Page 1 of This Is War: All's Fair Duet

1

LOGAN

A mistake isabout to be made. I feel it on a cellular level. But looking into my best friend’s pleading eyes, the soft shade of green is so damn mesmerizing, I know there will be no denying Rya. She bites the corner of her pink-stained bottom lip.Here comes the verbal portion of her attack.

She leans in, gently grasping my hand as she whispers, “Please, Logan? Hazel wants to go, and you know she needs a buddy at these parties. I’m more comfortable when you’re with us.” She shrugs, giving me a hopeful smile, her cheeks rosy from the cold. “You are so good at the whole party scene. It’s easy for you. Everyone loves you. And if I don’t go with her…”

I eye her bubbly roommate talking animatedly to some guy a stone’s throw down the path that runs in front ofGreek Row. Blowing out a hard breath, I finish her sentence. “Yeah. She’ll find trouble.Again.Like she did the entirety of first semester at every party the two of you attended.” I suppose it’s better to be there to intercept any potential problems before they happen, rather than coming to the rescue after the fact.

It’s not that I have any issue with Hazel, I like her. While she’s probably not the best influence on Rya, sheisthe one who has brought my friend out of her shell, if only the tiniest bit. So, she’s not an awful person… she just has no concept of when she’s heading for imminent disaster.

I glance over at the Tri-Beta frat house and the dark gray stones that make up the facade. The place creeps me out. It’s as if anyone who dares enter is swallowed up as soon as they push through the front door. It’s mostly the same all over campus, though. Evermore University definitely isn’t the most welcoming. The grounds are well kept, but the buildings are old, vines and moss and who knows what else crawling over them. In my mind, it’s a rather dreary, ominous atmosphere for an institution of higher learning, but I’ve never heard anyone else say anything about it, so maybe it’s just me.

Releasing a steady exhale into the crisp mid-January air, I contemplate what’ll happen if I don’t go to the party with these two. It’ll be the same old song. I know damn well Rya will end up dealing with the consequences of herfriend’s poor choices, whether it be hooking up with the wrong guy or having way too much to drink. Ever since we became friends at the beginning of our senior year of high school, I’ve protected Rya from people like this.

Bottom line, if she wants to go to this welcome-back-to-campus party, there’s no way in hell I’m not going, too. I draw in a breath and nod. “Yeah. I’ll go with you.”

“You’re sure?” She winces as she studies my face, looking for any sign I’m not into it. We know each other too well for me to attempt hiding anything from her. She scrunches up her nose in that cute way she has while digging her hands deeper into her pockets. “It’ll be fun. I promise. We’ll have a good time. I’ll make sure of it.” Her eyes sparkle, catching the light from a lamp along the walkway.

I rake a hand through my tousled hair. “Rya, I’m not going to say no to you.”Never have. Not once. And I never will.I plaster an easygoing smile on my face as I pull her to me for a quick hug. “Go pry Hazel away from the guy that’s been drooling all over her for the last five minutes.”

With a rush of happiness, she grins up at me. “Thanks, Logan. I’ll just be one sec.” She begins to walk away, then spins around. “Where’s Levi tonight, anyway?”

I snort. Who the hell knows where my roommate is. “Could already be inside the party for all I know. He didn’t say where he was going, just took off earlier like his pantswere on fire. Probably looking to get laid. The man has been on a mission. I’ve lost track of the body count he’s racking up.”

Rolling her eyes, Rya laughs and shakes her head, making her long, loose curls bounce around her shoulders. “Cool. Well, maybe we’ll see him later.” She pivots, hurrying toward Hazel.

My eyes flick over Rya’s lithe dancer’s body appreciatively. Even the puffy coat she’s wearing can’t conceal the fact she’s in amazing shape, and the artfully ripped skinny jeans mold to her legs like they were painted on. Back in the dorm, I’d seen the rest of her outfit, so I know what’s hiding under the coat. The slim-fitting long-sleeved shirt leaves a tantalizing sliver of skin on display at her midriff. She’s rather delicate and completely graceful but can get feisty when the situation merits it. Pretty much every guy’s wet dream. It’s tough being her best friend sometimes, constantly aware of the way she’s watched by hungry eyes.

“Hey, Hazel.” I lift a hand in greeting as the girls join me, breaking into my thoughts.

She gives me a cheeky smile. “Hey yourself, Logan. Ready to get a little crazy tonight? Do a little dancing? Maybe a little drinking?” She reaches out, giving me a slight shove. “You know you want to. Besides, everyone loves it when you actually show up.”

My brow raises. True enough, I suppose, but I’d still rather not wake up with my mouth dry and my head pounding and have to rehydrate so I don’t die during my morning workout. But fuck it. I could use a drink after dealing with my stepfather over break.

“It’d do you good to cut loose for a little bit before your season kicks off.” Rya’s smile is bright, and it doesn’t take me more than a second or two of convincing from her to put me in an agreeable mood.

“Sounds good. Let’s go.” I gesture toward the dark doorway awaiting us. What’s going on in there that almost all the lights are off? Through the windows, it’s obvious that the place is very dimly illuminated. Kinda like when they held the Halloween party a few months ago. The one where I had to rescue Rya from some dickhead who had backed her into a corner. People take some fucked-up liberties and do shit they normally wouldn’t dream of when they’re disguised in costume. At least that’s how Rya put it to me while pleading with me not to kick the guy’s ass.

I don’t have more time to think about it, though, because Rya and Hazel have disappeared through the dark doorway. Following, I jet up the stairs.

“Name, please.” I’m jerked to a halt by some frat dude grabbing my arm before I can venture more than a foot into the house. He’s grinning at me, kinda full of himselfas he waits for me to answer, his thumbs poised over his phone, like he’s making a list of everyone entering the frat. Weird. And it’s quiet inside. Even weirder.

My brows furrow together, and I reluctantly give my name as I shrug out of my coat and leave it in the pile at the gatekeeper’s side. “Logan Kent.”

“Ah. I’ve heard of you.” He nods. “The new pitcher, right?”

“Uh, yeah.” If my status on the baseball team gets me in the door, whatever. I frown, then jut my chin at his phone. “What’re you taking names for?”

He gives me a sly smile. “You’ll see. You can join the party. Drop your phone in the basket at the first door on the right. Head downstairs.”

This is unusual. I have no clue what’s happening, but we’ll find out. Rya waits for me at the doorway. “Hazel already went downstairs. Why do you think they’re not having the party up here?”

“No fucking idea. We can always go if it’s lame.” With that in mind, I leave my phone in the basket as requested and take her hand before we venture down the steps together.

The stairwell opens to a large room. Up ahead of us, Hazel wanders through the small crowd, looking around with a frown on her face. When we reach her, she shrugs. “I think this is a dry party or something. There aren’t any drinks anywhere.”

“Not a single red Solo cup either,” Rya murmurs as she completes a full turn, taking in the scene. People are mostly standing around talking. A few dance to the music thrumming through the speaker system. But the girls are right. No liquor or beer in sight. How fucking strange is that? And there aren’t many people down here at all, even though it’s half past ten.