Page 16 of Sweetest Hate

From my vantage point, I had a clear view of the two of them standing at the landing, talking, or rather Quinn was listening with a scowl as Arsen leaned down, whispering in his ear.

What the hell was he saying to him? Anxiety raced through my nerve endings. No way he was filling him in on what we'd just done in his room. I could only imagine my best friend would feel betrayed, and how would I explain myself? Arsen was a flame, and I was just the moth stupidly flying right in it to my death. Okay, that was dramatic. And pathetic.

Arsen straightened and turned, glancing up at where I stood with one hand gripping the banister as if he'd been aware I was watching.

He tossed me a wicked grin and winked. My stomach bottomed out as he turned, and with hands stuffed in his pockets, he casually strolled away until I lost sight of him around the corner.

Taking a deep breath, I took slow measured steps, making my way to the first floor. Quinn was still scowling with a perplexed expression in the direction Arsen had headed.

I cleared my throat and adopted a neutral tone. "What was that about?"

"No idea." Quinn took a healthy swallow of the beer he was holding. "I don't even know what he meant."

My brow furrowed. "What did he say?"

"Thanks for bringing the snacks to the party," he quoted with a shake of his head. "What the fuck? What does that mean? I didn't bring anything."

Fury coiled in my gut because I knew exactly what he'd meant. He may have said it to Quinn, but the taunt was for me. "What a jackass," I growled.

Quinn's brows shot high. "Well, yeah...but did I miss something?"

Making myself appear relaxed and forcing a casual expression, I shrugged. "No, I just meant...you were right about him. He seems like a jerk."

"Understatement." Quinn turned and squinted, sloppily waving in the direction of my face and neck. "What's all that red stuff?"

I immediately covered my neck, but there was nothing I could do about my face. A rush of heat shot down my spine at the memory of how they'd gotten there that was quickly replaced by anger because of Arsen's comment to Quinn. "No idea. I think maybe I touched something I was allergic to?"

That made sense, right? Quinn's eyes narrowed before he looped his arm over my shoulder. "Well, that sucks."

"Also..." I paused because Quinn would know I'd spoken to Arsen. "I need somewhere to sleep because apparently, I claimed Arsen's room."

"Did he kick you out?" Quinn glared.

"Sort of." He had said I could stay or go, but even if I changed my mind, I was pretty sure that offer was now void. Wanting to divert Quinn from the ready rant forming on his lips, I asked, "Can I crash in your room?"

Quinn rolled his eyes. "Sure, but you're changing the sheets."

"Gross." I scrunched my nose, but the idea of Quinn hooking up with that girl didn't really bother me. Even less than usual. "I'll sleep on the floor."

"Wise choice, my friend." He gave me a sloppy grin, and I held back a gag.

Six

Arsen

"Well, this is bullshit,"I said to Piper, my best friend for the last twenty years, as I leaned against the rough bark of a towering Virginia Pine. We watched the rowdy crowd of both our friends and Quinn's drunk buddies partying together. Music boomed from an upgraded stereo system that didn't match the shitty truck it was coming from. "I can't believe my dad failed to mention I'd be sharing this place with Quinn."

"Can't you though?" Piper scoffed while making a valid point. The curly red hair she loved was tied up into some kind of knot, and her pretty heart-shaped face was void of makeup, the freckles she had proudly on full display. My little petite friend was cute as shit. Even if I was into girls, Piper was definitely more of a sister to me. "But what's the problem? There's enough room if everyone double bunks in that monstrous cabin. You can avoid him. Besides, look around. Are you seriously complaining about all of this man candy?" She wiggled her slightly manicured eyebrows.

I lifted my brows. "Really? Some guy caught your eye? Does Blake know about this?"

Piper rolled her eyes and waved her beer toward the bodies surrounding the fire. "Not for me, dick. I love my Blakey Blake. But serious, look around, Arsen. There's more than just one hot guy out there. You can't tell me you haven't noticed."

"I haven't noticed." That was somewhat true. I hadn't noticed multiple guys. Just one. And I already wanted nothing to do with him. Well, nothing that didn't involve a bed and some dick play. But according to Kellan, that had been a mistake and wasn't going to happen again. After what he'd said about Quinn, I wasn't sure I even wanted a repeat.

My thoughts turned to the night I'd met my new stepbrother in vivid clarity and my jaw clenched. Maybe I should scope out more potential. I scanned the gathered crowd again.

"I haven't noticed," Piper mimicked my bored tone. "You are the last person I'd believe hadn't already checked out the people here."

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