Page 48 of Vendetta

“You guys ready for your exams next week?” Nate asked, reaching over me to grab the hot chocolate from Bexley.

“Definitely,” Bexley responded.

“I think so!” I answered truthfully. “What about you? What are you going to do now that Lacrosse season is over?”

“We’ll still have practice a few days a week next semester to get ready for next season.”

“Tell them the good news!” Olivia exclaimed, her and TJ turning to look at Nate expectantly.

“It’s not a huge deal or anything. But with Kirin graduating at the end of the spring semester, he and Coach asked if I would be his replacement as team captain for next year. Coach wants me to take over the role after winter break, that way the team can begin to adjust to the new leadership.”

“Oh my gosh Nate, that’s amazing!” I exclaimed, jumping over to wrap him in a tight embrace that he returned. “Congratulations!”

“That’s really great, Nate! So happy for you!” Bexley added, taking a turn to hug him as well.

“Well deserved, bro,” TJ stated, raising his drink in cheers.

“What’s going on over here?” Zayn cut in, the group of us turning to find his tall form arriving behind us. My gaze instinctively followed behind him, finding Kaptan and Cashton making their way over. Their breaths were visible in the chilly December air, hands in their pockets, as Kaptan wore a leather vest and Cashton followed in a hoodie topped by a thick denim jacket.

“Nate’s going to be team captain next year!” Olivia announced.

“Nice job man!” Zayn said as he clapped his friend on the back.

I couldn’t help but sneak a glance back to Cashton and Kaptan, my eyes always seeming drawn to the former against my will. It was like my body could sense when he was around, needing to be aware of where he was at all times when he was around. I hated it, this pull that I had towards him.

He and Kaptan hung back closer towards where the cars were all parked, some sort of serious conversation going on in between them. It didn’t look heated, just like they were discussing something important. I watched as Cashton shoved a flask back into his hoodie pocket, wondering if this was the first time I had seen him drink any sort of heavy liquor. I guess he was ready to celebrate tonight.

I turned back around to face the fire, my cheeks heating as I hoped that nobody had caught me ogling him. I needed to get my head straight. Cashton was bad news, no matter how insanely hot he was. Why couldn’t I be drawn to someone friendlier, like Nate or even Zayn? Zayn was a bit wild for my taste, but Nate was a total sweetheart with a good head on his shoulders. But as I chanced him a glance, it did absolutely nothing to me in the romantic department.

I shook the thought of Cashton out of my head, forcing myself to return to the conversation that was going on around me.

“New Year’s party at our house this year, by the way!” Zayn called as he walked back in the direction of the cars where Kaptan and Cashton stood.

“Fine!” Olivia yelled back at him, “I’ll come over that morning to decorate! I already ordered the champagne flutesfrom Italy. And before you ask, yes, I got twice as many this time. It’s not my fault that you hooligans always break so many, but at least we’ll have plenty this year.”

“Bet!” he called over his shoulder, slipping between the cars to meet up with Cashton and his brother.

“I don’t want it too huge this year. It got a little too wild last year. I’m thinking maybe thirty? Fifty tops? Oh, and who is everyone kissing this year?” She asked, suggestively wiggling her eyebrows at Bexley, Nate, and I.

“I’ll be kissing my beer,” Nate responded, bringing his drink to his lips.

Bexley only blushed, the pink color bright against her pale cheeks. “Nobody. I’ll still be at home with my parents, I promised them that I would stay for the entire break.”

“Aw, we’re going to miss you!” Olivia pouted.

“We’ll make sure to FaceTime you at midnight so we can still celebrate together.” I offered, Olivia nodding her head in agreement.

“Works for me!” Bexley smiled, the three of us grinning at each other as the glow from the fire lit up our faces.

My phone vibrated in my pocket, a ping coming from Olivia’s phone next to me as Bexley’s buzzed in her lap. A cacophony of text notifications spread across the crowd, students pulling their phones out as chaos erupted.

“What’s going on?” I asked, hearing gasps and laughs echo around me from all around the fire. Bexley and Olivia both appeared frozen as they watched whatever was playing on their screen.

I pulled my own cell phone out, hurriedly clicking on the text message from the unknown phone number that awaited. It was a link, no context or text body accompanying it.

Clicking on the link, I felt my heart sink into my stomach as I took in the video on the screen. Bile rose in my throat, nausea churning in my stomach as all the hot cocoa threatened to come back up.

“Do you taste yourself on me, princess? You look so good choking on my cock.”

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