Page 44 of Open To Negotiation

“I’m fine.” Theo let out an annoyed grunt at my answer but I ignored him.

“I’m so sorry, Quinney. I had no idea Max would tell him where we were, he’d casually asked where we were heading. I didn’t think anything of it.” Aubrey came and sat beside me, pulling me into a side hug. I winced a little when she touched me.

“Watch her arm,” Theo warned, crossing his arms over his chest, glowering.

I shot him a look as Aubrey loosened her grip, which admittedly was a relief.

“It’s not your fault.” I moved my focus to her. “Max was bound to do something like this eventually.”

Jaxson scoffed which had us all looking over at him. He had his arms crossed, leaning against the wall, one booted foot crossed over the other.

“Your boyfriend sounds like a dick,” he said with a smirk while Aubrey shot him a death glare.

“Let’s not start any of that. I want to go home.” I pulled out of Aubrey’s arms and stood.

“Jaxson will get you a cab.” I looked at Theo, shocked, only to find him looking at Aubrey. “You’re coming with me.” He tilted his chin in my direction. His tone left little room for argument.

“Don’t boss her around,” Aubrey warned, standing up next to me.

The thing was, I was drained and felt like I could pass out so I needed to get home, but I didn’t want to take a cab and I didn’t particularly want to be alone. I’d lost the buzz from the alcohol and I was really tired. Theo made me feel safe, I didn’t want to lose that quite yet.

“Well,” I hesitated, looking over at my best friend, “I wouldn’t mind if Theo took me home. If that’s okay.”

She shot me a look and we communicated without needing to speak, it was easy with how long we’d been friends. After a few moments she nodded and then marched up to Theo and stopped in front of him.

“You better not be an asshole.” She poked him in the chest. “Or I will cut off your balls.”

“Noted.” Theo nodded while hiding a smirk.

“Come on, Jaxson, hail me a ride please.” She sent me a wave over her shoulder as she sauntered out. He rolled his eyes, saluted at me but followed her.

“It’s all you, Ash,” Noah said, patting Asher on the back before winking at Theo and leaving the room next.

“Okay, Quinn, phone,” Asher said, coming to stand in front of me.

“Ash…” Theo’s voice was almost weary, sounding as tired as I felt.

“Why do you want my phone?” I asked, even though I’d already pulled it out of my pocket, unlocked it, and passed it over.

He didn’t say anything as he tapped through things and then pulled out his own phone. My phone buzzed, he sent me a quick smile and then handed it back.

“Welcome to the group chat.”

13

Theo

Damn it. It wasn’t that I was against her being in the group chat with the guys.

Fuck. I wanted her in every way, in every part of my life, as crazy as that sounded.

However, my friends could be a lot and they were adamant we add her to our group texts. They said our group was in need of ‘feminine energy’ and apparently because I liked her, she was the perfect candidate.

I didn’t want to scare her away. I’d managed very little time with her one on one so far. I felt like I needed more time to win her over before exposing her to their chaos. I wasn’t expecting them to change how they talked in it just because she was on it. They were all so stuck on it, I knew the next time one of them saw her she would be added.

“Seriously?” she asked with a laugh at Asher. At the sound, some of the tension in my chest lessened. I would do just about anything to hear that sound again rather than the shock and fear in her eyes from earlier.

When did I become so wrapped up in her? Fuck if I knew. But I did know not seeing her or hearing from her in days had messed with my head.