“You’re far too sweet for your own good, Cassian Thorne,” she tells me with a smile on her face. I’ve welcomed having her in our home. I don’t think about how she became a mother figure to us because when I do, I spiral into darkness, and I need to focus today. There’s no need to dwell on the past.
“I try.” Shrugging, I sit opposite Finn, who laughs out loud.
“This guy? Sweet?” He gestures toward me with his thumb, his taunting making me chuckle. “He’s as sweet as a lemon,” Finn teases.
“You can talk,” I smirk.
“Okay, boys,” Joy admonishes us with a gentle laugh. Damien joins us, and we settle in to get some food in our stomachs before the drinking starts. It’s going to be a long day and night, and I need to make sure I’m ready for it.
Our plates are piled high before Joy leaves us in the kitchen to eat. I glance up at Damien. “What time are we doing this thing?” I ask, and I quickly catch his expression changing from calm and relaxed to tense.
“Creed reckons we can slip away at about nine,” he says. “That way, it’s dark enough to get lost in the woods.” Creed’s choices in women tend to veer away from my own personal preferences. But this time, he’s managed to ensure we’re all interested in the girl. Mali has been in our circle for a while, and even though I won’t partake in the spoils of the game, I must admit, she’s pretty.
“And he’s going to take the lead on this?” I question Damien. I’ve heard the whispers from girls across campus about my brother and his best friend—their need to share, to enjoy the play together. Damien and Creed have had girls between them a few times already, and they’ve certainly left an impression on the women.
“Yes, but…” Damien’s response stills into silence, which only confirms my thoughts. He’s single, so there’s nothing wrong with it. He’s an adult and has always been responsible, even when he’s done stupid shit.
“As long as I don’t have to get involved,” I say then, “I’m happy to lure or taunt her until she’s in yours or Creed’s line of sight.”
“Is this about the girl?” Damien questions.
“Kalyn,” Finn finishes easily, his eyes on mine. He’s the only brother with brown eyes, taking after our mother while Damien and I both look more like our father. There were times after mom died that I hated Finn. I wanted to be as far away from him as possible, but it was only because he reminded me so much of her.
“She’s a friend,” I insist, as they both regard me with questions in their eyes. “I just don’t feel I need to do anything with Mali.”
“And you’re trying to tell me that has nothing to do with you having the hots for Kalyn?” Finn’s challenge is enough to have me pushing to my feet and leaving them at the table as I make my way to the kitchen counter. I don’t want to get into this with them, not now, not ever. They don’t understand. She’s given me something that no other woman can.
“I’m not getting into this,” I tell them from where I’m standing at the coffee machine. “I’ve agreed to play the game.” Even as I say the words, I don’t look at them, but I can feel their stares burning a hole right through me.
There’s no doubt they can see the anguish coursing through me.
I don’t like being laid bare like this.
Exposing my emotions, my feelings, it’s not me. Rolling my shoulders, I shake off the anger and straighten my spine. “I’ll see you both later,” I tell them when I finally turn and head out of the kitchen, a filled coffee cup in hand.
I’m exhausted, but I’m also on edge.
It’s not long now until the Haven’s host the gala at their house. This year there are two annual dinners, or rather, galas at each of our homes. As the founding families of the town, we’re expected to be hosts. But this one is slightly different because Octavius, Creed’s dad, has insisted that each of us has to bring a partner. And that means I’m going to have to choose a date.
I can’t ask Kalyn because we’re friends.
But I don’t want anyone else on my arm.
Once the invites go out, the ladies we choose will be our partners for the rest of the events. It’s an old tradition, one steeped in rules. And that leaves me at odds because I’m going to have to decide—do I keep Kaly as my best friend, or do I take that step?
4
Creed
Darkness descends on the town we call home, and soon we’ll be able to play our game. Six young men who have nothing better to do than to taunt girls. It started out as an idea sparking in my mind, and we made it possible only a few days later.