The Fate of Our Hearts

Chapter 34 - Guys Can Be F'ing Terrible

Ren

"Are you sure you can't come?" I pull Gio's sweatshirt over my head—sliding my arms in, hugging myself. It makes me feel like he's close to me. 

"My mom told me straight-up no on borrowing her truck tonight. She's going out," Gio huffs. "So... are you sure you still wanna go tonight?"

He's still trying to dissuade me from going to Jace's party like he'd been doing all day yesterday. But the Cool Bean's crew hasn't seen me for almost a month, and I've been feeling guilty I so quickly forgot about them. So, I spent some afternoons there this week. After being away so long, they were shockingly excited to see me.

"Yeah, I told you, I'm definitely going."

I have decided it's good to give Gio space with his friends. We've been together nearly every day since the pregnancy scare, and I know I'm falling in love deeply now. That insecure part of me is attempting to put on the brakes—hard. My addiction to being with him is ever-increasing, but after my experience with Ryder, my fear of scaring Gio away seems just as strong as my urge to be with him.

"Okay," he sighs, resigned. "Please don't drink too much. I don't want anyone trying to get off with you tonight when I'm not there to stop them. Especially Jace."

I don't know why Jace always seemed to trigger Gio's jealous protective side... and visa-vera, actually.

"I told you, my guy friends are not like that, and Jace is like a big brother to me," I reassure him.

"You just don't know what goes on in guys' heads. We're fucking terrible! When I first saw you this year, I thought about having sex with you in a hundred dirty ways before we even kissed! Before you even knew I still liked you!"

"Gio!" I gasp, both titillated and shocked.

"It's true. They probably all have had sexual fantasies about you."

"Stop. I've heard enough."

"Okay, okay. But promise me you'll drive home safe and page me our code when you get home."

"I will, babe. Don't worry so much." 

But I feel a tug in my heart. I miss him already.

♡♡♡

A giddy energy bounced around inside me as I climbed the tall, familiar wooden steps to Jace's second-floor porch, giant moths circling the bare bulb porch light. His front door is chipping on the more ornate bits, fitting to the rest of the slowly decaying Victorian. I don't have to knock or anything—just go in. Garbage's Stupid Girl is playing on the stereo so loud no one will hear a knock, anyway.

"There she is!" Jace cheers as I close the front door behind me.

He strides over and picks me up off the floor in a big bear hug. Man, I miss these hugs!

"Feels like you haven't been over here for ages! You come alone? Where's the new boyfriend who's stolen you away?"

"He couldn't come. He has to get up early for work tomorrow. I can't stay the night either. Saturday night, mom rules," I sigh.

"Hey, Ren, guess who?" a voice says. I turn to see Zack coming into the hall, and he hugs me as well.

I blink in surprise as I pull back, "Hey, I haven't seen you at a party here in forever!"

Damn. Now, I wish I had invited Hannah to this party.

"Yeah, well, if you're shocked to see me, you'll never guess who else is coming tonight," Zack chuckles, running a hand through his curly brown hair.