Page 33 of Defend Me

“You’re so sweet, then you leap right into darkness. Does it call to you?” I raised and lowered my brows.

“Depends.”

“On?”

“If there’s anyone else there.”

“Oh, yeah. You’re antisocial.”

“There are some people I’d accept to come with me. Begrudgingly, of course.”

“Of course,” I repeated. “Fine. No karaoke. Mingling, though, is mandatory.”

“No.”

I jutted my lip out. “Please?”

He groaned and slumped his shoulders. “But why?”

“Because I want to mingle and I want to hang out with you. I’m not willing to give either of them up, which leaves you no choice.”

Even though he rolled his eyes, he came with me easily. He looked very out of his element when I dropped onto the couch with Linc. I patted the spot next to me, so he sat. I wasn’t sure if he was breathing, but he’d be fine.

*****

In A Place Where I Definitely Just Saw A Cockroach

I had more than a few beers. It looked like a lot of us had. I wasn’t drunk, but my head was swimming. Me and Linc were vibing and after a while, I convinced Tilian to loosen up.

He leaned close to my ear. “Never thought I’d run in any circle where I’d meet the whole football team.”

I wrapped my arm around his shoulders to keep him near me. Even though cedarwood was a common scent, I found it comforting. He tensed a little, but it only took him a few seconds to relax.

“You’re friends with Dean,” I pointed out.

“Not the kind that would get me invited here. I mean, Linc…” He trailed off and bit his lip.

I laughed softly. “Yeah, he’s hot. Gonna shoot your shot?”

“Absolutely not.”

“Operation Find Tilian A Boyfriend is now in full swing.”

“Or we could just… not.”

“Give me a good reason.”

He didn’t say anything and I wasn’t going to push the issue. Not right now, at least. I looked around the room, taking in everyone that was still here.

West was louder than usual, which I would’ve thought impossible, but it was West. He was being chill, though, and the guys on the team did like him, even if he thought otherwise. It just came down to authenticity at a certain point. He didn’t hide who he was, but he also put on a show. There was darkness inside of him and I was nosey enough to be curious about it. All I knew was that part of it had to do with daddy issues, which I avoided like the plague. None for me, thanks.

Linc and Sen were chatting. From the looks of it, they were getting along well. Nobody could dislike Sen. He was too lovable.

Kai was talking to Rick, laughing at something he said. At all times, though, he had an eye on his boyfriend. His protectiveness made sense considering Sen’s past, but even if he hadn’t been through that shit, Kai would probably act exactly the same.

Someone came in from outside, so my gaze moved in that direction. A guy named Matt walked into the living room, then headed for the kitchen.

Tapping my fingers, I considered my next moves carefully. It’d be smart to drop Tilian off at his dorm and go our separate ways. I wondered if he’d be down to hang out instead. I liked being around him more than most people and I wanted to get to know him more.

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