“Because I’m an idiot who chose the only girl who didn’t want everyone to know I was dating her.” I spin around and come face to face with Declan.
He’s got blonde hair with blue eyes, well-toned with wide shoulders and a narrow waist and long legs, he’s cute that’s for sure.
“He’s been asking me out for years, but I kept telling him no. His dad is in business with Britney’s mother and I didn’t want to cause problems between him and his dad. But he is relentless, and I found it hard to keep resisting. Not that he gets to enjoy the girlfriend experience until it is over between them,” says Roxie as she sits down beside me and winks at Declan.
“Okay fine,” he says with a smirk before pulling out a phone and typing something out. I can guess where this is going and his now ringing phone confirms it.
“Is this a joke, you are breaking up with me over text,” screeches Britney, as he puts the phone on speaker.
“It was a crappy thing to do and I couldn’t think of a person more deserving than you. Say what you want, your mother won’t call it quits with my dad just because I dumped you, besides I’ve found someone worth risking his anger for. And I’m not messing around this time, see you around Brit,” he hangs up the phone with the biggest smile I’ve even seen.
Roxie looks shocked but she’s soon laughing as he prowls around the table and picks her up, claiming her mouth in the hottest kiss I’ve ever witnessed.
“Well, they won’t be watching the movies tonight,” says Bella, laughing, and it’s such a melodious sound.
He finally lets her go but this time she sits in his lap and they can’t stop looking at each other, it’s crazy. I’m not saying I’m a fan, but they won’t find any judgement from me, I’ve done a lot worse than that in my seventeen years on this earth.
“I’m sorry for what happened in your room, I swear I didn’t play a part in that, but I can help you in the future,” offers Declan and I’m hesitant to accept.
“Hey you’re my girl now or you will be when you see how incredible I am, if he messes with you I’ll be mad and then Roxie will withhold kisses,” says Bella with a huge smile, such a strange girl.
“No, if he messes with you, I’ll castrate the fucker,” comes from Roxie and I see Declan gulp before nodding his agreement.
“I swear no tricks, if these girls like you then you’re good people. They are better judges of character than I am, so I can help. Finley’s mum may mess with the cameras, but I could always get some installed that she won’t be able to control. My dad is in the security business so we can hook you up, and if I hear of anything I’ll be sure to let you know.”
What have I got to lose, so I agree and we actually shake on it and then he quickly pulls his hand away from mine and looks over my shoulder.
“Who is it this time?” I ask, refusing to look, if it’s someone who’s going to ruin my night I’d rather delay the inevitable for a few seconds longer.
No one says anything as they all look behind me and a pair of tanned hands fall onto my shoulders, Diesel Only the Brave consumes my senses and I know who it is, but I don’t understand why he’s here.
“I thought you said you were going to your parents’.” Mm that voice makes me melt. Amias is the epitome of dark from his eyes to his tone, just like the finest dark chocolate.
“No, I said my parents had given their permission to let me home, I never said I was going to accept.” he squeezes my shoulders, I don’t think he likes my answer.
“Hey, I’m Bella, nice to meet you,” she says, doing a little wave, and I look at him as he cocks a brow at her.
“I know who you are, you play the drums in a band don’t you? I’m sure you were playing at the last function this place threw.”
“I do, Roxie is our vocalist and Leah plays guitar though she prefers the bass. You’re Amias right, I’ve seen all of your fights.” her voice is melodious again and I’m floored with jealousy.
Are they flirting? And would he prefer her to me, with her strawberry blonde hair, pale blue eyes and fair skin. She’s petite and probably only stands at five-three and she’s so damn nice and pretty and cute. It’s not fair, she’s welcoming and sunshine and I’m sandpaper, there are no other metaphors better suited for me than that.
“Maybe you can sit with my little cub next time, she hasn’t missed one since we decided to invade her life.” He slides a finger down my neck, and it makes me shiver.
“That is so cute, don’t you dare give me a cutesy name,” Roxie says to Declan stabbing him in the chest with her finger.
“It’s not cutesy, he calls me that because he says everyone wants to protect me and then I’ll do something to show how ferocious I can be.” He actually smiles at me as I explain it, and I feel all warm inside, damn it none of them were supposed to be here.
I stand up and force him to let go of me, before I excuse myself and hurry off to the bathroom, I just need a few moments alone. The idea of him being with anyone is suffocating, but I can’t make him stay single when I’m not willing to claim him myself. Yet again, I’m just reminding myself of how selfish I am.
I’m leaning over the sink with my head in my hands when the door opens, what’s the point in looking up no one wants eye contact before they go to the loo. Only his scent envelopes me and I want to cry out in frustration.
“Do you want me to leave you alone? I didn’t plan to intrude on you and your new friends I was just surprised to see you here,” he says, and I don’t know how to answer that question.
I turn to face him and for once he doesn’t look dark and like he’s plotting the best way to cause chaos, instead he looks oddly vulnerable. His eyes are soft and he’s breathing slowly, and as I stand here staring at him, I realise I need to trust him with the truth even if I don’t tell him everything.
“Amias,” his name escapes me on a whisper and his arms box me in against the worktop.
“I don’t want you to leave me alone but at the same time I feel like I can’t be around you. I need to get this all out before I chicken out so let me finish okay?” My voice is thick with emotion as I pause for a moment, not only to wait for an answer but to find some much needed courage.
He nods his head and I can’t resist the urge to place my hands on his waist, needing the contact to ground me just for a moment.
His eyes darken but this time it’s with heat and it’s causing my pulse to race, he’s so damn delicious.
“When I’m around you I can’t think straight, I want to grab you and kiss you and not stop. But I bloody like you all, I didn’t want friends but you worked your way in and now I don’t want to lose any of you.” The fear of losing them is working its way into my voice and giving it all away, I feel so naked right now. “I’ve done the whole kissing friends malarkey and it never ends well. It’s just, I’m not cut out for relationships, I’m toxic and everything goes wrong when I’m around. So, when I thought none of you would be here, I thought it would be easy. I could think about what I should, and need, to do regarding you all. There’s three of you Amias, why can’t only one of you like me and vice versa.” I drag my hand through my hair roughly and he seizes it before linking our fingers.