I tossed my phone onto my bed and sat down, running a hand through my hair. That motherfucking son of a bitch.
The only reason Charles would have given Finn a drink as strong as a Black Russian was that he wanted to get him drunk. Even without Finn’s low tolerance, it would still have been enough to make him drunk enough that he wouldn’t be able to consent.
I should never have left him alone with him.
I’d been watching them, and Finn’s body language had looked like he was uncomfortable. I’d thought he was just nervous, but then I’d seen him gulping his drink, and something in me had snapped.
Now Finn was passed out in his bed, and he was most likely going to suffer tomorrow.
I felt like shit.
I’d hoped that by introducing him to some new people, he’d get some confidence and maybe meet a guy.
He’d met a guy all right. An asshole who’d essentially drugged him.
The entire night had been a bust. Although it had been cute watching Finn stutter as Mina flirted with him.
That was her MO. She flirted with everyone. I’d spent a good chunk of the first year as the recipient of her advances.
She was a nice girl, and as far as I could tell, she didn’t sleep around. Flirting was more of a power thing for her.
Finn was an interesting guy, and the more he opened up, the more I liked him. I could see us being friends. Hopefully, I hadn’t ruined things by dragging him to that mixer tonight.
My phone beeped, and I flipped it over.
I opened the group chat with my sisters.
Beth: sos
Shit.
I tapped her name and called her.
“Hey, Dad, what’s up?” she answered.
That was our code for when any of my sisters needed an excuse to leave a situation.
“You okay?” I asked, even though she couldn’t answer me truthfully.
“What?” she exclaimed. “Oh no. I’ll be right there.”
The muffled sound of her talking with her hand over the phone filled my ear.
“See you in ten.”
She hung up.
I went back to the group chat, which was exploding with messages.
Brit: tell me someone is talking to her right now
Bella: I cant get through
Bri: Beth????? Give us an update
Bristol: I cant get through either
Beck: I talked to her
Brit: Is she okay? Beth????
Beth: fuck sorry for freaking you out
Bella: you okay???
Beth: yeah. In my car
Beth: date got weird and I needed to get out of there
Bri: whos ass am I kicking???
Bristol: are you sure you’re safe?
Beth: I’m fine
Beck: call one of us when you get home
Beth: k
Beth: be about twenty
I shut the chat off and tossed my phone back onto the bed.
Twenty-five minutes later, my phone rang.
“Are you okay?”
Beth and I were the youngest, and because of that, she was the sister I was closest to. Britney and Bella had always acted more like mothers than sisters to us, and Brianna tended to be dramatic, so she wasn’t the best person to call in an emergency. When things got intense, Bristol was a bit aggressive and could be a lot to handle. I wasn’t surprised Beth had called me.
“Yeah. Like I said. My date was getting weird, and I needed an excuse to leave.”
“Weird how?”
“He told me I have five years until my eggs dry up, so I need to stop concentrating on my career and start having babies.”
“Dry up? Tell me you know nothing about how women’s bodies work without telling me you don’t know anything about how women’s bodies work.” I lay back on my bed.
“Right? He actually had the audacity to tell me that cramps and PMS weren’t real. That they were just excuses women made up so they could act like bitches every month.”
“Did you know he was a moron when you agreed to go on a date with him?”
She laughed softly. “There were signs, but I figured I could look past it because he’s hot. You should see his tats. Two full sleeves and a back piece. They’re gorgeous.”
Beth had a thing for bad boys, and tattoos were her weakness.
“Do you think he’s someone you need to worry about?” I asked.
“Nah. We were chatting online for a few weeks, but it didn’t get deep. He wasn’t threatening or anything, just a misogynistic asshole. Why aren’t you out? I was a bit shocked you were the one who called. It’s Friday night.”
“I was out, but my friend was overserved, and I had to bring him home.”
“Shitty. A bartender?”
“No, some asshole at a mixer. He gave him a Black Russian when he doesn’t really drink.”
“I have no idea what that is, but it sounds vaguely offensive.”
“It’s basically coffee liquor with vodka.”
“What’s it cut with?”
“Nothing. It’s pure alcohol.”
“Damn. Do you think they were trying to get your friend drunk?”
“Considering he was flirting with Finn and looking at him like he wanted to eat him, I’d say that’s a fair guess.”
“Asshole. It’s a good thing you were there.”
“I’m the one who brought him there.”
“Beck,” she said. “It’s not your fault.”
“It kinda is.”
“You always do this. You blame yourself for things you have no control over. You brought him to the party, but you didn’t put the drink in his hand or make him drink it.”
“No, but I left him alone with that asshole.”
“You got him home safe. That’s the important thing.”
“I guess.”
“How’s school going?” She changed the subject.
