Page 37 of Kings of the Campus

“Of course you do,” Jace says, giving me an odd expression. He turns his lips upward into his signature smirk and nudges into me. “We knew we could count on you.”

As things get started, I’m jostled to the back of the crowd by the sheer number of people present. This event looks like it’s going to be a huge success.

I’m cradling my cup of coffee when Jace steps up to address the crowd. His familiar, easy smile quiets the crowd instantly.

“Hey, everyone, thanks for coming out to our Coffee and Cocoa Kickoff!” Jace’s voice is smooth and warm, like he’s genuinely excited about this event. “We’re so excited to get this toy drive started and do some good for the community. We really couldn’t do this without all of you.”

The applause ripples through the crowd, and I find myself clapping along, though something about the way he’s smiling makes the hairs on the back of my neck prickle.

“But before we get into the rest of the night,” Jace says, his grin shifting slightly, “there’s someone we have to thank—someone who’s really kept us on our toes this year. The one and only Tessa Collins.”

My stomach drops. My name on his lips feels like a warning, like the calm before the storm. I keep my face neutral, but inside, I’m on high alert.

Devin steps forward, clapping dramatically, his smile just a little too wide. “Tessa’s been such a…persistent presence in our lives lately. She’s made sure we’re always giving 100 percent of our attention, even when we didn’t know we needed it.”

The crowd chuckles, but it’s more out of politeness than humor. My chest tightens as Alec steps up next, his voice laced with amusement that feels anything but friendly. “Yeah, it’s not every day you meet someone so dedicated to, let’s say, making sure we stay… accountable.”

Accountable. The word feels like a barb, sharp and cutting in its delivery. I know what they’re doing, and it’s not going to stop here.

Jace’s grin sharpens his tone just a touch too sweet. “I mean, it takes real guts to put yourself out there the way Tessa has. Her commitment to digging up stories—real or otherwise—has been nothing short of inspiring.”

A knot forms in my throat as I realize where this is heading. I glance around, feeling the weight of people’s eyes starting to shift toward me. The smiles, the playful words—they’re all a cover, hiding the sting beneath.

Devin tilts his head, still playing along, his tone light but laced with something darker. “Not to mention her talent for…creative storytelling. Confidential sources? Who needs ’em when you can spin a tale as well as she can?”

I feel my face heat, but I force myself to stay still. They’re making a show of me—of all the rumors they’ve been spreading, all the lies—and everyone’s too charmed by their act to see it.

Alec raises his cup of cocoa in a mock toast, that smirk never leaving his face. “And, of course, we can’t forget how easy Tessa makes everything—easy to talk to, easy to get close to…” He pauses, letting the implication hang heavy in the air. “Just…easy.”

The laughter that follows feels like a slap, small but sharp. My face burns as I realize the deeper meaning to his words.

Jace jumps back in, voice dripping with false admiration. “Thanks for everything, Tessa. We know we couldn’t be the men we are today without you.”

The crowd claps, but my hands stay firmly at my sides, clenched into fists. I swallow down the burn of frustration, tears stinging my eyes. I thought they were different. I thought that despite our rocky start, they were the kind of guys who were worth sticking around to get to know.

Shame burns inside of me as I realize how wrong I’ve been about them. The three of them are just like any other frat guy. They’re just like Max. Thoughts of him and the things he did to those girls bubble up and I feel sick to my stomach.

No wait, I really do feel sick to my stomach. The crowd is laughing and chattering after the speech, but everything is just too much for me and I have to get out of there.

I feel like I can’t breathe and I push my way through the crowd to get to the door. Once I’m outside I take in a few deep lungfuls of cold winter air, but that seems to make the nausea worse and I have to rush over to the nearest garbage can to throw up everything I’ve eaten.

As I stand there, wiping the back of my mouth with my coat sleeve, I feel the shame settle into a quiet rage.

I don’t care what I have to do. If the Sigmas want to harass me so badly, they can dig their own grave. I’m going to do whatever it takes to find the skeletons in their closet so I can take the fraternity down once and for all.

23

DEVIN

It’s been a few days since the toy drive event, but I still can’t shake the sick feeling twisting in my gut. I’ve tried focusing on my upcoming finals, tried drowning myself in textbooks and notes, but nothing sticks. No matter how hard I push myself to concentrate, my thoughts keep drifting back to Tessa—back to the way she ran off, humiliated.

This is what we wanted, isn’t it? To crush her once and for all, to make sure she knew she was messing with the wrong people. So why doesn’t it feel like a win?

I slam my book shut in frustration and decide I need to clear my head. Maybe talking to someone will help. Standing up, I head down to the kitchen where Matteo is making something on the stove.

“Hey,” I say, sitting at the counter across from him.

He turns, giving me a nod. His expression is tight. “What’s up?” he asks, crossing his arms and leaning against the wall. His voice is steady, but there’s something off in his tone.

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