I nod, having had a similar thought but ultimately decided to give him more time and space. “I miss you,” I tell him. “Sorry, I probably shouldn’t have said that—”

  “I miss you too,” he interrupts and gives me another heated onceover. “You look beautiful by the way.”

  I give him a smile, and for the first time since I’ve known him, I feel like I’m at a loss for words. “Thank you.”

  “So, you’re moving soon, right?”

  “Next week.”

  “Do you have movers? I mean…do you need help?”

  “I have movers. I’m good. I think Rory is going to come down and help. Lucas was supposed to but…you know.” I shrug.

  “Right. Well, if I can help…or you need anything…”

  “Besides you?” I ask him honestly and I watch his shoulders sag.

  He nods. “Yeah, besides me.”

  We walk the rest of the way in silence and when we finally make it to his office, he stops. “Can you just wait here for a second?”

  “Sure.” He takes everything into his office by himself, because he absolutely didn’t need me to help him carry everything and he’s back a few moments later.

  He starts walking back towards the café but he stops when I’m not following. “I drove to Avery’s.” He waves his keys. “Going to go get my car now.”

  “Oh! Sorry, why didn’t you say anything?”

  “I wanted five minutes with you. Well, ten.”

  He smiles and I reach for his hand, lacing our fingers. “Theo.”

  He shakes his head and takes a step back, letting my hand drop from his. “I want to, believe me. It is taking everything in me right now, not to throw you in the backseat of my car and fuck you in broad daylight.” We start walking back towards the café. “I wish I was holding your hand.” I stare down at our hands that are mere inches apart, wishing they were laced and I feel the tears building in my throat.

  We walk in silence the remainder of the way back until we get to his car. “Well, it was good to see you.” He says.

  “You too.”

  “If I don’t see you before you move,” he starts and I wonder how he’s going to end that. See you around? See you never? “I hope it goes well.” I bite my bottom lip, hating this awkward but still very real tension between us. He doesn’t wait for my response before he’s in his car and pulls off.

  I should have known Rory coming down to help me move wouldn’t come without a hundred questions and tequila shots.

  “I still can’t believe I didn’t realize it. Like…it was a shame that nobody had hooked up with Daddy Graham after all this time. What is the actual point of having a friend with a hot dad?” She sucks the lime into her mouth. We’d spent the last two days moving and had actually put a decent dent in my apartment. I have a couch, my bed is set up, and I have WiFi so everything else can wait as far as I’m concerned. My mom left about an hour ago after neurotically organizing my kitchen, and we’d opened a bottle of wine and then switched to tequila right after.

  I’m lying flat on my back on my couch with my eyes closed, with an eye mask resting beneath my eyes in hopes it will get rid of the dark circles brought on by staying up all night packing and crying all week. “How pissed is he?”

  Rory, who’s sitting on the floor in front of me, takes a bite of the sausage pizza we ordered. “He’s mad but…he’s calmed down.” She tucks her hair behind her ear. “He thinks you hate him.”

  My head snaps to look at her. “He hates me! And his dad!”

  “He doesn’t hate either of you. He’s hurt. This was like…a very big bomb.”

  I nod in agreement. “Do you think he’ll come around?”

  “Yes…I think…maybe?”

  “Rory…” I sit up, shooting her an annoyed look because there’s no way she doesn’t know anything.

  “What! We don’t really discuss it. It just puts him in a bad mood.”

  “Ugh.” I scoff as I lay back down. “Pour me another.”

  Two hours and a few too many shots later, Rory has the brilliant idea to go to our favorite bar in town. While I don’t necessarily think it’s our best idea, I go along with it because it’s better than sitting in the house sulking all night.

  It’s nearing midnight, so the bar is darker and has turned into more of a club scene. Rory and I are dancing amongst ourselves while drinking our vodka sodas when a very familiar and very bad idea comes over me. I look at Rory who’s got her eyes closed as she shakes to the beat. “Should I text him?” I shout over the music.

