chapter twenty-eight
Aston
Being back at home, and not in the dorms, is so nice. Anderson and I went out to a late dinner with our parents last night after Knox dropped me off, then I had the best sleep I’ve had in months in my king-size, comfy as hell bed. Those twin-size beds back on campus fucking blow.
Today’s been jam-packed, but fun. Anderson and I went to play golf with Dad and his work buddies this morning, then we all met up with Luca, Branson, and their dad, Andrew, for lunch on the pier. Andrew seems to be doing really well after the heart attack he had over Christmas break.
Branson and Luca ended up coming to our house with us after lunch. We’re all going over to Crew’s later tonight for a party. Anytime we’re back home, we party at his place. It’s just a given. His parents are gone a lot, so he has free rein of their giant house, and he always throws the wildest ragers.
“So,” I say, looking toward the guys, where we’re all chilling in Anderson’s room, “who’s going to be there tonight?” I’m almost positive Knox is going, but I’ve been too busy to text him today, and am dying to know if I’ll get to see him.
“Weston, Cash, Knox, Kalen, and I’m pretty sure a bunch of pretentious ass Western kids,” Branson replies, looking less than pleased about mingling with people from Crew’s college.
Pulling out my phone, I send Knox a text, just to make sure. I’m itching for a reason to talk to him anyway.
Me: Hey, Finny.
The text bubble shows up immediately. I’m happy he isn’t going to make me wait.
Finny: We really aren’t ever getting rid of that name, are we?
Me: Nah, why would we do that? I know you love it so much.
Finny: FALSE.
Me: Careful, arguing with me does nothing but turn me on. ;)
Finny: Oh no, wouldn’t want that. *eye roll emoji*
Me: Are you going to Crew’s tonight?
Finny: Yup. You?
Me: Sure am. Going with Branson, Luca, and Anderson in a bit.
Finny: I’m happy I get to see you… or whatever.
I can’t even help the corny ass grin that slides on my face at seeing him admit that. For him to so freely say that makes me feel like we’re actually making some headway in whatever this is.
“Why are you fucking smiling like some schoolgirl?” Dragging my gaze from my phone, I look up to find three sets of curious eyes on me. Anderson was the one who spoke, but they all look invested in my answer.
“Oh, it’s nothing. Funny text.”
“Who is she?”
“What? Who is who?”
“The chick you’re obviously texting,” Anderson says matter-of-factly.
“Why do you think that?”
“Well, for one, that smile isn’t a something funny smile, it’s a flirting smile. For two, you’re now blushing like you just got caught. Spill.”
Not wanting to lie, but also not feeling comfortable telling the whole truth yet, I say, “It’s, uh, not a girl. It’s a guy, actually.”
“What?!” all three of them exclaim at the same time.
“Like a friend, or more?” Luca asks inquisitively, even though he can probably guess, considering he knows some of what happened with Knox. But… that was before more things happened.
Clearing my throat and rolling my shoulders back, I answer truthfully, “More.”
“That’s cool,” Branson says, clearly not trying to embarrass me by making it a big deal. “Anyone we know?”
“I’d rather not say, guys. Hey, I’m going to shower real quick and get ready for tonight.”
Not waiting for them to respond, I walk quickly out the door and down the hall to my room. Once inside, I pull my phone back out and reply to Knox.
Me: Happy I get to see you, too.
Me: Or whatever ;)
Heading into the bathroom, I get the water running and find some music to play, stepping into the shower with a smile on my face at the thought of having my hands on Knox tonight.
******
By the time we pull up to Crew’s, it’s after ten. He lives a good forty-five minutes from our house and his parents recently moved, so we had a hard time finding the place. It’s fucking gigantic, though, seriously. I don’t know for sure what his parents do, but they’re loaded, and that’s saying something because all of our families come from money.
The lawn is swarming with drunk college kids and the house looks just as packed. He must have invited his whole damn school. Anderson, Crew, and I used to be inseparable in high school, well, mostly Anderson and Crew, and me by association. With him going to school up here and us in Pullman, I don’t talk to him as much anymore. I know he and Anderson are still extremely close, though. They were always closer than he and I were.
