Page 96 of Tobias

He gets up, rubbing his hands on his jean-clad thighs. “You got any alcohol? I think we’re going to need it.”

“I was just heading out.” I point to my garage, hoping he’ll let it go soIcan go.

“This won’t take long. One drink, and you can leave. As long as you spill…”

With a sigh, I follow him into my kitchen where he’s already pulling a bottle down from the cabinet. He's been here enough to know where things are.

“The sooner you start talking, the sooner you can leave,” he says.

“Tell me how you know Tobias.”

I’m terrified he’s going to tell me they hooked up. Nothing about it would surprise me, but I’d hate it.

I’m sure Tobias has hooked up with a ton of people, but it’s something I choose not to think about. He told me he doesn’t hook up with his dates, and maybe that’s the truth, but it’s not so much the dates I worry about. Tobias is hot and could get any man he wants. I’m sure there have been plenty of men over the years. Asher hooks up with guys all the time, and the thought of being with someone, even if it’s temporary, who has fucked my best friend is just… weird.

“I didn’t sleep with him, if that’s what you’re thinking,” he says, sneaking a swig right from the whiskey bottle.

“Thank fuck for that,” I say, breathing out a sigh of relief. Asher gives me a dirty look, handing me a tumbler with two fingers of whiskey. I take a mouthful, swallowing and hissing at the burn. “I did what you said and went out on a date with him.”

“Let’s just clarify that I didn’t specify him, and justsomeone, right?”

“Yes, Asher. Yes.”

“Okay, because I don’t want to be blamed when this blows up into a steaming pile of shit.”

“Well, thanks for your support.” I take another sip, then say, “We went on a couple dates, and he brought me to a bar to hang with his friends. So, we sort of became friends, and we’ve been hanging out.”

“And your fiancée is fine with this?” he asks, giving me a look like he knows the answer to that question. And my silence gives him the answer he needs, if he wasn’t already sure. “Which one of them are you lying to?” he adds, leaning his hip on the counter.

“First of all, how does Max know Tobias? And what exactly was said?” I finish my whiskey, wanting more, but I won’t take it since I’m driving and I haven’t eaten much today. I want to get to Tobias in one piece.

“They work together, and it’s partly my fault.” I raise a brow. “I went there a few weeks ago to talk to Tobias, because I knew you were hanging out. I was worried about you, and wanted to check in.” I open my mouth to say something, buthe shakes his head and keeps going. “It wasn’t important and not a big deal, but Max wanted to know why I was talking to Tobias. I wouldn’t tell him, and so he asked Tobias. Who answered his question, but didnotsay your name, let’s be clear about that. Max deduced it by process of elimination since you’re my only friend who has a fiancée.”

“Wait, so Tobias said I was engaged?”

“No, he said he was seeing one of my friends whorecentlybroke off an engagement.”

“Fuck,” I mutter, pinching the bridge of my nose and leaning against the wall for support.

I’m going to be sick.

“Out with the truth, Theo. You are not a liar, so I am very confused about what’s going on, and even more worried about you now.”

I take a moment to think. I could tell Asher everything right now, and he’d understand. He’d be mad, but he’d side with me. He always does. We’re best friends and that’s part of our job. But, of course, I don’t spill anything.

“You have no reason to be worried about me. I’m fine.”

“Except for the fact you’re cheating on your fiancée and lying to your boyfriend.”

“He isn’t my boyfriend.”

“But you want him to be…”

I shake my head. “I’m fine, Asher. Seriously, it’s all fine. I have it under control. I have to go.”

I head into the living room to get Biscuit and put her back in her kennel.

“See yourself out!” I call out to Asher who is still in my kitchen when I shut the door to the garage and get into my car.

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