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“What did you just tell my daughter?” Her mom emerges from the restaurant with a to-go container. She pushes the girl behind her back. “You’re grown men. You should know better than to be talking to a thirteen-year-old in the middle of the night on the street.” I hear Donnelly in my head. Miss, we’re on the sidewalk. He’d make it worse, but fuck I miss the laugh.
LMAO
His plea to me. Before the kiss. He said, it’s you and me and anyone who tries to come in, you’ll help me keep out? You’ll help me keep out. “You knew,” I realize. “You knew that if we kissed in public, in front of cameras, you weren’t just coming out. You knew you’d be confronting the Oslie rumors. You knew you’d be ‘the other man’ to Oscar + Charlie.” Jack smiles softly. “Understanding public perception is part of my job. And the types of fans who pair you and Charlie are intense. So yeah…I had a good hunch it’d all blow up in my face.” “And still, you kissed me?”
“I thought you exchanged numbers with Winona after the Fun Run?” “I thought so too, but she gave me the number to some Wildlife Conservation fund.” He lies back down, not expressing much defeat in that rejection.
LMAO
“Akara texted me.” Oscar grabs protein powder and a bottle. “Me too. He said, congrats. Good choice in bros. He knew you were a frat bro, didn’t he?” I laugh. “Yeah. He’s met some of my frat brothers.”
“Being with me is complicated.” My pulse ricochets every which way. “Do not shut the window—” “I’m not,” he forces “You sure?” “For sure,” Oscar says strongly. “Just giving you the opportunity to crawl back out of my open window.” He swallows harder, choked at the thought. “You can still back out. This is day one. You’re not in that deep.” I laugh like he has no idea. “Yeah I am.” My feelings…can’t walk away from those.
“Did your temp know there was a party?” I ask Charlie. “No. He dropped me off here and left before it started.” I shake my head. “You didn’t think to text me about it?” His yellow-greens pierce me. “I did actually think about it, but you had your hands full last night.” He glances at Jack. “Congratulations. You were trending for a solid hour there. Homewrecker Highland.” His sardonic tone is noted. He skims a hand through his hair, messing the strands. “I hate people.”
“Yeah, it has a shrill ring. I’m gonna put a mute on that one.” Jack smiles more. “Come on, it’s catchy. Homewr—” I cup my hand over his mouth. “Muted, meu raio de sol.” I love my dramatic-ass nickname that is too damn accurate for Jack. He laughs against my palm,
“Where is Beckett?” “He stayed at our parent’s place,” Tom explains. “Because he knew he’d wake to this.” Charlie lights a cigarette. “And this isn’t even the problem.” He looks back to me. “Luna’s fanfic was swiped.” I roll to a halt by the bookcase. “What?” “It was stolen, robbed, pilfered,” he clarifies. Thank you, not. “I know what swiped means.”
Lol
“Luna’s our best friend, if something of hers was stolen, we’re going to help retrieve it.” Eliot tucks his shirt into black slacks. “It’s our duty.” I really need my radio. “No,” Charlie tells him. “You both have done enough. You’re staying here and cleaning this fucking place so that Beckett doesn’t lose his shit. And I will go find the fanfic with Oscar and Jack. Understood?” Tom and Eliot exchange a look, before Tom says, “As you were.” Eliot nods. “We’ll concede. This time.” Charlie rolls his eyes, then snuffs out his cigarette on the singed couch.
FARROW You and Highland. Cute. Didn’t expect it, but super happy for you, Oliveira. Don’t listen to the negativity. We’ve got your back.
DONNELLY Get that ass! And fuck the haters. You’re fire. Jack is fire. Together, you’re a big ball of fire
“Intuitive.” “No, they’re just predictable.” Charlie flips his phone in his palm. “Speaking of predictability, I see my set-up had the intended effect.” “No,” I say, trying to shut this convo down before it starts. “No?” Charlie bows forward more between our seats. “So you two didn’t kiss last night? Was that a deepfake then?” “We kissed,” Jack and I say in unison. It causes both of us to smile. And I add, “But not because you set us up.”
“Of course not.” Charlie leans back again. “You two would have definitely hooked up had I not orchestrated it. I’m sure you would have found a way to spend all this time together without me.” I grit down so I don’t grin at his sarcasm. I’m not a buddy-guard. Not. A. Buddy. Guard.
“Eliot has an afternoon performance in a couple hours.” We approach from the side, not spotted yet. “Eliot’s fans are my favorite,” Charlie says. “They’re mostly theatre nerds who send him Shakespeare love letters and dead ravens.”
Someone spots Jack. “Homewrecker!” she screams. Charlie stops in his tracks and turns around. I fist his shirt before he charges away from me. “I’m straight!” he yells at them. “There is no Oslie!” “It’s okay, Charlie,” a girl pipes in. “We know you want it to be a secret. We know you’re not ready ye—” “Fuck you,” he sneers. “Oh my God, Charlie, can you say that to me too?!” someone jumps up and down.
