Page 77 of All Bets Are Off

“Everything here is a tradition,” I explain to Shelby. “The same four frats throw parties every Halloween, varying in the degree of debauchery. This is all too much for just one party,” I say as I motion to the havoc all around us. There isn’t a house big enough to accommodate all these people. “The biggest party is always held by the football team, not a frat. More people, more alcohol, more expensive drugs, and the loudest music. That’s where we’re headed.”

She responds with a nervous giggle and I tap my hip against hers, gesturing to the tequila bottle. She laughs as she raises it to her lips. “Nothing like some liquid courage,” she murmurs as she passes it to me.

“Don’t worry. Because it’s hosted by the team, there’s a whole slew of different types of people here. Even scholarships students. It’s one night status doesn’t count for as much.”

I lead her up the walkway to the house at the end of Greek Row, not surprised to find kegs out on the front lawn with hoards of people cheering. As we break our way through the front door, the music is almost deafening. A buzz starts in my veins and I can’t help but grin as we walk into where the real party is. Shelby’s mouth drops open at the sight of all the expertly dressed up bodies writhing together on the dance floor.

These aren’t your typical Halloween costumes or decorations. No, it looks like we just walked onto a Hollywood set. “This is insane,” she whispers. I nod and pull her through the moving bodies to the kitchen.

Her small bottle of tequila isn’t going to last us much longer, especially with the way she’s nervously sipping at it. As soon as my feet cross into the kitchen, arms wrap around my waist and lift me off my feet and set me down atop the counter. My mouth drops open in surprise as I watch Shelby be deposited right next to me.

“No,” I drawl, my eyes widening and my mouth turning into a grin. His chest, stomach, and hands are covered in white and black stripes, vibrant red suspenders the only piece of clothing on his upper half. On their upper halves. I start laughing as I notice Zaiden and Hudson are matching. Are all the guys dressed like this? What are they supposed to be?

Hudson grins back at me. One of his real ones. That buzz that has started builds as I get lost in his ebony eyes, sparkling with delight as his eyes trace over my striped stockings. Halloween has always been his favorite holiday.

I blink as his eyes drop to something in front of me I hadn’t noticed. His hand is outstretched with a small brownie bite in it. A small tag on it that reads “Eat me!” I raise my brows at the Wonderland reference and have to stifle my glee. It’s almost easy to forget the last few months filled with nothing but silence, regrets, betrayal, and hatred between us.

At my side, Zaiden pulls out his own little treat for Shelby. Hers is a shot bottle of tequila with a tag that says “Drink me!” She shakes her head at him, not buying into his charm even a little bit.

“I can get something to feed you, if you prefer.” He smirks as he makes the offer.

Shelby rolls her eyes, snatching the bottle out of his hand and throwing it back all in one. “I swear, if that was a dick joke, I’m going to rip yours off and shove it up your ass.”

I snort and notice Hudson barely managing to restrain his own. Zaiden doesn’t bother, laughing at my fiery little friend. “Tequila makes you feisty. Noted,” he assures her. “But no, not a dick joke. Tonight.” He winks. “We just didn’t know if you’d be into pot brownies, but we do have more.”

Her eyes widen and I giggle at her reaction, before looking back down at the brownie in my hand.

“You know you want to eat it, Bri,” Hudson taunts. “It’s been so long since we’ve been high together.” I scrunch up my nose as I debate. I want more than anything to eat the brownie, but I can’t forget that as nice as this moment is, it won’t last. Carson will be here at some point. Stealing me away to ruin everything like he always does. Hudson leans in, forcing all errant thoughts right out of my head as he whispers in my ear, “Unless you’d prefer me to eat you.” His husky voice sends shivers down my spine and liquid heat straight to my core. He pulls away and winks.

I can’t remember my own name as he grabs the brownie out of my hand, removes it from the package and lifts it to my mouth. I open willingly, letting him feed me as I wrap my lips around his fingers and gently sucking. Never breaking eye contact with him.

I’m jostled from the side and squeal as I almost fall off the counter. “Oh shit,” Shelby curses. “Didn’t mean to do that.” Giggles overtake me as Hudson helps right me.

“How about we go get you ladies some drinks?” Z offers, extending his hand to Shelby to help her off the counter.

“Not necessary,” a crisp, cool voice sounds from behind the two of them. I can’t see the person speaking, but I’d know him anywhere. I drop my head to Shelby’s shoulder with a dreamy sigh.

“Shit, B,” she teases, “you are already feeling good.” I wave my hand in response. She’s not wrong. I like this light feeling, like nothing bad can touch me.

My reality comes crashing down around me, all the bubbles turning into dread as I see how Ash and Eli are dressed. The Cheshire Cat and The Mad Hatter.

My eyes dart back and forth between the four of them and the tags from the treats at my side. My mouth drops open as I put it together. “Tweedledee and Tweedledum,” I whisper, ice skating though my veins.

They matched me.

All four of them matched me.

Carson is going to have my head when he sees this.

“She’s just putting it together?” Z asks, confused.

Shelby flips him off, looking worried as she watches me. “Give her a break. Girl is already well on her way to fucked up.”

Hudson squeezes my knees, dragging me back from the edge of a panic attack. “It’s your reward, Baby B. We’re calling a truce for the night.”

My racing heart slows as I focus on his soft smile, his reassurance that this isn’t a trick. But I can’t let go of my anxiety. I look around, trying to see past the guys for any sign of Carson or his fucking cronies.

Elias leans forward. “Your boy is going to be late.” His smirk could be infuriating if I wasn’t thrown back to the way those lips felt against mine. Fuck. They make it hard to focus. “We made sure of it,” he promises. I wonder what they did. “Have a drink,” he offers, lifting a red solo cup to me while Ash hands one to Shelby, his eyes locked on me.

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