CHAPTER 10
The following week, Kian did his best not to think about Alec by throwing himself into his studies. Something several of his professors warned him was needed after his grades had started to slip. His biggest hurdle? His friends.
They weren’t known for taking no for an answer, especially Kavi. That stance was only made harder since it was homecoming week.
Kian wasn’t sure how he’d done it, but he’d stood firm against Kavi’s determination to participate in the countless festivities. It was only the reminder to Kavi that Kian was there on a scholarship that depended on him keeping up his grades that finally had his best friend backing off.
All that changed the moment he’d aced two tests by the end of the week. It was all the ammunition Kavi had needed to drag Kian from the library to celebrate. According to his bestie, Brandon had been invited to the biggest party of the year and Kian was going, even if Kavi had to get Brandon to throw Kian over his shoulder, kicking and screaming.
Kian held firm and told Kavi in no uncertain terms he wasn’t going. Like that would work. He should have known better. With the way Kavi completely ignored his protests, Kian feared if he looked in the mirror he’d have ‘doormat’ stamped on his forehead.
If only he could fool himself into believing Kavi was actually forcing him. But Kian wasn’t one to lie to himself. He’d wanted to go to the party, to be a part of the fun. Something he’d enjoyed since their freshman year. Plus, this would be their last year together. Shouldn’t they celebrate?
Kian’s only fear was running into Alec. Each day in hiking class he’d felt Alec staring at him. The heat was so intense Kian could have sworn he was touching him. It had gotten so bad that he was having trouble holding back from jumping out of his seat at the end of class and running into Alec’s arms.
Yet, each time, he had stopped from doing so. There were moments when he feared he was losing his mind wanting someone who clearly hadn’t wanted Kian. Nothing else made sense.
Maybe Kavi was right. Kian needed to loosen up. With any luck, this party would help him do that.
As usual, Kavi picked out something for Kian to wear. It had taken years, with Kavi’s help paying for things, but Kian had to admit he was proud of his wardrobe. It wasn’t large, but he didn't need large.
Even though Kian often tried to put his foot down that he would buy his own clothes, Kavi usually ignored him, which was why he wasn’t that surprised to find a new outfit on the bed for him. “Kavi,” he called out. “I told you to stop buying me clothes.”
Grinning, Kavi came into his room, already dressed for the night. “Are you kidding? This was the perfect outfit we found and you refused to buy it. So, if you think about it, it really was your fault that I bought it.”
Kian shook his head. Since there was little he could do about it after Kavi had cut off the tags, Kian rolled his eyes and started to change clothes. Thankfully, he hadn’t had to work, so no shower was needed, especially since it was so damn cold outside. The last thing he needed was wet hair.
Once dressed, Kavi put a bit of eyeliner, mascara and lip gloss on Kian. When his friend was done, Kian stared in the mirror, shocked at how good he looked. The emerald green silk shirt clung to his frame and the dark, skinny jeans hugged his ass perfectly. The minimal make-up made his eyes pop and his lips look, well kissable. He hoped.
It wasn’t often that he truly felt good looking, but this time even Kian couldn’t stop the smile at his image in the mirror. His gaze caught on the green material and the image of Alec’s eyes flashed in his mind.
Mentally, he shook himself and forcefully pushed thoughts of Alec from his mind. He needed to stop thinking about the sexy man. It was time to get out there and meet other men.
Jace walked into Kavi’s room and stopped dead in his tracks as he looked at Kian, whistling. “Wow, you look fantastic.”
Smiling at his friend, Kian said, “Thanks, I really needed that.”
“Why? You’re looking in the mirror. Isn’t it obvious how great you look?” Jace plopped down on Kavi’s bed.
“Well, I feel sexy but it helps to hear it come from someone else.” Turning to his friend, he sat down next to Jace. “So what are you up to tonight?”
Jace was in his robe, his hair freshly straightened. “There’s a frat party. A junior I have my eye on will be there.” Jace gave Kian a wicked smile. “I plan to knock him off his feet.”
