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Caden drains his beer too. “We have an open relationship of sorts, and I’m not worried about it. Want another beer?”
Their relationship really isn’t any of my business, so I don’t question him further. I have my own issues to worry about. I’m not sure how much alcohol it’ll take to get Creed out of my mind, but I’m not even close to drunk enough yet. “Definitely. I’ll grab—”
“What the fuck?” Caden interrupts me while narrowing his eyes toward the crowd.
Curious, I follow the direction of his stare and freeze when I spot a tall guy with broad shoulders and midnight black hair that curls around his ears weaving through the crush of bodies. My spine stiffens when I catch a glimpse of his profile standing several inches over the crowd. The straight nose, carved cheekbones, and a sharp jaw I’d been trying to stop thinking about all day are suddenly less than twenty feet away.
“You seeing this shit?” Caden asks. “Did Creed fucking Masters, super jock, just show up at a Kappa party?”
The sound of his name alone leaves a hollow pit forming in my stomach that quickly turns into a burn, growing hotter by the second as my anger rises with each step he takes through the house. Heads turn as he passes by, and some people appear to attempt to engage him in conversation. The only response he seems to give is a brief flash of pearly white teeth.The fuck is he smiling about? He should be miserable or pissed since I was feeling a sudden combination of both.
Pain shoots through my ribs, and I dart a scowl at Caden who digs his elbow into my side. “You see—”
“I see him.” My teeth grind together as I bite out the words while attempting to hide how Creed’s sudden appearance is affecting me. I’m pissed. More than pissed, actually. I’m livid. This is not his stomping grounds. I should know since I keep up with his frequent hangouts.
What is Creed doing at a Kappa party? With my eyes narrowed, I watch Creed until I lose sight of him around the corner into the kitchen.
“He didn’t seem too interested in stopping and saying hello to anyone. Maybe he’s just here to meet up with some girl,” Caden suggests casually, unknowingly rubbing salt into a wide-open, bleeding wound.
This party is for couples, and I hadn’t seen anyone enter the fraternity with him. The only reason I can think that Creed would bother spending his time here is because of a girl. I’m suddenly nauseated on top of the other emotions swarming in my belly. I do my best to hide my feelings.
“What Creed Masters is, or isn’t, doing doesn’t make the list of things I care about.” I’m lying, but Caden doesn’t know that. I tack on a shrug and then tip my head back, downing the rest of my beer. I need a refill. Hell, I need several now, but I’m not going in the kitchen where I could potentially come face to face with my past. Not before I have a chance to gather both my thoughts and composure.
My cup is suddenly snatched from my hand, and I glance at Caden who tilts his head toward the kitchen. “You good?”
“I’m fine.” Caden studies me curiously, so I assume I’m not hiding my reaction to Creed’s appearance very well. He also appears on the verge of asking me what the hell my problem is. We aren’t that close, so being honest with him isn’t an option, especially since it’ll just lead to more questions I can’t answer without outing myself. I need a breather from the whole situation. I tip my head in the general direction of the back door. “I’m going to get some air.”
Taking the hint that the conversation about Creed is over, Caden lifts the empty cup. “Sure. I’ll grab the beer and meet you outside.”
After he turns to walk away, I scrub a hand over my face. Creed’s here.What, or more likely who, could have drawn him from his normal haunts?I consider leaving before he spots me. I’m not sure if it would be worse if he spoke to me or ignored me altogether, as usual. I need to get drunk. I don’t want to think about him anymore. That’sclearlythe way to solve this problem. I let out a derisive scoff under my breath as I scan the packed room. Everyone’s having a great time, completely unaware of the inner turmoil I’m struggling with.
Fuck this.I push off the wall and weave through the crowd until I reach the back door. The moment I step outside I shiver from the chilly breeze that sweeps across my flushed cheeks. I’m grateful for the cold since it’s kept everyone indoors and I can get a few minutes to myself. I take a deep inhale, attempting to relax. The alcohol flowing through my body helps, but I’m nowhere near calm yet. My heart hammers in my chest and I realize my hands are shaking.Where’s Caden with that beer?
The moon is high in the clear, obsidian-colored sky that’s dotted with bright stars. A sliver of moonlight casts a pale glow on the dead grass that covers the back yard of the house. I’m staring at nothing in particular, lost in my own thoughts of the past when I hear someone clear their throat to my right. Startled, I glance toward the sound.
The lights outside haven’t been turned on, leaving dark shadows everywhere across the porch that stretches the full length of the fraternity. While I can see the silhouette of the person leaning against the side of the house, I can’t make out many details. Based on his size and build, I know it’s a guy who’s both much taller and broader than I am. Squinting into the darkness, I try to get a better view.
“You’re staring.” The voice is a low rasp I’d recognize anywhere, and my spine stiffens at the familiar sound.
“Creed.” The one-word response that bursts through my lips is little more than a choked whisper laced with bitter disdain. I shouldn’t have responded at all. Why am I not turning on my heels and removing myself from the situation I’d unknowingly walked right into?
Just as I decide to leave, Creed leans forward, bringing his face into the moonlight that highlights his sharp features. I find myself frozen in place when familiar, intense brown eyes stare back at me. His expression is hard to read even though I’m trying desperately to figure out what he’s thinking. Why do I care what Creed is thinking? I don’t. When he runs a long finger leisurely across his lower lip, I do my best not to track the movement.
“Jake,” he finally responds.
That’s it?Jake? I scowl, but my name on his lips fucks with my head, leaving me with conflicting emotions. I miss the sound, but his tone lacks the animosity mine held, and the casual way he says my name feeds my anger. Why isn’t he affected by my presence like I am his?
“Why are you here?” I ask pointedly, pushing aside the part of me that misses him.
He tilts his head, studying me. “Making a call.’’
Creed holds up his phone that I hadn’t noticed in his hand. The screen is dark, and I hadn’t heard anyone speaking when I’d stepped outside.
I frown, drawing my eyebrows together. “I wasn’t asking why you’re outside, Creed. What are you doing at a Kappa party in the first place?”
His stony expression never falters. “I was invited.”
My stomach sinks. Of course he’s here with a girl. Even though I’d suspected it, the confirmation twists my gut. “Where’s your date then?”
