Page 61 of Raise Hell

The rumor mill churned hard for the months she was gone. Even people who primarily considered her a victim still assumed she had voluntarily walked in here. Nice girls don’t come to parties at Havoc House. I saw what I saw, but I still have no idea what happened before she ended up in the woods.

Vaughn strides back into the kitchen, just in enough time to hear my question. “Jesus, are you guys still on this shit?”

Nolan ignores Vaughn and answers me. “Everybody knows she got around. You guys might not remember, but I definitely saw her at some of our parties last year. Better wrap it up tight if you plan to hit that before breaking her heart. Only God knows where that girl has been.”

“That sounds like sour grapes. Don’t be mad the girl rejected you,” Vaughn scoffs. “Even last year, she wouldn’t go near you with someone else’s vagina.”

“I have to get to class,” Nolan bites out.” Thanks for a shitty start to the day, you two.”

Vaughn watches me as Nolan stomps out, his expression unreadable. “You sure you can handle Olivia by herself? I’m happy to take over if you’ve hit a dead-end.”

It’s strange for him to be asking, but I don’t bother to question it. I’ve officially hit my mental limit for thoughts about Olivia Pratt today.

“I’ve got this.”

He hesitates a second longer before shrugging. “I’m always ready to tap in. Just remember, time is running out.”

Time is running out.

The words echo in my ears. They’re the same ones my father used.

I stare at my closest friend, suddenly convinced he’s hiding something from me. “Time is up until what? The Initiation?”

Vaughn shakes his head. “Just hope you don’t have to find out.”

He walks out before I can insist he tell me what he knows.

We’re all drowning in secrets and lies.

It won’t take much more before we all get swallowed up whole.

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