Wtf
Charlie rams his right foot into the ladder like he’s shoving an enemy off a cliff. It careens, and the metal ladder and Clifford plummet to the stage with a loud crack! “Fuck,” he groans, holding onto his knee. His eyes flash murderously to Charlie. “You psychopath!” Charlie skirts around him and squats down a foot away. “And so the psychopath says to the thief,”
Clifford’s nose flares. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” His gaze cuts to me and my cold glare. Fear bubbles in his eyes. “Uh…” “You have thirty seconds,” I tell him. Clifford shakes his head. “Fuck you both.” He looks to Charlie. “I’m selling your writing to the nearest buyer and for how weird and disgusting it is, I’m getting my money’s worth.” Charlie blinks. “Final answer?”
“Think quickly here, Clifford,” Charlie says, lighting a cigarette. “You’re running out of time, and this psychopath is so easily bored.” He blows smoke in his direction.
Lol
“Why the long face?” Farrow asks me as he pops a bubble gum bubble. “Did Jack thumbs-down your dick pic?” Donnelly asks, half-concentrated on drawing cherries in his sketchbook.
Lmao
The weekly Cobalt Wednesday Night Dinner is something Charlie tries his absolute best not to miss. Whatever goes down on Wednesdays drives him back to Philly like an obsession. No clue what actually happens. No one but the Cobalts and Thatcher Moretti are invited. Already tried to get that lucky bastard to spill details, but he wouldn’t break.
“I’m a solid catch,” I say with a nod, “but you know what, I’m not even sure I’d date myself right now. I have Wednesday night off and then bam! I’m called for a meeting.” I throw up a hand. “Tell me, bro, would you date me?” “No,” Farrow says slowly, “because I’m married to Maximoff Hale.” I clap, almost grinning. Donnelly claps too.
I ease back, sitting on the same side as Donnelly. He takes off his reading glasses. “Maybe you should send him a dick pic.” I laugh with Farrow. “Let him know you’re thinkin’ about him,” Donnelly finishes. “And that’s why you don’t take dating advice from Paul Donnelly,” I say
Lol
“Get outta Philly!” a couple drunk guys yell from the bar. I clamp a hand on Donnelly’s shoulder as he pops up. He shuts his mouth as his ass hits the seat. I’m sure he was about to yell, “We’re from Philly!”
Lol
Farrow stands up on his seat—he’s wedged against the wall because everyone filled the booth. And instead of asking Thatcher, Akara, and Banks to move their asses, he literally walks across the table and jumps off. Donnelly and I applaud mockingly. Farrow just lifts a couple fingers in goodbye. “I’m out. See you boys later.” He walks casually to the exit. “And there he goes,” I quip. “Gone so soon. RIP,” Donnelly says.
“It’s beautiful,” I murmur. “Charlie asked me where I wanted to go,” he breathes. “I wanted you to see this.” My lips part in surprise. He takes a deep breath. “It reminds me of you.”
“The brightest light shining during the darkest hour,” I smile. “That’s pretty good.” “I’m only doing my best work with you, Long Beach.” I smile, but my lips fall gradually. “What happens when the light dims? You’ll still be interested then?” “Oh yeah.” Oscar nods. “I’m every star circling around you. You need a spark, I’m there.” He says it like a promise.
She’s implying that she’s pregnant. I don’t even bat an eyelash. For one, I know way too much about Charlie’s sex life. He’s told me countless times, “I cum on women. Not in them.” I never talk about my sex life with him—Greenland was the first jolt of that between us—but Charlie will tread into TMI territory about his own. I didn’t ask for more details, but he told me he helps clean them up afterwards, so if anyone claims he’s the father of their kid—it’s probably a trash bin declaration.
“I have you covered,” I emphasize. “I have the money,” he says under his breath. “Just let me pay—” “No—” “Why not?” “Because you’re my boyfriend,” I say with utter fucking conviction. “You’re my boyfriend, Jack, and if I can’t physically be there for you, then I’m going to hire someone who can be.” I pause. “Which I did.” I jab a thumb towards Gabe, who stands an awkward distance from our argument.
“Mag jowa?” “Boyfriends,” Jack translates. I laugh with a nod. We’ve been dating, but we haven’t outright called each other “boyfriends” yet. ‘Bout time, Oliveira. “Yeah”—I keep nodding—“you’re my frat bro, happy-go-lucky boyfriend.” “Maybe cross out the lucky part.”
A Secret about Akara Kitsuwon: my college-friend raved about Akara for four weeks after they hooked up. He restrained her to a headboard with rope and made her come five times.
No way
Since Sulli also wears formalwear—a green sequined romper—the two of them almost look like a couple next to each other. I’ve always thought Akara was into her, but he’s adamantly said,
We bump along the course, and Sulli starts twisting her hair in a high-bun—Akara hits the brake. “Sulli, down!” “What? Kits?” He pulls her down over his lap. A golf ball flies at the cart and I lean back. It dings the frame and bounces off. My pulse skids. A few inches lower and that would’ve hit Sulli in the face. “What the…fuck?” Sulli lifts her head slowly, cautiously. Hair falling out of a half-done bun. She’s staring at Akara’s lap. I mean, her face was in his crotch.
