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CHAPTERFIVE
Music blared,and I was pressed in the middle of the dancefloor, surrounded by college kids enjoying their last weekend before classes started. The school I went to was a decently sized university, and this was one of the largest parties of the summer. The frat house reeked of sex and alcohol, and I grinned, happy to be back in this life.
It had been three days since I left Braidwood, but it felt like a lifetime ago. That city wasn’t my life anymore. The boys couldn’t touch me, and I was going to do everything I could to enjoy my last year of freedom. If they had somehow convinced my parents to change their minds, then I would have already heard about it.
“Want to get out of here, Katie?” a voice shouted in my ear, trying to be heard over the music.
Glancing back at the guy I was dancing with, I hesitated for a moment before nodding.Katie White. That’s who I’d been ever since I started college. William might have allowed me to go to a college outside of Braidwood, but absolutely refused to let me leave Michigan. Even being three hours away, Braidwood was still too close to use my real name. I hadn’t wanted to chance it.
“If you don’t want to, I get it,” Derek rushed out, letting go of my waist.
“No, I want to,” I promised, throwing him a smile. I did want to. I wasn’t shy when it came to sex. I’d had my share of fun since college started, but basketball had been my main focus. After the stress of the last few months—especially running into my past in Braidwood—a night of fun with Derek was just what I needed. We had hooked up a couple of times in the last year, and it was always a good time.
We pushed through the crowd, and I gulped down fresh air once we passed through the front door. The party was leaking onto the lawn, and I gave it another hour before campus security came and shut it down. Classes didn’t start for another two days, but that didn’t stop the frats from wanting to start the year off right.
“My place is closer,” I said as we walked down the sidewalk. Derek grabbed my hand, and a bit of guilt weighed me down. He liked me. Wanted to date me. I was straightforward with every guy I slept with. I didn’t date. I wanted sex that ended with an orgasm, and that was it. Derek was fine with it for now, but I had a feeling he’d be trying to convince me differently this year.
I never would. I refused to drag anyone into my twisted life.
We walked the ten minutes to my off-campus apartment that I shared with Everly. But she was still at the party, so we’d have the place to ourselves. The second I had the door unlocked, Derek wrapped his arm around me and pulled me inside. He kicked the door shut before pressing me up against it. We didn’t even stop to turn on a light before he brushed his lips against mine.
I hungrily met his kiss, and a stab of longing hit me. Derek was a nice guy. Polite. Respectful. He was going to graduate, get a good job, and live the white picket life he wanted. Fuck, I wanted that too. Derek would make an amazing husband someday. But it would never be with me.
Breaking the kiss, Derek gripped the hem of my shirt and raised it over my head. After tossing it to the floor, he gently cupped my cheeks and leaned in until our noses were touching.
“You know I actually like you, right?” he murmured. “I’m not just using you for sex.”
“I like you too.” I sighed. “But this is all I can offer you.”
“Wow. You won the fucking lotto with him, Kat. Personally, I think he’s full of shit.”
Derek released my face and spun around as the kitchen light flicked on. Disbelief at hearing West’s voice soon faded to pure fear as my eyes adjusted to the sudden brightness. Eli was leaning on the wall next to the light switch while West was closer to us, sitting on my small couch in the living room. Neither of them was looking at me. Their glares were focused straight on Derek.
“We need to talk to your friend. You can leave,” Eli dismissed him.
“Who the hell are you?” Derek asked, seeming completely confused that two random guys were in my apartment.
“Everly’s cousin,” I forced out. “Let’s go.”
Derek spun to face me. “This is your place. Why would we leave?”
Because we were close enough to the door that I could get out before they touched me. Without another word, I grabbed Derek’s arm and ripped open the door. I choked down a frustrated scream when I came face to face with River, who was standing there with one hand on either side of the doorframe.
“Why the hurry, Kit-Kat?” River asked, cocking his head to the side.
What the hell was he doing here with Eli and West? He hated them as much as they hated him. My stomach was in knots, and I was debating whether I should try to push past River when Derek pulled me away, placing me behind him. He angled himself in front of me until I was practically hidden.
“Derek, just go. Please,” I urged him. “I’m fine. I know them.”
“You’re as white as a sheet, Katie. You’re terrified.” He glanced over his shoulder at me. “I’m not leaving you.”
River scoffed at his words but didn’t leave his spot in the doorway. I spared him a glance, silently pleading with him to let Derek leave. He completely ignored me. I bit my lip. Derek was a big guy. He played sports and was in shape, but he was no match for all three of them.
“Last chance,” West sang out. “You should probably leave right now, man.”
“I’ll leave. With Katie.” Derek’s shoulders tensed as he answered.
River let out a chuckle. “Katie? No one here by that name.”
