The Revenge Pact (Kings of Football, #1)(43)

“How could he say those things to me?” I say mostly to myself, my voice low. “I knew we were different, but we were always friends first. Deep down, though, he doesn’t get me, does he? He needs black cocktail dresses and a perfect pedigree and hair that isn’t lavender, because that would be a travesty!” I stop, my voice cracking. I’m not making sense, but I can’t…

“Let it out,” River says.

“He—he used my past against me! Who I am, where I came from! He should have ended it after they put their stamp of disapproval on me this past summer, the sonofabitch!” I picture the baseball bat from the apartment in my hands, going at his Tesla. “Sneaking around and kissing her? That’s cheating, it is, it is, and he told her about Harvard, and God, what else has he told her…” My voice trails off as I squeeze my hands even tighter.

He touches my arm, and I start. He’s ripped a piece of his toga off and hands it to me. “You’re crying.”

I take it from him and press it to my eyes, seeing mascara on the fabric. My chest hitches.

“He’s drunk.”

“People say what they really think when they’re trashed, and you know it. I can’t change who I am or who my parents are for him. I don’t want to. I like who I am. I’m me, just me.” I hit my chest.

“You’re special, Anastasia. Don’t let what he said sink in. I don’t think he meant for everyone to hear—”

“Don’t defend him!”

River nods, his face shuttered. “You’re right. It’s not my place.”

“Yet here you are. You got here before anyone else,” I say.

He opens his mouth, then shuts it as Benji comes back.

The DJ takes the stage and cranks up the music.

“New king and queen crowned—check,” Benji says. “Where did Donovan go? I couldn’t see with that spotlight.”

“He ran straight to Harper,” I say bitterly. “Has she been here, at the house?” My head fires off in a million directions, wondering how deep the betrayal goes. The Kappa house has felt like home to me, and to think he might have been with her here is…

“Yes. Once,” River tells me grudgingly. “On Monday, but that’s the only time I’ve seen her here.”

My hands clench. “I need to get out of here, but I don’t…” I swallow, trying to push down the anger so I can think. “…have my purse. I can’t recall where I put it, maybe the pantry in the kitchen…” I pinch my nose. “My roommates… I’m the designated driver—”

“I’ve got them if you want to leave,” Benji says as he gives Spike a pet.

“I’m going to kill that bastard!” It’s Lila’s voice as she wrestles with a few Kappa pledges who are guarding the door to the stage. “Let me in! She’s my friend!” Thank goodness the music is loud and no one hears her.

Did River put the guards there on his way to the stage?

She gets past the pledge and rushes to me. “Where did he go? I’m going to rip his nuts off. And his nipples!”

“You heard?” I ask.

She bites her lip. “Yeah. I was playing pool. Not gonna lie, it was loud and clear on the PA system, more his side.” She continues, “I can’t find Colette. I’ll get her and we’ll—”

“No,” River says, interrupting her. “I’ve got Anastasia. I’m taking her home.”

Our gazes cling. He’s unreadable, his face like granite, his eyes shuttered. I get the sense of a barely leashed tiger about to pounce.

“I thought you wanted to stay out of this,” I say.

His jaw pops. “I can take you home. You are a little sister.”

Am I? Still?

Lila gives me a surprised arch of her brow then squints at River. “No, football player. I don’t really know you, okay? Sure, you appeared like magic when I was high, and you have a notorious playboy rep that kind of fascinates me, but I’ll take her home, then come back and kill Donovan. Slowly.” She chugs the rest of the drink in her Solo cup then tosses it over her shoulder.

A wan smile crosses my face. She had several shots of Fireball before we left the apartment. Explains the temper—Fireball always makes her want to fight. Okay, any alcohol makes her want to fight. No way is she driving me anywhere. Sure, Colette could take me home, but where the heck is she? I need to go. Now.

“No, stay at the party, please. I-I need to be alone for a minute.” To figure this out in my head. To cry in private. “I’ll need you tomorrow, but right now, just find Mason or let Benji bring you home.”

She mulls that over, reading my expression. “You’re sure you want him to take you home?” she asks, tilting her head at River.

I nod. Yes, we’ve shared plenty of barbs, but he’s being protective, and I… I don’t know. Part of me needs him, and I can’t explain it.

“Okay. Tomorrow, we’ll make a plan,” she tells me as she crosses her arms. “I’ve got some ideas on how to eviscerate the bastard. Leave it to Mama Lila.” She eyes Benji, her eyes flaring at Spike. “Benji, if you’re my DD, that better be a non-threatening animal on your shoulder.”

“He’s a reptile. I guess, technically, he’s an animal?”