This was the first time I’d been in the Omega house at a party since before Trent was beaten up. It was the first time I’d been here at all since that night as far as everyone else was concerned.
It would be odd if I didn’t show. My absence would be more notable than my presence. I knew people in the Omega house whispered about Trent’s sexual orientation, and I knew it was me they all suspected him being with.
It didn’t bother me. Not like that. Not anymore. It seemed like after facing my father, facing a room full of douche bag frat guys was the equivalent of having gum stuck to the bottom of my shoe.
Let me make it clear, though. Just because I didn’t care they suspected or whispered and just because I didn’t care what their opinion was on who I loved… it still made me nervous.
I’d already witnessed what some of the guys in this house would do. After the game and the way Conner and I went after one another, I was afraid of making it worse. Trent still lived here.
Plus, we’d yet to come out to the press and to T’s mom.
Something I was very curious about. I didn’t know much about that side of Trent’s life. He never talked much about his mom, his dad… anyone. The only thing I knew for sure was he was an only child and his dad wasn’t around.
At least I wasn’t alone tonight. Romeo and Braeden were here; a lot of the Wolves players were here. It wasn’t just the frat and me. This was a post-game party and a huge one at that. The house was packed, so much so that people spilled out into the backyard where there was a small bonfire burning and lights strung around the old trees.
There was a keg in the yard and one in the kitchen. Coolers with liquor and beer sat like every two feet, and the music was so loud I had no doubt campus security would get a noise complaint.
Of course, maybe not. Everyone on the entire street was here, so there weren’t many people left to actually call and complain.
We were out in the yard, the massive crowd around Romeo, Braeden, and a couple other Knights players. Rimmel and Ivy went home with Nova, and I was thankful. This was no place for them.
The bonfire was against my back, which I was glad for, not because the darkness brought some cold air, but because if I had flames at my back, I couldn’t have frat assholes sneaking up behind me.
Trent was inside, still making his rounds and doing his job as president. I knew he was trying to make his way out here, so every few moments, I would scan the crowd for his familiar face.
People were interested in the new racing division, which I thought was cool because it meant word was getting out, so I ended up talking cars while I nursed my beer.
“Hey-hey!” Braeden called out a little bit later, and the crowd parted around them as Trent stepped through.
My heart fluttered a little at the sight of him in a pair of beat-up jeans. I liked the worn look on him; it was sexy. With it, he was wearing a plain white T-shirt that molded to his impressive chest and over was an olive-green, army-style jacket.
He grinned, flashing his crooked front tooth, and bumped fists with just about everyone he passed.
“To our host!” Romeo yelled and lifted his beer.
Everyone cheered and did the same. I laughed because I could only imagine what it was like when Romeo actually went here.
Trent grinned and drank to their cheers. His eyes met mine over the rim of his red cup, and the fire at my back reflected off the gold flecks in his gaze. He took up position between me and B, leaning close to my ear. “Daniel is on academic probation. Couldn’t play today. Won’t be graduating.”
I sipped my beer. “I wondered why he wasn’t on the field.”
My little field trip into Daniel’s college record sure paid off a lot better than I thought. Hell, I had no idea the fuck would have to defer graduation. Oh well. He deserved it. It was a shame, though, he wasn’t on the field to take a few hits today.
Trent caught my eye and lifted a brow, silently asking if I was responsible.
I smiled.
“Good game, loser.” Braeden butted into our private conversation. “How’d it feel to take a loss today?”
Trent laughed. “Strange. I’m used to being on the winning team.”
We all settled into a conversation, mostly about football, because you know, the NFL pros were in our presence. There was some smack talk about how bad we smoked the Omegas and, of course, some beer drinking.
I noticed Trent seemed to be drinking the same as I was tonight, as in not really. There was no way in hell I’d let my guard down around all these people. Especially with guys like Conner running around.
I’d yet to see him, but I knew Trent had. He was in the house, and I’d pretty much stayed out in the yard.
In a perfect world, it would have stayed like that.
We all know perfection in life is very rare.
Unless of course you’re a crispy, warm French fry dunked generously in Heinz ketchup.