Page 100 of The Casualty of Us
“Do that.” I grin, running my eyes over the tailored blue slacks and pristine white button-up he’s wearing. “Not bad, Bettencourt.”
He winks down at me. “Right back at you, Fitzroy.”
I do a little swish of my red summer dress, totally playing it up and basking in the normal for a split second before reality interrupts in the form of a tightly cleared throat.
Graham’s gaze moves beyond me, and I roll my eyes, pretty sure they’re going to get permanently stuck that way if something doesn’t change soon. “Yes, Bobby?”
“Just wondering if you’re going to introduce me to your friend.”
“No.” I spin around, leaving Graham at my back and cocking my head at the tank-sized brunette. “Didn’t you know? I was raised with no concept of manners and was just going to leave you standing there awkwardly.”
He gives me a look like he’s thinking about enrolling me in boot camp or something himself, and I sigh wearily, waving my hand between the two of them as Graham steps up beside me.
“Graham, meet bodyguard number three.” He shoots me a curious look, and I shrug it off with a ready-made excuse. “My parents were feeling edgy this summer after the kidnapping last year.”
“Huh.” He looks back at Bobby and holds out a hand to him with that smirk falling into place easily. “Graham Bettencourt, nice to meet you.”
The charm practically pours off him with the simple move as easily as Ollie exudes it. Usually.
Bobby’s shakes his hand quickly, staring at him for a second before looking back at me. “Is this the one Talan said performed that little miracle in the coffee shop?”
I glare at him, inhaling deeply through my nose before turning to Graham and forcing my lips up. “Ignore him.” Holding the grin in place while winding my arm through his, I lead him through the entry of our house toward the backyard. “So it’s just a small party today for a few of my father’s interns who are heading back to college.”
“What an opportune time for me to slide my foot in the door.” He chuckles.
And this time when my lips kick up, it’s a lot more genuine. “I thought so.”
Because Graham’s never not come through for me, and that makes him good people in my book. Definitely the kind of guy I want to keep in my corner and fighting for the good guys too.
“So,” I sigh as we walk through the living room with sounds of the party out back drifting through the air. “Got any exciting plans for the rest of summer?”
“Nothing too big.” He shrugs, arm moving against mine. “Just heading up to the Hamptons for the last couple of weeks before school starts up.”
“Huh.” I look up at him with a blink. “Really?”
“Yeah.” He nods absently, fingers going to the top button on his shirt and fidgeting with it. “I always do and usually throw a few parties for whoever is around too.”
“Huh,” I repeat just as absently, already calculating my chances. “Are your parents there?”
“No, of course not.” He comes to a stop with the answer just as we make it to the kitchen. “Mom is in Rio for the rest of the summer with my sisters, and Dad is back home in New York.” I narrow my eyes at him thoughtfully, and a slow smirk spreads on his face. “Why?”
I lift a brow. “Got room for one more?”
“Just one?” He chuckles, gaze darting to where I’m sure Bobby is about to blow a gasket.
“Or two, or three.” I shrug, hoping the desperation suddenly filling me doesn’t make it to my voice. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure there are rules for them.”
His eyes come back to me with his face turning confused for a second before he gives me a weird look. “Of course you can come, O.” The arm around mine gives it a little shake. “You don’t even need to ask.”
My lips part as relief crashes through me, hope rising like the sun in the east in the form of Graham Bettencourt, because now that the option is right here in front of me…I have to get out.
No, Ineedto get out.
I need to be able to breathe again without feeling like everyone’s waiting for me to disappear. To have some space to sort through the things rattling around inside my own head. Just for a bit.
I have the keys already. Snuck them from Zoey this morning when Bobby took me to run. Everything else can be taken care of when I get back.
“Perfect.” I grin at him, damn near bubbly now with anticipation. “Pick me up on your way out?”