Laughing, Kian knew Jace was not shy around guys. In fact, he was chasing a different guy every week. Not that Jace had to do any chasing. The guys flocked around him, but Jace always tended to want the ones who weren’t drooling at his feet.
Truth be told, Kian was a little jealous of Jace’s confidence with guys. Once again, Kian looked at his reflection. He thought he might be able to find some of that confidence that night.
Jace got back off the bed when Kavi came out of the bathroom. “You two have fun.”
“You too,” Kian and Kavi called out before grabbing their winter coats and heading out the door.
Between the freezing weather and the fact that the party was about a mile from their house, Kavi drove them.
The house where the party was being held was an old two story with white paint - where there was still paint on the house anyway. The yard was mostly dirt with patches of grass. People were everywhere. The music was heard even a block away, mainly because the party was so big it had spilled outside.
Not even the near freezing temperatures had diminished the crush of people from having a good time. Cops surely would be called eventually, although the houses on the small cul-de-sac were so close to the campus, they tended to all be rented by juniors and seniors who weren’t about to call the police when they’d most likely be at the party themselves.
From the moment they arrived, Kian found himself searching for Alec. He tried to stop doing that, but his gaze continued to land on anyone with sandy brown hair. After more than an hour with no sign of Alec, Kian couldn’t deny his disappointment.
As if sensing his friend needed him, Kavi, who had been with Brandon and his football buddies, was suddenly next to him. “Take this. You look like you need it.” Kavi handed him a small plastic cup. Red Jell-O mixed with vodka was inside.
Kian usually stayed away from alcohol but the disappointment at not finding Alec had him wanting to forget everything. Right?
Tipping the cup up, he used his tongue to scoop out the Jell-O and let it slide down his throat. It didn’t take long for the alcohol to cause a warmth to build within him, reminding Kian of the way it felt whenever Alec was around. Kavi snagged two more shots and Kian didn’t hesitate to down the second.
When someone else handed him another, he took that one too. Then another.
Kian had no idea how many he’d had, but soon his head was spinning. Everything around him became blurry and he knew he’d made a big mistake. His stomach rolled. He looked around but Kavi was nowhere to be found.
A wave of dizziness had him swaying on his feet. Kian grabbed at the wall nearby but misjudged how far away it was and nearly fell trying to get to it. Relief swamped him when he lurched against the wall instead of falling to the floor.
He’d hardly had the chance to gain his equilibrium when his stomach lurched. Kian placed a hand to his abdomen. He thought it might be a good idea to lie down for a bit. Just until he felt better.
Concentrating hard, he kept one hand to the wall and made his way to the stairs in hopes of finding somewhere he could lie down in private. He gripped the railing tightly and forced his feet to climb the steps.
When he got to the top, Kian once more leaned against the wall, praying he didn’t throw up. That would be too embarrassing. It took several moments for him to make his way down the hallway to find a quiet place to hide for a little while.
The first door he approached was locked and moans were coming from the other side so he kept on moving. Everything became too blurry to make out as he tried to find the next door.
When the walls started to weave back and forth like they were breathing, Kian put both hands onto the hard surface. He knew it was all an illusion, but he had to admit it was freaking him out more than just a little bit.
On wobbly legs he stumbled, crashing into the wall on the opposite side of the hall. Except, it wasn’t a wall, it was a door. He prayed this one wouldn’t be locked and tried the handle. He let out a breath when it turned. But he hadn’t actually expected it to, so when the door swung into the room, Kian stumbled and slammed into a counter.
The air whooshed from his lungs at the impact. He bent over and lay his heated cheek against the cool top, praying the room would stop spinning. It took time, but he was able to make out a bathtub and a toilet. Bathroom. He’d found a bathroom.
It wasn’t a bedroom, but it would do. Slowly, moving as deliberately as possible, he shut the door and locked it. When he turned around again, the room tilted and Kian knew he needed to get on the floor before he fell and hurt herself.
Inhaling deeply, he placed his back to the wall and lowered his body as he exhaled. That was better, sort of. Exhausted, he closed his eyes hoping that would stop his world from tilting on its axis.
He really should not have taken that first shot from Kavi.