Page 95 of Pure Vengeance

“Not yet,” I say. “Other than he’s going to be at that house party tonight over at the sorority.” I head upstairs before he can question me further.

I hear him ring the bell to summon us, and I head back downstairs.

“Right everyone, Noah and his brothers are going to be at the sorority party tonight. We’re going. All of us.”

Everyone murmurs their agreement, and I feel like I’ve been sucker-punched. Why did I say anything?

Declan meets my eyes and I nod, out of habit. I just agree to do whatever the fuck I’m told. By Noah, by Declan. By my stepfather. By my coach.

I’m just a submissive little asshole with no balls.

I used to have a lot of confidence, but this whole thing with Noah has me rattled. The night we slept together I felt something... more. I felt as though we connected. The way we were together, I wanted that. He wanted that. Then he got angryand ran me off. I don’t even want revenge anymore. I just want to know he’s okay. I’ve heard rumors he’s been getting high as a kite at parties. I don’t want Declan to call the cops on him, so I’ve said nothing, but I need to make sure he’s okay.

I shower and change into khakis and a fraternity shirt. I run a hand through my hair and stare at myself in the mirror. I look like shit. I haven’t been sleeping; having such vivid dreams of Noah isn’t conducive to a good night’s sleep. I splash my face to try to wake myself up. I head downstairs where the others are waiting, and we head out together like a pack of wolves on the hunt. We’re going to attack from all sides.

We get to the party and it’s pumping. There are bodies everywhere, and I don’t know where to look first. Maybe I can find Noah and warn him before it’s too late, without anyone seeing me. I break away from the main group as they greet girls at the door, and I wander through the party.

There are people downstairs and upstairs. He could be anywhere; this is hopeless. If my frat brothers catch me warning him, the jig will be up. Everyone will consider me a traitor. I push through the bodies as quickly as I can, trying to wade my way through the various drunk people. How are people drunk already? Did we come late? When did this party start?

I go upstairs, but I find nothing there except for a couple shagging in a bedroom. I go back downstairs and decide to head outside.

I freeze when I get there. Noah is talking to a guy. He looks like he’s drunk or high or something. They’re leaning into each other as they speak. I need to get him out of here.

Before I can make a move, a hand grabs my shoulder. “You found him. Good.”

Declan calls for Kyle, and we all stand there watching them for a moment.

“Are they flirting?” Kyle whispers.

I watch them, torn between jealousy and worry. I hate that Noah is openly flirting with a guy, but I know he must be high as a kite to be doing it so publicly. He’s put in so much effort to maintaining his self-image that I can’t imagine he’s in his right mind right now.

I see Kyle take out a phone and take pictures.

“Hey,” I say, grabbing the phone and deleting the pictures. My shout attracts attention, including Noah’s.

“What the fuck is wrong with you?” Kyle hollers, taking his phone back. “Are you ashamed of your brother who’s flirting with a guy?”

“You don’t need to be ashamed, Ace. It’s not you flirting with a guy.”

“He’s not flirting,” I say. “He’s talking to someone. There’s no need to make insinuations.”

I can sense Noah’s gaze on me as we argue. Some people around us turn to listen. Declan frowns and says, “I thought you were with us on this, Carter.”

Again, my nickname is dropped because I’m in trouble.

I clench my fists. “He may be our enemy as a frat brother, but heisstill my brother. I have to set some boundaries, Declan.”

“You mean yourgaybrother?” Declan says.

“He isn’t gay. I would know if he was. I’ve known him half my life,” I say. “Now cut it out and enjoy the party or fuck off.”

“You’re going to regret your choice of words, Carter,” Declan says, and walks off with Kyle.

I’ll be punished, badly, when I get back to the frat house, but I couldn’t let them spread rumors about Noah. If it got out, his reputation would be ruined, and his father would find out. Then there would be World War Three.

I turn to look at Noah, but he’s gone. I see him heading back inside through another door, taking something out his wallet.

I move to follow him, but I’m blocked by his frat brothers. “Why don’t you just leave Noah alone?” the one called Richard says.

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