Crew played varsity football in high school, and was exceptionally good, but got injured pretty bad our senior year. I’ve always wondered if his reasoning for staying here for college had anything to do with that. He was being scouted by WSU for football before his injury, so maybe going there after the injury was adding salt to the wound. I’ve always thought it was weird that he stayed behind while we all went, but whatever.
Walking in the front door, the first thing I notice is the overwhelming scent of pot in the air. Hell yeah. I could definitely go for some of that tonight. The second thing I notice is the porn playing in the living room to my left.
Literally.
The big screen TV is playing some cheaply made porn video and several people are gathered around watching. It’s going to be that kind of party, I see.
“Hey,” I say, looking over to Anderson. “I’m going to find a drink. I’ll catch ya later.”
Having never been here, the kitchen isn’t hard to find. The bottom level of the house is pretty close to an open floor plan. Entering the spacious kitchen, my eyes automatically find Knox. He’s standing around the center island with Weston, Cash, and his cousin, Kalen, and as if he could sense my gaze, he turns his head and locks eyes with me. His stare is smoldering, and his full lips turn up slightly into a smile. Nodding his head at me, he turns his attention back to his friends.
Must get him alone.
Grabbing a Red Solo cup, I pour some beer from the keg, chugging almost all of it before pouring another one. Getting his attention again, I nod my head toward the back door and make a smoking signal with my hands.
The backyard is littered with people, but there’s a gazebo toward the back that seems secluded, so I head that way and hope, if Knox is coming out too, he sees me go in here. The weather tonight is pretty mild, so even in just my crewneck, I’m comfortable.
Reaching into my back pocket, I pull out my pack of smokes. Placing one between my lips, I light it up and take a drag. As I exhale, smoke billows around me, and I see someone walking up in my peripheral vision. Looking over, I’m pleased to find Knox did follow me out here.
What a good boy.
“Hey, you,” I say, offering him a cigarette from my pack.
Taking one, he lights it and takes a drag. “Hey.”
“Been here long?”
“Nah, like an hour. You just got here, yeah?”
“I did.”
I will never understand how the air surrounding us can always be so sexually charged. We aren’t doing anything inherently sexual, but goddamn, if the tension isn’t palpable. If I could rip his clothes off right here and bend him over, I would. I’ve been dying to get back inside his tight ass since the first time we fucked.
“Having fun?” he asks quietly, taking another drag.
“I’d be having more fun if you were underneath me.”
Eyeing me, he chuckles. “That so?”
“Oh, absolutely.”
“What if I want you under me for a change?”
My dick definitely likes that idea, perking right up in my pants. Subtly, I glance around us to see if anyone is paying us any attention, which they’re not. In fact, no one can see us at all unless they get much closer, since bushes block most of the gazebo from the rest of the yard.
“You think you can dominate me, Finny?”
“I fucking know I can,” he growls. “Plus, it’s only fair. You topped me, so I want to top you.”
Holy shit.He’s thought about fucking me. That thought alone makes my cock weep and my balls tighten up.
Stalking toward him, I grip the rail on either side, caging him in as I lean in to whisper in his ear, “You really think you can be the cat in this game of cat and mouse we have going on?” Flicking my tongue out and softly licking his ear, I feel his body tremble against mine.
Knox turns his head and surprises the hell out of me when he sinks his strong teeth into my neck, hard. A noise somewhere between a whimper and a groan comes from deep in my chest as I thrust my hips into his.
Any semblance of self-control he had left snaps, and fisting my crewneck, he spins us so my back is against the rail. His mouth attacks mine in a bruising kiss, nipping my bottom lip and shoving his tongue inside. Whiskey and nicotine flood my senses as I open my mouth for him even more, giving him all the access he wants.
His hands rake down my torso, leaving goosebumps in their wake, one hand sneaking around my hip to grope my ass, the other palming my bulge. “I want you,” he whispers against my lips.
