Page 143 of Dare To Live

“Why bother?”

His head snaps up. “What?”

“Come on, Brad. What’s the fucking point? Once we leave here, we’re never going to see each other again. I doubt you gave me or what happened during senior year a single fucking thought over the past ten years.”

“That’s not true.”

I snort.

“I mean it. I know Kellan was your friend, Eli, but what happened that night … that entire year … affected everyone.”

My gaze shifts from him to the woman behind him. “Is that right? Because from where I’m standing, it didn’t seem to affect your wife very much. She appears to be really into the idea of picking up where she left off.”

Lacy turns red.

Brad rubs his palm over the top of his head. “She told me what happened earlier.”

“And you’re okay with her wanting to fuck someone else?” I hike an eyebrow.

“She got caught up in being back here, with the other girls.”

That makes me laugh. “Are you so fucking pussywhipped that you really believe that? Jesus fucking Christ. The girl was opening her legs for everyone when you weren’t looking when we were students here. Do you really think that changed when you left?”

“No.” He licks his lips. “I knew what she was doing.” He glances left and right. “Look, Eli, we were stupid kids. Everything was a game. The tormenting, the bullying, the constant one upmanship. Evan fed into our egos. Pointed out the things we hated most about ourselves in those around us and made them physical targets for our self-hatred.” He reaches back for Lacy’s hand and pulls her forward. “Evan wanted Lacy to get close to you. He wanted you to fall in love with her.”

“And you were happy to stand by and watch that happen? How fucking weak are you?”

“I was a kid. I was seeing how everyone around me got treated if they didn’t follow what Evan wanted. All the kids over the years who were ostracized from our group. It wasn’t until later that I really saw the pattern. But anytime someone went against what Evan wanted, they became the enemy and a target.” He shakes his head. “It sounds so fucking lame now, but at the time … Eli, you have to understand how much fucking pressure we were all under to conform, to meet expectations.”

I don’t say a word.

“Okay, maybe you don’t. You never did try to be a part of the crowd. You always stood out. I think that’s why he hated you so much.”

I prop my shoulder against the doorframe. “Can we get to the point of why you’re here?”

“You’re right. I wanted to apologize for mine and Lacy’s behavior.”

“Your wife can’t speak for herself?”

Lacy glares at me.

“Don’t think she agrees with you.” I let a smirk pull my lips up.

“That’s because she still wants to suck your dick.” His voice is so matter of fact that it takes a minute for what he’s saying to sink in. “And, if that’s what it takes for you to accept our apology, then I’m here to give her permission.”

“You … what the fuck, Brad?”

He shrugs. “I guess if something happens enough times, you find a way to enjoy it. If you want her to suck your dick, I won’t stop her. I wouldn’t mind watching though.”

My gaze goes from him to Lacy and back again. “You seriously came here to offer me your wife’s services?”

There’s a noise behind me, and Arabella pushes past. I catch a glimpse of blazing blue eyes and then she’s in Lacy’s face.

“You stay the fuck away from Eli. He doesn’t need your skanky mouth anywhere fucking near him. You understand me?”

Chapter 81

Arabella

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