  “Who?” I give her a look as she takes a sip of her drink. “Oh yes! Obviously!” Her eyes widen. “I won’t tell.” She zips her lips and continues dancing.

  I take a long sip of my drink. Fuck it.

  Me: Hi

  His response is almost immediate. Okay, this is good.

  TG: Hi there. How was the move?

  Okay, you can do this. Sound sober.

  Me: Great!

  TG: Good. Glad to hear it. It’s a little late. Everything alright?

  Me: Yep. I’m just with Rory

  TG: I see. Well, you guys have fun!

  Okay, that was anti-climactic. You sounded too sober. Say something risky!

  “What should I say?” I ask Rory.

  She taps her chin. “Can I come over and sit on your face?” She shakes her head. “No! Do you want to come over and break in my bed at my new place!” She looks at me with a smile. “I’ll totally go stay at my parents’. Or Justin’s.” She shrugs as she raises her hands and begins dancing in a circle. Lord, she’s drunker than I am! I might need Theo just to come get us.

  “You’re still sleeping with him!?”

  “It’s like…comfort dick. It’s familiar, I know how everything works. No surprises. Ya know? Like my emotional support dick!”

  I roll my eyes because for the life of me, I can’t understand her and Justin. They’ve been doing this same song and dance for almost five years and I thought one or both of them would have been over it by now or they’d just decide to get married.

  “Fuck it, I’m saying it.”

  Me: Do you want to come over and help me break in my bed?

  I see the three dots indicating that he’s typing before they disappear and they show up again and then disappear and I giggle at the memory of that first night we slept together. I look next to me, remembering Rory dancing then too, and this really is déjà vu.

  TG: Where are you?

  Me: Bar downtown…want to come?

  TG: Did you Uber?

  Me: Of course, we are a little tipsy.

  TG: Both of you?

  Me: I don’t know let me ask Rory.

  I take a picture of her and she snaps her head towards the flash. “Hey!” she squeals as I hit send.

  Me: I think so.

  “You should send him a picture of you!” Rory says. “Or a video!” she snaps. “A video of you dancing! You look hot.”

  I’m grateful she convinced me to wear a dress tonight because it might be just sexy enough to entice him to come out. I’m glad the song playing is on the sexier side as I shake my ass for the camera for a few minutes and then I blow a kiss towards it.

  “Oh yeah, you look hot. Send it!” She hands the phone back to me and I bite my lower lip because she’s right, I did. I send it and within seconds I get a reply

  TG: Jesus Christ, Avery

  Me: I think you should come downtown.

  TG: I don’t think I should.

  Me: Why?

  TG: You know why. Plus, you’re drunk.

  Me: So? I don’t think that matters if I’m in love with you

  TG: Avery…

  Okay not sweet. Sexy! Divert the conversation!

  Me: Don’t you want to fuck me again?

  TG: Obviously. We both know that.

  Me: Then come. Besides, don’t you want to make sure I get home safely?

  TG: I know what you’re doing.

  Me: Okay, but do you know that I’m wet?

  TG: Fuck me.

  Me: Yes please. I’ve missed your dick so much. My vibrator really isn’t the same. I actually took a video of me using it…do you want to see?

  He doesn’t respond right away and a part of me thinks I may have gone too far when my phone buzzes in my hand.

  TG: Yes.

  I go into my secret folder and pull up one of the videos that I actually took while we were together and just never sent it to him. I’ve been saving it for a night when I really needed it, and I’m glad I have it because I am fucking desperate to break him. The video is only about a minute long and surely enough sixty seconds later, my phone begins to ring in my hands.

  “Hi.” I giggle.

  “Which bar are you at?”

  The bar is so loud and it’s been a while since I’ve been in a place like this. It’s also huge and I have no idea where they are. I’ve watched that video she sent me at least ten times on my way over here and each time I get angrier for torturing myself by watching it. I should just delete it.

  Don’t you fucking dare.

