by Cole Lepley
He shakes his head. “No, it’s not what you think. It’s Elliot’s sorority. I’m basically going to babysit Hunter so he doesn’t commit any felonies.”
I laugh. “I think he may have his hands full with your sister.”
“You’re probably right.” He pats the side of his face. “With looks like this, it’s hard to keep us tamed.”
At least not all of his confidence is lost.
With a smile, I lean up and kiss him once. “Stop by afterward. I’m sure it’ll be fine.”
I pull away from him and walk toward my car, but his voice saying my name stops me. I pause with my hand on the doorknob and look back to him. “What?”
Ollie grins. “I love you.”
Chapter 30
Green-Eyed Monster
Oliver - Now
When we pull up down the street from the sorority house I watch Hunter take a deep breath. The street is packed with stumbling co-eds on their way to drink themselves into a coma. I miss college.
Being here is probably a mistake, but I couldn’t talk him out of it. At first, the plan was to go to the bar, get shitty, and forget about girl drama for one night. That abruptly changed when Elliot showed him the dress she’d be wearing tonight. I’m not convinced he won’t be joining his dad in prison after this.
“Let’s go,” I say, unbuckling my seatbelt. “The longer we sit here, the longer you have to be inside your head.” I turn to him with a pointed look. “We both know how scary that can be.”
I hear him mutter something under his breath and I laugh to myself. He’s so moody when they’re about to have an epic fight. This is exactly why I never had actual girlfriends. College parties aren’t known to be healthy for long-term relationships. They’re for hooking up and being irresponsible. It’s a bad combination for someone on the outside of it.
We both exit the truck and catch the glances of several half-dressed girls congregating on the front porch. I flash a perfect smile to them on my way past and I swear I hear my name. I’m not surprised. My legacy was destined to live on through the years.
As we enter the house, I’m suddenly transported back to five years ago, when I owned this row. No matter how many girls graced my bed over those four years, I never felt anything. Well, I felt a lot of things—but certainly not love.
Hunter grabs me by the back of the shirt, halting me. I cock my head to him. “Yes, dear?”
He rolls his eyes and nods to the bar set up in the back of the dining room. Elliot stands in the middle of several girls dressed in an extremely short black dress, even for her. Her hair is sleek and straight in a high ponytail, which is different from her usual messy, dark waves. The glitter from her eyeshadow glints in the lights flashing around the room. Typically, she doesn’t wear much make-up, but I have to assume this was all forced upon her. The blondes flanking her are also sporting enough glitter to rival a disco ball.
“See,” I say to him over the music blaring through the room. “She’s surrounded by girls.”
I watch his eyes harden and I realize I may have to eat my words. Several guys make their way over to her, and one of them leans in dangerously close.
Hunter moves to step forward and I put my arm out to block him. “Easy now. Let’s get a drink before you murder someone.”
His nostrils flare but he reluctantly follows me into the kitchen. If memory serves me right, there should be a table set up with shots by the back door. I smile to myself when I round the corner and see it in all of its glory, complete with two exceptionally hot girls to service it.
I nudge Hunter forward. The brunette from behind the table eyes both of us with appreciation.
“Haven’t seen you two around. Are you seniors?” she asks, tilting her head and pouting her overly plumped lips slightly.
I laugh. “You could say that.”
She holds up a bottle of tequila. “Shot?”
“You read my mind. One for my friend here, too.”
Her eyes drift to Hunter and her smiles widens. “Your eyes are amazing. That’s the most beautiful shade of blue I’ve ever seen.”
She slides the shots over to us and Hunter tilts his to her. “Thank you, but I have a girlfriend.”
The brunette laughs. “That must make you a good boy then. Being all loyal at a sorority party.” She focuses her gaze to me. “What about you?”
I throw my shot back and lock eyes with her. “Oh, I’m a bad boy, darlin’. You couldn’t handle me.” I shoot her a wink before pulling Hunter back in the direction of the dining room.
He’s still shaking his head as we fight our way through the crowd. “You can’t help yourself, can you?”
“What?” I say with a shrug.
“Flirting. You were totally flirting with that girl.”
I scoff. “I was not.”
He raises an eyebrow. “You’re either completely oblivious or it’s so natural to you it seems normal.”
“You mean to tell me that you’re totally unaware of any other girl that isn’t Elliot?”
He nods.
I point my finger to his chest. “That doesn’t seem natural. Maybe that’s your problem.”
“Whatever, Ollie. I’m going to talk to her. I’m tired of tiptoeing around this bullshit party.”
He walks directly up to Elliot’s table, which is now fully surrounded by guys. I follow close behind, but I’m still distracted by my own thoughts of jealousy. I hate the fact that Charlie is with Liam right now. I get that she’s trying to be nice, but he doesn’t need any sympathy from her. Maybe he does, but he doesn’t deserve it.
It’s not like I took everything from him. He did get to be quarterback for half of our senior year, and play college ball afterwards. She never belonged to him. Charlie has always been mine.
Elliot’s laughter travels over the crowd, pulling me out of my thoughts. I suddenly feel a pang of guilt. She’s clearly having a good time, and I know for a fact that’s about to end. That time would apparently be now. I watch in horror while one of the guys throws his arm over her shoulder.
