“What happened?” she said over the loud, thumping music.
“Nothing.” I grabbed the beer out of her hand and took a healthy drink. “It’s all good.”
I handed the cup back to her and she took a small sip and made a face. “How do you drink that stuff? It’s nasty.”
I grinned and drank the rest. “C’mon,” I said, draping an arm across her shoulder. “I’ll get you something less nasty.”
People eyed her when we went across the room to a giant tub filled with ice and bottles of drinks. I pulled out some fruity girl drink and popped the top before handing it over. She tasted it and gave me a smile. “That’s better.”
“Rome,” Braeden called, materializing out of the crowd and coming up beside us. “What’s this about the po-po hassling ya outside?”
“Fucking cops,” I said and grabbed a beer.
“They searched him,” Rimmel said, taking another sip of her drink.
Braeden seemed to just notice her, and when he realized who it was, his eyes widened. “Da-yum, Rimmel. Girl, you clean up good.”
One of the guys standing behind Braeden turned and glanced at her over his shoulder. “I’d do her,” he yelled, and all his buddies laughed.
I grabbed him by the back of his neck and dragged him backward, tossing him up against the counter. “The fuck you just say?” I growled.
My reaction drew some stares because I usually played it so cool.
“I d-didn’t mean anything, Romeo. I’m d-drunk,” the guy stuttered.
“Romeo,” Rimmel said from beside me, but her voice only made it worse. We’d only been here five minutes and already the guys were checking her out.
Braeden wrapped an arm around my waist and towed me back. “Dude, chill.”
I stared down the asshole as I drank my beer and tried to calm my sudden anger. He didn’t move, just stood there and watched me warily.
“Get the hell out of my sight,” I spat. He took off and disappeared into the crowd.
Even after he was gone, anger seemed to crowd beneath the surface of my skin. Zach was starting to get to me. Hell, this entire night was.
Trent stepped up to the keg, and I joined him. “You need to rein Zach in,” I told him.
“What’d he do now?”
“Tried to get me arrested.”
Trent choked on his beer. “He what?”
“He needs to be brought down a couple pegs.”
“Man, I’m sorry. No one knew he would go that far,” Trent said.
As if he knew we were talking about him, his voice echoed through the room. “Omegas rule!” he roared. Everyone cheered and held up their drinks.
I found him in the crowd and watched him take a seat on a couch in the next room as his buddies settled around him.
I turned to Rimmel, who was talking to Ivy, Missy, and Braeden. “I need the plaque,” I said in her ear.
She reached into her jacket and pulled it out. I took it and started across the room.
“Romeo!” Braeden called, but I kept going.
The crowd parted for me as I went, and soon I was standing across from Zach, who looked up and smirked. “Romeo. You made it.”
I tossed the nameplate at him. It hit his chest and bounced up, knocking the beer out of his hand. It overturned and sloshed all over him, soaking his shirt and part of the girl plastered to his side. She shrieked and jumped up, brushing quickly at her clothes.
“What the hell is your problem, man?” Zach growled.
“Nothing. Just following orders. Giving you what you asked for.” I sneered. “And just a warning, if I go down for something you ordered, I’m going to take you with me, and it will be one bumpy bitch of a fall.”
Zach shoved to his feet and stared me down. “Omegas have honor.”
I smirked. “Didn’t you know? There’s no honor among thieves.”
Zach’s eyes narrowed. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“You’re playing stupid now?” I said casually. “I honestly thought you were better than that.” I shook my head and turned.
“Drinking rally!” I yelled and held up my beer. The entire house erupted into cheers and yells. Cups and bottles filled the air.
People started chanting my number. Twenty-four, twenty-four, twenty-four!
I turned back to Zach and smirked. His eyes turned dark, and I got some satisfaction in seemingly getting the popular vote in his own living room.
Rimmel was looking a little green around the edges when I went back to her side. I glanced at the drink in her hand, but it was still full.
“You need some air?” I asked.
She nodded enthusiastically. I took her hand and we weaved through the house to the back door, stepping out onto an old stone patio with grass growing up between the pavers. The air was cold and the wind was picking up.
“Ah, for once I’m grateful for the cold,” she said, taking a deep breath.
“You okay?”
She nodded and turned her face away. A couple people ran by me, laughing, and I took her elbow and moved to the edge of the patio. “Hey,” I said and tipped her chin up to make her look at me.
“We’ve been here like ten minutes and you’ve almost been arrested and in a fight twice. I’m scared to know what the rest of the night is going to be like.”
I felt my expression soften. The fear in her eyes was real. “You were worried about me?”
“Duh,” she said and rolled her eyes. “You are my ride.”
My mouth opened, and she burst out laughing. “You should see the look on your face.”
I smiled and pulled her close, anchoring an arm around her back. “That wasn’t funny.”
“Yes-huh.” She grinned and her head tipped back. The long strands of her hair draped over my arm.
“You were worried ‘cause you like me,” I said low.
Even in the muted light, I could see the blush on her cheeks.
“Say it,” I whispered.
Her eyes focused on something behind me. “People are staring,” she murmured.
“And…?”
