“But that video wasn’t ever supposed to get out. I have no idea how the hell that happened.”
Guilt twists like a rusty knife in my gut. It’s weird for all of us not to be completely in on every bet.
I’m pissed at these guys, but do I have any right to be? Back in high school I would’ve been right there with them. I did my fair share of fucked-up shit to gain a few points and I didn’t give a shit who I hurt. Like the time I slept with Brittany Peele and then told her in front of the entire cafeteria that she couldn’t give head worth a shit, so there wouldn’t be a repeat. She ran out of there crying and didn’t return to class for a week. Then she spent the rest of her sophomore year trying to prove me wrong by giving blow jobs to any guy who asked.
I understand why Asher and Ryker did what they did, but I don’t know why Carter would. We were tight, almost like brothers, and he knew I was into Isla. Why would he orchestrate all that?
“Why did Carter pick Isla specifically?” I ask.
Just saying his name out loud is painful. I try not to think of him, the same way I try not to think of my mom very often. Remembering them only brings me pain.
Asher hesitates for a moment.
“Just say it!” I yell.
“You sure?” he asks, almost like he’s warning me.
But, yeah, I want answers. Answers I should’ve demanded years ago, but with Isla gone, it was easy to pretend like it never happened. And then with everything that went down at prom, I had bigger problems.
“You’re trying my patience.”
“I wasn’t aware you had any,” Ford says with a chuckle. I turn to glare at him, and he’s lifting his glass to his lips with a shit-eating grin.
“I don’t really know why for sure, but he said that you had a thing for her. I don’t know, he seemed kind of pissed at you to be honest. I didn’t think too much of it. I mean, we were always busting each other’s balls and getting one over on each other.” He shrugs. “I figured it was something like that. Besides, we all knew you being into someone just meant until you got in her pants. Then you’d lose interest.”
I clench my fists at my side while anger boils like a lava pit in my stomach. My pulse throbs in my neck and I can hear the whooshing of my blood in my ears as my blood pressure spikes.
“Holy shit. You actually liked her,” Asher says.
“Stone, seriously?” Lincoln asks.
“It was only in high school. But, yeah, I was into her,” I begrudgingly admit. There’s no use trying to hide it—I was too slow on my denial and too angry with my questioning.
“Wow. The Big Bad Wolf fell for Little Red Riding Hood?” Ford says, again with that fucking amusement in his tone.
“Don’t bother making it a thing. My feelings changed right after she slept with this douchebag.” I motion in Asher’s direction.
“Aw, don’t be jealous I got to pop her cherry, Stone. I’m sure she’s improved now. All she did was lay there like a fish.”
I step toward him, but before I can bridge the distance, Ford is between us, gripping my shoulder and pushing me back. “Whoa, he’s fucked up.”
I wrestle against Ford to reach Asher, but Ford shoots me the look. The one that says, “you know the guy would never say something like that to you without all the drugs and alcohol.” Maybe I’m madder at Carter for his part in this, and now he’s dead and I’ll never get why he orchestrated that night.
“Oh, Christ,” Lincoln mutters.
My head whips in his direction. “What’s your problem?”
“You still have feelings for her,” he says.
I guffaw. “You’re off your fucking rocker.”
“No, he’s right. It’s true.” Ryker puts his two cents in, which is worth about half a penny in my opinion.
I push Ford’s hand off my shoulder. “I told you. I changed my mind after she slept with Asher. I’m not into sloppy seconds, unlike some of you.” I look at Asher, who’s known for his penchant for group sex. “What would be the difference anyway?”
“The difference is that you might do something to put her best interests ahead of ours.” Lincoln motions to the group of guys.
I grit my teeth and push my chest out. “We made a vow that night that we were in