Page 118 of As the Years Pass

He gives me the middle finger then walks off.

Adam and I find a seat, and the ceremony starts shortly after, just as the sun goes down. It’ll make for some beautiful photos, which I’m sure is what they planned for. The ceremony is quick, and thankfully they do not place cock rings on each other’s dicks. Before I know it, they’re practically tearing each other’s clothes off during their kiss, and then we’re heading up the beach to the bar where they’re having their reception.

Chapter Forty-Eight

Adam

This was a beach bar when we walked in, but it’s turned into a nightclub.

The music is loud as hell, the dance floor full of drunk people grinding against one another like they’re horny teenagers.

It’s the most fun I’ve had in a long time.

I never did the club thing when I was younger, and not that I want to do it now, but I don’t hate this. Not when I’m with people that I consider friends, who make me comfortable.

I’ve had enough drinks that I’m feeling good, but not quite enough to dance yet. Emmet, though? He’s been on the dance floor for a while, jumping around and being silly with Dominic, Mikah, and Mikah’s friend, Zach, who I met briefly. Dom’s friend Storm was also here. I met him and hisfriendGabriel, butthey took off a little bit ago. Ran out of here like their asses were on fire, and I know exactly what they went off to do—the look in their eyes said it all.

The smile on Emmet’s face is the most beautiful thing, and though I’m not close with Dominic, I enjoy seeing him happy too. Especially since the last time I saw him, he was a miserable prick. I threatened to fire his ass and not sell his house.

I like this. I like being here, being with them, with friends—surrounded by people who don’t judge me and are just happy.

So many years have passed when I’ve done nothing but survive and I’ve done it alone. I don’t want to be like that anymore. But that’s easier said than done, isn’t it? I’m very aware of my flaws and issues, the things I want but won’t take. That’s not the problem.

I know all the things I want and don’t want. I just need to be brave enough to go after them. I need to be brave enough to allow myself to be happy. Seems like such a simple thing, but it’s terribly scary.

Dominic breaks off from the group and heads to the bar, not too far where I am. He doesn’t notice me, but I watch as he talks to the bartender, probably to order drinks. My gaze goes back to the floor, and everyone is gone. I look around for Emmet, but I don’t see him anywhere. Narrowing my eyes, I scan the crowd again, wondering where he could have gone off to in the few seconds I looked away. The bathroom, maybe? But it’s past me, and I’m sure I would have seen him walk by, even if I was looking the other way.

I take a sip of my drink, and look through the crowd again. I see a flash of blond hair, and realize immediately why I didn’t see him. His body is covered by some guy who hashisbody all over him.

They’re dancing together, and maybe this is someone he knows, but maybe it isn’t. Either way, I don’t like it. Not one single bit. They’re too close. Way too fucking close.

So, I suck down the rest of my drink and get up from my stool—some invisible fearless force pushing me. I slip through the crowd, squeezing through sweaty bodies to get to Emmet. Once I reach him, my frown deepening when I see how attractive this guy is, I slide my arm around Emmet’s waist and pull him toward me and away from the other guy, who gives me a dirty look. Maybe because he doesn’t know we’re together or maybe because I’m smaller than Emmet, and who am I to take him away?

“He’s with me,” I say tightly, but loud enough it can be heard over the bumping bass.

“Excuse me?” the guy says, frowning.

From the corner of my eye, I see Emmet grinning. He turns to face the guy he was just dancing with.

“Sorry,” he tells him, but I hear the smugness in his voice. He isn’t apologizing for me, he’s apologizing for giving him the wrong idea.

The guy looks confused, but then shakes his head and walks off.

“What the fuck was that?” I ask when Emmet turns to face me.

“Just dancing,” he says with a shrug.

“That’s it?”

“Well, you weren’t out here.”

“So that’s how it’s going to be?” I ask.

He smirks. “Right now.”

“What does that mean?” I ask.

“It means…” Emmet pulls me to him, trapping my hands between us, so I place them against his chest. He grinds against my leg, his dick hard. “I want you to dance with me.”