Just then, Julie came bouncing in like she owned the place and wrapped Theo in a tight hug.
"Awwn, teddy bear! Happy birthday," she beamed, full of glitter and chaos.
Theo chuckled, hugging her back. "Thanks. You look like you're having way too much fun already."
She glanced at the flowers in his hands, then turned to me with that devilish little grin. That smug smile said everything—she knew what she was doing.
"So, Theo…" she cooed, "what about the good stuff? I know you carry a little something with you."
Theo raised a brow. "Julia, it's literally too early."
"Oh, come on. Just a little piece."
"Oh, come on," she whined, nudging him. "Just a little piece."
They were talking about drugs, apparently. Hooligans. Honestly. Have some restraint, woman.
Theo gently pulled away, holding the flowers. "I better put these somewhere safe. Enjoy the party."
And he vanished into the crowd.
Julie was about to say something else when a deep voice called out behind her.
"Jules!"
She turned around, and my stomach sank. One of my uncles. Perfect. Just what I needed.
"Hey, Hendricks," she greeted him with a hug, clearly unfazed.
"Still the party animal, I see," he chuckled, pinching her cheek affectionately.
"Oh, the party's just getting started," Julie winked. "You having fun?"
He scoffed. "You know me. I'm here for the opportunities."
Then his eyes landed on me. Just stared. No smile, no hello, no attempt to acknowledge me as human. Just that look.
God. Please. Let the ground open up and swallow me whole. Let a meteor hit this mansion. Anything.
But he didn't say a word. Just glanced at me, turned back to Julie, and muttered something about wanting a drink before walking off. He avoided me like I was a plague—like I was carrying some contagious gay virus.
"Well, that was nice," I muttered.
Julie gave me a soft glance. "Isaaq… don't let one family member ruin your night. Have fun."
Before I could answer, a man in a suit approached her. Clean-cut. Respectable. And easily twenty years older. He took her hand, kissed it, and without a word, she followed him away like some glittery trophy.
And just like that, I was alone. Again.
Surprise, surprise.
I leaned on the counter, feeling like an afterthought. I couldn't even remember what I did at Theo's last birthday party. Probably snuck into his room and made a mess of things. Wouldn't be shocking.
I pulled out my phone, mostly to look busy, partly to distract myself from spiraling.
Scrolled through texts. Stopped at Aiden's name.
Hey. At Theo's. Party's nice. Hope you're okay.
I stared at the screen.
Can't believe I just sent that.
No response.
I sighed and shoved my phone back in my pocket.
That's when the music cut out, and the whole room turned silent.
Theo's father had entered the building.
Timothy V. Malrione. Never found out what the 'V' stood for. Come to think of it, I didn't even know Theo's middle name. Weird, right?
He walked in like a man who knew exactly how much power he held, flanked by a dozen security guards, dressed to kill. He smiled, waved, took his place at the far end like a king on his throne. People swarmed him like flies to honey.
All the important ones, anyway.
I wondered what Julie's plan was to charm that beast of a man. Now that would be a story worth telling.
The music resumed and so did the festivities, but I was no longer in the mood.
I took a walk. The house was massive, but I knew it well enough by now. Somewhere in the distance, I heard Julie's maniacal laughter echoing like a drunk banshee.
I made my way to the balcony, hoping for a moment of peace. The air was nice. Quiet. My mind wasn't.
Angela. Theo. Aiden.
Aiden. If he were here, I wouldn't be thinking so damn much.
That's when I heard someone call my name.
"Isaaq?"
I turned, recognizing the voice immediately.
I froze.
It was him. My father.
Shit.
The universe had jokes today.
He looked older but not enough. He still had that smugness tucked into his grin, like he was better than the world. A glass in one hand, the other in his pocket, casual as ever.
I stood awkwardly. I didn't have this on my bingo card tonight.
"Mr. Almasi. Hey," I said, trying to be polite while suppressing the urge to bolt.
His brow lifted. "Mr. Almasi? Seriously? That's how you greet your father?"
Father. Father, he said, like the word wasn't a joke.
I didn't answer.
"I figured you'd be here when I saw Julie stirring up the crowd."
He looked right through me. Like I was something to assess and discard. I hated it. My jaw clenched.
"Why aren't you with your friends?" he asked.
"It's none of your business."
He stepped closer. I almost flinched. It took everything in me not to snap. A punch to the face would've been more than justified.
Then suddenly, Theo appeared—like an angel in Doc Martens.
"There you are," he said, grinning. "I've been looking for you everywhere."
He wrapped his arms around me and, without hesitation, kissed me.
Right in front of my father.
I stood there, stunned, lips pressed against Theo's. My father's expression didn't change, but I knew I'd shaken something in him.
Theo broke the kiss and turned to him.
"Do you mind?" he asked with a glare sharp enough to cut glass.
My father held my gaze for a beat longer, then took a slow sip from his drink.
"Of course," he said, and walked away.
Theo's arms were still around my neck. I didn't move. I didn't want to.
"Thanks," I breathed out.
He smiled. "You're welcome."
He started to pull away, but I leaned into him, resting my head on his shoulder.
"Can we stay like this… for a little while?"
He was surprised, but didn't pull away. Instead, he started stroking the back of my head gently.
"Okay."
He held me there, and the chaos inside my chest quieted for a moment.
Why didn't I just fall in love with Theo? It would've been so much easier.
He was sweet, kind, and fiercely loyal. A little scary, sure, but he cared.
I knew that. He'd said it. Over and over again.
Aiden never had.
I wasn't sure if he even liked me that way.
But Theo did.
And maybe that should've been enough.
"Theo," I whispered.
"Hmm?"
"Can I… kiss you?"
He blinked. "What?"
I looked up at him.
He smiled, soft and a little sad. "Like you needed to ask."
I kissed him again. He kissed me back, eagerly this time.
I pushed him gently against the railing, trailing kisses along his neck. He moaned softly, fingers tangling in my hair.
"Isaaq," he whispered as we broke apart.
"Thanks," I said again, breathing hard.
He smiled, but something in his eyes flickered. Hesitation. Confusion. Maybe even hurt.
I couldn't face it.
"I need to go," I muttered. "I just—need some air. I'll be back."
Theo nodded, silent.
And I left.
Out the balcony, down the stairs, past the dancers, through the front door.
I collapsed in the car seat in the driveway, the party still pulsing behind me.
And all I could think was—
What the fuck have I done?