Page 38 of Dare (Fighting Fate)

“Judge me all you like, Jess. You’re no different from the rest of the sheep out there judging you right now. I’m sorry you’ve got people talking shit behind your back, but it’s not my problem. I didn’t start the fucking rumors. You’re just going to have to suck it up and deal with it. I’ve got my own shit to deal with.”

Slowly, I shook my head. I was speechless. I could hardly believe this was the guy who’d been promising me the world in his future. “Who the hell are you, Wyatt? Do you even know? Does anyone? Or is that just a thing you reserve for Zac?”

His expression instantly turned dangerous. “Leave Zac out of this.”

“Why?” I demanded. “It’s his fault the damned rumor started in the first place. If he hadn’t come to my apartment that night, no one would’ve had anything to make shit up with. And while we’re on the topic, do you want to try to explain to me why he was really in my apartment that night? Because I know it had nothing to do with his damned brother!”

As his expression shut down even further, my teeth and hands clenched harder. It was about then I realized I wasn’t going to get anything else from him at all. Whatever the reason had been, it was a secret I was never going to be privy to. “You know what?” I said, starting for the door. “I’ll just go ask Zac. He might be more accommodating.”

Up until that moment, fear wasn’t even on my radar, but as his head tilted downward and his gaze turned cold, I felt it. Whatever it was, he did not want me to know. Nausea tingled in my stomach. Even though I knew nothing could’ve happened to me that night, the obvious desperate need he had to keep it buried made me uneasy. It made me second-guess everything.

Wyatt stepped forward, his intent clear. “Zac’s out of town for a few days, but if you know what’s good for you, you’ll leave it alone, Jess. And no, that’s not a threat. It’s a warning. If you keep pushing, I will push back.”

Something about the iciness in his eyes told me he wasn’t bluffing, and it chilled me to the core. What the hell had I gotten myself into?

Chapter 26

Eli

Stepping up on the curb, I swerved around the line of hedges and followed the path into the park. As the wind swept through the trees, the icy drifts collecting the fallen leaves off the ground and tossing them in the air, I pulled the collar of my jacket higher, trying to keep warm. As much as I loved Starbucks, I was not a fan of this kind of weather. I would’ve definitely preferred to have stayed at home.

Roughly running a hand over my hair, I briskly shoved them both into the pockets of my jeans, hastening my steps in the hopes of reaching the shelter of the shops faster. As I stepped under the awning, the wind instantly disappearing behind the block walls, I exhaled with relief. Jordan was definitely getting a punch for dragging me out today, that was for sure. I had no idea why he needed both Brad and me to meet him so urgently, but if he wasn’t such a good friend, I would’ve told him to fuck off.

Passing the drug store, I slowed my steps when I felt my cell phone vibrating in my pocket. I frowned as soon as I saw Noah’s name on my screen. The only things we’d discussed recently had been all the shit with Jess. This didn’t bode well.

Sliding my thumb across the screen, I pressed it my ear. “Brother,” I said, cautious.

“Hey, Bro. How are you doing?”

I stopped walking and took shelter beside a large plant. “I’m doing okay. What’s up?”

Nervous energy stirred in my gut when I heard him sigh. “I just thought you should know we arrested the dealer today. He admitted to selling to Zac Schuler.”

My stomach tightened. “Did he say what he sold him?”

“Yeah,” he said, his tone pinched. “It was definitely GHB, man.”

Even though I already suspected, hearing it confirmed made my gut sink. “Can you do anything about Zac now?” I knew the most they could get him for would be buying the shit, but I was hopeful they had something else to go on.

“You know how it works, man. Not unless we have cause. If Jess came forward and reported she was drugged that night, we could probably check for surveillance, but other than that, not much.”

“Dammit,” I said, kicking at the ground. “Can’t Kaeli convince her to do it?”

“She’s tried, man, but she’s refusing. I’m not sure why. She won’t say.”

Damn, that girl drove me crazy sometimes. Looking out across the park, I shook my head. “So there’s nothing you can do to investigate the asshole at all?”

“Not really,” Noah said.

He continued to explain the situation as best he could, but I stopped listening when my gaze found the fiery-haired girl at the root of the problem. But it wasn’t the fact that she was in my sight, looking as gorgeous as ever, that had me seeing red. It was the fuckface asshole she was leaning up against as she sat on the table, her broad smile shining like he was the most amazing thing in the world.

Cutting Noah off, I barked into the phone, “Gotta go, Bro. I’ll call you later.” Without waiting for him to answer, I ended the call and started striding through the p

ark.

I had no idea what I was doing or what I was going to say when I reached her, but I was damned intent on getting there, regardless. I needed to know who this fuckface was.

As I drew closer, I heard her laugh, her head falling back as she pushed against the guy’s chest. My muscles coiled.

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