"I don't do that." Jackson laughed and sat down in the chair next to the couch. "It's called Throwback Thursday because we literally throw back tons of beer. No reminiscing."
I looked up at Rory.
"Sorry," he mouthed silently at me. He sat down on the opposite side of the couch as Connor.
"Okay, well I'll let you guys watch your game or get super drunk or whatever it is you actually do." I was so horny. I couldn't just sit there next to Rory. I wish he had just told them to leave.
"Oh, no, Keira, you can join us," Rory said. "There's a Phillies game on. I know you like watching all those sexy players." He smiled at me.
"I um..."
Connor turned around and handed me a bottle of beer.
It would have been weird if I hung out in my room. Especially when I had skipped out on poker night. "Okay." I grabbed the beer, walked around the couch, and sat down between Connor and Rory.
Rory turned on the game and then put his arm behind me on the couch, without touching me.
Jackson looked back and forth between us again instead of turning toward the game. Jackson smiled at me. "Okay, I just have to ask. Is something going on between you two? Because you know I hate feeling like I'm out of the loop. And Keira's basically part of our group now. If two people in our group are hooking up, I feel like everyone in the group should know."
Rory moved his arm off the couch behind me. "Keira's not really in our group. She hasn't even had the induction yet or anything."
Connor laughed.
"Yeah, that doesn't really answer my question," Jackson said.
"What is the induction to your group?" I asked, hoping to change the subject.
"There isn't really..."
"You have to blow one of the group members," Connor said, cutting Rory off.
I could feel my face blushing. Haven't I already been inducted then?
"I knew it," Jackson said. He clapped his hands together but missed slightly. It seemed like he had already had a few beers before coming over.
"Whatever, guys. You all just admitted that you're gay," I said.
"No, we just tricked you into admitting that you and Rory are hooking up," Connor said. "Obviously original members don't have to do the initiation. Just new female members. So really just you. And maybe we should change it to blowing two group members." He raised his eyebrow at me.
I pushed his shoulder. "But you didn't trick me. You already knew," I said.
"Damn it, Rory. Why do you always tell Connor everything before you tell me?!" Jackson said.
Rory started laughing. "Calm down, Jackson. I'll tell you first next time."
Next time?
The only noise in the room was from the T.V.
Next time that he hooks up with me? Or next time as in a new girl? I felt sick to my stomach. He must have meant next time he hooks up with me. There was no way he meant with the next girl he hooks up with. I knew we hadn't talked about what we were, but I didn't think he was going to move on that quickly. And why would he say that in front of me if he meant a different girl?
Connor cleared his throat.
"Connor!" I almost yelled, trying to change the subject. "I actually thought of the perfect girl to set you up with. I was good friends with her in college, but we kind of lost touch when I moved to Philly. But she just moved here, so I texted her this afternoon and told her all about you. And she really wants to meet you. Maybe if you're lucky you'll get to induct her into the group."
"Oh, wow. Okay. I can't argue with that. Actually that would be great. I was about to sign up for Tinder or something. It seems like the same girls have been at the bars every time we go."
"Grindr?" Jackson asked. "I'm on that."
I laughed. Wait, is Jackson actually gay?
"You do know that Grindr is like a gay version of Tinder?" Rory asked.
"I meant Tinder. I'm on Tinder." Jackson turned toward the T.V.
What the hell is happening right now? "Let me see your phone," I said to Connor, again trying to change the subject.
He handed it to me. I quickly added in my friend's number and tossed it back to him. "Her name is Julie. And I happen to know she's free tomorrow night. So you should text her."
"Thanks, Keira."
"So if you two are together now and Connor has a date, what about me?" asked Jackson. "Do you have any more single friends, Keira?"
Rory shifted in his seat.
I tried not to read into his body language too much. He wasn't comfortable admitting we were together. That was fine. We hadn't really discussed it yet anyway. And I knew he had issues with his past relationship. It would take him time to trust me. "I'm sorry, Jackson. All of my closest friends are married or engaged. Oh crap." I quickly stood up. I had completely forgotten about a wedding I was supposed to attend on Saturday.
"You okay?" Rory asked.
"Yeah, sorry, I'll be right back." I walked over to the fridge and pulled the invitation off. I had RSVP'd that I would be bringing a date. What is wrong with me? It was always so hard putting an X through the line of my plus one. Even though I had RSVP'd months ago, it was still rather optimistic of me.
"Hey, sorry about tonight."
I looked up at Rory, leaning against the fridge. God is he sexy. "It's fine." I smiled at him.
"Are you sure everything's okay?"
"Yeah, it's just...it's stupid really. It's not a big deal at all. I just completely forgot about this wedding I'm supposed to attend this weekend. One of my friends from college is getting married. At least I'm not a bridesmaid this time." I laughed awkwardly. I wanted to ask him to be my plus one. But he had just acted so weird around his friends. I didn't want to put him in an awkward position.
"Oh." Rory lowered his eyebrows slightly as he looked down at the invitation. "Who's your plus one?"
"I don't think I'll bring anyone. I mean...it's probably going to be boring. I don't want to subject anyone to all that." The invitation suddenly felt heavy in my hands. It would have been so nice to bring a date. And Rory had been the one to bring it up. If he really liked me, then he wouldn't want me to go with anyone else. "Unless you want to go," I said. "But you definitely don't have to."
"When did you say it was?"
"This Saturday."
"I'll be your date if you want."
"Really? That would be fantastic."
"Yeah, of course. Now let's go watch the game. You can point out all the players you think are the hottest."
I laughed and followed him back into the living room.
Chapter 26
The smell of cinnamon completely engulfed me. I took a deep breath, opened my eyes, and immediately snapped them shut. I had fallen asleep on Rory's lap on the couch. My cheek was directly on top of his crotch. And he was definitely semi-erect. Hopefully he's dreaming about me. I slowly opened up my eyes again.
His bare feet were up on the coffee table, his right ankle crossed over his left. His legs were really hairy. I wasn't sure why I found that so insanely hot. There was just something so masculine about hairy legs. I pulled up his athletic shorts slightly so I could look at his knees. How are knees sexy? I bit my lip.