because he said he didn’t want me to think he didn’t find me attractive or whatever…”
“So hedoesfind you attractive?”
She steps forward, putting her hands on my shoulders and smiling. “Yes, he does. In fact, he told me I looked very beautiful tonight.”
My jaw clenches, and I might be remembering my rage.
