Page 142 of Twisted Legacy

My conversation with Thea has been playing in my head since we talked. I wanted to chase her down and demand she take back what she said about not wanting to be tied to one person. I understood what she was saying, but for the first time in history, I had trouble expressing myself.

If she needs variety, I can give her that. We can give her that. Me and Finn, and Coach Wolfe. Because I know he’s part of the deal. My dad finished his assignment two weeks ago and joined my mother and sister in New York. They got back last week, and I spent the last few days with my family, soaking up good vibes, before having to deal with everyone being back on campus.

Classes start in four days, but the first party of the new year, hosted by The Lady Lions, is in full swing. I read the last message on my phone from my father. He’s checking on me because all the news that came out of our reunion wasn’t good news. It turns out my mother was making connections and deals while in New York and some names are now being tossed around as potential matches for me.

I’ve always thought my parents would give me until my thirties before entertaining matches for me. My dad has been adamant that whoever they choose has to be compatible on and off paper. He didn’t go into any details, but he alluded to my mother running into some of the council wives in New York, and using the time away from Canyon Falls to put some feelers out there.

Whatever happened, I’m definitely seeing the results. I’ve been waved to three times already, and someone across the room has been staring at me for seven and a half minutes. I guess she’s finally done looking because she breaks off from her friends and walks over to where I’m standing.

“How’s it going, Holden? Nice party, right?” She points to the bottle of vodka I’m holding. “Can I get some of that?”

I finish pouring some in my cup, then hand her the bottle. She tops off her drink, sets the bottle on the table and takes a sip, letting the juice dribble down her chin. With a tinkly laugh, she swipes at her chin with her fingers and pushes them in her mouth. “Don’t want to waste any.”

She’s following me as I walk to the other side of the room. “Oh god. It’s cooler over here. Can you believe how many people showed up tonight?”

I tamp down my annoyance. I came over here because there are less people on this side of the room and it’s the perfect place for Pax, Finn and I to watch the room.

I sip my drink, and stare over her head, waiting for her to get the memo that I don’t want to be bothered, and walk away. Instead, she presses closer. “So, how was your break?”

“Fine.”

“Did Santa bring you what you wanted for Christmas?”

I shift my body, leaning against the wall, putting some space between us. She presses right up against my side. “I got almost everything I wanted.”

“Good for you.”

“Don’t you want to know what gift I asked for that I didn’t get?”

“Not particularly.”

She touches my arm. “I wanted someone to ring in the new year with. You know, since they say whoever you kiss at midnight is who you’ll spend the year with.”

I press myself further against the wall. It’s the only acceptable thing I can do when the alternative is snapping her wrists.

“I pouted for a little while, but then I thought about it. It was a good thing I didn’t get it, because I’ve been hooking up with the same guys year after year and it always turns out the same. So I made a resolution to broaden my interests. Give someone else a chance.”

“How nice for you.”

“And do you know what I came up with when I started making my new list? Nice guys. That’s who I need. A nice guy who’s smart and athletic and doesn’t do all that stupid shit I’ve had to put up with over the years. I deserve better, right?”

“Sure.”

There’s a couple making out on my left and a game of cups happening on my right. She’s right in front of me, her scent invading my nose. Her touch makes my skin crawl. I’m gonna have to shove her out of my way to get free.

“I was wondering who would be perfect, and then I remembered you were eyeing me at the beginning of the semester, so tonight’s your lucky night.”

“How is that?”

“I’m gonna let you take me upstairs and show me a good time.”

I snort. That’s highly doubtful, and this entire conversation is ridiculous. I looked her way twice last year, and both times she turned her nose up at me. “You weren’t interested then. What’s changed?”

“I was foolish. Listening to rumors. Letting peer pressure guide me.”

“Well, maybe you should let it guide you back to wherever the fuck you came from.”

Her brows crease. “Didn’t you come here to party?”

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