My ability to react quickly is hindered by all the people blocking my path to Hunter. I’m helpless as he lunges straight for the guy. Hunter’s hand grips the back of the unsuspecting frat boy’s neck, and he’s roughly pulled away from my sister.
The look of alarm and confusion is written all over Elliot’s face as her she gasps in shock. Realization crosses her face next as her eyes shift from Hunter back to me.
“Hunter!” she cries, stepping forward. “What are you doing?”
Hunter grits his teeth, giving the frat boy a shove forward. “What are you doing? Who is this guy?”
Elliot throws her hands up in resignation. “Nobody.”
“Nobody, huh? Seemed pretty comfortable to me.”
“You’re being ridiculous.”
Hunter runs his hand roughly along his jaw. “Oh, am I? How would you feel if I was draped all over some girl?”
She rolls her eyes. “He gave me a hug, it was no big deal.”
He gets inches from her face. “I’ll decide what’s a big deal.”
“Okay,” I call out, stepping between them. “You two need to stop before you say something you’ll regret.”
Elliot slaps my arm away. “What are you even doing here in the first place?”
“Hunter wanted to come.”
She turns back to him. “You didn’t want to fucking come when I asked you.”
“I changed my mind.”
She shakes her head. “No, you don’t trust me. You came here without me knowing hoping to catch me doing something.”
He opens his mouth to reply, and I hold my hand up between them again. “Let’s go outside. People are starting to stare.”
Elliot scans the party and lets out a huff before shouldering past us. Hunter and I follow behind as she stomps out onto the front lawn. Her hands are balled at her sides when she comes to a stop, turning around so abruptly we almost run into her.
“W
hy do you have to act like this?”
“I could ask you the same question.”
Her eyes narrow at his words and I almost flinch. He’s pushing her too far.
“I suggest you leave,” she says coldly.
“You’re asking me to leave?”
“Yes.”
He lets out a bitter laugh. “If this is what you want, Elliot, then just say it.”
She presses her fingers to her temples and closes her eyes for a moment. “I don’t even know what to say to you right now.” Her eyes snap back open and glare into his. “You show up at a party I invited you to and freak out because a guy talked to me. Do you even know how insane that sounds?”
“I’m sorry if I don’t want my fucking girlfriend blacked out drunk in some frat guy’s bed.”
“Dude…”
My words are cut off by the sound of Elliot’s fist connecting with Hunter’s cheek. He brings his hand up to cup the side of his face. She’s not the type of girl to slap, I raised her, after all. “Elliot…”
“No!” she cries. “I said go. You’re completely out of line.”
He reaches for her arm, remorse clearly sprawled across his features. “Baby, I’m sorry.”
She shakes her head and pulls away. “I honestly don’t care right now. I can’t even look at you.”
Elliot steps around him, shooting me an icy glare. He attempts to reach for her, and I pull him back. “Don’t right now,” I say in a harsh whisper. “Let her cool off.”
Hunter rips his arm away from me and growls in frustration, motioning back toward the house. “I can’t just let her go back in there now.”
“That’s exactly what you’re going to do.”
“No way, Ollie.”
He tries to get past me again and I push him backward. “I’m serious. You know how she is. If you go in there now, it will get really ugly.” I lean in closer to him. “Is that what you want?”
His eyes shift around for a minute as he contemplates his next move. I’m sure memories of last year are flashing in his mind. He clenches his jaw tightly. “Fine.”
I throw my arm over his shoulder and point him in the direction of my truck. “Go sit in the truck and wait for me. I’ll go talk to her.”
Hunter shrugs me off of him and stalks away without a response. I jog to catch up with Elliot. She’s almost inside again when I grab her arm.
“Elle, wait.”
She stiffens, and then turns back to me with a look of disgust. “Why did you do this? You knew this would happen if you brought him here.”
I let go of her arm and run a hand over my head, blowing out a breath. “I’m sorry, okay?” I give her a once-over and arch an eyebrow. “But you’re not exactly helping.”
Her eyes narrow. “What do you mean by that?”
“Jesus, Elle. You have this Ariana Grande-looking ponytail and are wearing a dress that’s practically painted on. What did you expect?”
If looks could kill, I’d be dead right now. She steps forward and gets in my face. “Are you seriously insinuating that I brought this on myself? That I’m just begging for attention by dressing like this?”
I shake my head, suddenly panicked by her onslaught of anger. “No, that’s not what I’m saying at all. But guys will look at you a certain way because of it.” I pull my hands into my chest. “I’m a guy, and I fucking remember what it was like at parties like this. I wouldn’t want my girlfriend—let alone my fucking sister—prancing around dressed like that, with a bunch of testosterone-filled dudes eye-fucking you all night.”
She laughs once. “Well, you know what? You can both go fuck yourselves.”
I don’t get a chance to fuck this up even further because Elliot turns on her heel and disappears back inside the house. I take a breath and curse myself for even trying to fix this situation.
When I make it back to the truck, Hunter is pacing beside it. He looks up as I approach.
