Page 66 of Tag

“Suck my dick, Cadet.”

“Sorry, you aren’t my type.”

Nick grinned. “I’m everyone’s type once they get to know me.”

I chuckled and cranked the wheel again, the headlights cutting a new arc through the dark as we circled back.

“Line it up for me,” Nick urged.

I did as he said, knowing Nick wouldn’t miss a hit twice. And he didn’t. Angela slammed into the back of DeAndre’s leg. The scream that followed tore through the field, high and deliciously agonized. He collapsed, folding at the knees and hitting theground, arms reaching back toward the limb now bent in ways it shouldn’t be.

“You might be good with something besides a hockey stick after all.” My brother joked.

“Told you I’m a pro at everything,” Nick retorted, smug as ever as he handed Angela back with a flourish.

I let the truck idle, creeping forward until we were right behind DeAndre. His sobs were louder now, cutting through the night and blending with the low, steady growl of the engine.

“Time to grab our trophy.” I shoved open the door and stepped out, the cold air scraping over my skin. Around the front of the truck I went, boots crunching over dry grass.

DeAndre was wrecked.

Streams of spit hung from his chin, tears and snot were all over his face, and each breath was a wet, rattling gasp. I crouched beside him, close enough that he had no choice but to look at me. His eyes were wild, pain-glossed, and frantic.

Perfect.

“Ouch.” I reached out and pressed my fingers straight into the break in his leg. He screamed, one hand slapping uselessly at the ground. “Oh, I’m sorry. Does that hurt?” I pressed deeper, feeling the slick give beneath my fingertips.

The second scream was louder, raw and hoarse, tearing through the field. When he turned his head and vomited into the dirt, I flinched back, grimacing at the stench and what looked like half-digested tortilla chips.

“Ew,” Cade groaned from the truck window. “Fucking disgusting.”

“Alright,” I said, standing. “Let’s get you off the ground.”

DeAndre shook his head, babbling through choked sobs. “No—no, please, man—don’t—.”

I grabbed him under the arms and hoisted him up. He was dead weight, one leg dragging uselessly. His hands pushed weakly at my chest, but there was no real fight left in him.

“Quit struggling. You’re embarrassing yourself.”

He whimpered and sagged against me, the last of his resistance draining out. Nick and Cade hopped out and met me halfway, flanking us on either side without a word. Together, we manhandled him to the truck and shoved him inside, right on top of Lindsey. She shrieked, scrambling away like he was contagious, launching herself onto Rook’s lap.

“Damn, that was mean,” Nick chastised mockingly.

Rook looped an arm around her waist to keep her still. “She upgraded. Got the better seat.”

DeAndre slumped, panting through clenched teeth, his skin sallow and slick with sweat.

We all climbed in. Cade slid into shotgun again, Angela resting across his lap like a crowned jewel.

“Let’s wrap this up.” I shifted and turned us back toward the Genesis. Its silhouette sat alone in the distance, shrouded in moonlight, quiet and waiting.

In the rearview mirror, I checked on our passengers.

DeAndre’s eyes were shut tight, Lindsey was still crying, silent now, and curled against Rook like she thought he was some kind of savior. Cade caught it too and laughed. “No fucking way you think he’s gonna save you.”

Rook’s lips twitched as he fought a smile, and his arm tightened around her. “Don’t ruin all my fun.”

I chuckled, knowing that the worst part of her night hadn’t even started yet.

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