“Also, true.”
“So why come with me?” I wonder. “I know you said we’re friends, and there’s nowhere else you’d rather be but—”
I try to think of the right words, but I don’t know if there’s a good way to put this.
“We both know you’re not bringing me home tonight.” I shrug. “Why miss out on that opportunity for someone you’ve only known for a few months.”
“Technically, I’ve known you for years,” he replies.
He’s dodging the question. I feel a smile start to tug at my lips, and I stop dancing. We stand still in the middle of the dance floor as people move around us.
“Who is she?” I wonder.
“What?”
“The girl, who is she?”
“I—”
“Can I cut in?”
Zeke turns, allowing me to come eye-to-eye with Declan. Not that I didn’t know it was him by the sound of his voice.
“Yeah, go for it, man.” Zeke pats him on the shoulder. “I’m gonna get a drink.”
I give Zeke a small smile before Declan wraps his hands low around my waist. I feel like everyone’s eyes are on us, especially my brother’s. I’ve never been this ‘intimate’ with Declan in front of him.
“Where’s your date?” I wonder, avoiding his eyes.
Part of me is praying that the music picks up so I can escape. The other part of me is hoping that he pulls me closer to him.
“I don’t know.” He shrugs.
“How do you think she’d feel about you dancing with me?”
“Probably the same way I feel about you bringing one of my best friends asyourdate.”
I look up at him, my eyes narrowing.
“He asked me.”
“I couldn’t,” Declan spits. “You don’t want your brother to know about us; how was I supposed to pull that off.”
“It doesn’t really matter, now, does it?”
I yank my hand from his and weave through the people, hoping to escape. The second I get through the double doors and down a nearby hallway, I feel like I can finally breathe. Until someone grabs my arm and pulls me into a dark room. The light clicks on, and I realize I’m in a supply closet.
With Declan.
“What?” I cross my arms, leaning against the shelves.
“I don’t get why you’re so pissed at me,” he begins. “You don’t want to tell Cam, and I’ve supported that. I didn’t think you’d want to come and—”
“You didn’t even tell me about it, so how could you know if I wanted to come or not?” I whisper. “I had to hear about the banquet from Tate. And then to hear from my brother you already have a date, and it’sMollie?!”
His shoulders slump, and his eyes meet the ground.
“Do you know how stupid I felt?” I ask. “I mean, I don’t know what we are. Maybe it’s my fault I didn’t try to figure that out with you sooner, but Mollie?”
