Page 156 of Cruel Legacy

I smile, glad he’s at least in the mood to joke around. “That’s the beauty of us making the rules. Anything goes until we say it doesn’t.”

“True. So true.”

“Now, are you ready to go or not?”

“Yeah, man. Let’s go to dinner.”

Finn has a bad feeling, but all I feel is excitement. We’ve put the Rho Beta Psi pledges through a lot of shit this year, and our frat is still on top of the leader board, even after giving twenty points to Ironside. Whatever happens this week will close out this cycle of games. Then a new round starts after winter break. We’ll tally them all up at the end of the school year to determine who wins the trophy. It’s staying right where it is. In Rho Beta Psi’s possession.

The noise level in The Rock quiets when we step through the doors. I don’t know why people think they have to go silent when we enter this place. We’ve never demanded anyone stop eating and stare, but it’s been like this almost since the beginning. It doesn’t bother me, but I know Holden would prefer if they didn’t gawk at us. We cut to the front of the line to place our food orders. Finn may have said he wasn’t hungry, but he orders fries and a steak burger with the works. Holden orders a poke bowl, sushi, calamari salad and seaweed salad. I opt for a steak, medium well, potatoes and asparagus.

Of course, we don’t wait in line or for our food. Nobody says anything. The one person who would isn’t in line. She pretends not to notice us when we walk by her table. I reach out and tip her glass over, giving her a warning. “Two days, left.”

We’ve all seen how stubborn she is, but she’d be stupid to be anywhere near here when my countdown ends.

She looks at Finn like she’s expecting him to say something. He does, but I’m sure it’s not what she wants to hear.

“What’s that I hear? Chaos and despair. I listen closely to the tune. Liars around, muzzle the sound. Tick tock, boom, welcome to your impending doom.”

Shit, he’s more pissed than I thought. When Finn starts rhyming death limericks, that’s how you know you’re in trouble. All eyes turn to Thea, but nobody is dumb enough to ask what she did while we’re standing here. If they’ve been paying attention, they know it’s not just one thing. This girl has had it coming since day one.

Finn leads the way to our table singing, boom, boom, boom. Each word getting louder and louder until he lets out a wolf howl at the end. He’s getting into the spirit. This year’s Mayhem Night is gonna be the best one yet.

Our food arrives just as we get to our table. Eloise is already here at the middle of the table, but changes seats when Finn sits down.

“I’m so excited about this year’s Mayhem Night and what Zeta Nu has planned. What about you, Finney?”

She meets my eyes, a slight shift to her brows. I made her a promise. I have to honor it. “I think we’re all excited to see what the sororities came up with for the joint party this year. The two of you are still linking up for the final pranks and party, right?”

“Of course.” Eloise beams up at Finn, waiting for him to answer.

Someone across the table says, “I can’t imagine having to go through the chastity vow all over again.” That little jab is a reminder to Eloise that she has to remain celibate until spring break.

“It sucks, but it’s totally worth it, for Finn to be my first again.”

Finn drags her closer and kisses her the way he used to when they first got together. I’m shocked and slightly weirded out about it. I’ve seen Finn kiss girls before. Seen him fuck them too, but I’ve never been turned on by Eloise that way.

Even the times we’ve all been in a room together, I could never bring myself to watch or try to join in. That’s how it’s been with girls we’ve shared, too. One of us usually drifts off to the side because we’re not into it.

Eloise puts her hand on Finn’s chest, breaking their kiss. “What are you doing?” He reaches for her and she shifts away, putting space between them. The smile she gives him doesn’t reach her eyes. “Save some for later, babe. We don’t need an audience.”

“The fuck I care about an audience? Come back over here and work my dick.”

“Finn, that’s an inappropriate request around our friends.”

His jaw clenches. He’s unhappy about being chastised like a kid. This is what I was talking about. She needs to loosen up. She knows Finn’s not opposed to a little PDA.

He likes being the center of attention and his love language is touch. He made Holden and me take the quiz and learn all about that shit. From what I got out of it, it means if he wants you rubbing his dick in the middle of The Rock; you need to do it or he feels like he’s being rejected. Rejected Finn, angry Finn, sad Finn. Dealing with those three emotions always ends in the same way. She’s about to wind up in a heap on the floor and he’s gonna go find someone else to play with.

I did my part. She’s the one about to fuck it up. “Chill out Eloise. Nobody cares if you and Finn suck face at the table. If anyone is saying anything, it’s because they’re jealous of you. Nobody else has a Trium.”

That calms her down a little. She sweeps her gaze around the table and across this side of the dining hall. There are people watching. The looks of envy are obvious. She scoots back over to Finn, kissing him on the cheek.

“I’m sorry I overreacted, babe. It’s this vow. That damn bitch really fucked me over voting to have me redo my pledge season. You know I can’t resist you, but I have to be strong. I can’t fail at any of my challenges.” She kisses the corner of his mouth.

He scoops a fry into his mouth, the harsh lines on his face easing, as he asks someone at the table about a video game. I feel someone’s eyes on me.

When I look across the room, I see Thea staring at us. I guess she caught the little display with Finn and Eloise. Good. I hope it’s sinking in. She’s nothing to Finn. She never was.

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