A Secret about Charlie Cobalt: He told me that he’s the one who introduced Beckett to cocaine, and he’s regretted it ever since.
“Have you seen my brother?” I shift to block Beckett. “Which one?” I ask. “The one you’re dating,” she says. “Obviously.” “Hole three.” She’s about to leave, when Beckett glides around me and says, “Hi to you, too.” Joana stiffens and then turns her gaze on him.
Beckett frowns and gracefully one-eighties to face her. “What are you doing?” He has that iconic what the fuck face that has been meme’d to death on Reddit. “Oh sorry,” Joana says like she’s not sorry at all. “I was looking for the mattress that’s always attached to your back.” Charlie chokes on his champagne.
Beckett’s brows rise at Joana. He looks her up and down. “I’d say the same for you, but you seem like the kind of girl who loves getting pounded from behind.” She snorts. “Classy.” What the fuck am I watching? He raises his glass. “Toujours.” Always.
I probably shouldn’t be a chaperone at a high school dance ever. Oscar is going to flip. I turn to Beckett. “Don’t go there again,” I say. “All of SFO have warned you. So now I’m warning you.” “She instigated that one.” Beckett grabs a pastry off a server’s tray, a smile toying at his lips. “Plus, she basically called me a slut.”
“Luna!” Maximoff is running towards his little sister in a full-on sprint down the slope. The Hale prince is out-running Farrow, who’s a few feet behind, a med bag strapped to his shoulder. Ripley’s not with them, so I assume someone in Maximoff’s family must be holding the baby.
“Oh—fuck,” Eliot curses, causing us to look back. His gaze is latched to the clubhouse’s deck where their parents are descending in a fury. “Is that Mom?” Tom squints and holds a hand above his eyes. “Brother, see you in the afterlife,” Eliot says. He taps knuckles with Tom,
It’s just me and my twenty-two-year-old brother. Talk to me. He takes a swing. I duck—he knew I’d duck. His right hook slams into my ribcage. Wind knocks out of me.
Donnelly crunches on a chip. “Been sayin’ all along Cobalts are invincible. Eliot and Tom have what—a cut? And Luna’s arm is probably broken.” “It is broken,” I whisper. “No fucking doubt about that, bro.” Donnelly sighs.
He stacks five Pringles together. “Bad luck crew.” He stuffs his mouth full, and I know he’s referring to the Hale family. He mumbles something about “Cobalts never die” with reverence.
And if Farrow were on time, he’d butt in with, “Technically, Charlie got hurt in the car crash last year. So did Ben. They’re not invincible.”
“Oscar, Quinn.” Akara speaks to us directly. “If you can’t work together, then you both can’t stay.” I’ve thought about this moment. I knew it’d come, and I choose my words carefully. “If you fire him,” I tell our boss, “I’m quitting.” Farrow chews gum slowly with a look at me like what the fuck are you doing now? Donnelly pipes in, “Oscar quits, I quit.” Farrow shakes his head and rolls his eyes like we’re dumbasses.
“You’re really putting me in this position?” Akara asks, staring at me like I’m a ghost of a person. “He’s my brother,” I say. Akara looks between me and Quinn. “You both want your job? You want to stay on SFO? Then you have two month’s pay-cut and mandatory therapy together. Once a week.”
When Jo focuses on her phone, Jack mouths to me knowing I can read lips, two peas in a pod. He motions to me and him. Not because we like the same music—we don’t always—but because he’ll join my lonely pea pod.
I stop and assess them on the bed and me on the floor. “You’re over there sharing music with my boyfriend while I’m folding your tops. What’s wrong with this picture?” “You should be hanging up the tops, not folding them,” Jo quips. I clap loudly.
“So if I’m taking the bed,” Joana says, hand on the gray comforter, “and your brother lives with you too…?” She eyes Jack. “Then, how are you both going to…?” She glances between us. Good fucking God. My nineteen-year-old sister is asking where me and Jack are going to fuck. Highland has his knuckles to his mouth, his smile rising. I love that not much fazes him. “Ah, ah, ha.” I wave a finger at Jo. “That’s off-limits.”
Jack stops cold a foot from me. “Am I about to meet your parents?” “Unless I toss you out the window, but we’re in a high-rise, so…” Stress lines his face. “Fuck.” I catch his hand in mine. “Hey, you’re a people-person, Highland. You’ve got this.” “I want your parents to like me, Os.”
“Tell me a secret that you’ve never told anyone else.” We have a short window of time. Joana is at the door, but I take advantage of every single second. Holding his waist, I lean in and whisper, “Estou apaixonado por voçê.” I translate, “I’m in love with you.”
