Page 254 of Worthy

I linger between the kitchen and the living room, trying not to stare at Oliver like a psycho.

“Hey!” Vic squeaks, bumping into me. “So, new roommate,” she says, waggling her brows.

“It’s a small world, Vic. Thanks for forcing me to have a threesome with the guy before he moved in here. Not awkward at all.”

“Excuse me?Forced? You barely put up a fight.”

“Whatever. I said I was horny.”

“So has it really been awkward? Do you think y’all can become friends and just not think about it?”

My eyes find Oliver again, checking him out in his two-tone half button henley shirt. The coffee colored brown and black look good together, and the material highlights his athletic build. “I don’t know,” I reply quietly, meant mostly for myself.

Vic’s elbow hits my arm. “Um. Are you okay?”

I plaster on a cocky smirk. “More than fine. I heard Oakley’s coming.”

She rolls her eyes. “Please. You hardly like that girl and you know it.”

“What?” I exclaim. “I like her.” Vic purses her lips at me. “I mean, well enough.”

“Right. Why do you keep forcing yourself to be with these girls you can barely stand?”

The question hits me square in the chest. I know why, but I can’t tell her. Not now and not here.

“I’m a guy,” I say with a shrug.

“Ugh. Well, I’m gonna go talk to Oliver.”

“Go ahead,” I say, searching the room for someone else to talk to.

She gives me another look while walking away, and I turn and go talk to this girl I hooked up with about six months ago.

“Hey,” I say with a smile.

“Hey, Aiden. Whatcha been up to?” Christie asks with a flirty grin.

“Same ol’ shit, really. You?”

“Same. Haven’t heard from you in a while,” she says, reaching up to dust something off my shoulder.

I capture her hand in mine. “Well, we’re here now.”

She arches a perfectly shaped eyebrow, her teeth digging into her bottom lip. “That’s true. Do I get to see your room again?”

I gaze around, wondering if we can escape without anyone noticing, but I lock eyes with Oliver. He stares at me, but doesn’t look angry or jealous. He’s just looking.

“Um. Yeah, maybe later, okay?” I say, bringing her hand to my mouth to plant a kiss above her knuckles.

She’s placated, grinning at me while she nods. “Okay.”

I head to the kitchen to grab a beer, but Vic tugs on my sleeve as I walk by. “Hey, Calloway.”

My face contorts. “Why are you using my last name?”

“To bother you,” she says with a grin. “Wanna go outside and smoke in a minute?”

“Sure.”

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