Page 82 of Dirty Chorus

“What’s the big deal?” I shrug as I head over to the cupboard, pulling out a glass bowl and placing it next to the box. The plastic bag filled with cereal crinkles as I pry it open.

“Big deal?!” Ryder snatches the box out of my grip, and I flinch. “I told you not to go to that party! Guess who doesn’t listen? You!”

Colorful balls of cereal spill out of the box as he slams it against the counter. His eyes don’t dare stray from mine. I blink, my gaze hitting his red-hot face, and then going to the box of cereal. I suck in a deep breath before taking the box and pouring it into my bowl. I’m going to need it overflowing if I’m going to tackle this headache coming on.

“Neither of us were forced to have sex last night. It was just a stupid game.” I weasel around him and pry open the fridge and slide the gallon of milk across the glass. It seals shut behind me as I twist open the blue top.

Ryder’s jaw clenches tight, and even with the milk pouring into the bowl, I can hear him grinding his teeth. “You two stole booze and stole my Jeep. Do you realize Jared had to give me a ride home? Are you mental?”

The jug of milk thuds on the counter, sloshing and splattering on the countertop. “No, I’m not!”

“You knew what you dragged her into,” he says with his palms spread out.

“We went to a party. We played a card game. All I asked you was what happened last night.”

“Who was that guy you brought? Huh?” He presses his lips together.

“What was I supposed to do? Let Brody leak a video of me blowing him? I would lose my scholarship,” I say as I twist the cap back onto the milk and pry the fridge back open.

Ryder laughs, and it’s bitter. He rakes a hand through his hair and glances out the sliding glass door. “Great. So you used him too. Didn’t you?”

“That’s not what I did.”

“No, that’s what happened.” Ryder shakes his head as he scratches the bridge of his temple. “You used him to protect yourself from the rest of the team. You knew you would have to sleep with someone.” He points a finger at me. “You thought you would be untouchable because some brooding guy with tattoos decided to play knight in shining armor for a night. You think that makes you safe from Brody?”

“I didn’t have a choice. I had to play.”

“You had a choice to date Brody knowing who he was, and you continued to stay with him.”

I shrug and yank the copper knob of the silverware drawer, finding the last semi-clean spoon. I blow off the crumbs that have accumulated in the drawer and let the spoon slide into my bowl.

“Noah is different from him.”

“Does it look like I give a shit?”

“I don’t care what you think. He's a friend of mine, and he was willing to come.” I shovel my spoon into the bowl and take a mouthful. The crunch of the cereal fills my ears as I chew.

“It’s the fact you convinced a guy to save your ass from a hazing game, but you left Payton to fend for herself. She was the last girl in that room. Did you know that? Did you even consider what could have happened to her if I hadn’t shown up when I did?”

“Wait, what?”

“Exactly my point. You didn’t. You're a shitty-ass friend, and we are done talking.” He shakes his head as if he couldn’t stand the sight of me. His fists ball up at his sides, his veins straining like lightning beneath his skin. He stalks out of the kitchen, with heavy footsteps echoing down the hallway.

My chest is scorching hot, as if he pointed a flamethrower at me. Then, a door slams shut, and I place the bowl on the counter, feeling more nauseated than before.

Chapter 37

Noah

Missed Call Trouble (10) 3:34am

Trouble: I’m really sorry about my brother. Please text me back.

Trouble: Noah, can you at least tell me you got home okay?

Trouble: Please tell me you're okay.

Missed Call Trouble (7) 4:21am