Page 177 of Silver Sweet

I slip my phone in my pocket and return to the party—my head in a better place. I want to celebrate with Tom. His birthday. This album. I just have to push past the monumental fuck-up with his parents. Push past the idea that he is my boyfriend—he’s not.

Yeah, I can do that.I think.

I grind down on my teeth and turn into the living room too sharply. It’s a head-on collision with Charlie Cobalt. Literally—his skull slams into mine.

“Fuck,” I curse from the radiating pain.

He slow-blinks into a slight flinch like I barely dinged him.

“Is your brain made of fucking titanium?” I rub at the sore spot on my forehead.Shit that might bruise.

He levels an annoyed glare on me. “Maybe don’t take turns like you’re running away from a bank robbery.” Unlike most of the guys here, Charlie is not shirtless. His V-neck suctions to his sweaty skin.

“Have you heard of accidents?” I shoot back.

“I’ve heard plenty of things from you.” He forces a dry smile. “Thankfully I don’t share a bathroom with Tom.”

Yeah, I’ve fucked Tom in the bathroom.A lot.Maybe Charlie overheard through the walls. Maybe he’s bullshitting.

People are listening to this conversation. Eavesdropping. Charlie must not give a damn.

“Your point?” I snap.

“Watch where you’re going,Wolfgang.” He uses the German pronunciation of my middle name. Normally, I would take this as a direct hit, but his delivery is more bored than acidic.

“Where’s your brother?” I ask.

He blinks. “Let me consult my ESP. Just give me five seconds.”

“Funny,” I say flatly. “Let me guess, your Wiki page says you’re a cunt.”

There’s a collective gasp from a few of Tom’s nearby friends. A ghost of a smile lifts Charlie’s lips. “No, but by all means, please update it.”

Most people would be offended by what I just said, and I’m just relieved my mouth didn’t piss off Tom’s older brother. I don’t want to cause friction—even though I’m pretty damn good at it.

A blonde in a shimmery purple dress suddenly barrels into Charlie from behind and wraps her arms around his waist. He hoists his drink up so it doesn’t spill, and he clasps a hand against the wall to keep his balance.

“Keating, baby.” She giggles.

Charlie glances over his shoulder to look at the girl latched onto him. “You are?”

Damn.My brows rise, realizing she doesn’t even know him.

Her teeth catch her bottom lip. “Alicia. My friends just dared me to come over here. How’d I do?”

Charlie ignores her question and looks to me. “Tom usually hangs by the perimeter after a while.”

“Thanks,” I say into a nod, but I’m now more zeroed in on the girl that hugs him even tighter. Charlie sips his drink casually, as if he has just walked past a bush and come away with a burr stuck to his clothes.

Alicia runs her hands down his chest, her fingers dipping below the waistband of his pants. She’s laughing playfully.

Charlie doesn’t even pay attention to her. His eyes stay on mine, challengingly.

I really just want to tell this girl tofuck offand go fondle someone she knows. But I can’t tell if Charlie is enjoying the attention or despising it. He seems so…indifferent.

He does not care.

It bothers me more than it should.