“It’s…going.”
“You don’t sound like a guy enjoying his final year at college.”
“It’s still early in the semester, but I’m struggling in a few of my classes.”
“That sucks. But like you said, it’s still early. Have you met anyone?”
“I’ve met lots of people.”
“Beckett Andrews, that’s not what I meant, and you know it.” She put on her best “mom” voice. “It’s been forever since you dated someone.”
“It hasn’t been that long.”
“Seven months! And you were only together for what, six weeks?”
“Your recall of the major events in my life is scary sometimes, you know that?”
“I’m just looking out for my baby brother.”
I snickered. “I’m nine inches taller than you. Not a baby anymore.”
“You’ll always be our baby brother.”
I rolled my eyes, even though I loved that my sisters would always have my back.
“I’m focusing on friendships right now. If I happen to meet someone, then I’m open to starting something. But I’m not looking.”
“That’s always when you meet your person.” She snort-laughed. “Maybe I should stop looking.”
“Or maybe just not make excuses for dumbasses because you think they’re pretty.”
“It’s my toxic trait. I’d better call Brit. She’s blowing up my phone.”
I smiled. Britney was the mother hen of the siblings. She took her role as the oldest seriously, and she wouldn’t leave Beth alone until they talked.
“Have fun,” I singsonged.
I could practically hear her eye roll. “You know I’m gonna get a big lecture about choosing quality guys.”
“Maybe you should listen to us.”
“Yeah, like that’s gonna happen. Have you met me?”
“Have a good night, Beth.”
“Later, Beck.”
The call ended, and I tossed my phone onto my bed and stared up at the ceiling.
Was Finn okay?
He’d been pretty drunk when he’d passed out. I’d rolled him onto his side and put the trash can next to his bed, but I was still worried.
Maybe we needed to go to an LGBT-centered event and not a regular student one. At least then, he’d have more options.
It couldn’t be easy trying to meet someone when you never knew if the person you were attracted to would be interested, and I imagined he had to be careful not to flirt with the wrong guy.
Sighing, I sat up and pulled off my shirt.
I was thinking in circles. I wasn’t exactly tired, but it had been a long week, and I’d hit the gym hard that afternoon, trying to work out some of my frustration.
Finn opened his door, looking way better than I’d expected.
“Hi.” He rubbed a hand through his messy hair. “I just woke up. Your timing is incredible.”
“I’m glad you were already awake. I brought breakfast.” I held up a takeout bag and gave it a gentle shake.
“You did?”
“Yeah. I didn’t know how you’d be feeling. I figured some greasy breakfast sandwiches and coffee might help.”
“Thanks. That was really thoughtful of you.” He took the takeout bag from me and stepped aside so I could come into his room.
“I got a sausage and egg, and a bacon and egg. You can pick whichever you like best.”
“Do they have cheese?” He sat on his unmade bed.
“Obvs. Cheese is life.” I put the drink tray on his desk. “Mocha latte or Americano?”
“Latte, please.”
I tugged the cup free and passed it to him.
He put it on the bedside table, then opened the bag and peered inside.
“These shouldn’t smell so good.” He pulled out one of the sandwiches and handed me the bag.
I sat next to him on the bed, my coffee in hand. “How are you feeling?”
“Surprisingly okay.” He unwrapped his sandwich. “I have a bit of a headache, but I think eating will help. I’ve always gone to bed drunk and woken up feeling like death.”
“Freshman year, I went to a club with Alex, and we got burgers after. It was the first time I didn’t feel like shit the next day, so now I always make sure to eat something after drinking.”
“You and Alex have been friends for a while?”
I put my coffee on the floor and took my sandwich out of the bag. “Since freshman year. We lived on the same floor and had a bunch of classes together.”
“What’s his major?”
“Business, with a concentration in finance.” I took a bite of my sandwich. The salty taste of bacon and cheese filled my mouth, and I let out a little moan.
“You want some alone time with that?” Finn grinned.
“I just might.” I took another big bite.
We finished our food in silence, and it was comfortable.
“I’m sorry about last night.”
“Why?” He frowned.
“Because of Charles.”
He flushed. “That wasn’t your fault. I took the drink without asking what it was. I should have paid attention to which bottles he’d used.”
“Still…”
“It’s fine. He was pushy and a bit creepy, but whatever. I’ll never see him again, so it’s not a big deal.”
“I was thinking that maybe an LGBT event would be better. That way you’ll at least know that most of the guys around are open to being flirted with.”
“You’d be okay with going to one?”
“Why not? Allies are allowed, right?”
He snickered. “I assume so. It’s not like they check your queer card at the door.”
“True.”
“You know that you might get hit on, right?” he asked, his voice careful.
