Page 72 of Cruel Legacy

“What can be worse?” I ask.

Holden answers before Garett can. “Camping.”

Garrett nods, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “We get our twenty-four-hour amazing race style scavenger hunt and obstacle course or three days camping in the canyons. Which one do you really think the Nu’s will pick?”

It’s genius, and another way I can get Eloise and Finn to spend time together. Nothing says togetherness like a two-man team. I hate having to force Finn to spend time with her, but a deal is a deal. I pat Garrett on the shoulder. “You might as well match Finn with Eloise.”

Finn sputters, “Say what?”

I ignore the look on his face. “You’re the only one who can deal with her. You know how she gets and if we have any chance of this event being successful, we need her to make sure everyone’s excited about participating. The two of you teamed up this season is the logical answer.”

He doesn’t like the idea, but he doesn’t fight me on it. Good. That’s one hurdle down. Now, I just have to figure out how to get Holden on board with this whole treat Eloise like a queen business she’s insisting on. None of us know how to do all that extra sweet shit that girls like. We never have to. We unbuckle our pants and women happily fall to their knees with their mouths gaping open, spread their legs, or their ass cheeks.

These days, the first and last options are my preferred methods for getting off. A fucking pregnancy scam near the end of my freshman year turned me off from pussy. I used a condom, but I know that’s not 100% effective, so I had to sit through my father telling me how disappointed he was in my lack of vigilance, until the girl finally retracted her claim.

I kept insisting on a paternity test and she couldn’t agree to one, because she was never really pregnant. Turns out she used her roommate’s pregnancy test to try to get money out of me. I have no idea how long she thought she’d be able to keep up the sham.

That, and the side jobs I do, have soured me on sex. When I get the urge to fuck, I prefer to find my relief in a mouth or ass, instead of from someone’s lying, deceitful cunt.

* * *

Thea

I shuffle through my note cards as I walk to my dorm. I just spent two hours in the library studying with classmates, but they were too easily distracted for the group session to be effective.

“Theeeonaaa.”

I bite back a growl of annoyance when Michael steps into my path. What is this dude’s problem? Why is he always hiding in the goddamn shadows?

“Can I help you?”

He hooks his arm across my shoulder and tucks me against his side. “What’s with the hostility? I’m just here to escort you back to Vale Tower. It’s pledge season. Not the ideal time for a lady to be out here alone at night.”

I shake his arm off and roll my eyes at the obvious lie. I’m not alone. There are plenty of other people out here, and tons in the library. “I’ll take my chances, thanks.”

“Don’t be a bitch, Theona.”

“Why not? Because you’ve already got that title on lock?”

“Here’s the thing. We need to settle our unfinished business. You cost me some challenge points for that shit in the alley, and you’re going to repay me everything I lost with interest.”

“You cost yourself challenge points. Instead of trying to get your micro peen sucked, you should’ve been safeguarding your treasure and getting the hell out of there.”

“I was fine until you showed up, and the more I think about it, the more I think it was a setup. We have rules about that, and since you broke them, I’m owed repayment in any way I want.”

I’m done listening. I hasten my pace to get away from him. He grabs my arm, pulling me up short, turning me to face him, his grip tight enough to leave bruises. Time to see Coach Wolfe’s teachings in action.

“Get. Your. Hands. Off. Me.” I say it as a courtesy because fighting is a last resource. A defense if all other options fail. Or whatever that shit is, Coach said.

“Mikey, Mikey, Mikey. When are you going to get your hearing checked? I can recommend someone if you’d like.”

I cringe. This guy is here too? He’s another one popping out of nowhere all the damn time.

“I hear just fine, Finn.”

“No, I don’t believe you do. I was hundreds of feet away and I heard her say remove your hands. Plus, I walked up on this little party and you never heard me coming.” He taps a finger against his chin. “Unless you’re saying you heard me and didn’t care that you were engaging in an activity which would upset me.”

Mike’s hold on me tightens, like he knows I’m about to slip away. “This has nothing to do with you, Finn.”

---