I slap his arm. “Stop. She did not.”
He chuckles. “She did. She said, and I quote,Don’t think I don’t know what you two are always up to. I have eyes in the front of my head and in the back.Sebastian had a hard time rebelling after that.”
“Did he really?”
He smirks and the stress that was on his face a moment ago fades just a little. “Up until a certain point. We found another way to get that beer for him, and when we did, Aunt Bess didn’t know a thing about it.”
I knock my arm into his. “Who knew you were such a bad influence.”
“Could’ve been worse.”
“Seeing as though we’re old enough to have beer now, what’sourgoal for the night?”
“To get through it with my heart in one piece.”
“Do you want a drink?There are waiters walking around offering them.”
I’ve seen three of them since we made it through the door and are now standing in the open space of the ballroom. I’d rather be present for the evening. Not only so I can be here for him but so I can take in the night as much as possible. “No, but thank you.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah, I’m good. Should we find Sebastian and your aunt and uncle? They have to be around here somewhere.”
“They might be at the table. Let’s go.” Colson grabs my hand and steers me through the crowd, the two of us reading place cards on tables as we go. They’re supposed to serve dinner after celebrating those who have put in the work to earn their very own second chance. We shuffle through more people, none of whom I recognize, but smile at sweetly anyway.
“Jesus Christ.”
He mumbles it under his breath, but I manage to hear it, and ask, “What’s wrong?”
“I won’t…” His sentence trails off, and I don’t catch the rest of it. There are a lot of people, and more continue to flow in. There’s chatter and soft music coming from the sound system. Not to mention that he’s in front of me, so his words are floating forward instead of toward me.
“Colson, what?”
He stops long enough to look over his shoulder with a scowl, “I won’t be able to let you out of my sight all night.”
“We’re at a fundraiser foraddiction. People are here to spend money, not get laid.”
“You’re not a guy,” he huffs. “You don’t see what we do when we look at you. Nor do you know what’s going on inside of our heads.”
My breath cuts short at his honesty. His words are so nonchalant but hold a world of meaning.
I want to know what’s going on inside ofhishead. I could care less about everyone else. It’s him who intrigues me most.
We finally find our table after what seems like ages. Sebastian jumps from his seat with glee, coming to give both Colson and me a hug. He claims his date bailed last minute when Colson asks about it and shrugs, the smile on his face never wavering.
A female voice comes from behind a second later. “And you must be Violet.”
In all the time I’ve known Sebastian, I’ve never once met his parents, so when I turn around and see an older, but elegant, woman dressed to the nines with a silver fox next to her, I can’t help but smile.
“I’m Bess, and this is Thad. It’s so nice to finally meet you.”
I extend my hand. “Likewise. I can’t believe it’s taken this long. I’ve known Sebastian since freshman year.” I glance back at Colson, who’s standing no less than a foot behind me, his hands tucked into his pockets. I give him a knowing look,wondering if he’s the one who’s been talking about me, but when he offers nothing back, I realize it must’ve been Sebastian.
“We’re so glad you were able to make it. Even more happy that Colson has a friend by his side for the evening.”
Her eyes fall to her nephew, and there’s so much pride and love there. She looks at him like he’s hers, like he’s Sebastian’s brother. It’s no different with his uncle. It only makes my heart soar for the man standing beside me.
Knowing he has them when his mother isn’t very nurturing lessens my sorrow on the subject. He may not have a mom who puts him first, but his aunt, uncle, and cousin love the hell out of him. And that right there, is something not a lot of people have.
