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CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Don't mess with me… or do it and see what happens.

  Chase

  "Aww, please?" Nicole's finger ran up and down my arm as I set up for the party. "We'll be really quick."

  Ha. Every guy's dream: "Hey, let's go have sex real quick. I'll be fast. Let me just use you for your hot body." Okay, so she didn't exactly say it like that, but still. Booty calls, she was known for them. And so was I.

  With a sigh, I pushed her away. "I'm not really feeling it right now."

  Her eyebrows arched. "You're not feeling it? Or me? What guy says no to sex?"

  Ha. Good question. One who's in some deep shit and would probably find himself on the opposite end of Nixon's gun by spring semester.

  "It's you," I said plainly. "You got fat."

  She scowled. "Bullshit. You don't want sex? The great Chase Winter, player of the year, is saying no to me?"

  "Well…" Phoenix came up behind her. "…you're kind of a slut. But hey, try the freshmen. They're always easy."

  "Assholes," she muttered.

  Phoenix grabbed her arm and pulled her against his body. "Say it again, and I cut out your tongue."

  She gasped.

  "Ah, fear." He nodded. "I respond better to fear than I do an invitation. Maybe next time you should give Chase that look when you offer your goods. Now run along and find a freshman to screw. He's too good for you, and you bore me."

  Tears streamed down her face as she jerked away from him and ran out of the room.

  "Harsh," I said, setting up the keg.

  "Yeah, well."

  Phoenix's face looked haggard, like he hadn't slept in days. I wondered if the nightmares were back but was afraid to ask because if they weren't back, then they would return just by me asking.

  "Things cool, man?" I said nonchalantly.

  His eyes flashed before cool indifference settled into place across his features. "Of course. Why wouldn't they be? We're seniors, almost done in this shit hole, and we get to get drunk tonight. Why wouldn't things be awesome?" His smile was forced, his hands shaking.

  Shit. "You look tired." My way of telling him to go home.

  "I'll sleep when I'm dead." His way of telling me to screw myself.

  I held up my hands. "Just trying to be a friend."

  "That's just what I need right now," he sneered. "More friends giving me shit about my life, making me feel—"

  "Phoenix?"

  "Never mind." The forced smile was back. "When's Nixon getting here?"

  "He's not coming." I set the cups next to the keg and shrugged. "Had to go see his pops."

  Phoenix's eyes narrowed. "And we weren't invited?"

  "Nixon doesn't need a babysitter. Besides, when have you ever gone with him to see his father?"

  "I haven't," Phoenix said in a low voice. "But Nixon promised he'd take me, just once, so I could learn the ropes better, see how things operated from the outside world…"

  "Dude…" I shook my head. "…there's plenty of time for that. Don't worry."

  Phoenix was quiet as I set up the rest of the drinks.

  "Have you gone?"

  "What?" My mind had journeyed into Trace-territory, meaning I'd forgotten Phoenix was still standing there.

  He leaned across the keg, folding his arms. "Have you gone with him before? When they have their… meetings?"

  I shrugged. "Yeah."

  "And Tex?"

  "I think so…" My eyes narrowed. "What's this about, Phoenix?"

  "Nothing." He smirked, hitting his hand across the keg. "Nothing at all… damn. But it's already happening, isn't it?"

  "What the hell are you talking about?"

  "I'll never be good enough for your blood."

  "Phoenix…" I rolled my eyes. "…stop being dramatic. That's not it at all. Nixon's just careful… I'm family, and Tex—"

  "Is a freaking Campisi! An enemy! You've even invited the enemy into your own home! And what? A De Lange can't even step foot across the precious threshold?" He slammed his fist against the keg twice before stepping away. "Whatever. I'm out. I'll see you later tonight."

  "Phoenix—"

  He flipped me off and slammed the door behind him.

  "What crawled up his ass and set up camp?" Tex said from behind me.

  "No idea," I muttered. "But he's not acting like himself."

  "If he's acting like an ass, he's acting like himself."

  "No." I shook my head. "It's not that. He just seems… off."

  Tex chuckled behind me. "Open your eyes, sunshine. Off is about as normal as we get. Now beer me. I want to forget about the fact that Nixon's asking his father if I can speak to him about Mo."

  I snorted with laughter. "You don't need beer. You need shots."

  "Please, like I want to get drunk before she gets here. I have plans… for her, for me."

  "She, uh, bringing Trace?"

  "Um, gee, I don't know, Chase. Do you want me to send her a note during the spelling test and ask her to circle yes or no?"

  "Hilarious." I threw a cup at his face.

  He grinned. "Chill, Romeo. It just so happens that Mo is bringing her cute little roommate. Why? You gonna hit that?"

  "Yes, because I look forward to Nixon shooting me in the face. No. No hitting, but yeah, I may talk to her."

  "Talk?" Tex burst out laughing. "Since when does Chase Winter talk to a girl without doing her later?"

  "Since now." I pushed him away. "Now go be a pain in the ass elsewhere."

  He held up his hands and laughed harder. "Got you all twisted up on the inside, doesn't she?"

  "No." Yes.

  "Cute. You finally fell. Too bad she isn't yours."

  "She isn't his," I snapped.

  "Not yet," Tex corrected. "Not yet."