Page 9 of The Worst Kept Secret

“Ave…” I trail off. “I don’t know that it’s the best idea for me to be around to watch my son get in a pissing match with every man that breathes in your direction.”

She groans and rolls her eyes. “Elijah is a nonissue and Lucas knows that. He just likes fucking with him.”

I nod because what can I say? ‘I don’twantto watch my son stare at you with the same stars I’m trying to keep out of my eyes?’

“Please stay?” She says and darts her eyes down the hallway before turning them back to mine. “It’s my graduation party.”

“I know,” I tell her as I reach into my coat pocket and pull out a long envelope that I slide into her hands.

She takes it from me but doesn’t open it or even look at it. “Thank you, but that’s not what I want.”

“Avery…we can’t.”

“I want to finish what we started last winter break.”

“Lucas is home,” I tell her because I have no intention of sneaking her in or touching her while my son is in the house or could potentially show up at any time.

“I’m sure you can figure something out.” She smiles.

“How are you going to get away from your friends? From Lucas? He’s going to want to make sure you get home safely.”

“Lucas isn’t my dad, Theo. I know how to handle him.” She’s up against me now looking up at me with the sexiest eyes fueled by alcohol and lust and…fuuuuuck.“And then I want you to handleme.”

I grit my teeth, trying to hold my breath so I don’t smell her. “Anyone could walk down here.”

“Say yes,” she whispers.

“Why?” I blink at her. “Is this just…why me of all people? Is it because of who I am? Is this just the thrill of someone that should be off limits?” I move and she takes a step back as I tower over her. “What is it about me that has your pussy so wet?”

She whimpers and her cheeks pinken and I wish my words hadn’t affected her because she looks so fucking adorably innocent. “I–I’ve had a crush on you…for a while.”

The air leaves my lungs because I wasn’t expecting that. I was expecting her to say something equally sexy or about the fact that she’s older and can fuck whoever she wants and she wants me.

“What’s a while?”

“Since you moved in?” she says weakly and my eyes widen.

“Eight years?”

She nods. “I mean I haven’t been saving myself for you or anything,” she teases and I hate the annoyance that ripples through me at the thought of someone else touching her. “But yeah…” She winces. “I didn’t think you’d ever touch me.”

“Because I shouldn’t touch you.”

“But you did and now…I can’t stop thinking about it.” She shakes her head and takes a step back before taking a sip of her drink. “I should probably get back, but please consider staying or…seeing me later?”

Ihave long since left my own graduation party in favor of going downtown with my friends while my parents stayed at the restaurant and entertained theirs. It didn’t escape me that Theo stayed longer than I think he planned and opted to leave when we did to head home. He’d mingled with us and my parents all night. It felt almost like a game; how many times could we lock eyes in a room full of people without making it obvious?

A bunch of us are at a club downtown, the time nearing almost one in the morning when I decide now is time to figure out if I’m going to a more private party next. I break away from the group and make my way around the large circular bar in the middle of the club to give myself some space.

Me: Hiiiii

The bubbles indicating that he’s typing pop up before disappearing. They pop up again and then disappear again and I giggle at the thought that he doesn’t know what to say.

TG: Are you okay?

Me: Yep, I’m fine

TG: You having fun?

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