Page 68 of Too Sweet
MINE.
Fuckingmine.
Mine to hold, kiss, and take care of.
Finally.
As soon as we arrive at the Country Club, Mia rushes off to find my mother and get ready for her performance, and I’m intercepted by a concerned Theo.
“You doing okay? You need a drink, bro?” He grabs my arm, steering me toward the garden. “Some Xanax? Or better yet, how about a joint?”
“I see you had one.” I frown when he shoves me through the door. “What the hell is going on?”
He takes a deep breath, pulling out a pack of cigarettes. “I know you won’t smoke a joint, so at least take this. I’ll get you all the vodka you’ll need.”
“You do remember I know Kaya’s here, right?”
The patio slides left, and the triplets pour out wearing matching scowls that look dangerously similar to the one Theo had on a moment ago. They’re a breed of their own with curly hair, long noses, and bushy eyebrows, but it’s scary how one facial expression almost morphs them into Theo, Logan, me, or Shawn.
Cody shoves a glass of neat bourbon into my hand, patting my back. “You good? You gonna be the bigger man here?”
“I’m fine.”
Just as I say it, I realize, again, that the triplets just walked through the door, and everyone I trust stands around me, waiting to see what I’ll do next.
And Mia’s not here.
She’s in the venue, unattended.
I flick the cigarette to the floor, my muscles bunched when I turn to get inside. Both Colt and Conor grab my arms, halting me in place.
“Whoa, hold your horses, bro,” Conor chirps. “Relax. Calm down. Don’t go throwing a big-boy tantrum in there. It won’t do you any good. Fuck that bitch. And fuck that asshole too. It’s in the past. Big breaths, come on.”
He sure gets his theatrics from Theo.
“I won’t make a scene if they stay away from Mia,” I say, shaking them off.
The last thing I expect is a supersized grin splitting Cody’sface. “I never thought I’d be happy my brother stole my girlfriend.”
“She wasn’t yours,” I snap, but I’m calmer knowing he doesn’t mind. What’s more, he seems pleased.
“Yeah, I know. She’syoursnow. Just remember. Don’t mess her about. She’s a good girl.”
Yeah, she is. Too good for me.
I shake off that thought before it takes root, forcing me to question this entire thing. Mia would probably be better off with someone without my baggage, someone who doesn’t go batshit crazy with jealousy, someone who doesn’t have to fight his instincts daily to keep his protectiveness in check.
That guy? Whoever he is, is a better fit for Mia, but the only way he’ll get anywhere near her is if he risks a one-on-one with me. The track record of fights I won versus fights I lost in my life is not in that guy’s favor.
I can’t remember exactly how many fights I won, but those I lost are easy to count. There were none. Whoever tries to steal Mia from me doesn’t stand a chance.
Jesus, this isinsane.
It seems all I’ve done the past two months is bottle my ever-growing feelings, and an hour ago, when Mia said she’s mine, the corks went flying.
No way I can bottle them again. Cap whatever’s left to stop it all spilling? Maybe.Hopefully, or she’ll run away screaming before the evening ends.
“We’ll keep an eye on Mia,” Colt assures. He motions for Cody to get going, then turns to Theo. “You’re babysitting Nico tonight. Make sure he doesn’t kill Jared, alright?”
