Congrats on the win.
I was at home, in my room, when the reply came.
Thank you, love! Got swamped after the race with team stuff, but I can’t wait to see you at the party. We’ll kiss in front of the whole bloody school so I can show off my woman, proper.
My thumb touched the gorgeous ring on my middle finger as Wolfe’s words came back to me, along with that unpleasant feeling. That mountain of words unsaid between us. But over text was not the time, and Orion had just won his race.
Tonight. We’ll find some time tonight.
I’ll be there. <3
Chapter 33Orion
After the post-race wrap-up from Coach, I showered and changed intodesigner plaid pants in brown and beige, and a cream-colored Loewe hoodie, and then hurried back to Atlas Hall to oversee the party prep in the center courtyard and connecting lounge. The caterers, decorators, and DJ I’d hired were all hard at work, setting up tables of food and drink, stringing up lights and sound systems, and lighting up the fountain in the center of the courtyard with a rainbow of changing colors. As I’d predicted, my last name meant that the Academy administration turned a blind eye to all of it, and our regatta win sealed the deal.
Because we’d done what was expected of us: We’d won.
The crate of booze I’d gotten from a guy who knew a guy, however, was discreetly kept out of sight. No need to push it, after all.
I usually didn’t partake much myself, but after the adrenaline rush of the race had faded, a lot ofthinkinghad swooped back in, and I wasn’t in the mood for thinking. Time was racing out from under me just like the Narragansett waters, carrying me to my future.
Not bloody yet, thank you very much.
So as the partygoers began to trickle in, I began to sample the product. For quality-assurance purposes, of course. The punch was sickly sweet and yet bitingly strong with vodka. I downed one Solo cup of the concoction and then another, and that was all it took for me to become buzzed enough thatthinkingcould bugger off for the night.
My crewmates surrounded me, and Tucker wasted no time passing around a flask that he’d already half drained.
“Orion!” he shouted, draping a heavy arm over my shoulders. “Thizzparty is the shit,” he slurred. “You’ve outdone yourself.”
Rhett eyed me coolly, saying nothing. On his best behavior lest I toss his arse out. Before I could reply, Xander Ford strode right up to Tucker, snatched the flask from his hand, and turned it vertical.
Then he handed it back and wiped his mouth. “Thanks. I needed that.”
I met Tucker’s glance, and then we both busted out laughing.
“Ford, you’re a goddamn madman. This is the best fucking crew in CHA history!”
Xander was jostled and hugged, and more drinks went around. I tossed back another just as Harper approached slowly. Warily. Watching the boys as if they were a pack of hyenas. She looked so beautiful in a green dress with small red flowers, her hair falling softly around her shoulders.
My goddamn heart.
“Harper!” I said, and she flinched and studied me, disappointed. “I’m shouting, aren’t I?”
“Just a little.”
“Apologies. I’ve had a wee bit to drink.” I drankherin, drank her up. “God, you are…so fucking beautiful.”
“Thank you,” she said. “You look amazing too, and your race was incredible. But I’ve hardly seen you all week. I was hoping we could talk, but I guess not.”
She glanced down, and I wasn’t too drunk to notice the sadness inher eyes. The uncertainty and the questions and everything we’d left unsaid needing to be said. I owed Harper so much; I owed her more than jokes and deflections, and now I was too bloody drunk.
The guilt bit me hard and sharp, and so of course, I got silly. Stupid. A selfish jackass, still clinging tolater.
“Tonight is supposed to be fun. Come, come,” I said. “Have a drink.”
“No, thanks,” she said as I fumbled for a Solo cup at the punch table.
“But it’s a party.”
