Chapter 33
THIRTY-THREE
THORNE
As I walk across campus, all I can think about is what we did that weekend. Not just the sex—even though that was hot as fuck. Warren stretched wide, letting me and Chance rail him until he was boneless between us is a memory I’ll cherish for the rest of my life.
No, it was what happened after. Warren’s sister happy that her ex was dead and no longer able to bother her and sitting in the grass under the stars, watching a black and white movie with my guys.
Ever since I claimed them as mine, I’ve wanted to take them out and show them off, but it’s so hard with Warren being a professor. It wouldn’t be so bad if Chance wasn’t taking his class this semester. But in a few weeks, he’ll be in another class, and I’ll be able to do with them what I want.
I was surprised at Chance’s choice for a date.
As a uber-rich frat boy, I figured he’d think something like an overpriced restaurant where they didn’t even list the prices would be his idea of a nice night.
But I have to tell myself that whatever I thought about Chance, I was wrong.
He’s not the stuck-up rich kid I would have pegged him for.
He’s more down to earth than most of the people here.
A golden retriever.
My eyes flick up and I see Donny walking toward me, his head down as he fiddles with his phone. But when he looks up and sees me, he lets out a squeak and turns the other way, fucking booking it in the other direction.
I smile at his back, though I’m sure it looks evil as fuck. I’m glad he knows not to even fuck with me. He tried to fuck my Golden. If I ever see him on his own, I’ll probably beat his ass just for thinking about it.
“Think you’re so scary, huh?” an annoying voice says behind me.
Rolling my eyes, I glance over at Priest, walking with a few of the frat guys I recognized from the party I crashed and when I almost choked the life out of him.
I turn toward him and his gang. Even with three guys flanking him, he’s still outnumbered in a fight with me.
Smirking, I take a step closer to him, watching his eyes flare and how his body jerks, like he wants to step away, but has to save face. Yeah, this bitch is afraid of me, but he won’t show it.
“What’s your problem with me?” I ask, tilting my head. My black bangs kinda obscure my vision, but I ignore them as I stare him down. I honestly could give a fuck what he has against me, but I’m curious about the bullshit he’ll spew.
“You don’t belong here,” he spits, looking me up and down with a sneer, his eyes catching on my black hair, piercings, nail polish and clothes. “This college is for the sophisticated.”
“Not the smart, though, huh?” I ask, taking another step in his direction. “Last I heard, you had to get daddy to pull some strings so you could remain enrolled. I’ve never had that problem.”
A few oohs ripple through the crowd we’ve gathered, and I roll my eyes at the high-school theatrics.
Priest’s face reddens and he looks at his counterparts as if expecting back up.
Everyone knows it’s the truth. Besides Chance, Priest’s family is the wealthiest, so he walks around like he’s king shit of Meadowbrook.
But his money doesn’t scare or intimidate me.
Whatever clout he thinks he has doesn’t matter.
“Do you even have a dad that can vouch for you?” he spits back.
His petulant question strikes a nerve. I don’t give a fuck where Thomas is. He’s never been a father. And that’s the point, isn’t it? I’ve never had a father, never had anyone to go to bat for me, besides Bensotti.
Now he’s sick and he won’t let any of us help him. It’s like losing my father all over again.
Priest picks up on my slight hesitation because he smirks and crosses his arms. “That why you’re hanging on to Chance?
Think that his dad will start pulling some strings for you when you get into some shit you can’t get out of?
” He eyes me up and down in disgust. “I’m sure you’ll need it.
It’s only a matter of time before you end up in prison somewhere. ”
I tamp down the rippling rage flowing through me. He wants me to lose my shit. He wants to prove to everyone that he’s right and I’ll end up doing some illegal shit because of how I look.
“So you’re mad that I stole your friend?” I ask, giving him my most innocent look. “You miss Chance?”
“No!” he shouts and actually fucking stomps his foot. Fucking child. “You’re messing with his head and keeping him away from what’s important! Making a good impression with the frat for his future.”
I laugh so hard tears leak from my eyes. “Yeah, I’m sure that’s it. You’re worried about his future. You’re all really great friends,” I say with heavy sarcasm.
“The hell does that mean?” Priest asks, hands fisted at his sides.
I shrug, looking down at my nails. Maybe my guys will redo them tonight—the paint is starting to chip.
“Tell me something, Priest. When is Chance’s birthday?
” He looks confused, so I keep hammering.
“What’s his favorite food? Favorite movie?
Favorite band?” He doesn’t say anything.
“Do you know anything about him, besides his net worth?”
Priest opens and closes his mouth before a look of anger crosses his features. “I know I’m a better friend to him than you. We have more in common. You’re a fucking charity case that he’ll get sick of as soon as you start hitting him up for money. Your type is all the same.”
While I’m not hurting for money, I don’t have the figures in my account that most people here do. But I’d never ask Golden for money. I’d never use him for his wealth. But it only matters that Chance knows that. Whatever Priest thinks is on him.
Tired of this conversation, I say, “Keep telling yourself that.” Then I turn around and push through the crowd to continue to my class.
“Don’t turn your back on me,” Priest snarls, then makes the mistake of yanking on my arm.
Before I can think, I spin around and punch him in the face. His nose breaks and he yelps, falling to the ground. His brothers rush over, flanking him, but don’t advance on me.
“You’re fucking finished here!” Priest says, pointing a bloody finger at me. “Just wait until I call my father.”
“And tell him what?” Chance’s voice rings out as he hurries over to me. “That you assaulted someone and they struck you in self-defense?” He sneers down at Priest for a few beats before he turns to me. “You good?”
Smiling briefly, I nod. “I’m good, Golden. Take care of your friend.”
He scoffs. “Yeah, he’s not my friend.”
“Chance, what the fuck?” Priest gets to his feet, glaring in our direction. “I’ll tell my father about this bullshit!”
“Call your dad, Priest,” Chance says in a hard tone I’ve never heard before, “and I’ll call mine. He’ll have your dad out on his ass so fast his fucking head will spin. Try me.”
Priest sputters, snatches the tissue someone hands him so he can dab at his nose. “What? Chance…”
Instead of giving Priest more of his attention, Chance grabs under my elbow and pulls me away, chattering away about some movie he wants to watch.
Smiling over at him, I bump his shoulder. “You know you’re going to get shit for that, right?”
Chance shrugs. “Whatever. They’re not my friends. They’re just some people I share a house with. You’re my friend. You, Warren, and Jett. I don’t need anyone else.”
My heart thumps hard against my ribcage. I’m in way deep with him and Warren. What happens when they find out who I am? I can’t lose them.
“I’ll see you tonight at Firebird’s house,” I say when I walk him to his class.
“I have practice, but I’ll be there after.”
“See you then.” I grab the front of his shirt and kiss him deeply, rolling my tongue around his mouth. Chance clings to me, a hitch in his breath as I tangle our tongues together.
“See you then, Golden,” I whisper before walking away, relishing the dazed look in his eyes.