Page 16 of Almost

I SET THE rest of the plates on the table gingerly because I’ve already been scolded by Kiera for mishandling them once tonight. To say I’m excited for tonight would be like saying I enjoy all the press and attention I get for playing for the Panthers. Just like it was wrong for feeling jealous when I learned Thalia was bringing Eric. I have no business being upset because I’m with Kiera, but Eric? Of all fucking people, she’s with one of my college teammates? I know they previously dated, but I wasn’t any happier then about it than I am now. Except, I have no right to be pissed about it—actually, I’m upset about a lot of things I shouldn’t be.

I set the table for six because thanks to some last minute pleading, I was able to convince Kiera to let me invite Owen and Blake. Now I’m wondering if it’s such a good idea.

I wish I’d never fucking agreed to tonight.

Maybe if I tell Kiera that I don’t feel good, she’ll cancel and tell everyone to stay home. She’s been so excited, though. I don’t have the heart to tell her I have zero interest in seeing Thalia and Eric together tonight.

I really shouldn’t care. But I do.

“Kiera…” I start to say, bracing myself on the table because I know she’s going to be upset, and maybe even mad.

The doorbell rings before I can speak again to suggest canceling, and Kiera claps excitedly. “They’re here! This is going to be so much fun!”

Great.

I grab the good whiskey from the cart, and pour a glass to immediately throw back before moving to get the wine Kiera picked for tonight out of the fridge.

This is fucking awesome.

I hold my breath as Kiera comes back with Blake and Owen, and the relief I feel is short-lived when I note that Owen looks as ready for this shit show as I am. “I’m not doing tonight sober,” he says briefly, grabbing the same bottle of whiskey I just drank from.

I shrug and grab my glass I’d set down so I can have another round. Maybe if I get shit-faced, everyone will leave early. “That was my plan too.”

Zeus comes trotting out from the mudroom where he was eating dinner, and I’m guessing the doorbell must have gotten his attention. I’m sure he’ll be thrilled to see Thalia when she gets here.

Blake wanders over to us with a tired expression on her face. “This is going to suck.” She takes Owen’s glass before he can down it, drinking it herself, only to place the empty glass back in his hand. “You’re an asshole for agreeing to this. I hope Thalia punches you because you definitely deserve it.” She glares at me as she turns away to help Kiera.

“Blake’s not very happy with you,” Owen says matter-of-factly, pouring himself more whiskey.

“No shit, Sherlock. Join the club, it’s going to be a long night,” I mumble under my breath as the doorbell rings again. My grip on the glass tightens, and Owen tosses a worried glance my way.

“Keep your shit together. You have no right to be upset she’s bringing Eric when you’re the one that ended things with her, and now you’re flaunting your engagement in her face,” Owen warns quietly, and I bite my tongue to keep from smarting off because he’s right.

He’s always fucking right, not that I’d ever tell him that.

Kiera returns moments later with Thalia and fucking Eric behind her. My breath hitches at the sight of her in this house again. We didn’t live here long together, but the intention was to build our future here. I didn’t ever expect to see her here again.

Thalia’s wearing a black off-the-shoulder shirt, her waves have been tamed into straight hair, but the shortness is still catching me off guard. My attention is drawn to the faint scrawl along her collarbone that I don’t recognize from before. I don’t know how I missed it the other day.

I hate that the thought crosses my mind, but she looks beautiful.

Her green eyes shine brightly against the makeup accentuating them. Eric drops the hand that he’d had wrapped around her back as Zeus charges her excitedly. He all but ate out of her hand as a puppy.

When Thalia laughs at Zeus’s excitement, instinctively I turn away, feeling a painful squeeze in my chest because it’s too familiar. It’s too much having her here. What the fuck is wrong with me? I told her to leave. It’s my fault she doesn’t live here.

I feel Kiera slip her hand through my elbow, pulling my attention back. “Seb, be nice and say hi,” she whispers. I wish she knew how much I don’t want to be nice. Why can everyone else see how much this sucks but Kiera can’t?

But for her, I push a pathetic smile on my face. “Hey, Eric. It’s good to see you again. You too, Thalia. Thanks for coming.”

Thalia smiles tightly, staring directly at me. It’s almost like she can see straight through me, and what I’m thinking. “Thanks for the invitation. I’m gladwecould make it.”

“Congratulations on the engagement; you guys make a nice couple. It’s been a while, Bash,” Eric says with a kind smile, but I’d have to be stupid to miss the claim he makes on Thalia by resting his hand on her back again.

Zeus whines at Thalia because she stopped petting him, and it hurts to see her smile at him. “Oh, bubba, I’ve missed you so much. Have you been a good boy? Of course you have.”

I think it might kill me to be nice tonight.

“Does anyone need a drink?” Kiera offers, reminding me that my fianceé is standing at my side. I am the worst.