Page 93 of Lust

“Sorry,” Luke says. “I was just thinking I might have forgotten something back at the dorms. I was debating with Brad if we should head back.”

“We’d offer to walk with you, but we’re heading the other way.” Preston and Finnegan start to go around me, but I block their path.

“Really? Where are you guys off to?”

Preston’s forehead creases. “Not really any of your business, is it, stud?” He pats my shoulder, then tries to get around me again.

“Where’s this attitude coming from?” I ask.

I notice Luke texting, I assume to get backup. I just need to buy some goddamn time.

“Back off,” Preston says. “It’s none of your business.”

“I’m only curious.”

“We’re gonna go to the pond and smoke some weed. Why? Did you want to come with?”

“Uh, no. We really want to hit the party, but you guys should stay. We can all do shots.”

Preston winces. “How about you meet us in there when we get back?”

He tries to get around me yet again, but I block him.

Preston sneers. “Brad, what is this weird-ass game you’re playing? Step the fuck out of our way and enjoy the party.”

“Why are you being such an ass tonight?”

“Me? I only want you to get off our fucking backs.” He gives me a shove.

God, this is gonna get real messy, real fast.

He and Finnegan start to head on, right toward one of our traps, so I throw myself at Preston, giving him a shove that sends him tumbling to the ground.

“The fuck, man?” Finnegan calls out, and as I turn to the yard, I notice some gazes shifting toward the woods.

Finnegan helps Preston to his feet.

There’s rage in Preston’s tense expression as he comes at me, fists at his sides, but fuck, a fistfight might be the only way out of this.

Preston gives me a shove. “What the fuck is your problem?”

I shove him right back.

“You fucking ass.” Preston comes back for me when I hear from behind me, “Stop!”

Preston halts just before me, and I turn to see Seth and Cody jogging toward us.

“Hey, hey, guys, what’s up?” Cody asks.

Preston glances himself over, then looks around, clearly unsettled.

“Everything’s fine, guys,” Seth tells them, and Preston’s and Finnegan’s expressions fall, the tension diminishing as they just stare at me.

“You were heading back to the party,” Seth pushes.

“Yeah, we were…” Preston says, searching around.

He and Finnegan exchange a look, as though neither can figure out why they’re even in the woods to begin with.

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