Page 21 of Little Do You Know

“Maybe Owen won’t be too mad?” Eric tries to suggest, knocking on the door a few times.

It takes a minute before the door opens, revealing Sebastian. “Of course, it’s you,” I mumble, his eyes widening in shock.

He looks at Eric immediately for answers. “What the hell happened to her?” Bash demands. Shit, I must look terrible if Sebastian is concerned.

“Too much to drink. Her phone died, so I figured I should bring her home before something happened to her.” Bash steps backward, letting Eric guide me into the apartment.

I see Owen sitting on the couch, and his jaw drops at the same time the spins start again. “Get her to the bathroom. She looks like she’s going to hurl any second.”

I cover my mouth with my hand and make a break for the bathroom on my own, sticking my head in the toilet just in time. I feel miserable right now. I should have just gone home after Landon tried to pull his stunt. Why do men have to make everything so fucking complicated?

Eventually, I pull myself off the floor to face the lectures I’m positive are waiting for me. I don’t want to look at Sebastian right now, so I hope he went to his room.

Except Sebastian is waiting for me in the kitchen. “Feeling better?”

“Leave me alone,” I retort, definitely not feeling better. I don’t feel like I’m going to throw up again.

Is he some sadist, getting off on my pain? I can’t believe Sebastian. Is this just enjoyable for him? Then, he surprises me by filling a glass of water and handing it to me.

I look at it hesitantly. “What’d you do to it? Spike it with a laxative?”

“It’s just water. I know better than to mess with you the way you are right now. For all I know, you could throw up on me in retaliation.”

I take a small sip before I start to tilt again. Definitely can’t stand. The floor looks safe. I slide down, leaning against the cabinets. “Thank you for the water.” I sound like I’m thanking him for killing my dog.

Bash looks down at me curiously. “What happened tonight?” It’s nice he’s asking instead of assuming the worst of me.

“I didn’t plan on getting this drunk, I swear. I had just enough to have a good time by other people’s standards, and then fucking Landon had to ruin it.”

Holy shit, I feel like I’m burning up. I shrug out of Eric’s jacket, making a note that I need to wash it.

“What’d he do?”

I give Sebastian a weird look because I’m drunk, but I’m not stupid. “Why are you being so nice to me? Shouldn’t you be yelling at me?”

His alluring lips tick upward in a ghost of a smile. I like his smile. “Thalia, I am nice. You’re always too busy calling me an asshole or driving me crazy with your lack of clothing to realize it. I don’t need to yell at you because I think you already feel shitty enough.”

“You’re not nice to me. I always do the wrong thing and make you mad.”

Bash lowers himself to the ground diagonally from me. “I’m sorry. It’s hard for me to be around you,” he says carefully, and I don’t want to hear anymore.

“Yeah, I’m aware. I’m Owen’s kid sister you’ve been stuck with since we were kids.”

“That’s not it,” he says vaguely, offering no further explanation. “What happened with Landon?”

I drink the water Bash gave me, choosing not to call him out on the subject change. “I was dancing, or maybe I was going to get a drink. I don’t know. Landon caught me and asked if anything was happening between you and me.” I glance over at Sebastian to see if there’s something on his face that will tell me what he’s thinking. If he’s surprised by Landon’s question, he doesn’t show it. Whatever. I know what Bash is thinking. I ruined any chance of there being something more between us the moment I opened my stupid mouth that night. I told Landon the truth. There isn’t anything more than this game we’re playing. Sebastian and I are nothing.

“Landon wanted to go somewhere to talk because he wanted to ask me something. I cut him off and said I couldn’t. He tried again, and I said I needed him to be my friend only. He was just so nice about it, letting me go. Then I proceeded to get absolutely trashed over the fact I probably just ruined my friendship with him. Great night overall.”

“What’s wrong with him being nice?”

“Because I don’t want nice, Bash,” I admit softly, closing my eyes. I’m still too drunk to have this conversation.

However, in typical Owen fashion, he appears before one of us can say something I’m sure we’ll regret. “What were you thinking?” he demands, his voice cold.

“That I wanted to be a normal twenty-year-old. You’re not Dad, so don’t try to act like him.”

“I wouldn’t have to act like it if you didn’t come home completely hammered, practically being carried by one of my teammates because you can’t walk. What the hell, Lia? What if Eric wasn’t there? Where was Vera? Landon? They just let you go off on your own?” he presses, and my head hurts at the thought of facing Landon after tonight.

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