CHAPTER SIXTEEN
COLE
DEKE HAS ALWAYS HADmy back no matter what. That’s why I hate what I’m about to tell him. It’s going to hurt him, and he’s gonna kill me, but he deserves to know. Austin deserves to know. I’m going into our new life leaving every fucking secret here in this fucking town. And at the time, it was the only rational thought I had. I realize now it wasn’t the best one.
We stumble out of the house party, kids littering the yard. Some passed out. Some rolling around in the manicured grass ’cause they are high on Mollys. Cars parked all along the circular and long drive.
“Fuck, those shots are hitting me,” Maddox calls out as he almost trips over his own feet, but he manages to keep a hold of his beer. “What about you, Eli?”
“Not yet,” he answers, chuckling.
“Give it another five minutes.” Maddox hiccups, making me laugh.
We make our way down the driveway, heading to my car. We got here late ’cause we had a swim meet in another town. Pressing the key fob to unlock my white Porsche Cayenne, it lights up, and I see a figure leaning up against my hood.
“Who the fuck is that?” I ask.
Eli looks up from his phone. “Babe.” And then he runs over to my car.Babestands up straight and jumps into his arms once he reaches her. He spins her around and kisses her.
I look at Landen and Maddox. They just shrug and take a drink of their beers. I didn’t know he was seeing anyone. Well, he sees several girls a week, but I didn’t know any of them were serious enough to meet us out tonight. We come up to the car, and I come to a quick stop. “Abso-fucking-lutely not!” I snap when I see the girl’s face.
I blink a few times. I had way more alcohol than I should have, but I wanna make sure I’m really seeing what I think I’m seeing.
The girl giggles, and Eli drops her to her feet. “Come on, man …”
I grab his shirt and yank him over to another car parked on the opposite side of the street. “You can’t be serious?” I hiss.
“What?”
“You know damn well what!” I snap. “That is Becky Holt! There are two things wrong with that.” He rolls his bloodshot eyes. “One, she’s dating David. And two, your best friend Deke is in love with her!”
He pulls away from me. “They’ve been on a break.”
“Is that what she told you?” I snap. What the fuck? I’m so glad Deke didn’t make it out with us tonight. I wouldn’t even be having this conversation with Eli right now. He’d be passed out cold with Deke’s fist print in the side of his face. “You know she’s off-limits.”
He places his hands on my shoulders. I don’t know if it’s to help stabilize his drunk ass or mine. “Listen, Cole.” His heavy eyes close and then open again. “If Deke wanted her, all he had to do was make his move.” He goes to walk back over to her, but I yank him back.
“End it now!” I’m about to punch him myself.
“No!” He pulls away from me.
“End it right fucking now, Eli!”
We have a code.
We don’t fuck or date the girls who one of us likes. I mean, sure we’ve shared girls, but they didn’t mean anything. Off-limits means you don’t even fucking look at them.
He ignores me as he walks over to her and kisses her again. Landen and Maddox look at me like I’m supposed to do something about it, but what the fuck can I do?
“Let’s go!” I snap and walk over to the car.
“Let Becky drive,” Eli offers.
“Fuck that!” She’s not even getting in my car!
I go to open the driver’s door, and he comes to stand between the door and me. “Let Becky drive,” he repeats. “She’s the only one sober.”
I look over at her. I wouldn’t say Becky Holt is a slut, but she is quickly making the cut. She wears a white crop top with sparkly pink writing on it and a pair of short shorts that shows off her ass. “How did you get here?” I demand.
