Chapter 38
DANNY
“You didn’t tell Sadie where you were going tonight?” Andy asks from shotgun.
“Nope. She has plans with her teammates, and I don’t plan to linger at the party.”
“Bro, she will find out.”
I clench my jaw tight. “I know. I’m not trying to keep this a secret, but I figured telling her after the fact is better. Do you seriously think Sadie would agree to let me come here without her?”
“If she can’t trust you….”
I rub my face. “It has nothing to do with trust. I wouldn’t be happy if she went to a frat party without me either.”
Andy chuckles. “Relax, Danny-boy. I’m just teasing you. I’m like that too. Territorial as fuck.”
“Don’t I know it? Besides, the whole point of coming tonight is to find out the truth. Gwen won’t confess if I show up at her sorority party with Sadie on my arm.”
Andy shakes his head. “It’s your funeral.”
“Can you please be a little more supportive?”
“I am supportive, and that’s why I’m telling you your grand idea is stupid as hell.”
I park on the street parallel to Greek row and get out of the car. I’m aware of the risks, but I have to find out if Gwen is the one threatening Sadie. It’s my job to make sure she’s safe, especially if the danger is my ex.
Andy follows me but keeps his piehole shut as we stride side by side to the ChiO house.
The bulk of people in attendance are Greeks, but because it’s a charity event, the crowd is more varied than usual.
People I barely know turn to me to shake my hand or clap me on the back as if we’re old friends.
I follow along with the charade, pretending not to be bothered that strangers are so familiar with me.
In the entry foyer, I stretch my neck and look for Gwen. I find her in the middle of an open room to our right, chatting with her sisters, red Solo cup already in hand.
My stomach twists. Now comes the hardest part—playing nice with her. Sadie once told me I was a terrible actor. I hope she’s wrong.
“Found her. Wish me luck,” I tell Andy.
I make a beeline to Gwen, conscious of all the stares following me through the party. When she notices my approach, she walks away from her group of friends, beaming from ear to ear.
“Danny, what are you doing here?” she asks.
“This is a party for charity, isn’t it? You know I’m a sucker for good causes.” I force a smile, hoping I don’t look like a deranged psycho.
“I’m glad you came.” She looks over my shoulder. “Are you alone?”
“Nah, Andy is here somewhere.”
My reply makes her smile harder. She steps closer, touching my arm. I have to fight the urge to increase the distance between us.
“Can I get you something to drink?”
I take the cup from her hand and drink from it, making sure I keep my eyes on hers as I do so.
It’s cranberry juice and vodka, Gwen’s favorite.
It could have been something worse. As flirtation goes, I think I’m doing a good job.
Her eyes sparkle with delight, and her smile is still firmly in place.
I don’t finish her drink, returning the cup to her after a couple of sips.
“I think I’m okay for now,” I tell her.
“You always liked to share red Solos.”
“Yeah, and you didn’t forget.”
She moves closer, making it harder to not take a whiff of her drunken breath.
Okay, I’m officially queasy.
“Oh, Danny. You know I’d never forget anything about you, about us.”
Unable to endure her closeness, I step back. But to keep up the pretense, I take her hand and say, “I want to talk to you in private.”
“Let’s go to my room, then. No one will bother us there.”
Fuck me. This will look bad. I can already picture Sadie receiving a text with a picture of me and Gwen. This act better deliver results.
I let Gwen steer me through the party and up the stairs. On the way there, I spot a couple of Sadie’s teammates. I lock gazes with Joanne Barnes. Her murderous expression tells me she came to the worst possible conclusion. I shake my head, hoping to convey that this is not what it looks like.
Surprisingly, she doesn’t make a move to stop me. Then I see Andy heading her way. There’s nothing I can do but hope he can explain to Joanne what I’m up to and that she’ll believe him.
A sliver of dread drips down my spine as I walk down the corridor. How am I going to keep Gwen’s hands off me long enough to get a confession from her? I really didn’t think things through. I’m such an idiot.
Still lost in my thoughts, I don’t see the situation I’m stepping into until Gwen opens her bedroom door and my gaze connects with Sadie’s.
Fucking hell.