Page 12 of Open Liner
“Sure,” Owen said, taking pity on me by the soft grin on his lips. “Grab one of the platters and help me take it to the living room. Folks will be arriving soon.”
I hopped up and took my crumpled hoagie wrapper with me, disposing of my trash along the way. When I grabbed the platter of veggies, I sucked in a deep breath. I refused to end up alone and eaten by cats. Given that I didn’t even have a cat, the likelihood wasn’thigh. Thankfully, movie night served as a reminder that I did have community here, and I clung to that with all my might right now.
I set the veggie platter on the coffee table and nabbed one of the comfortable seats on the main couch, a nice black leather one. The folks who arrived last struggled to find a seat, especially when one of us was dating someone and brought them along. We only introduced serious dates though, long-term ones. Which, I guess should’ve been a sign Serena and I weren’t meant to last since I hadn’t even asked her.
“Heard you got here first.” Rory’s voice drew my attention.He stepped into the room and plunked onto the couch next to me. “Why so glum, babe?”
I wrinkled my nose, hoping that would mitigate the slight sting to my eyes at admitting the reason out loud. “My folks are moving to Florida.”
His expression fell, a rare moment of seriousness from the guy who was perpetually a flirty charmer. He dove onto my lap and wrapped his arms around me in a tight squeeze, and I hugged him back, grateful for his big response, all while I tried to shove mine down.
“Do I need to sabotage the move?” he asked. “I could always poison their realtor.”
I snorted and drew back. Rory hopped off my lap but sat glued beside me, our thighs touching. I appreciated the contact right now.
“Nah, no poison needed,” I said. “It’s just shit news.”
“You’re telling me,” he said. “If my family members tried to move, I’d kidnap them and lock them in our basement until they relented.”
My lips quirked. Hearing Rory’s response made my own upset feel a bit more reasonable. He was always good like that. “Honestly, while the news would suck no matter what, it hits harder comingright after a breakup.”
“Mmk, next time you get a phone number at work, I’ll make you call them,” Rory said.
“Unlike you, I don’t go after shop clients,” I teased.
“Thank you for that,” Owen muttered, joining us with his cheese and meat tray, along with the crackers for it. “Rory stirred up enough trouble for the entire place.”
Rory shrugged. “Harps isn’t mad I’m boning her dad. And she doesn’t even work at Alchemy anymore.”
I rolled my eyes. Rory and Wyatt were perfect together, but the situation had been a bit awkward when Rory had picked him up while piercing his cock. And that Wyatt was our former piercer’s dad. Regardless, they’d somehow made it all work.
“What are we watching tonight?” Rory asked.
Owen shot him a flat look. “I told you two hours ago.”
Rory waved a hand in front of his face. “And you think Iretaininformation? Ha.”
“Is Wyatt joining us tonight?” I asked.
Rory shook his head. “Nah, he’s taking Harper out for dinner, and as much as I’d love to see her too, we agreed they needed some one-on-one time.”
“Damn shame she didn’t tag along,” Owen said. “I miss seeing her face in the shop.”
“Are you going to replace her?” I asked. She’d only been gone a few months, but Rory was taking on too much being the sole piercer at the shop.
“Working on it,” he said. “I’m picky though.”
“I’d say it’s a problem, but you choose good people,” I responded.
Owen glanced at his phone. “I’m going to start the movie. Cas was a fifty-fifty, and Nyx and Becky are arriving late.” He popped the TV on, and within a few seconds, the familiar opening toArmy ofDarknessplayed on the screen. I hadn’t seen this movie in ages, but I could appreciate it for the campiness alone.
“You know,” Owen said, giving me a glance. “If you need the extra friend time when your folks move, I’m always here.”
My chest squeezed tight. “Thanks.” He couldn’t realize how much that meant to me, because the offer was everything right now. “I’ll take you up on it. I’m needy.”
“Not as needy as me,” Rory said, elbowing me in the side.
“I could give you a run for your money,” I responded. It was the primary complaint I’d gotten from significant others my whole life, that I was too codependent, too needy, fell too hard. It’s not like I tried—those things were just hard-wired into my personality.