  The way she gasps my name the second she goes over the edge and shoots the sexiest wink to the camera, almost has me coming in my pants every time. There are two large bars both positioned in the center of the room and I walk around one and then the other before I see her in that sexy gold dress. I get closer and fuck she looks gorgeous, like she’s been out in the sun since the week I’ve seen her making her even more bronzed than usual. Her lips are painted red and quirked up in a smile towards some fucking asshole standing next to her.

  Fuck that.

  He leans down to whisper something in her ear, his hand resting at the small of her back, and I instantly feel the aggression rushing back from when I played football. I want to hit something. Hard.

  As soon as I’m within arm’s reach, I grab her by the wrist and pull her hard against me, tilting her chin up to meet mine. I seal my lips over hers and kiss her with the two weeks’ worth of passion it’s been since I’ve kissed her. My tongue flicks against hers tasting tequila and lime and she reaches up to grab hold of my leather jacket as she rubs against me.

  Fuck, I want her.

  I pull away and I see the stars in her eyes as her eyes flutter dreamily.

  “Is there a problem here?” I ask while staring down at Avery.

  “You know this guy?” The asshole who is not getting the fucking picture spits out and I turn my head towards him.

  “I’m her man. So again, I ask, do we have a problem?”

  He nods at her. “She said she was single.”

  I look down at her, and she’s still looking up at me drunkenly like I hung the fucking moon. I rub my nose against hers. “You told him you were single when you know you’re mine?”

  “Am I?” She sasses.

  I glare at her. “Don’t test me, Avery.”

  She narrows her eyes at me before turning back to the guy standing in front of us. “He’s my Daddy.” She giggles before she gives him an innocent smile and then turns back to me, looking pretty pleased with herself. I narrow my eyes and shake my head at her trying to ignore the spark in my dick that word causes.

  “I’m taking you home. Where’s Rory?” I ask her as the guy finally leaves. I look over my shoulder. “You really tell that guy you were single?” While yes, I suppose she is single, I hate that she is going around broadcasting it.

  “Well, aren’t I?” She cocks her head to the side and I push against her, forcing her back against the bar and rubbing my dick against her.

  “Is that why you sent me a video of you fucking your tight little pussy? Because you’re single?” I ask as I drag my finger over the tops of her breasts and between her cleavage.

  She shivers and flashes me a mischievous grin. “No, I did that because I’m horny.” She pushes against me. “And because I missed you.” She wraps her arms around my neck. “I didn’t say I was single.” She blinks up at me. “I barely had a chance to say anything before you showed up but I did very much enjoy this display of jealousy, you caveman.”

  “Is your tab still open?” I ask ignoring the fact that she called me out because frankly I don’t care, I was fucking jealous of any man that’s breathed the same air as her the last two weeks.

  “Yes, wait! Do you want a drink?”

  “No, and we’re leaving. Where is Rory?” I ask her again.

  “Right here!” I turn and she’s standing behind me with two shots in her hand. “For you!”

  “You don’t need anymore,” I say looking at Avery as she takes the tiny glass of clear liquid from Rory.

  “You’ll be happy I took this when I’m sucking your dick on the ride home.” She downs the shot and sets it on the counter. “Woo!”

  I’m equal parts annoyed and turned on with how she’s acting but I know I’ll be way less irritated when I have her in the car.

  “Rory, where do you want me to take you?”

  “Justin is out of town. He did say I could still go over; I have a key, but can I just stay at your place since my car is there?” She asks Avery. “Can’t you go to his house?” She points at me like I’m not the only coherent person between the three of us.

  “That’s fine with me!” She looks at me. “Can I sleep over?” I don’t say anything and she looks up at me with those gorgeous eyes that can make me do whatever she wants. “Don’t you want to kiss me again?” She shrugs. “Maybe somewhere else?” She drags her finger up my chest. “When we drop Rory off, I could grab my vibrator and I’ll give you a live show.”

  Visions of her using that hot pink toy come flooding back and I’m hard as a rock. “Let’s go, both of you.”

