Chapter 152: The Celebration I Didn’t Ask For
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That arrogant bastard had the nerve to mark me up like this and didn’t even bother to mention it. It’s almost like he wants everyone to know I’m... taken.
The last word slipped out softer than I meant, a mix of frustration and something warmer that I wasn’t quite ready to examine.
"He could’ve—" I pressed my fingers to my neck again, as though covering it up was going to help. "He could’ve warned me."
Maya straightened up, dabbing at the corners of her eyes. "He was probably distracted."
"By what?"
"By you." She said it like it was obvious. "It almost feels intentional, like he didn’t mind people knowing."
So it was that obvious...
Maya’s smirk turned positively devilish, her eyes sparkling with that knowing glint that meant she was ready for some gossip.
"I take it that’s Damien’s work. You two finally fucked, didn’t you?" Maya asked, her tone suggesting it was more of a statement than a question.
My face was heating up like I’d just stepped into boiling water. "I—uh..."
"JOEY!"
Maya’s voice cut through the café, loud enough to make me jump and almost spill my cup.
A second later, Joey came in from the backroom. "What?"
When did he even get here?
Maya pointed at me. "Damien and Oliver finally got together!"
Joey blinked once, twice.
Then his face lit up with pure, unfiltered joy, the kind you can’t fake because it hits you before you even have a chance to prepare for it.
"WAIT — REALLY?!"
"Maya!"
"DUDE—!"
Before I could react, Joey had crossed the café at lightning speed and wrapped me in one of his giant bear hugs, the kind that leaves no room for argument or air.
"I’m so happy for you, man!" he said, burying his face in my hair.
"I can’t—" I tried to explain. "Breathe—"
"They grow up so fast, aww!"
"Guys, come on," I said deadpan, standing stiffly in Joey’s embrace while my cheeks felt like they could burst into flames.
They high-fived. I watched in disbelief, feeling like I’d lost all control over the situation.
But they were already off, dancing around me in a silly little circle like I had just won a major award. Maya took Joey’s hands, and they spun around, laughing hysterically while they chanted teasing questions.
"Tell us everything!" Maya demanded between giggles, pausing just long enough to lean on the counter. "Was it good? How big is he, really? Is it like the rumours? I need details, Oliver...don’t hold back now!"
Joey nodded eagerly, grinning like a proud parent. "Yeah, spill it! Did he sweep you off your feet with that brooding charm, or was it more of a ’hate-to-love’ explosion? We’ve been rooting for this forever."
I covered my face with both hands, feeling utterly defeated.
"I need a new job."
"You need a scarf," Maya said, already heading to the back room. She returned with a long, knitted scarf that she handed over with the efficiency of someone solving a problem.
I wrapped it around my neck and checked my reflection in the dark surface of the coffee machine. "Will this cover them?"
Maya tilted her head, assessing the situation. "...Mostly."
"Define mostly."
"If someone’s really looking, they might—"
"Maya."
"—see the edges."
I let out a long sigh, stretching it out enough like a grand exit.
Despite the overwhelming embarrassment, a small, traitorous smile crept onto my face. I thought about how Damien had probably done this on purpose.
Those marks strategically placed during those heated moments, almost like he wanted everyone to see I belonged to him now whether we were officially together or not.
That realization sent a flutter through my chest, mixing with the soreness that still pulsed warmly whenever I moved. It felt oddly good, being claimed like that, even if it meant enduring my friends’ endless teasing.
"You two are the worst," I grumbled, but there was no real bite to my words. I swatted at Maya’s arm when she tried to peek at the hickeys again, and Joey just ruffled my hair affectionately, all while still chuckling.
"We’re just happy for you," Joey said softly, his voice warming in the midst of the chaos. "You deserve this, man. All that banter and tension...it was about time you two figured it out and fucked."
Maya nodded, linking her arm through mine in a supportive squeeze. "Exactly. And hey, if Damien’s leaving marks like that, he’s definitely doing something right. Just make sure you return the favor next time. Fair’s fair."
"Oliver." He looked at me with the kind of familiarity that comes from knowing someone too well. "You’re happy, aren’t you?"
I opened my mouth to argue, then closed it again, staring at the counter.
Because, honestly...underneath all the embarrassment, underneath the very tangible fact that I’d been walking around a busy place for twenty-three minutes with evidence of my private life out for everyone to see, when I thought about going home, about walking through that door and seeing Damien’s face light up when I walked in, I couldn’t find a way to feel too upset about it.
I was embarrassed. Deeply, thoroughly embarrassed.
But I was also, strangely enough...i was so damn happy about the reason behind it.
Maya nudged my shoulder gently. "So, you’re happy?"
I looked down at the scarf doing a half-hearted job of covering my neck and placed a hand on it...and then at the two most infuriating friends I could ask for, and I let out a quiet laugh that carried more than I meant it to.
"Yeah," I said, with a bright smile. "I’m happy."
Hopelessly, specifically, embarrassing happy.
So it seemed Damien would make it through the evening after all.
Though, I felt justified in thinking...I was definitely going to make him acknowledge every single one of those marks before I let him off the hook for this public mess.
Seemed fair, right?
He could start apologizing whenever he felt ready.