Chapter 27

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

CARTER

Brendon and I walk into the restaurant that Sasha invited us to, hand in hand, since we aren't in a place where most people would recognize us. We are five minutes later than we were supposed to be, but that's not new for us. We are often late for things after school because we've spent the entire day with pent up sexual frustration, and we need to release it the second we get home.

"You've got sex hair," Sasha notes quietly with a shit eating grin as we take our seats across from him and Rio.

"Is that a problem?" I counter with a smirk.

Sasha used to make me blush every time we were together, but I've gotten used to his mouth and now give it back just as hard.

"I don't think I like how much I've rubbed off on you," Sasha murmurs, and the rest of us laugh. "You were more fun when you would turn red and forget how to talk."

"I can still make him blush," Brendon gloats to Sasha, sticking his chest out to show just how proud of himself he is.

"I could probably still make him blush if I wanted to," Sasha retorts. "I just respect our relationships."

"Aww, are you jealous?" Rio asks Sasha, who's pouting.

I can't help but chuckle before kicking at Sasha's leg under the table. "Stop being a baby. You know I still love you like a brother."

That seems to bring a smile back to his face. "That's true, and maybe now that Brendon has been promoted from best friend to boyfriend, I can claim the open spot."

I laugh and shrug. "Do you think you've earned the title of best friend?"

Sasha places his hand on his chest and fakes a gasp. "I'm offended you even have to ask that. Have I not been the best dance instructor you've ever had?"

"You are the only dance instructor I've ever had," I remind him, and he waves me off.

"Tomayto, tomahto," he replies. "And I know you're going to say that Artie has known you longer, but we all know I'm more amazing."

I chuckle while shaking my head at him. "If the title means so much to you, you can have it."

Sasha cheers, making people look at us, and Rio pinches the bridge of his nose. "You are too much sometimes," he mutters under his breath.

"Yeah, but you still love me," Sasha retorts.

"Yeah, I do," Rio replies, leaning in for a brief kiss.

"Have you got any new notes?" Sasha asks once they pull apart.

I shake my head, thankful that the rest of the week has been quiet. I know it's only been three days, but I'm praying that the person has moved on and won't bother me again. For all I know, it was a misunderstanding, and the person has figured that out by now.

"Well, that's good. I'll admit I was a little creeped out for you," Sasha states.

"Me too," I murmur. "It caused my anxiety to spike, but Brendon has been pretty good about helping me work through it."

"I bet he has been," Sasha replies, winking at me.

"I hate that I haven't hung out with you more," Brendon tells Sasha. "You're lots of fun."

Sasha throws his hair back. "I know. I'm the best."

"And you're not conceded at all," Rio adds with a smirk.

Sasha rolls his eyes but doesn't argue.

We fall into easy conversation after the waitress takes our order, and we spend the evening talking, laughing, and enjoying an amazing meal. I'm honestly shocked when I check my phone and realize two hours have passed.

"Time sure flies when you're having fun," I state, and everyone nods.

"We have to make this a regular thing," Sasha says as the waitress brings us our bills, and we pay.

"We really do," Brendon agrees. "But our schedules are going to start getting really busy."

Sasha shrugs. "I get that, but we can still make things work, I'm sure."

I nod. "We'll figure something out."

We walk out to our vehicles at the same time, but I stop in my tracks when my eyes land on my car.

Sasha gasps. "Holy shit."

All four of my tires are slashed, and my headlights are smashed.

"Who the fuck would do that?" Brendon growls, wrapping his arms around me.

"Do you think it's the same person who left me the note?" I ask quietly.

"If it is, shit's getting out of hand. We need to file a report," Brendon tells me, and I sigh but nod.

So much for going home.

"We'll wait with you and give you a ride home once it's all done," Rio tells us.

"Thanks, but you don't have to do that," I reply.

"It's what best friends do," Sasha tells me with a soft smile. "Plus, it never hurts to have a lawyer around—or an almost lawyer," he murmurs.

I chuckle. "Well, thank you. I appreciate it."

Brendon calls the non-emergency line for the police, and Sasha grabs my hand as I stare at my fucked-up car.

"Want to see if the restaurant has outside security cameras?" he checks.

"I guess so," I murmur, allowing him to pull me back inside.

"Did you forget something?" the hostess checks.

"No. We were wondering if you possibly had security cameras outside. My car was vandalized," I explain, and she gasps.

"Oh no. I'm so sorry to hear that. Let me get the owner," she tells me before rushing away.

"Why the hell would someone do something like this?" I ask Sasha as we wait.

"Sometimes people are just crazy," he responds.

"Mary-Beth tells me you wanted to check our security footage," an older man with white hair says, and I nod.

"Yeah, my car got vandalized, and we were hoping that if you had cameras outside, they might have caught the person who did it."

"I wish we did, but our cameras only show the front door, not the parking lot," he informs us, killing the small amount of hope I had left.

"Well, thank you anyway," I respond.

"I'm sorry. Did you call the police?" he checks.

"Yeah, my boyfriend was on the phone with them when we came in."

"Hopefully, they can catch the person who did this," he replies.

I nod before heading back outside with Sasha by my side.

"The cops will be here soon," Brendon grumbles when he sees us, flexing his hands by his side and clenching his jaw.

I don't think I've ever seen him this mad before. At least not in a very long time. Brendon is such a happy go lucky guy that it takes a lot to get him like this.

"You need to calm down," I state, moving toward him and pulling him into my arms as soon as I'm close enough.

"I just hate that someone did this," he murmurs, squeezing me tightly and kissing my hair.

"I know," I tell him, pulling back a little to stare into his eyes. "I'm not happy about it either, but we can't let whoever did this have power over us. Whoever did this wants to upset us. We can't give them that satisfaction."

Brendon inhales deeply through his nose before slowly blowing it out, never once looking away from me. Finally, a slow smile spreads across his lips, and he gives me a brief kiss.

"This is why we are perfect for each other," he whispers before pulling me back into his arms.

I might be a bit stressed out that someone is targeting me, and we don't entirely know why. But I also know that Brendon and I are completely solid, and we'll be able to get through anything.