Falling for my boyfriend's Navy brother Chapter 78

I swear the walls are actually vibrating.

Jo’s house is enormous. Like, genuinely obnoxious. It’s giving luxury suburban mansion energy, all pristine glass railings and a chandelier that probably cost more than Tyler's car. People are spilling out of the driveway, music is thumping loud enough I can feel it in my lungs, and I’m already regretting every decision I’ve made in the last ten minutes.

Tyler and Mila, however, look like they’ve been invited to heaven’s gates.

“Let’s get a drink!” Mila says, looping her arm through mine as we walk in. “We are here to celebrate you, Miss Lead Role.”

That settles my stomach a bit. Just a bit. I smile and nod, and Tyler tosses his arm around my shoulders, pressing a kiss to my temple.

“Hell yeah, we are.”

The living room is crowded. Bodies packed tight, laughter echoing, red cups everywhere. A girl I vaguely know from biology is already dancing on the couch. There’s a punch bowl on the kitchen island, surrounded by a chaotic group who seem deeply invested in who’s spiking it with what.

Jo spots us from across the room. He strides over like he owns the place, throws a bro-hug at Tyler, then stops cold when his eyes land on me.

“Penny?!” he exclaims, eyes widening like I just pulled off a mask and revealed I’m secretly Beyoncé.

I give him a shy wave. “Hi, Jo.”

He looks me up and down and mutters, “Holy…” before clearing his throat quickly and turning back to Tyler. “Hey, man, thanks for coming.”

Then his eyes flick back to me and then to Mila, standing beside me like she’s been plucked off the cover of a rave poster.

Jo grins. “Damn, bro. Where do you find these ballerinas?”

Mila gives a mock bow. “We twirl out of the darkness when you least expect it.”

That gets a laugh. Then Jo disappears into the crowd and we head toward the basement, where it’s just as packed but less chaotic. There’s a foosball table, a pool table, arcade games glowing in the corners, and a bunch of people cheering around a game of beer pong.

Tyler spots a group of friends—including Zoe and Rebecca, of course—and immediately makes a beeline for them.

Mila and I exchange a look.

Zoe’s dress could double as a bandage. I’m not judging, but it’s…a lot. She hugs Tyler like they’re in a rom-com, arms wrapped tight, her face way too close to his. Rebecca follows, tossing her hair and doing a little lean-in kiss to his cheek.

They both throw polite waves at me from across the room.

Mila narrows her eyes. “Is it just me, or can you see the exact shape of every organ through that dress?”

I giggle, despite myself. “You’re not wrong.”

Tyler gives me a thumbs-up from across the room, then partners up with Zoe for beer pong like it’s the most natural thing in the world.

But I don’t let it bother me. I have Mila. And right now, she’s pulling me toward the darts and saying, “Come on, let’s show these amateurs how it’s done.”

Spoiler alert: we do not show them anything. We suck. But we’re laughing too hard to care.

Eventually, Mila makes a face and says she needs the bathroom. “Try not to get murdered or seduced while I’m gone,” she tosses over her shoulder.

I roll my eyes, smile—and then I’m alone.

I turn back to where Tyler is. Still laughing with his group. Still hasn’t looked over at me once. I wait a few minutes, then decide to go find Mila upstairs.

I climb the stairs slowly, dodging couples and stepping over someone who is—why—eating spaghetti out of a Tupperware on the landing.

I round the corner—and crash right into someone.

“Sorry—” I start, and then blink. “You.”

It’s the blonde guy from school. The one who asked to take a photo with me for his little sister. He grins, blue eyes lighting up.

“We have to stop meeting like this.”

I laugh. “Seriously.”

He looks at me for a long second, then says, “You look… incredible.”

Heat floods my cheeks. “Thank you.”

“How’s the lead ballerina life?” he teases, nudging me gently.

I blink. “How do you—?”

“My sister,” he says. “She’s obsessed with you. She saw your name in some rehearsal schedule her studio posted and flipped. She’s been set on practicing Swan Lake ever since.”

I grin. “Oh my god.”

“She made me print the picture. It’s on her wall. She might be in love with you.”

I laugh. “Tell her I said thank you—and that if she ever wants to come see the Spring Gala, I’ll get her tickets.”

His mouth drops. “Are you serious?”

“Of course.”

He hugs me. Just like that. Arms around me, tight and warm, like we’re friends. Like this isn’t weird at all.

“Thank you,” he says. “Seriously. She’s going to lose her mind.”

I pull back and smile. “It’s no problem. I mean it.”

He glances around. “So… how do you know Jonathan? I mean, besides being a local celebrity now.”

I snort. “He’s in a couple of my classes. But mostly, he’s my boyfriend’s best friend.”

“Boyfriend?”

“Tyler Hayes.”

His whole face changes.

“Hayes?” he repeats.

I nod. “Yeah.”

He looks away for a second. “I… thought he was wi—”

He cuts himself off, frowning.

“What?” I ask, stepping closer. “What were you going to say?”

He hesitates. “Nothing. Just—look, I don’t know him super well, but he’s got a reputation. Especially with the guys on the football team.”

I stare at him. “What kind of reputation?”

He winces. “I shouldn’t say anything. Just… be careful, okay?”

I want to ask more, but he’s already stepping away, giving me a tight smile. “It was really nice seeing you again. You look beautiful tonight.”

“Wait—what’s your name?” I call after him.

He turns back. “Max.”

And then he disappears into the crowd.

I stand there for a long moment, heart racing. What was he about to say? What reputation?

I swallow, turn around, and head back to find Mila. I need my best friend. Now.