“I’d hope so.”
He gaped at me, his coffee halfway to his mouth.
“I mean, if a gay or bi dude hits on me, it’s super flattering. I might not be interested, but the ego boost is always welcome.”
He took a sip. “You’re full of surprises, Beck Andrews.”
“I like to keep it interesting. Do you remember what you said last night?”
“Not a lot of it.” He grimaced. “Sorry if I overshared. I do that when I drink.”
“You kept saying ‘never have I ever’ when you were telling me about stuff you hadn’t done.”
He covered his eyes. “Of course I did.”
“It was funny. And very revealing.”
“Kill me now.” He moaned dramatically and dropped his hand. “Alcohol is like a truth serum for me.”
“It’s fine.” I sipped my coffee. “It makes me talk in circles. The next time we get drunk together, you’re going to hear me say the same thing about a dozen times before I move on to babbling about something else.”
“At least I’m not the only one who does embarrassing shit while drinking.”
“Pretty sure everyone does. So, what do you say? Want to check out the LGBT club Twitter and see if they’re hosting anything tonight?”
“Sure.” He beamed, his entire face lighting up.
Warmth rushed through me, and I smiled back.
Finn was a handsome guy, especially when he smiled. Everything from how one side of his mouth tilted slightly higher than the other to the way his eyes crinkled at the sides was attractive.
Shit, I was staring at him like a creeper. I cleared my throat and pulled my phone out of my pocket.
It took me a few minutes to find the account.
“Anything going on?” He finished his coffee.
My eyes were drawn to his Adam’s apple as he swallowed.
“Um, yeah.” I shook my head and focused on my phone. “They’re hosting a club night.”
“A club night?”
“Yeah. It’s being held at Prism.”
“Prism?”
“It’s a small bar on the other side of town. They host a lot of student events. The last one I went to was a club night for twenty-five and under. It’s a way to have an off-campus event with students and not creepers looking to prey on students.”
“And this is an LGBT one?”
I tucked my phone away. “It is. What do you think? Sound fun?”
“Never have I ever been to a club.” He smiled shyly, his eyes glittering with playfulness.
I grinned back. “Then it’s time we popped that cherry.”
“Something tells me you’ll be popping a lot of my cherries.”
He clamped his hand over his mouth, a blush staining his cheeks.
I threw my head back and laughed.
“Shut up.” He punched me in the shoulder.
“You have to admit that was funny.”
“Oh, it was funny. But it would have been way funnier if it hadn’t been me who said it.”
“Do you have plans today?” I asked.
“Homework.” He made a face. “I have three assignments due next week. And I haven’t started any of them. What about you?”
“Same. Homework, and I’ll probably hit the gym later.”
“Do you go a lot?”
“I try to go every day, but I’m not religious about it or anything.”
“Did you play sports in school? You look like you played sports.”
I grinned. “I did. Hockey.”
“That’s the game with the sticks and the little disk thingy, right?”
I leaned back on my hands. “The puck. And yes.”
“Were you any good?”
“Good enough to be competitive, but not to pursue it after high school.”
“Was that hard for you? Like, did you want to play professionally?”
I shook my head. “That was never on my radar. I wasn’t serious enough about it. I love playing, and I’d like to maybe get into coaching when I’m older, but I didn’t have the talent or the drive to go pro.”
“Do you still play?”
“I played on the school’s club team the past three years, but this year I’ll stick with the intramural league.”
He hummed.
“You’re not a hockey fan?”
“I’m not an anything fan. Anna made me go to a few tailgate parties last year. Those are fun. But the one time we actually went to I had no idea what was happening and kept yelling ‘go sports!’ whenever the people around me started cheering. But watching the football players run around in their tight pants made up for it.”
“I usually hit the parties, then bail before the games.”
“Not a football fan?”
“Not especially. I like football, and I’ll watch it if it’s on. But I don’t follow it. Well, outside of the Seahawks. My sister, Bristol, and Dad have season tickets and talk about the games nonstop during the season, so I’ve picked up a lot by osmosis.”
“Dex is into baseball. No clue where he got that from because we weren’t allowed to play sports or watch them when we were kids. He’s always been the rebel of the family.”
“But not you?”
“Nope. I’ve never been good at standing up to them.”
Silence descended. I glanced at the clock on his desk. We’d been chatting for nearly an hour already.
“I should go so you can get started on your assignments.” I rubbed my hands on my thighs, then stood.
“Thanks for bringing me breakfast.” He smiled shyly.
“Any time.” I gathered up the garbage to put in the bins downstairs. “I’ll see you tonight?”
“What time?”
“Be ready to leave for nine.”
“See you then.”
I gave him a little wave and headed out of his room so he could get some work done.
