“It was… oh, hey Nash.”
Nash is leaning against the wall, right opposite the room we were just in.
“I wanted to see if you wanted to dance with me, but I couldn’t find you. One minute you were dancing with Tucker and then you disappeared.” His gaze is intent on my arm around her shoulders. “I guess Col found you before I did.”
In that precise moment, Tucker reaches us. “Hey baby, Tal said it’s ok, she wants to stay a little longer. Do you remember if the light was on or off when we got here?”
Something changes in Nash’s expression when he sees that Tucker is with us too. His eyes drift behind Tuck’s back, as if he expected to see more people coming out of the little office.
“I see you had your own little private party.” He bites out.
“Yeah, no. I came here with Tucker and then Colsen found us.”
His jaw pops as he keeps his eyes on me. “I see.”
“Hey dude,” Tucker’s tone is jovial. “Are you ok? I just wanted to have a minute alone with Taryn on my birthday. It wasn’t a private party or anything. Now we’re all a little tired, and we were gonna go home. You can ride with us if you’re tired too.”
“Yeah, I bet you’re all tired.” He points to a spot on my dress. “You have something white on there. Did you drop some cake on yourself?”
It’s obvious from his tone that he knows that isn’t cake.
I squirm under Nash’s probing gaze. “Ride home with us, Nash. We can talk in the car.”
He shakes his head. “No, thanks. I’m all talked out for tonight. I have a few things to think about; I’d rather walk to clear my head.”
“But it’s late, and it’s three miles to camp.” I object.
“Don’t worry about me. It looks like you’re in good company. You don’t need a fourth wheel. See you tomorrow morning at practice, guys. Try not to make too much noise when you come in.”
“Nash, wait.”
He turns on his heel, ignoring my plea.
“What the fuck is wrong with him?” Tucker asks no one in particular.
“I think he guessed that we were both in there with Taryn and he got jealous.” Colsen offers.
I’m so upset, I can barely speak without crying. “I was honest with him about how I feel right now. He said he didn’t know if he could ever share his girl long term but we talked and he kissed me. I thought we had time to figure this out.”
“You didn’t do anything wrong, baby.” Tucker comforts me. “Do you want me to catch up with him and talk some sense into him?”
Colsen grabs his shoulder to stop him. “No, Tuck. Let him cool down. He’s jealous and I can’t even blame him too much.”
My gaze finds his. I feel more upset with every passing second. “You don’t? Are you jealous too?”
He pulls me closer to his side and explains. “I’ll do my best to be as honest as possible, like Keene and Jamie said. I was jealous at first. I knew it was Tucker’s birthday, but I wanted to spend some time with you too. But then when I found you and you asked me to stay, I really liked it.”
Tucker pats him on the shoulder. “I liked it too, Col. Hottest night of my life so far.”
“I agree. And after what happened between the three of us, I think that maybe Jamie and Keene were right.”
“About what?” Tucker asks.
He explains to us what they told him about their relationship with Bex.
“Do you think something like they have could work for us too?” Tucker looks at me and Colsen.
“I don’t know. I think we could try if you’re on board. And if that’s something Taryn wants.”
