Page 52 of Worthy

I wouldn’t say Icyber-stalkhim or anything. We’re actually not even friends on Facebook, so as far as that goes, I can only see so much. But over the years, I have to admit I’ve peeped his Instagram account a few times, and that’s how I found out he’s a very successful investment banker… And much to my internal chagrin, an unapologetic canoodler of many,manydifferent men.

I know it’s none of my business. I lost the right to care what Tate does with his free time when I abruptly ended our friendship junior year of college. Still, I’ve found that whether I want to or not, I can’t seem to stop myself from occasionally playing the Insta-creep game, checking up on him, andhatingthe way witnessing his open sexual escapades feels in my chest.

I’m not sure what it means that I’m so invested in what Tate’s been doing—and who he’s been doing itwith—over the years since we stopped talking, but honestly, my concern worries me. It feels awfully similar to the way I started fussing over him in college; an uncontrollable urge that ultimately led to me rushing out of his dorm room in the middle of the night with swollen lips and hickeys on my chest.

Gulping, I knock on Kennan’s front door, though Tate had just walked right in. Naturally, no one answers, so after a few seconds of shifting and feeling foolish, I do the same. There are a few people inside the house, but it sounds like most of the party is happening out back. I follow the noise, my hands shaking at the idea that I might turn a corner and bump right into a glaring Tate again.

“Holy crap! You made it!” A familiar voice calls, and I peer in its direction. It’s Lou, and he’s trotting over to me with his arms open.

Forcing a smile still weighted by angst, I return the hug Lou’s giving me while subtly peeking over his head for any sign of other former college friends.

The advantages of being taller than most people. Good views.

Lou pats me hard on back then pulls away. “I can’t believe you actually showed! It’s been way too long.”

“I know…” I sigh. “How have you been, Lou?”

“Great,” he answers, his usual eager smile now framed by a few more age-lines, though he still has that same auburn hair buzzed short like in college. “Beckie starts kindergarten this fall, and Josh made the soccer team. Good thing he got Kara’s athletic skills.”

I puff a chuckle as he pulls out his phone and starts showing me pictures of his kids. To which I give him the obligatoryaww’s andthey’re growing so fast’s.

“How are you doing? And hey, how’s Des?” He asks, sounding genuinely interested. Lou’s a great guy. Kind and perpetually upbeat.

“She’s good.” I nod, muscles tightening. I hate that it happens, but I can’t stop it. “Still running her mom’s flower shop.”

“That’s great.” Lou glances around. “You’ve met Kennan before, right?”

“Maybe once or twice.”

“Well, he’s around here somewhere. Pretty much everyone is out back. And just a heads up, it’s like half-naked dude soup.” Lou throws his head back in laughter, which has me gulping down unease, struggling to smile awkwardly. “We’re probably the only straight guys here!” He jabs me with his elbow and I wince.

“I… I don’t mind,” I mumble while Lou drags me through the apartment, toward the door to the back patio.

“Shit, you know who just showed up, actually?” Lou gasps, and my stomach bunches. “Tate Eckhart! I haven’t seen him since graduation.”

Saying a quiet prayer for strength, I meander out onto the deck with Lou, overlooking the rest of the party happening beyond the veranda. It’s quite the setup. This place is huge and super nice. Having this kind of outdoor space in the city is rare.Kennan must be doing well for himself.

There are lights and rainbow decorations strung up everywhere, grills going, tables of food and a bar area set up with bottles of liquor and coolers. Music is blaring out Lady Gaga, guys are dancing and laughing. Andyes, there are very few females. While I’m looking for girls like it’s aWhere’s Waldobook, my eyes land on the dark hair and immaculate jawline of my bathroom buddy from earlier…

My former best friend.

Tate’s talking to Kennan, who’s showing the guys Tate brought over to the food. And I’m just shivering in place like it isn’t almost ninety degrees out.

This was a bad idea. I don’t know if I can face him again after what happened through that hole…

The two guys split off, leaving Tate and Kennan alone. More guys are coming up to them, talking to Tate. He’s Mr. Popularity at this party, and it doesn’t surprise me. He’s always had a lot of friends. But seeing him in this atmosphere, talking to all these muscular dudes giving him obviously flirtatious looks, I can’t help uncomfortably wondering if they’re really just hisfriends, or if he knows them more intimately.

Chewing on my lower lip, I’m still sort of lingering, all of my insecurities bubbling to the surface as Lou tugs my arm, bringing us down the steps.

“Tate!” He calls out, yanking me in Tate’s direction. My palms are instantly clammy, and I feel a noticeable flush crawling up my neck. “Look who I found!”

Tate’s face turns, and his casual smirk falls right off his mouth.

Lou doesn’t release his grip until we’re standing right in front of Tate, and the tension is so instantly thick, it’s like an extra fifty degrees of humidity was just dumped into the air around us.

But Lou is oblivious to it. “How long has it been?” He chirps. “Fifteen years??”

“Sixteen,” Tate grumbles, dark irises set on mine.

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