Page 29 of Eternal

8

Good Deeds

Declan

It’s a cloudy night.But they’re thin enough that the shape of the moon shines through, and a breeze chills the darkness.

Letting out a long breath, I watch the puff of my exhale curl from my lips, fogging the chilly air around me. My hands are in my pockets while I wait, tapping my thumb on my thigh as I watch people leaving the Donovan estate one by one. Until finally, the man I’m waiting for walks outside.

I drove Teal back to her dorm an hour ago, but something I couldn’t resist brought me back.

Ben Osletto stumbles on one of the steps but manages to catch himself on the railing before he face-plants onto the pavement. His friend trails a few steps behind him with his arm slung over his drunk girlfriend.

They wave goodbye to Ben and cross to their car at the opposite end of the long driveway.

I hoped Ben would be one of the last to leave, knowing he can’t resist an open bar and an excuse to talk about himself. And I was right.

He stumbles again, nearly toppling when his shoe gets caught on a crack in the driveway. He manages to catch himself before falling.

He really shouldn’t be driving, so if anything, I’m doing him a favor.

“Ben,” I call out when he’s about to walk past me.

He jumps in surprise because he didn’t see me hidden in the trees, watching him. It takes a moment for his hazy eyes to focus.

“Declan?”

I lift off the tree and walk over to him. Ben graduated two years ago, and like most Sigma House legacies, he’s doing well. He has a pregnant new bride and a revolving door of whores he’s fucking on the side. There’s no shortage of money or women as he runs the largest cloud-based storage firm in all of Portland.

“Hey, man.” Ben smiles at my approach, reaching out a hand for me. “Didn’t see you there. I thought you left.”

“I did.” I shake his hand but don’t release it when he expects me to. “It’s late, so I had to get my girl home. Tealene… I think you know her.”

His smile doesn’t falter, but his eyes flash with a hint of concern. “Tealene, right. Yeah, I heard you were here with Paul’s daughter.”

“And I heard you had a few thoughts about that.” My grip on his hand tightens.

“Oh that… yeah… I didn’t mean—”

“Don’t lie to me, Ben.” I squeeze his hand tighter, pulling him so close he’s forced to look up at me. “That’s my girlfriend you were talking about. And even if it wasn’t, I don’t appreciate anyone insinuating I could be manipulated.”

I didn’t tell Teal I heard what Ben said about her tonight, but I did. Just like I heard him question if it was my father who paid me to bring her here. Worse, she heard it.

Her entire body stiffened at his comments, and this piece of shit made her feel worthless. He toyed with her emotions when I’m the only one allowed to do that.

“I didn’t mean it.” Ben swallows hard. “It was a joke.”

“I didn’t find it funny.”

“I’m sorry. I drank too much and wasn’t thinking. I swear I’d never say anything like that sober.” Ben’s voice shakes. “She’s great. Pretty. That dress…”

He’s mumbling over his own words, probably thinking complimenting Teal will help his case. All it means is he has no problem objectifying her while thinking nothing of what his words do in that pretty little head of hers.

“I’m really sorry, Declan. Don’t tell Ian. I’ll do anything.”

Don’t tell Ian.

Like my father’s the worst of his problems right now.

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