Page 108 of Vicious Little Snakes
Liam:You left.
Me:You seemed busy being a moron.
Liam:I’m only stupid when it comes to you, Carebear. OO
Me:XX
Liam—December
My lips tip up into a smirk. I’m standing in the expansive marbled foyer of Grey’s house. The noise grows louder from the outside of the glass double doors as shadowed forms near the entry, kicking the energy up a notch.
Tonight’s going down in the books as fucking epic.
I watch through the glass, hands behind my back, as our rowdy crew team make their way up the outside steps.
The heavy doors are pushed open in greeting by two stoic butlers, and the guys playfully shove at each other as they enter, laughing and celebrating, dressed to the nines, complete with top hats, tails, and white gloves. It’s the attire of the night.
We may look like proper gentlemen, but we’re far from it.
Me, Grey, and Kai wait, amused, for the twenty or so of them to pay attention as they walk inside. Their mood is already revelrous, hinting at the fucking debauchery they anticipate.
Still, as they gather in the foyer, eyes land on the three of us, standing side by side, formidable, and a hush falls over the group.
It’s appropriate. That’s the kind of respect we command and deserve.
Tonight’s a night that’s been in the making since the beginning of the year. It’s the last official night as a crew—as a brotherhood.
We’ve rowed with some of these guys all through high school. So this night is important because if there’s anything I’ve learned, it’s that the guy who stands beside you now will be the same man who stands by your side later.
Grey and Kai are proof of that.
The last two months of my life have been bumpy, but Grey never wavered, even after losing my shit on Caroline and when I disappeared for two weeks. He stuck by me, forcing me to stop hiding. And Kai—he took me to task, justifiably so, then forgave me.
These guys are my brothers. They had my back when I spun out, and even now, while I find my footing. I’m starting to realize that the things I hate about this world of traditions, responsibility, and name, are also why I have a family of brothers like this. My life is a double-edged sword.
There has to be a balance I can find between feeling suffocated and respecting legacy.
“Fellas.” Kai’s voice booms from my left. “Welcome to the circle. The last night you get to act like complete fucking idiots, and it doesn’t matter…”
Quiet laughter filters out amongst the guys, but I don’t crack a smile as Kai continues, “Because next year, you will be responsible for carrying out what those before you accomplished. And wewillhold you to that standard. It’s the privilege that was given to us, the men before us, and so on.”
Grey steps forward and holds up his phone, waving it at them. “But before the party begins, each of you will turn in your phone.” My eyes sweep over a few frowns as he continues, “There could be a future president amongst us, after all. The last thing he’ll need is a photo to surface from tonight.”
Howls and yells erupt from the group as I chuckle and glance over my shoulder, saying, “Beauties,” calling out to three scantily dressed girls with velvet sacks.
I don’t give a shit about these girls. It’s the one standing, out of sight at the top of the staircase, looking back at me with those violet-blue eyes that I give a wink to before raising my voice over the ruckus.
“Put ‘em in the bag, boys, and get ready for the fucking time of your life.”
* * *
Wet feet slap against the indoor deck as we run around the Olympic-size pool to our designated table and take shots of whiskey.
Shouts and clapping fill the space as I sloppily gulp mine back, glancing at the opposing side as they run toward their own table. Grey throws back the amber liquid, and I shove his shoulder, already turning, gaining two steps ahead of him to dive back into the pool.
There’s a splash a second behind me as I swim to our boat that’s idly floating where we left it.
“Get in the fucking boat,” I call out, laughing as I try to pull myself up and fail miserably.
