Page 5 of Between Secrets and Obsession

“Most guys are, sweetheart. Might wanna remember that,” he yells as I slam it behind me.

Trying to hold myself together, I straighten my spine, then walk down the stairs. I find Tessa to tell her I’m taking an Uber home since she’s been drinking, but I don’t give her any details about what just happened.

Once I’m dropped off, I let myself in through the back door and tiptoe back to my room without waking my parents. I refuse to cry for the man I almost gave everything to, but I’m frustrated. As I try to fall asleep, the feeling of his hands and mouth on me haunts me in my dreams.

Liam

ONE YEAR LATER

“Chug, chug, chug!” Hunter shouts, pounding his fist on the island counter as Mason and I race to finish first. I don’t know why the bastard keeps trying to beat me. I’ve kicked his ass four times already.

Slamming my cup down before him, I release a loud celebratory roar. I pound a fist to my chest, then turn and smirk at Mason, who’s scowling at me. We’ve been friends since we joined the same fraternity five years ago as freshmen and have been roommates for three. Hunter played college football with us and parties just as hard as we do. When we’re all together, it typically means trouble.

“Pay up, bitch!” I hold my palm out toward Mason, who slaps a twenty on it.

“That’s a hundred bucks already tonight,” Hunter taunts. “Double or nothing. Think you can beatme?”

“Fuck off,” Mason spits, glaring.

“Aww, Holt. Don’t be a sore loser.” I grin, making kissy faces while walking toward him with open arms.

“Get away from me, motherfucker.” He jumps out of my way, pushing Hunter toward me instead.

Our neighbor Kilan from across the street laughs at the scene unfolding in front of him and shoves me aside, going to the keg. He’s used to our antics. “Where’s your other friend? Brandon?” He looks at the other people partying around us and in the living room.

“Good question,” Hunter says, rolling his eyes.

He’s been a bitter asshole ever since Brandon’s girlfriend moved into their apartment two months ago. I suspect it’s because he wanted to fuck her when they met last year, but Brandon claimed her first. Not like the bastard should complain, considering his serial-dater reputation. Actually,dateis too generous. More like a one-night stand kinda guy. Though I’m not judging because I’m the same way.

“They had to pick up Lennon’s sister,” Mason responds before grabbing a new beer. The vein in his neck pulses, and I know it’s because he has a thing for Lennon’s older sister, Sophie, though the coward won’t admit it. He avoids her like a bad first date.

“Soph’s coming tonight?” I ask, testing his reaction.

He shrugs as if he doesn’t care. The helpless bastard. “Herothersister.”

“Lennon has another sister?” This is news to me, though I don’t pay much attention. Since she and Brandon started dating a year and a half ago, she’s come around several times, but I never heard about a second sister.

“She just moved here for college,” he informs me.

“Three Corrigan sisters,” I say, chuckling. “This ought to be interesting.”

“More like a nightmare,” Hunter scoffs.

“It can’t be that bad. Lennon’s nice. Sophie’s nice. I’m sure the other one is nice, too.” I line up four shot glasses, then fill them with whiskey. “C’mon, boys. Time to grow some hair on your balls.”

I hand them each one, then take the other. The front door swings open as I shoot it back, and before I can swallow it down, I spew the amber liquid all over Kilan.

“Dude, what the fuck?” he cusses, grabbing a towel to wipe off his shirt.

Hunter and Mason double over with laughter, but my eyes are frozen on the gorgeous brunette standing next to Lennon who nearly gave me her virginity a year ago. I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t thought about Maddie. That night quickly went from fucking amazing to horribly wrong, but how I felt kissing her soft lips and touching her body hasn’t been easy to forget. Infact, nothing about her is. Yelling at her for lying about her age made me feel like an asshole, but she had to realize how much of a mistake it would’ve been. I only hope she listened and didn’t give her virginity to some high school twat.

“Everything alright, man? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” Mason slaps me on the back.

I wipe my mouth with the back of my hand and straighten myself. Brandon, Lennon, and Maddie are walking toward us, and I’m not about to give myself away. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

“About time!” Hunter gives Brandon shit as soon as they come closer.

“Aww…were you guys missing me?” Brandon taunts. Grabbing a plastic cup off the counter, he saunters over to the keg.