“Let’s go to The Roost.”
I stop in my tracks. “I’m not sure that we should.” I motion back to the house. “That was fucked up, and if I see Charlie right now being too close to Liam, I might snap.”
Hunter smiles. “I don’t see a problem with that.” He cracks his knuckles. “With the mood I’m in, I’m looking for a fight.”
He gets in the truck before I have a chance to protest. One thing’s for sure, I’m making a mental note not to act like a jealous psychopath when I do see Charlie.
It’s apparently not as sexy as we think it is.
Chapter 31
If You Knew
Charlotte - Now
Liam has always been attractive. He has classic good looks. Light brown hair, green eyes, and the athletic body every guy strives for. I could never figure out what it was about him that I couldn’t completely fall in love with. But sitting across from him right now, it all makes sense.
Every time he says something or he smiles, I compare it to a more arrogant one that’s consuming my mind. Liam isn’t Ollie. As much as I used to try and convince myself our fights were about something else, they were always about Ollie. Which confirms my point that guys can tell when you’re thinking about someone else.
I’ll bet he can tell right now. I can feel his eyes on me while I twirl my straw around in my drink. Every once in a while I nod to acknowledge I’m listening, but what I’m actually doing is wishing I was in my driveway again. Only this time I would have told Ollie not to go out with Hunter tonight because I needed him.
“…So, it wasn’t something I could pass up. After my most recent shoulder surgery, football isn’t an option anymore.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
My response is genuine. I do feel terrible he was injured in college. Being a quarterback is hard on your body. I can’t count how many times I held my breath on the sidelines after Ollie was sacked.
Liam picks at the label on the side of his bottle for a moment, not meeting my eyes. “Are you still here because of him?”
His question makes my stomach dip. I hate to lie, especially to him. The only problem is, my answer isn’t simple. Yes, I’m technically still here because of Ollie. But that hasn’t been entirely my choice. A part of me wishes I could have left already. Before I kissed him. Before we slept together. Before he told me he loves me.
I really wish I left before that. He was right when he said it meant something. I’m just not sure if it meant everything.
My shoulders shrug. “I don’t know. We’re talking.”
Liam laughs once. “Talking? Sure you are.”
The sarcasm in his tone makes me angry. I lean back in the booth and cross my arms. “Why do you care if I’m with him or not?”
He looks at me like I’m crazy. “You were a mess after you two broke up.”
“We weren’t together. Ollie was never my boyfriend.”
Liam laughs louder this time. “Are you kidding me? Ollie was always your boyfriend.” He finishes the rest of his drink and locks eyes with mine. “I get that maybe I’m not supposed to care, but when I saw you on street last month, you looked happy.” He huffs under his breath once more and motions to me with his empty glass. “That’s not how you look now.”
I sit up straighter, suddenly conscious of my posture. “It’s complicated. You wouldn’t understand.”
“Right,” he says in a clipped tone. “Because I couldn’t possibly understand what it feels like to love someone and not have them love me back.”
His words cut through me like a knife. I spend so much time dwelling on the pain Oliver caused me, I guess I tend to forget what I did to him.
“I’m sorry,” I say, reaching my hand across the table and laying it over his. “You didn’t deserve that.”
He glances down at my hand and lets out a heavy sigh. “I’m not worried about me.” His eyes lock on mine. “I’m worried about you.”
I pull my hand back and grip the side of my glass. “Why me?”
“Because I remember the look on
your face that night. I’ve never seen someone so broken.”
I’m not sure how I must have looked, but I remember how I felt. I didn’t expect Liam to show up after I left Ollie on the bridge. He had no idea what was going on between us, but he knew something was wrong.
“I was being dramatic,” I say casually.
My attempt to brush the subject off doesn’t work. He leans in closer. “I didn’t know what you were talking about. You kept saying, ‘he doesn’t care about us.’ Who was ‘us’?”
The knot in my stomach twists and I suddenly wish I could disappear. There’s even a melancholy country song playing in the background like a fucked-up soundtrack to my life. These are the kinds of conversations I’ve avoided having for a reason.
I shake my head. “I don’t know what I was saying.” My eyes start to burn as I relive the memory. “I wasn’t thinking clearly.”
Liam opens his mouth to say something back but closes it when a commotion by the entrance catches his attention. He rolls his eyes and then mutters something I don’t make out. I turn toward the chatter and see the reason for his discomfort.
Oliver and Hunter are swaggering side by side through the bar, catching high-fives and appreciative hoots from several of the regulars that still live in town. My stomach clenches when his eyes find mine, and I force a weak smile.
The grin on his face falls and he holds his arm out to halt Hunter. He whispers something to him and starts toward me with determination. Hunter walks toward the bar, but not before leveling a glare in Liam’s direction. He appears to be in a mood, but that’s not my main concern right now.
It’s the hardened expression on Ollie’s face that has me worried. He knows something’s wrong, and I’m afraid he’ll get the wrong idea. I stand up from the booth and intercept him.
My hands grip his waist and bring him to a stop, but he cranes his neck, trying to see around me. “What did he say to you?” He looks at me, searching my eyes. “You look weird. What’s wrong?”
