The Revenge Pact (Kings of Football #1) - Ilsa Madden-Mills Page 0,94
something she isn’t. She likes who she is, and so do I. Like I could see me and her…” together forever. “I’ve told her everything, my issues, about Mom. She sees me, likes how…messed up I am.”
“Not messed up.”
“You know what I mean. I never should have walked away from her last night. I should have manned up and laid it out for Donovan. But, now she’s here, with him. Dude. I don’t know what they’re saying down there and it’s…” killing me. I roll my neck, trying to ease the pressure.
He slaps me on the back. “Guinness? The Truth Is Out There? Where are your boys tonight?”
“Home. Packing for the break. What I should be doing.” With a long breath out, I rise up and hand Spike back. “Yeah. Let’s get out of here.”
There’s sleet falling by the time Benji and I leave the bar and head to my truck. It’s not bad, but I give the road an extra look over. People in the South tend to overreact when it spits snow, running out and buying milk and bread like a blizzard apocalypse is imminent. There’s hardly any traffic though. I check my watch. It’s ten. Is she home yet?
A text comes in from my boys, asking where I am and confirming their travel plans for tomorrow. Crew is flying to California and Hollis is going to Savannah for the break. I pause next to my truck to scan them.
Hollis sends, River, you wanna talk?
Um… I can talk about anything, this is known, but ??? I say and hit send.
One of the pledges came by and mentioned Ana was at the house with Donovan, he replies. They back on?
Damn. People love to gossip. Even dudes.
Crew sends, You alright, River?
Not really, but I picture Crew and Hollis sitting in the den next to each other texting me, and I push up a smile.
I’m okay. She came to the house, yes, but we aren’t over.
I might be late, I send. I’ll knock on your doors in the morning.
Weirdo, Crew sends.
I laugh. You love me, Hollywood.
Wake me. I’ll share my Ding Dongs with you, boo bear, Hollis adds.
There’s a joke here somewhere, Crew sends.
They say bye and I stick my phone back in my jeans.
“We could hit the ATO party. They’re having one every night this week,” Benji muses as he hums “Sweet Child O’ Mine” to Spike on his shoulder. He’s buzzing, but I only had one drink. My head doesn’t need alcohol muddling it up.
“Nah.” I’m not in the mood to party.
Benji hops in the passenger side and Spike never flinches. I shake my head, a rueful laugh coming from me. “I can’t believe Marilyn let you bring him in.”
“He doesn’t bark. He smiles. It’s kind of weird, but he does. He doesn’t pee—much.”
“He pissed on your shirt. And I think he was trying to hump a beer mug.”
“No, he was just looking at himself in the reflection of the glass. He’s a sexy beast.” He tugs at the flannel he’s wearing. “Good thing Crazy Carl had an extra in his truck. Dude’s alright, isn’t he?”
I nod. “Carl’s the shit.”
“I’m gonna get Spike a collar. Engraved. Something poetic. Spike, you horny lizard, I love the fuck out of you.”
We go down a rabbit hole of possible messages to engrave on the lizard’s collar.
I crank the truck.
“Where we going?” Benji asks as I miss the turn for Greek Row and head farther into Walker.
“Drive-by.”
“Who? Oh, Ana. Cool. I’m down.”
My hands tighten on the wheel. Maybe she’s still at the Kappa house, and I guess I’ll know if her car isn’t at her apartment. I’ll know to prepare myself when I drop Benji off.
When we pull in, Anastasia is outside her complex with a guy wearing a tool belt around his waist. She’s tugging on his arm.
“Something’s wrong,” I say as I park and get out. Benji follows.
“What happened, Sam! Start from the beginning,” comes Anastasia’s voice, raised and layered in urgency. “Here. Give me Oscar.”
“Please.” He heaves out a long exhalation and hands a dog to her, a small one, and she takes it.
“What’s going on?” I ask.
She flips around, her face wet from tears.
My adrenaline spikes. “Are you okay?”
Her throat bobs as she wipes at her face with one hand. “No. June… I came home, and she wasn’t here. Sam said she was hurt!”
Sam fidgets as I fix my gaze on him. “What happened?”
He blows out a breath, a harried look on his face. “The furnace blew out and