“Then have me,” I throw back, thrusting into his hand.
“You’re fucking trouble, you know that?”
“You love it, that’s what I know.”
Grabbing the hair at his nape, I tug on the strands and deepen our kiss. I don’t know what it is about him, but it’s becoming impossible to be around him and keep my hands to myself.
“We’re going to get caught if we keep this up,” he says, peppering my jaw with kisses.
“Then get off me.”
“Come upstairs with me.”
Pulling back, I look at his disheveled appearance. “You’re sure?”
“Yeah. There’re so many people here, no one will notice. Come on.”
Taking my hand in his, he heads out of the gazebo and across the lawn. I’m fully aware that this is the first time he’s held my hand and I can’t ignore how much it makes my heart flutter. As we get closer to the back door, though, he drops it, which doesn’t surprise me, but it does disappoint me.
Walking in, we’re met with an ominous vibe. The house is oddly quiet, and it looks like most of the people have left. The guys are piled in the living room, which is no longer playing porn.
Luca looks up as we walk in and hurries over to us. “Where the fuck have you guys been?”
“Uh, smoking. What’s going on?”
“Something’s wrong with Crew. He’s really fucking out of it.”
Walking over to the couch, I see Anderson sitting down with Crew’s head laying on his lap. His face is pale, and he doesn’t look like he’s awake.
“What happened, Anderson?”
Looking up at me, I can see the concern apparent in his eyes. “He just collapsed a few minutes ago. He can’t keep his eyes open, and his skin is clammy.”
“How much has he had to drink?”
“I don’t know. Fuck, not that much, I don’t think. Since we’ve been here, he’s only had one shot and a couple of beers.”
Kneeling down next to Anderson, I shake Crew a few times, trying to wake him up. “Crew, hey. Crew, can you hear me?”
He groans and opens his eyes, but barely.
“Hey, Crew, it’s Aston. How much have you had to drink, buddy?”
He mumbles something, but I can’t make out what he said. Then his eyes close again.
“Did he take anything?” I ask, looking around the room.
“Not that I know of,” Anderson answers beside me, while everyone else either shrugs their shoulders or says no. Focusing my attention on Kalen, I ask, “Did you give him anything? Did he buy shit from you?” He’s everyone’s drug dealer around here, and if Crew got anything, I’m positive it would come from Kalen.
Based on the way he’s bouncing from one foot to the other, I can tell he’s either high or anxious, or both. “Kalen, I need you to tell me.”
“Percs. He bought some percs from me this afternoon.”
Fuck.
Shifting my body, I find Knox. “Call an ambulance. He needs to be seen by a doctor. I think he might be overdosing.”
Nodding his head, he quickly pulls out his phone, making his way into the dining room.
“Do you know if he takes these a lot?” I ask Anderson.
“Not that I know of. He’s never mentioned it.” He’s panicking; I can tell by the way his knee is bouncing up and down.
“Hey, I’m sure it’ll be okay. The medics will be here soon, and they’ll know how to help him. Breathe, it’ll be okay.”
I don’t actually know if it’s going to be okay, but saying that doesn’t do any good and we all need to stay positive.
It doesn’t take long for the ambulance to show up. It’s a small island town and the fire station is down the road. Anderson decides to ride with him and promises he’ll text us once he knows more. Everyone is on high alert and anxious once they leave. We work together to pick up the house and then head to our respective homes. Everything done efficiently and in silence, the stressed energy palpable.
Once home, I brush my teeth, undress, and get into bed. I don’t have any texts from Anderson yet, so I send one to check in. I do, however, have one from Knox.
Finny: Just got home. You okay?
Me: I just got home too. Yeah, I’m okay. Worried, but I’m sure he’ll be okay.
Me: You okay?
Finny: Yeah. He’ll be okay, I’m sure.
Finny: Tired as fuck, I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Night.
Me: Night, Finny. ;)
Much to my surprise, it doesn’t take me long to fall asleep. With everything on my mind, I’m out as soon as my head hits the pillow, and I don’t wake the entire night.