“And it’s—”
I cut off her words with a kiss. It was meant to be an innocent, quick touch of lips, but the second I came into contact with her soft mouth and tasted the strawberry on her tongue, everything else fell away.
Need slammed into me so hard it almost knocked me over. The sounds of the party fell away and all I could think about was what she felt like in my arms.
I heard my phone go off in my pocket. Rimmel’s did the same. Then in the very back of my mind, I heard the dinging of an endless amount of smartphones.
I ignored it all.
I only broke away from her when someone bumped into me from behind, forcing me to pull back to keep our balance. “Sorry,” someone slurred and kept going.
Rimmel was dazed, and I chuckled.
The back door slammed against the house with a sharp crack and someone yelled. “Where the hell is the nerd that suddenly got hot?”
I stiffened. Rimmel’s eyes cleared and filled with confusion.
Her phone went off again, and she pulled it out of her blazer and glanced down at the screen. She snorted loudly and shook her head.
“What?” I asked.
She turned the phone so I could see the latest Buzz. It was about her. I swore under my breath.
“I heard she was out here, putting the moves on number twenty-four!” the guy yelled again.
Some guys laughed and someone else chimed in to add, “You know that ass has to be fine to get his attention.”
People laughed, and I went rigid and turned around. My eyes landed on several guys wandering out near the grass. Of course it was Zach’s followers and one of them was a fellow Omega.
He glanced over and saw me; his face screwed into a smile. He swaggered over, probably thinking he looked cool when he really looked like he had a full diaper.
“I gotta hand it to ya,” he said. “You got some game.”
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“You need to step away,” I said, my voice dead calm.
Some of my friends and people I knew stepped forward as if to show I wasn’t alone. I gave them all a grateful, subtle nod.
“Why don’t you step aside and give us all a look at her?” he said, ignoring my warning.
I kept my body firmly planted in front of Rimmel and crossed my arms over my chest.
Braeden materialized beside me, taking up the same braced position. “What seems to be the problem?” he asked.
“No problem. Just came to see the nerd who got hot,” the guy replied. I think his name was Jack.
“There aren’t any nerds out here,” Braeden countered.
Ivy came out the back door, followed by Missy. They were both clutching their phones. When they saw me, they rushed around me and to Rimmel. “The BuzzBoss is totally talking about you!” Ivy said like she was impressed.
“All I did was comb my hair,” Rimmel remarked.
I wanted to laugh.
Zach materialized behind his crew, and they parted to let him come to the front. “I’d be interested in meeting your date tonight as well, Romeo. After all, I did invite her.”
“He invited you?” Ivy asked Rimmel behind me.
This guy was seriously asking for it. He was doing everything humanly possible to screw things up for me. So I called his bluff.
I stepped aside and reached for Rimmel’s hand, drawing her forward. “Rimmel, this is Zach. He’s the president of the Omegas.”
Zach’s eyes latched onto her and a little bit of surprise sparked through them. Then his lips curved into a smile I instantly wanted to wipe off his face. He came forward, his stare never once leaving Rimmel.
“I have just one question,” he said.
“What?” she replied.
My hackles rose just because he was speaking to her.
“You give it up to him yet?” Behind him, his crew laughed.
Rimmel didn’t say anything; she just stood here with pink cheeks.
“Because you know when you do, he’s gone.” Zach finished.
I didn’t even have a chance to talk myself out of it. Hell, I barely even thought. I just heard his words and saw the calculating and nasty look in his eyes, and I was done.
Even though I was beyond angry, I moved Rimmel out of the way with care, placing her beside Braeden, and then I spun, plowing my fist into the side of Zach’s jaw.
He went down immediately, like a scarecrow in the wind.
I stood over him as he rolled onto his side and grabbed his jaw. My chest was heaving, and all I saw was red. Zach looked at me with sheer hate, launching himself up off the ground, and rushed me.
I was ready, and we locked together as he tried to knock me down.
I wasn’t falling. I outweighed him by fifty pounds easily and I was a head taller. He reared back his arm and took a cheap shot in my kidney. It was enough for me to let him go, but it didn’t help his cause.
He threw his fist at me, and I caught it. Holding his arm suspended in midair, I brought my free arm around and caught him in the face again.
He went down and didn’t move.
I turned back to Rimmel, who had a horrified, stricken look on her face. I snatched the car keys out of my pocket and put them in her hand. “Take the Hellcat and go to my place. I’ll meet you there.”
“But—” She began.
“Go,” I growled as commotion erupted behind me.
Someone rammed into me from behind, and I stumbled. I reached around and pulled Jack off me and tossed him into a couple of his buddies.
“Now!” I shouted, and she jumped.
“Romeo…” Braeden warned me, and I turned away from her.
Zach was on his feet and approaching me once again. He threw out his fist and I dodged it, but he kept lunging. His lower lip was busted and bleeding and his jaw was already bruising.
I wasn’t proud of myself, but I sure as hell wasn’t sorry.
“Enough!” Trent yelled, and a bunch of Omegas swarmed through the crowd. Zach and I were both restrained and yanked apart.
