Page 4 of Hate So Deep (Hate #4)

THEN

Lauren

“What are we doing here again?” Tori whispers, studying the couple going at it on the porch with wide eyes.

It’s hard to avoid because they’re out in the open and frankly I feel like we’re extras in a porno with all the noise they’re making but we can’t afford to get caught staring.

This situation is precarious enough as it is.

“Recon,” I mutter, glancing at her outfit.

We’re about to crash a Northside High party and she’s wearing a designer dress, wedges, and a fucking sweater.

They’re gonna know we’re Academy before we make it through the door.

“I told you to tone it down,” I hiss, and she straightens.

“This is toned down.”

Fuck me.

“Whatever. I told you. I want to see what he looks like,” I say, ignoring the two chicks who side eye us as we pass their car.

After a beat, she slows and says, “I think this is a bad idea.”

I know it’s a bad idea but it’s not about to deter me and I grab her arm, saying, “Please, I just need to see.”

When I squeeze her arm, she pushes her silky dark hair over her shoulder before saying, “Okay.”

Shit, even her cute bob is a dead giveaway. Although sassy and completely her, at Northside the girls believe in one philosophy, the bigger the hair the better.

This is why I teased my dark locks, painted my face with more makeup than usual, and tore up a pair of my favorite jeans.

I’m just hoping it’s enough because I wouldn’t be surprised if they kicked us out for daring to encroach on their territory.

Academy doesn’t get along with the two public schools and it’s safe to say they don’t like us much either.

I’m sure Buck hasn’t helped the situation with his incessant need to make trouble out of nothing.

Regardless, Academy is the enemy and we’re about to test that hate because I need to confirm the dirty ass rumor with my own eyes.

“Okay, fine. One look and then we go,” she grumbles, and I nod.

She doesn’t understand. How could she?

Victoria Elizabeth Blackstone was born into privilege and in her world, all the dirty skeletons remain in the closet for a reason. Her daddy’s on track to be senator and he rules his household with an iron fist as a result.

However, what Buck told me weeks ago still circles my brain, and I can’t let this shit go, which is why I ignore Tori’s petulant stare, and pull her through the door.

The living room of said party could fit into the chef’s kitchen of my own and people fill the space wall to wall, the air thick with sweat, alcohol, and the sweet scent of weed.

The heavy, dark music pounds through my skull and I lift my chin because if I don’t, they’ll know immediately I don’t belong.

I’m not here to party with them but I’m pretty sure my excuses wouldn’t matter. Telling anyone I’m here to lay eyes on the half-brother I never knew existed isn’t an option.

After weaving through the masses, we find the kitchen and help ourselves to a drink before stepping into the backyard.

The fresh air feels good against my heated skin, and I breathe deep, before attempting to relax.

It’s just a damn party, for fucks sake. Get a grip.

A fire pit blazes in the center with a few people surrounding it and I search the faces, my heart thumping when I spy Sarah Fremont standing nearby.

“How do you know what he looks like?” Tori asks, sipping her beer.

“I stalked him on social media.”

If the posts are to be believed, Sarah, who transferred from Academy to Northside, is Colt, my half-brother’s girlfriend.

I’ve seen her around. She’s gorgeous and a cheerleader, but we were never close enough to be considered friends.

Actually, I think she messed around with Buck although he never claimed her as his girlfriend.

She has no reason to recognize me, but just in case, I move away from her line of sight.

After scanning the crowd though, I’m disappointed that I don’t see Colt. Hopefully, he’s around somewhere. I just need to wait.

I heard about this place through various posts online. Apparently, some Northie named Cory has parties here all the time and Colt can be found here as a result.

I’ve never met Cory, but I’d be willing to bet he wouldn’t appreciate me crashing his party.

Oh well.

“C’mon,” I say, pulling Tori away from the fire.

When we stop beside a tree, I sip from my beer as casually as possible while I search the faces.

I recognize some of them, but their names escape me until I land on Dirk Evans, Colt’s best friend.

