Page 100 of Pick Me

Thea drew her brother in for another hug. “T, I don’t think this is the end. I think you both need to talk. Explain to her what happened. It will be okay. Aster loves you. You love Aster.”

“Yeah, the fact that she puts up with your sister shows what a keeper she is.”

Thea stilled and glared at me with what could only be described as death in her eyes.

Oh, she didn’t like that. Funny, it was okay for her to do it, but not me?

“I can’t just sit here.” Tanner moved away from his sister.

Thea nodded. “I agree.”

“Jackson, can we go out?”

“What? Wait, when you said you couldn’t sit here, I thought you meant you were going to talk to Aster?” Thea said.

“I can’t talk to her. Not when I’m like this. I just need to get out and be somewhere I can’t think.”

I subtly glanced at Thea, giving her a questioning glare. She shrugged, offering no help yet again.

“Uh, okay. Where do you want to go?”

“Anywhere. Just not here where everything reminds me of her. Where’s a place Aster wouldn’t ever go?”

I let out a low chuckle. “I doubtBehind Closed Doorsis appropriate.” I’d been there once or twice with Aiden, and let’s just say it’s not suitable for a guy who’s been taken. I said that because I didn’t believe Tanner and Aster were broken up, but also, I was almost certain I was taken.

I looked over at my girlfriend.

Shit.

For the first time in my life, I had a girlfriend. Thea Joyce, no less. The hot, unattainable pit bull of a woman who I could make melt with the flick of my tongue. To be fair, she could make me fall to my knees with the annoyed crease of her brow.

I was done for, and I was happy about it. This had to be why all my friends were in committed relationships. There was just something about knowing when she looked at me she was thinking about how much she wanted me.

“I don’t want to go there, anyway.” Tanner gave me a flippant wave. “I just want to go somewhere that has music so loud I won’t be able to hear my thoughts through it.”

“Umm, Covey’s Cantina has music blasting after ten.”

“And there’s a dance floor,” Thea piped up.

“I’m not going to dance the night away with Tanner,” I said.

“No, but I will be.” Tanner and I flicked our gazes in her direction. “What? Do you really think I’m going to leave my little bro hanging?”

“Will you both promise me one thing?” Tanner said. “Please don’t bicker. I can’t deal with it.”

“Don’t worry, bro.” I slapped Tanner on the shoulder. “The music will be so loud it’ll make being around your sister tolerable.” I licked my lips, looking at Thea mischievously. Thankfully, Tanner was so wrapped up in his own issues, I was almost certain he hadn’t noticed.

Thea’s breath hitched, and she shook her head. “Oh, you’re so funny, Jackson,” she sneered, her lip curling ever so slightly. “Maybe I should paint your face, make you look like the clown you are.”

“Guys,” Tanner murmured.

Right. This wasn’t about Thea and me right now.

“Let’s go,” I said.

“Wait, I need to change.” Thea raised her hands frantically.

“Really?”

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