Page 90 of Lust

“It’s gonna be fine, Luke. We’re gonna get through this, and it will be just a fucked-up thing we had to survive.”

“Brad, please, I need to say it.”

He grits his teeth, then nods.

“I’m falling for you. Like…ridiculously falling. There’s so much I’m scared about tonight, but one of the worst thoughts is that I might miss out on getting to know you so much better. Or getting to do homework together. Or have more study time in the library…or even not studying on the fourth floor together.”

He snickers.

I run my knuckles along his cheek. “I want to order more Asian fusion, and calzones, and I want to catch up on fuckingReal Housewives of Salt Lake Citywith you so that you can chat with your mom about it. I want to fight with you about stupid, dumb crap that doesn’t matter. The kind of stupid stuff that boyfriends do together.”

“Boyfriends,” he says, tearing up. The word hits my ear just right. “I like the sound of that.” His gaze drops to my lips, and he takes my mouth once again.

Before we’d used the word about each other, it just seemed like any other word. But it’s not anymore. There’s something different about this kiss, knowing I’m not just kissing this guy I’m falling for. That he’s my boyfriend. And I’m his boyfriend.

I grip the back of his head, firming our kiss. Wanting to live in this moment for as long as I can.

In case it’s one of my last.

24

BRAD

Not long afterLuke and I confirm our relationship status, Seth and Cody arrive, and we go over our plan.

Seth doesn’t give Luke any attitude. Seems like he’s more concerned about making sure we’re on top of everything than giving Luke hell, which is good for him because I don’t know what I’ll do if he gives my boyfriend trouble tonight.

Boyfriend.

There was something so satisfying about hearing that word escape his mouth. Now we just have to survive the night so that we can enjoy all the things that come with the label.

We take stock of our weapons before heading out, cutting through the woods to get to the Alpha Alpha Mu house. Some guys are hanging out in the back, but it’s not nearly as busy as in Luke’s vision.

The calm before the storm.

Using the night-vision apps on our phones, we navigate through the woods, creating three large salt circles, and then Seth, Cody, and I run through our ritual to cast a spell of entrapment. Once we finish, there’s some commotion behind the house, and as we check, we see some guys cracking up as they head through the yard, carrying something large. I can’t make out what it is until they prop it upright—

Bucktooth Beaver.

“Holy hell,” Seth mutters.

“You think they snatched it from the fairgrounds?” Cody asks.

Luke stares at the statue, surely as unsettled as I am at how things are lining up. I rest my hand on his shoulder, but he doesn’t take his eyes off the beaver.

“It is what it is,” Cody says. “It doesn’t change anything. Now, Seth and I will take the other side of the yard, and you guys take this side. If anyone comes out here, get them to back the fuck off or at least make sure they step around our traps.”

Seth smirks as he caresses the head of his baseball bat. “Kind of amusing thinking about drunk frats getting stuck in these things.”

Cody ignores his remark, sticking to business. “Anything I’m not thinking of? Thoughts? Feelings? Reservations?”

“All of the above,” Luke says, his eyes still locked on the foreboding reminder of what’s to come.

Cody glares at him. “Okay, I get it. This isn’t ideal, but it’s the best we can do on short notice.”

He’s right, but fuck if that isn’t a bleak truth.

“Come on, Seth.” Cody starts toward the other side of the yard.

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