He’s speaking to some chick and although my goal was to find the half-brother I never knew about, I couldn’t help but to notice Dirk, easy to do since he appeared in virtually every online post I found.

He’s on the football team and a bit of a man whore if the chicks he’s seen with are anything to go by. I don’t know what it is, but there’s something about him that roused my curiosity.

In the flesh, he’s even more glorious with those pretty biceps flexing under his shirt as he runs his hand through his thick blonde hair.

In 3-D, everything about him is brighter, bigger, and more breathtaking.

My stomach swoops and my mouth dries when he chuckles, the deep tone vibrating in my core as I lick my lips. This is when he raises his head and I turn away, clenching my fingers at my side.

Shit. Shit.

Focus Lala, this is about Colt and not a sinfully gorgeous guy who makes my skin tingle.

“This is boring,” Tori whines and I shush her, glancing at Dirk from the corner of my eyes.

He’s still looking at me and he raises a brow when I meet his stare, before his eyes drop to my chest and those lush lips curve in a wicked smile.

Heat floods through me on wings of fire and I shiver when his eyes come back to mine with a devilish glow.

Swallowing, I resist the urge to fan my burning cheeks and turn away.

Wow.

With just one look and a sexy smirk, he’s got me all flustered, but it all comes crashing to a halt when Colt appears behind him.

I’ve seen him in pictures. I’ve been obsessed about this for weeks but nothing, nothing prepares me for the ice that invades my chest.

He’s tall, handsome and shares the same dark head of hair as me. I guess now it’s real. I have a half-fucking-brother and he’s standing not ten feet away from me.

Sucking in a breath, I turn to Tori and rasp, “Let’s go.”

My throat burns and although I don’t know what my plan was after I finally confirmed his existence, it all falls flat because now, I know…this shit is more diabolical than I ever thought possible.

I have half siblings roaming this earth. My dad is married to two women. Do they know about us?

Do they care?

“Hey,” she says. “I thought–”

Grabbing her arm, I pull her toward the side of the house, only to pause when Dirk blocks our path. He glances at Tori before his dark eyes catch mine and that crazy smirk appears as he says, “Well, hello there.”

“Uh, hello,” I mumble, fighting off another shiver.

While this guy is so fucking hot, he scrambles my brain, I also can’t be seen by Colt. I don’t know what he knows about me, and this could be a horrible mistake.

Of course, because Tori has zero consideration for the severity of this situation, she cocks her head and says, “Is that him?”

“Tori!” I mutter, elbowing her in the ribs.

Dirk’s sexy smirk fades and he asks, “Who?”

“No one,” I say, shoving her in the shoulder.

When she gets the hint and starts moving, Dirk steps aside, thank god. Although as I brush past him, he grabs my arm and says, “Leaving already?”

A rush of tingles roar through my belly at this touch but I shake it off and say, “Um, yeah. We have another…um, party.”

Dropping his hand, his eyes move to my shredded band t-shirt and ripped jeans before his lips curve once more and he says, “Good. Academy dicks wouldn’t want you here.”

When those pretty dark eyes meet mine, I stiffen at the icy look. I know I don’t belong, but I’m also not one to back down.

It’s not in my nature and slamming my hand on my hip, I say, “What the fuck does that mean?”

His brows rise and he holds up his hands, palms out, but I see the glint of amusement when he says, “Settle down, baby doll. I’m sure they don’t like to share. I know I don’t.”

“I’m not a fucking thing,” I sneer and his brows furrow before he turns away.

Annoyed that he’s dismissed me, and I’m forced to speak to his back, I mutter, “I don’t answer to Academy or anyone else.”

He shakes his head but keeps going, and after a moment of staring with sheer frustration, I spin and follow Tori to the car.

At the front of the house, I glance back though and my stomach lurches when I find Dirk watching me go.

Does Dirk know about me…us? Did Colt tell him?

I can’t tell from his brooding expression, but it was probably a mistake to come.

What did I hope to do anyway? It’s not like I was going to march up to Colt and introduce myself.