Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 105815 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105815 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
River grabs his arm and gives him a shake. “You publicly broke up with a little sister. You ripped her apart in front of everyone. Have some fucking respect.”
“I didn’t mean to do it like that.” Tense moments pass as Donovan’s face compresses. He sends me a desperate look. “Ana, look, I’m sorry—”
“No,” I say tightly. Hasn’t he said everything already?
He looks uncertain and takes a step toward me but stops just as Crew and Hollis appear at the door. He blinks at them.
Great. The whole frat is coming back here to see what’s going on. They all know!
Donovan scoops up the jewelry box then tucks it under his arm. “I’m taking this, then. Just thought since I bought it months ago, I might as well give it to you…” He sways on his feet.
Crew and Hollis get on either side of Donovan.
“Hey, buddy, let’s get you off the stage,” Crew says, his tone even and calm.
Hollis nods. “Yeah, bro, let’s sober you up.”
He walks out with them and disappears.
Benji has a couple on stage and is putting laurel wreaths on their heads, but most everyone is watching the stage door. As soon as Donovan walks out, he shakes off Crew and Hollis and shoulders his way to the Deltas—to Harper. Unable to look away from the small break in the curtains, I watch as she grabs his hand and leads him through the throng of people.
Every eye is on them.
Heads turn as they whisper.
My chest pings as a riot of emotions spiral through my head. Hurt and frustration are first. As Donovan and Harper disappear from my view, heading up the stairs to the main floor, white-hot anger shoves down the hurt. My scalp prickles with rage and I want to scream. Okay, I knew we were teetering on the edge, but…
He judged me with a list of crimes—then announced them for everyone to hear?
My fists clench as the incredulity rises, the ramifications settling in. They think I’m an awful person—and he dumped me because of it!
“How could he say those things to me?” I say mostly to myself, my voice low. “I knew we were different, but we were always friends first. Deep down, though, he doesn’t get me, does he? He needs black cocktail dresses and a perfect pedigree and hair that isn’t lavender, because that would be a travesty!” I stop, my voice cracking. I’m not making sense, but I can’t…
“Let it out,” River says.
“He—he used my past against me! Who I am, where I came from! He should have ended it after they put their stamp of disapproval on me this past summer, the sonofabitch!” I picture the baseball bat from the apartment in my hands, going at his Tesla. “Sneaking around and kissing her? That’s cheating, it is, it is, and he told her about Harvard, and God, what else has he told her…” My voice trails off as I squeeze my hands even tighter.
He touches my arm, and I start. He’s ripped a piece of his toga off and hands it to me. “You’re crying.”
I take it from him and press it to my eyes, seeing mascara on the fabric. My chest hitches.
“He’s drunk.”
“People say what they really think when they’re trashed, and you know it. I can’t change who I am or who my parents are for him. I don’t want to. I like who I am. I’m me, just me.” I hit my chest.
“You’re special, Anastasia. Don’t let what he said sink in. I don’t think he meant for everyone to hear—”
“Don’t defend him!”
River nods, his face shuttered. “You’re right. It’s not my place.”
“Yet here you are. You got here before anyone else,” I say.
He opens his mouth, then shuts it as Benji comes back.
The DJ takes the stage and cranks up the music.
“New king and queen crowned—check,” Benji says. “Where did Donovan go? I couldn’t see with that spotlight.”
“He ran straight to Harper,” I say bitterly. “Has she been here, at the house?” My head fires off in a million directions, wondering how deep the betrayal goes. The Kappa house has felt like home to me, and to think he might have been with her here is…
“Yes. Once,” River tells me grudgingly. “On Monday, but that’s the only time I’ve seen her here.”
My hands clench. “I need to get out of here, but I don’t…” I swallow, trying to push down the anger so I can think. “…have my purse. I can’t recall where I put it, maybe the pantry in the kitchen…” I pinch my nose. “My roommates… I’m the designated driver—”
“I’ve got them if you want to leave,” Benji says as he gives Spike a pet.
“I’m going to kill that bastard!” It’s Lila’s voice as she wrestles with a few Kappa pledges who are guarding the door to the stage. “Let me in! She’s my friend!” Thank goodness the music is loud and no one hears her.