Page 31 of Duke
Lennon’s brow draws together. “What do you mean?”
Duke’s tugs on his neck. “Oh, he freaked out pretty good. Honestly, I think he fucked up somehow. I’d bet he was supposed to win Elliot. Why, I don’t know, but I think that was the true fuck up. But where the hell did he go?”
Rubbing a hand over his exhausted face, Mason groans, “I kinda wonder if you weren’t taken because they fucked up getting Elliot.”
I grumble. “I feel like we’re going in circles with that. The OG Bastards said Elliot was important to their plan. But then we fucked it up. Lennon got taken. Drugged. And now, my fucking father…”
“You think the OGs were involved in drugging me?” Lennon’s teeth clamp down on her lip, her eyes going a bit wild at the idea.
“It’s a thought.” I clench my teeth together, looking down at the fear I’ve just put into her head.
Duke snaps his fingers. “That’s it. That’s what’s been bugging me. Derek said Elliot lucked out. That they’ve found something else.”
Lennon frowns, pulling her hands into her chest. “Did he mean me?”
“It didn’t seem like it.” Mason’s face contorts. “He was actually looking at me when he said it. Or am I crazy?”
The silence in the room is deafening.
“The fuck.I don’t know.” The others shake their heads.
Mason’s face has gone pale. “If Elliot had something to do with my dad and how to get him out of prison, but she’s no longer of use to them… who is?” He wipes sweaty palms on his pajama pants.
I’d voice my concern about discussing all this in a house that may or may not be bugged, but after the shit we said this morning, I’d have thought that would have brought them running. Or that my dad would have said something about it. I glance around the circle of my friends and realize I’ve missed a piece of the conversation.
“Unless they’re too busy doing other shit—like fucking you over, Bear.” Lennon taps her fingers against her lips. “So, can we go back to that for a sec?”
I inhale and puff out my cheeks before letting the air go in a rush. “Yeah. This is all such a clusterfuck. And I’m beginning to think it’s all connected. What are you thinking?”
She nervously swallows. “So… I could easily believe Derek did what he did to you tonight out of spite. To teach you a lesson. Or because he’s an abusive asshole. Take your pick.” She stops to wet her lips. “But what if it’s something more?”
Duke’s brow tugs together. “I’m not following but it’s also three in the morning now.”
Lennon takes my hand in hers. “What did I say we should be looking at?”
A moment passes by before Mason murmurs, “The money. Follow the dirty money.” His head tips to the side as his eyes widen. “You don’t think…?”
“Oh boy.” Duke’s jaw goes rigid.
Lennon gives a sharp nod. “Yes, I motherfucking do.”
My eyes dart to each of theirs in turn as the truth settles into my gut.Motherfucker.That’s why my old man wasn’t losing his ever-loving shit in the office. Sparkle Pants Morgan getting ready to do the nasty with him hadn’t been an act of consolation. It’d been a fucking celebration. He never intended for me to win that fight. He wanted me to lose… because he betagainstme.
SEVENTEEN
LENNON
The sticky Georgiaheat is practically making me melt as Duke and I climb into the SUV to head home after my calculus class on Wednesday around noon. I sling my bag to the floor and climb in. Duke gets in on the driver’s side, sets the AC and the music both to blast, then takes off out of the parking lot.
The guys have continued to insist that I be escorted to and from classes and campus. I don’t mind. Better safe than sorry, and if having one or more of them with me is a deterrent to whoever’s messing with me, then so be it.
There’s no denying it’s been an odd handful of days for us around here. I can’t go anywhere within Bainbridge Hall without being stared at or talked about behind my back. Then again, I suppose that’s what happens when you wake up naked in someone else’s bed with no memory of how it’d happened. I spoke to Warren about it on Monday when he finally resurfaced after having been with Maria trying to fix things. He didn’t have any more idea how it’d happened than I had, which all jibes with what the guys had said he’d told them that morning. We’re good. He’s not upset about it. I am, but that’s to be expected since I was the one under attack that night.
That whole mess with the auction and everything that followed is worrisome, frankly. The idea that what happened that night is all part of some grand plan sets me on edge. What did Derek mean about Elliot getting lucky? What did they supposedly find that took priority? Who took me? What the fuck is going on? It all makes my head spin.
As for Bear, we’re watching him carefully while he lays way low, attempting to detox, rest his shoulder, and soothe his wounded ego all at once. He’s taken the suggestion I’d given him to contact his coach to let him know he’s violently ill and will be back when he’s feeling better. Wouldn’t want to pass some heinous stomach bug around the entire team. Meanwhile, he’s been keeping up okay with his classwork, since all assignments are available online. In addition, Mason, Duke, and I have been giving him whatever support he needs, whether that’s an ear, a shoulder, or a bowl of shared ice cream.
My heart twinges as I think about how I’d told him I love him... and he hadn’t said it back. In fact, he kinda threw it in my face. The beating in my chest magnifies until I hear it in my ears.Fuck my life. Why did I do that?He hadn’t believed me at all. But the truth is, I meant what I said. I love Bear. I also love Mason and all of his flaws and damage, even though I haven’t specifically said the words to him… and well, I might be falling for Duke, too. It’s all muddled in my head, but there it is.
