Page 153 of Arctic Titans of Northwood U: Volume 1

And why should I risk ruining my relationship with the finest man I knew for something as undefined and uncertain as a hookup?

These questions followed me through that day and the next. The only distraction had been Caden’s willing body when I buried his head in the pillow to muffle his noises, giving him the ride of a lifetime.

But on Saturday evening, while I was in my bathroom, getting ready for Caden’s sexy revenge, I finally managed to forget these burdens. I’d taken my pills and hoped to make tonight the night we finally experimented with something new. I showered, dried, and dressed as if I were going out for the night. And when I walked into my room, I discovered Jordan standing by my desk, holding the plastic container with my PrEP pills and frowning.

“Beckett,” he said, startled. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to…I needed your notes from the drawer.”

My mouth was dry and my heart was in my throat. “They’re in my backpack,” I squeezed through clenched teeth. “The fuck are you doing?”

“I’m sorry,” he said, fumbling around and dropping the container into my drawer. “I really didn’t mean to, but then I saw…” He struggled and his voice cracked. “Are you…alright?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?” I demanded, fury uncoiling in my stomach.

Jordan lifted his hands in defense. “Beckett, I didn’t mean to intrude, I swear.”

“But you still intruded,” I accused him.

It was his turn to take offense. “If you caught something, you should be able to tell me. I’m your best friend, for fuck’s sake. I could be there for you.”

Rage blinded me. “I didn’t catch anything,” I snapped. “And I don’t intend to. This is preventive therapy.”

Jordan blinked several times quickly. “Preventive? Christ, I thought…”

“I know what you thought,” I told him. Somewhere beneath the anger, I knew I was grateful for his concerns. But he had no goddamn right to snoop through my drawer. I cooled a little and pursed my lips. “How do you even know about this stuff?”

Jordan rolled his eyes. “My parents made a PowerPoint presentation when…” He waved it off. “Doesn’t matter.”

I squinted, then got busy with my own life. “I don’t appreciate being put on the spot like this.”

“I swear, Beckett, I wouldn’t have. I misunderstood. I was shocked.” He rubbed his hands together, then frowned. “Can I ask you about it, though?”

My eyebrows flattened over my eyes.

“I don’t get it,” he said. “Why do you need this?”

I snorted. He knew nothing. “So I can safely engage in unprotected sex. Duh.”

Jordan rolled his eyes again, but this time, it was directed at my stupidity. “Jesus, Beckett, are you even thinking clearly? You’re a Partridge. You’ll get a girl pregnant.”

“I didn’t realize that we Partridges are considered that potent,” I replied blandly.

“That’s not what I mean,” he said. “You know this as well as I do. You get a lot of attention just because Nate’s your uncle. No. Don’t look at me like that. I’m not rubbing your nose in it. And you know you like it. Hell, man, you even look like him. And I’m not saying everyone’s out to get you, but with your horny ass, it’s likely you’ll find one who’ll say she’s on the pill, have the baby, and screw you for life.”

“Jesus, Jordan, you have a bleak view of the world,” I told him. “Are you alright?”

He glared at me. “And hey, maybe it’s not even that sinister. Maybe the pill just fails. Do I need to spell this out to you?”

I laughed at the ridiculousness of this situation. At the very least, he didn’t suspect I had a guy riding me every other night. “You need to pull your nose out of my sex life, buddy. I suggest finding one for yourself. This conversation is way too weird. I’m going out.”

“If there were a single adult in this goddamn house aside from me, maybe I’d have the time for it. As it stands, you’re all acting like teenagers and I don’t like it.”

“Don’t wait up, Papa,” I said as I grabbed my warm jacket and left the room. It was late enough that none of the guys were downstairs. Some were probably still in the basement, but most were in their rooms. And Sawyer was undoubtedly in his own place with Noah, attempting to grow a pair and tell Avery he’d moved out. I stomped down the stairs, then snuck back up, anticipating Jordan to come after me. When he didn’t, I slipped into Caden’s unlocked room and found him wearing only his pajama bottoms and a scowl.

“Your friend’s at it again,” he said as he hopped out of the bed to confront me. I removed my jacket, tossed it on the spare bed and kicked my shoes off. But Caden continued as I did this. “He’s upset Asher with all his brotherly wisdom.”

“Step-brotherly,” I murmured, amused with how Jordan would have reacted had he heard Caden’s choice of words. “And I know. He’s a pain in my ass, too.”

Caden frowned in surprise.