Page 69 of Worth the Trouble

Something I can relate to.

But here’s the difference—I don’t commit to a woman and make her think she’s the only one. For all the crap people give me about the number of women I’ve been with, at least I’m not pretending to be something I’m not.

Being a fuckboy and a cheating dirtbag are different.

I turn off my phone screen and try not to break it. Instead, lifting my joint to my lips and taking in a deep inhale, trying to chill the fuck out. A girl has never gotten under my skin before, and I really don’t like it.

“You like her,” Sebastian says from the other side of the couch, where he’s watching me with a smug look on his face.

Adrian is at the control panel with his back to us, but I still catch his chuckle at Sebastian’s comment.

“She was a good lay,” I say, plastering on the grin everyone prefers I wear. “That’s it.”

Sebastian shakes his head and laughs. “Keep telling yourself that, Rome. But I’m not an idiot.”

“Debatable.”

He tosses his pen at me.

“Seriously, you’re not fooling anyone.” Sebastian stretches his legs out, letting his gaze move to the band working on a song in the booth. “Since when do you let chicks hang out with the band? And don’t even get me started with how many times I’ve seen you check your phone today.”

“Tell chicks to stop texting me pictures of their tits, and I’ll set my phone down.” I lean back, even though it’s total bullshit.

Sebastian shakes his head. “Cut the crap. We’re your friends. You know you’re allowed to talk to us, right?”

Easier said than done. I’m used to being on twenty-four seven, even around them. People don’t come past these walls I’ve built. Something Adrian and Sebastian are well aware of.

“I’m good,” I assure him.

The band in the sound booth finishes their song, and Adrian cuts the microphone before spinning around in his chair. With them both facing me, I feel like I’m suddenly sitting in front of the firing squad. Stares pinned on me, and a bullet loaded in the chamber. Part of me wishes they’d just pull the trigger and put me out of my misery.

“Lili’s cool, alright. I like hanging out with her. But we’re just friends.” I try to play it off. “Haven’t even seen her in a couple days. She’s been busy.”

“With her ex?” Adrian crosses his arms over his chest. “Eloise told me.”

I’m not sure what annoys me more, the fact that Adrian makes it sound like Lili’s been hanging out with her ex more than the one night I’m aware of or the fact that Eloise is keeping tabs on the situation.

This is exactly why I should have never joined this codependent second family.

“She can do what she wants.” I shrug. “Orwhoshe wants.”

God. That. Fucking. Hurts.

Only because I liked how it felt being inside her, right?

“Since when are her and Eloise friends anyway?” I ask, not able to help myself.

I blame the guys in the band for whatever is wrong with me lately. Their relationships are turning me into a pussy when I should be out chasing it.

“They had a girl’s day,” Adrian says.

Wonderful, they’ve initiated her into their group like traitors.

“Seriously though, Rome.” Adrian’s expression is tense. “If you need to talk to us, we’re here for you.”

“I know, and I appreciate it. But I’m not like you guys. Sure, Lili’s cool and all. But it’s not like she’s sticking around here. And neither am I. We’ll be on the move again eventually. I’m not turning her into my girlfriend or some shit. Don’t worry about me.”

Sebastian and Adrian share a glance that reads more than I want them to, but they keep their mouths shut.

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