Page 54 of Bitter Lies

“Okay, bitches and dicks, the name of the game is never have I ever,” a new guy pipes in. “You know the drill. Think up something you’ve never done but you think everyone else has because if they have, they drink.”

Hoots and hollers follow his statement, and I shift uncomfortably on Hogan’s lap, feeling caught out. I just want to be normal and play a fucking drinking game, but I know I shouldn’t mix it with my meds, not to mention my skin crawls at the misdeeds that can happen when I’m drunk.

But I decide as I look around at all the glassy eyes around me that I’m going to do this and be normal for once in my life. Fuck it.

“Okay, I’ll start,” the guy says with a wicked smirk. “Never have I ever sucked dick.”

The girls around me titter as they take sips of their drinks, and my face burns because I’ve never given a guy head, and I feel perfectly gauche right now.

Hogan leans into me, his erection obvious as he rubs it against my ass. “Mm, baby, maybe we can change that tonight?”

With a mental sigh, I take a drink, grimacing into my beer because fuck me, but Hogan doesn’t light so much as a spark, and I’m fighting off the inevitable chill at the thought of him anywhere near me.

“Never have I ever taken it in the ass,” some chick giggles, and I’m happy to say I can pass on that one.

“Never have I ever eaten pussy.”

“Never have I ever motorboated a set of titties.”

And on it goes, to which I wonder if these jerks can think of anything but sex. I mean, really?

Thankfully, there are so many people that it will be a while until it gets to me, and I’m slightly buzzed from downing two drinks in quick succession, which is why I miss Griffin in the crowd until his deep voice speaks up, and my head swings his way violently.

“Never have I ever fucked a bunch of dudes at the same time.”

He’s sitting next to two chicks, who are hanging off him, staring at me boldly, and I’m dumbfounded he’s here. Did he leave his own damn party?

But then his words penetrate, and with a scowl, I rise from Hogan’s lap and stumble toward the door, merging into the hall and searching for a bathroom.

I’m drunker than I thought because I can’t walk straight, and my lips are fucking numb, but when I can’t find the restroom, I step outside instead, breathing in the cool air.

Why the fuck won’t Griffin leave me alone? He as much as said he’s resentful of my mom’s request to watch out for me, so let it go already. I’m a fucking adult, and he’s a bastard. I’m pretty sure we’re better off with a whole campus between us at this point.

Sitting down on the front steps, I rub my face and sigh, thoroughly exhausted with the shit that keeps flinging my way.

“What’s the matter, sweetheart? Couldn’t take the fire?” Griffin asks silkily behind me.

Huffing, I mutter, “Why are you here?”

“I was invited.”

“Really?” I can’t contain my disbelief. “What about the people you left at the house?”

His tone is oh-so-casual as he quirks a brow. “What about them? I’m sure they’re partying just fine without me.”

Searching his expression, I come away empty because I lost the ability to understand Griffin around the same time he turned into the icy-cold bastard he is now.

“What’s this about, Griffin? Did you follow me here?”

Cocking his head to the side, he says, “And what if I did?”

Ignoring the tiny thrill that tingles down my spine, I frown instead. “Why?”

This is all so fucked-up—I mean, the jerk fucked some chick earlier, and I’m, what, flattered he followed me here? Sick shit.

“Well, sweet,” he says, dropping to his haunches before me, “I’m tired of outrunning the inevitable.”

“Which is what?”

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