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Chapter Thirty-Seven

Theodore

Tobias invited me to his house. This is a big step. I hadn’t really thought about coming over here before he asked. It wasn’t an issue for him to come to my place. I like it there, and he seems comfortable. But the fact he invited me and told me where his spare key is? This is huge.

He’s probably still home, and I could call or text him, but I don’t want to be weird about this.

So instead, I decide to go for a ride. I put Biscuit in her kennel, grab my keys, and go to the garage.

It’s too stuffed in here with the three cars.

I need to figure out what I’m going to do about the new one.

I don’t feel right driving it, which is why I haven’t done it yet.

Marianne drove it here while I drove my car.

I’m not sure what I’m going to say when I have to meet my father for something and he asks why I’m not driving it.

It’s not like I can tell him to return it.

He’d have a fit. So, I’ll just hide it here until I figure it out.

For now, I get into my Bentley, the one I bought with my own money.

I press the button to lift the garage door and head down the driveway and turn right.

I’m not sure where I’m going, I just need to drive to pass the time.

Fiddling with the radio, I settle on a station that plays classic rock.

I end up by Elliot Bay, find a place to park and get out to walk around since the rain has taken a break.

I barely make it to The Big Wheel before I’m jogging back to my car because of the rain.

It comes out of nowhere. A lot of people do the same, running back to their cars or looking for shelter.

Anyone living here knows it’s a terrible time to walk around, but they attempt it anyway.

If you live in Seattle, you need to be okay with the rain or never leave your house.

When I’m back in my car, I blast the heat to get warm and dry the water droplets off me.

I drive around for a bit, then make my way back home and end up taking a nap with Biscuit on my bed.

My alarm goes off an hour before I have to leave, this way I can get up and not be groggy before heading over.

I feed Biscuit, let her out and since the rain has stopped, I play catch with her in the backyard for ten minutes.

When I get back inside, I change my clothes, get Biscuit settled in her kennel, and go for my car.

The moment I’m in the garage, my doorbell rings.

“What the hell? ”

I have no idea who that could be, so I head inside and go to the front door. Maybe it’s important. Looking through the peephole, I frown and pull it open.

“Asher? Is everything okay?”

He pins me with a stare. “I don’t know. You tell me.”

“What does that mean?” I ask.

He steps in, heading over to my couch, completely missing Biscuit in her cage. Because I don’t know how long this will take, I let her out. She hurries over to Asher, who raises a brow at me.

“I got a dog,” I say with a shrug.

He pets Biscuit, scratching behind her ears. “And called off your wedding, apparently?”

There’s no way I can hide my shock over hearing that. Those are not the words I was expecting to come out of his mouth .

“What?” I laugh. “Where did you hear that?”

All my muscles have seized up, and I can hardly breathe.

“From Max.”

“Max, as in your brother?”

Asher purses his lips. “Look, I’m not mad about whatever is going on, but I am offended that you haven’t talked to me about any of this. What the hell is going on?”

“I am so confused,” I comment, running my hand through my hair. “Where did Max hear this?”

Asher holds my gaze, pursing his lips. “From Tobias.”

The way he says it, from Tobias , and not from someone named Tobias, makes me think he knows him. Or that he has more info than he’s letting on.

He gets up, rubbing his hands on his jean-clad thighs. “You got any alcohol? I think we’re going to need it.”

“I was just heading out.” I point to my garage, hoping he’ll let it go so I can go.

“This won’t take long. One drink, and you can leave. As long as you spill…”

With a sigh, I follow him into my kitchen where he’s already pulling a bottle down from the cabinet. He's been here enough to know where things are.

“The sooner you start talking, the sooner you can leave,” he says.

“Tell me how you know Tobias.”

I’m terrified he’s going to tell me they hooked up. Nothing about it would surprise me, but I’d hate it.

I’m sure Tobias has hooked up with a ton of people, but it’s something I choose not to think about.

He told me he doesn’t hook up with his dates, and maybe that’s the truth, but it’s not so much the dates I worry about.

Tobias is hot and could get any man he wants.

I’m sure there have been plenty of men over the years.

Asher hooks up with guys all the time, and the thought of being with someone, even if it’s temporary, who has fucked my best friend is just… weird.

“I didn’t sleep with him, if that’s what you’re thinking,” he says, sneaking a swig right from the whiskey bottle .

“Thank fuck for that,” I say, breathing out a sigh of relief. Asher gives me a dirty look, handing me a tumbler with two fingers of whiskey. I take a mouthful, swallowing and hissing at the burn. “I did what you said and went out on a date with him.”

“Let’s just clarify that I didn’t specify him, and just someone , right?”

“Yes, Asher. Yes.”

“Okay, because I don’t want to be blamed when this blows up into a steaming pile of shit.”

“Well, thanks for your support.” I take another sip, then say, “We went on a couple dates, and he brought me to a bar to hang with his friends. So, we sort of became friends, and we’ve been hanging out.”

“And your fiancée is fine with this?” he asks, giving me a look like he knows the answer to that question. And my silence gives him the answer he needs, if he wasn’t already sure. “Which one of them are you lying to?” he adds, leaning his hip on the counter.

“First of all, how does Max know Tobias? And what exactly was said?” I finish my whiskey, wanting more, but I won’t take it since I’m driving and I haven’t eaten much today. I want to get to Tobias in one piece.

“They work together, and it’s partly my fault.

” I raise a brow. “I went there a few weeks ago to talk to Tobias, because I knew you were hanging out. I was worried about you, and wanted to check in.” I open my mouth to say something, but he shakes his head and keeps going.

“It wasn’t important and not a big deal, but Max wanted to know why I was talking to Tobias.

I wouldn’t tell him, and so he asked Tobias.

Who answered his question, but did not say your name, let’s be clear about that.

Max deduced it by process of elimination since you’re my only friend who has a fiancée. ”

“Wait, so Tobias said I was engaged?”

“No, he said he was seeing one of my friends who recently broke off an engagement.”

“Fuck,” I mutter, pinching the bridge of my nose and leaning against the wall for support.

I’m going to be sick.

“Out with the truth, Theo. You are not a liar, so I am very confused about what’s going on, and even more worried about you now.”

I take a moment to think. I could tell Asher everything right now, and he’d understand. He’d be mad, but he’d side with me. He always does. We’re best friends and that’s part of our job. But, of course, I don’t spill anything.

“You have no reason to be worried about me. I’m fine.”

“Except for the fact you’re cheating on your fiancée and lying to your boyfriend.”

“He isn’t my boyfriend.”

“But you want him to be…”

I shake my head. “I’m fine, Asher. Seriously, it’s all fine. I have it under control. I have to go. ”

I head into the living room to get Biscuit and put her back in her kennel.

“See yourself out!” I call out to Asher who is still in my kitchen when I shut the door to the garage and get into my car.

By the time I get to Tobias’s house, it’s after 9:30 but he isn’t here yet, so I let myself in.

Swiping at the wall for the light, the room illuminates and the first thing I spot across the room is an oversized leather couch.

I drop into it, resting my head back to breathe while I wait for him to show.

This whole thing will be fine. I have it all under control.