  After a very long forty-five minutes—trying to wrangle two intoxicated girls alone is no easy feat—I’m back at my house with Avery. As soon as we’re in my room, she’s already pulling off her clothes.

  “Avery,” I tell her just as she pulls her dress over her head.

  “Do you want to shower with me?”

  “I think…maybe we shouldn’t…”

  “Oh,” she scoffs, “we definitely should.”

  “I just don’t want things to get more complicated between us. I mean things are still unsettled with Lucas and—” I shake my head. “This puts us right back where we were two weeks ago. Sneaking around.”

  She stomps her foot. “You came to get me!”

  “Because you are drunk.”

  “And? This is not new! I know how to get myself home when I’ve been drinking, Theo. You wanted to fuck me and now you’re having second thoughts while I’m naked in your bedroom? You sure picked a fine time to stop thinking with your dick!” She unsnaps her bra and as her perfect tits spring free, I instantly crave the taste of them.

  “Avery.” I groan. “You’re fucking killing me.”

  “I’m going to shower.” She looks me up and down as she slides her panties down her legs. “If you don’t want to join me, you can watch.” She walks away without another glance in my direction.

  I am very familiar with every inch of Avery Summers’ body and something is different since the last time I saw her. I follow her and I make it to the bathroom just as she opens my glass shower door. “Turn around,” I tell her and when she does, my eyes immediately drop to the space between her legs. “You…” I take a step towards her, my eyes staring at her smooth, bare cunt. “You’re bare. You waxed?”

  “Mmmhm, I told you, I like to switch it up.”

  “And I told you I liked the landing strip.”

  “Well,” she sasses, “you aren’t fucking me anymore. So, you don’t get a vote.” She taps my nose and turns around to turn on the water and I’m already pulling off my clothes to follow her into my walk-in shower. When she turns back around and sees me unbuckling my pants she backs up and lets her head fall back under the water allowing it to glide sexily down her body.

  “I want a fucking vote,” I tell her as I close the door behind me.

  “You do, huh?” She grabs my dick, wrapping her hand around it and stroking it up and down. “Why?”

  I push her hand away and get on my knees in front of her. “Because you’re mine.” I run my fingers through her slit, relishing in the smoothness of her for the first time. “Fuck this is sexy though.” I lift her left leg to open her up and let it rest on my shoulder as I press my lips to her pussy.

  “Yes, oh fuck.” I hear her moan as I rub my tongue over her clit. She pushes her fingers through my hair and rocks her hips against my face and fuck I’ve missed this. I miss her being so desperate and needy to come that she literally fucks my face. “Oh God.”

  “Tell me who you belong to.”

  “You! Oh God, I’m going to come. Fuck.” She cries out. “Oh my God, yes yes right there! Theo!” I grip her hips to keep her steady while she goes over the edge. “Oh my God, I love you so much.” She moans and those words combined with the taste of her orgasm on my tongue have me ready to explode. I stand up in front of her and she grabs my jaw. “Tell me who you belong to.”

  “You know I’m yours. I’ve done nothing but think about you for two weeks.” I press her wet hair out of her face and drop a kiss on her lush mouth. “I love you too.” I whisper against her lips.

  Tears form in her eyes and she reaches for my dick. “I need you inside me.”

  “I need to make love to you in my bed, not here. I just thought we both needed something to take the edge off.” I wink at her.

  I squirt some of her body wash into her loofah that I hadn’t gotten rid of. In fact, I’d sometimes just sit in here and hold it under my nose just to get a whiff of her. I begin washing her all over and when we’re both clean I help her out of the shower. I help her dry off and when she’s done torturing me by rubbing that sinfully good-smelling lotion into her skin that also fucking makes my dick hard, I carry her to the bed and I’m on her instantly.

  “Get your vibrator,” I tell her and she grabs it from her bag and hands it to me before lying down on the bed.

  I hold the phallic-shaped toy in my hand and turn it on, rubbing it over her perky nipples before dragging it down her body. “I want to fuck you here,” I tell her as I reach under her to grab her ass.