I shook them all off and straightened my shirt.
“What the fuck, man?” Trent said, turning to me.
“Ask your president,” I spat. “I might be just a pledge…” I snarled, not caring that I wasn’t supposed to announce it. “But I will not roll over and take his shit anymore. He crossed the line.”
Everyone looked at Zach, who was standing there bleeding all over himself.
“I want him out of here!” he yelled, his voice slightly thick from his fat lip.
I held up my hands. “Oh, I’m gone. Omega can kiss my ass.”
Trent glanced at me sharply. I saw the warning in his eyes, the reminder that we were going to get rid of Zach together. I shook my head. “I’m out.”
He frowned slightly but nodded his understanding.
Braeden clapped me on the back. “I think we should go.”
After giving Zach another long, measured look, I turned to leave.
“This party is lame!” Braeden said loudly. “WOLVES, party at my dorm!” he yelled.
People cheered.
“Dude, how the fuck are you gonna fit all these people in your tiny-ass room?”
He grinned. “Sure as hell will be fun to try.”
Out in front of the Omega house, there was hardly anyone around; they were all too busy in the back, checking out the drama. We were silent a moment. Then Braeden said, “You don’t need them. You got more than enough talent to bring in the NFL on your own.”
“Fuck,” I muttered. “When did everything get so damn complicated?”
“When your life became about more than just football.”
“You sound like Yoda.” I grinned.
“It’s the beer.”
We both laughed and headed out to the parking lot.
I joked and was laughing, but really, he was right. For so long, my life had been nothing but football…
But now there was something more.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Rimmel
I felt stupid standing out here.
I hadn’t wanted to leave Romeo.
But it seemed my presence only made things worse.
So I took the keys and walked out. I hoped it would put an end to the fight. Clearly, there was a lot of tension there, and I really wanted to know the whole story.
And what was with that Zach guy? What a douche.
Up until that point, the party had been pretty fun. It was kind of cool to see how the other side lived. It was a lot more interesting over here.
I glanced at the house and wondered about Romeo. Where was he? What if he got hurt? Should I go back in and find him?
I pulled out my cell. I’d text Ivy.
Just then I heard gravel crunching under foot and a couple male voices floated my way. One of them was very familiar.
“Romeo?” I called out.
The footsteps increased and he came around one of the SUVs parked nearby. His eyes were wide and he let out a string of cuss words. Braeden was close behind and gave me a smile.
“Rimmel?” Romeo said. “I told you to leave.”
I looked him over, trying to see if he was hurt. He didn’t look to be, and some of the tension left my shoulders.
I shrugged and held up the keys to the Hellcat. “I can’t drive a stick.”
Braeden laughed. “Damn, girl. You gotta learn.” He glanced at Romeo. “You better teach your girl.”
Romeo scrubbed a hand down his face. “We’re out of here.”
Braeden nodded. “I’ll take Missy and Ivy home.”
“You promise?” I said.
He made a big X over his heart and nodded. I texted Ivy quickly to let her know Braeden was their new ride. “Thanks.”
Romeo plucked the keys out of my hand, guiding me around to the passenger side and opening the door. He leaned in and fastened the seat belt around me, and I couldn’t help but study his strong profi
le in the dark. I felt bad he’d gotten in a fight tonight because of me.
“You didn’t correct him,” I said when he pulled out onto the road.
He glanced at me quickly before turning back to the road. “Correct him for what?”
“He called me your girl.”
He paused. “Maybe I want you to be.”
Something inside me ached. “Surely after tonight you know we won’t ever work.”
He nodded slowly and the ache intensified. “Yeah. I know.” He turned the Hellcat onto the main road that led away from campus.
“Where are we going?” I asked.
“My place.”
“But you just said…” My voice faded away as confusion took over. Confusion and ache did not mix well.
“I know what I said,” Romeo replied, keeping his eyes trained on the road. “I don’t care.”
A little bit of that ache went away, but I didn’t allow myself to hope. “Tonight was just the beginning. The past few days were just a glimpse at what’s to come if you don’t take me home.”
The car swerved abruptly as Romeo pulled to the side of the road. It was barely in park when he surged across the seat and took my face in his hands.
“I can’t take you home right now.” His voice was thick and husky. “Please don’t ask me to do that.”
“Romeo,” I whispered.
I can’t even explain the kind of emotion that erupted in the air and encircled us at that moment. He kissed me like I was the breath in his body, like I was the blood in his veins. I kissed him back just as fiercely, as if his lips were the cure to the ache in my chest.
I grabbed onto his wrists and squeezed, holding him close as our lips melded together. My heart thudded in my chest and everything between my thighs throbbed with need. Romeo’s fingers bit into the back of my neck, but it didn’t hurt, and I urged him closer.
When we broke apart, he rested his forehead against mine as we both pulled in heavy gasps of air. “Baby,” he murmured, his voice breaking on the word. “You’re making me crazy.”
“What happened back there?” I asked.
“Don’t bring him into this moment,” he whispered. “This moment belongs to me and you.”
I reached up to cup his face and he tilted his cheek into my palm.
“Stay with me tonight.”
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