Page 42 of The Truths We Seek

Shae leads the girls to the dining room, Tonio wandering behind them, glancing back at me with a look like he’d rather chew on glass than partake in tonight’s festivities. I start to follow when Yen grabs my arm and holds me back. “Don’t stress, I know these girls. I wouldn’t have let you bring them here if I thought there would be problems.”

“You psychic or something? Holding out on me, Yen?” I joke to hide my worry.

“Nah, it’s just written all over your face. They were too busy paying attention to the shiny things in here, but I know you better than they do too.”

I let out a deep breath and Bruno closes the front door. “Ready?” he asks with a comforting smile.

Yen releases my arm and I shake myself out. This night is going to be fun, I wanted to be normal and that’s what tonight is.

Normal.

Shoving down the insecurities, worries, and all the other swirling bullshit emotions inside of me, I cling to the joy and paste a smile on my face.

I open my mouth to tell him I am when Carlos’s shouts beat me to it. “Starters incoming!”

“I guess I better be,” I chuckle and take Yen into the dining room where the others are already seated. I take my seat next to Shae and Yen sits beside me, bubbles are already flowing and the laughter in the room is infectious.

Feeling lighter almost immediately, I sit back and enjoy listening to the gossip of HellScape as Carlos brings in the charcuterie-style starters he’s prepared. The whipped feta and homemade hummus with the selection of veggie sticks, meats, and cheese makes my mouth water.

The night passes almost too quickly, and by the time dessert is over, everyone is already more than a little tipsy. So when Shae stands and shouts, “Karaoke!” everyone is very much on board.

I start piling up the dishes on the table and startle when I feel hands on my hips. “You not partying and singing too?” Glancing back, I spy Meyer, a smirk on his face as he watches me.

“I will, just in a minute. I wanted to help with cleanup. Carlos has done enough.”

He gently tugs on me, so I step back from the table and lean my back up against his chest. He rests his chin on my shoulder as his arms tighten around me. “Carlos will be offended if you try to help him. He loves this shit. Makes him feel needed.”

I let out a sigh and tip my head back to lean on his shoulder. “Carlos needs to be offended by less stuff. You doing okay?”

“I’m good, are you having a good time?”

“I am,” I reply honestly. It’s not like my sadness has vanished, but it’s more like shadows on the edges of my vision rather than clouding it entirely. “I needed tonight, thank you.”

“You’re welcome. I fully intend on claiming my thanks in full later,” he teases, biting softly on my neck, pulling a low groan from me. I feel his hardness pressing into me and the thought of partying disappears.

“You could always whisk me away and claim it now,” I utter.

He kisses the spot he bit before whispering in my ear, “Not a chance. Go have fun with your friends. Drink, dance, sing your heart out. It’s safe here. Enjoy yourself. I will find you later. Maybe I’ll even sing for you.”

He pulls back and slaps my ass and I turn to argue but he’s already walking away from me. Letting out a frustrated sigh as my insides flip flop at the teasing, I turn back to the girls just as Girls Just Wanna Have Fun starts on the karaoke machine.

A grin spreads across my face and I bounce over to them, lifting my hands in the air and dancing as the music starts.

Yes. This is exactly what I need. And the other thing I need? Well, that I’m going to claim later.

Ready or not, this living life thing is going to happen. Just so long as life keeps cooperating. Things can only look up from here… right?

* * *

After the hilarity of girls’ night last night, I’m thankful the guys let my sleep in today. I know Meyer had plans last night, but a few too many glasses of bubbles followed by shots because the girls are terrible influences meant that I was poured into bed by Meyer rather than ravaged by him.

Which is why, when I woke in his bed this morning with a bottle of water and Tylenol on the bedside table, I called his name like my own personal savior.

Mostly, I’m glad that I’m not the type that cries when they’re past tipsy. Because that could have been horrific.

Instead, it turns out I’m the sing-Taylor-Swift-at-the-top-of-my-lungs-and-dance-like-I’m-twenty-one type.

The latter I’m reminded of as I make my way downstairs after my shower. My body aches. I hobble into the kitchen, desperate to find caffeine, and find Meyer humming to himself while he’s cooking.

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