Gavin laughs, but there's no humour in it. "You know, the university has some pretty clear rules about hate speech on campus." His voice is conversational, but his eyes are hard. "And I'm thinking someone might send the administration a recording of you guys harassing students at a private event if you don't move along."
He takes a step closer. "But hey, if you want to stay, we can make room. Just be warned, the really gay stuff hasn't even started yet." He winks exaggeratedly. "Wouldn't want to tempt you."
The EBM guys exchange glances, clearly thrown off by Gavin's approach.
"Whatever, man," Crew Cut mutters. "Not worth our time anyway."
They back away, throwing a few more slurs as they retreat, but the energy has been defused.
As they disappear down the street, the party seems to exhale collectively.
"Fucking assholes," someone mutters nearby.
"Gavin," Drew calls, "remind me to nominate you for diplomat of the year."
Gavin grins, his usual sunny demeanour returning instantly. "Just doing my civic duty to educate the ignorant masses." He spots a freshman holding up an empty keg. "Ooh, beer emergency! Gotta run."
As he bounds away, several brothers watch him with curious expressions.
"Did Gavin imply he's...?" a freshman named Rex asks, looking confused.
"Who knows," Drew says with a shrug. "And who cares? He's our brother."
There are nods all around, and just like that, the moment passes, the party resuming its previous energy.
James looks at me. "You okay?"
My fists are clenched, and my nails are digging crescents into my palms. "Yeah. Just... not a fan of those guys."
"Join the club," he says. "But Gavin handled it. I'm impressed, usually it's Drew who steps up in those situations."
The music changes to something with a heavier beat, and more people flood onto our makeshift dance floor. James glances at the growing crowd, then back at me.
"Want to get out of here for a bit?" he asks.
I don't hesitate. "Hell, yes."
We slip into the computer room, and James pulls the door closed behind us. The servers hum quietly in the background, and the blue glow from multiple monitors casts strange shadows across his face.
"Finally," he breathes, pulling me close. "I've been wanting to do this all night."
His mouth lands on mine, and I lose myself in the kiss, backing him against the desk. One hand slides under his shirt, the other down the back of his pants. I give his ass a firm squeeze, and he makes a noise that goes straight to my dick.
"God, you taste like cherry Coke," I lick along the seam of his lips.
"And you taste like that fancy sparkling water Emily keeps forcing on everyone."
I'm about to suggest we go back to my room when the door handle rattles.
"Occupied!" James calls against my neck, his voice slightly muffled.
The lock gives way; I guess James didn't click it fully, and Tyler pushes the door open, Ethan right behind him. They freeze when they see us; we jerk apart so fast that I get dizzy, and my face heats up.
Tyler's eyebrows shoot up to his hairline. "Oh."
Ethan's eyes widen. "Sorry, we didn't, we were looking for somewhere quiet to?—"
"Absolutely not." James steps forward, his expression one of horror. "You cannot use the computer room for that. These are expensive machines. Do you have any idea what kind of damage could?—"
