“He’s been talking. You’ve been whispering. If someone has something to ask, then why don’t you just fucking ask it?”
One of the brothers stepped forward. I think his name was Josh. He’d been standing here with Con when we walked in.
“Are you gay?” he asked point blank.
Conner started laughing. “He won’t—”
“Yes,” Trent said, cutting him off.
Conner’s eyes widened in shock. “I told you! He’s been lying—”
Braeden moved so fast it was like no one realized it until Conner was no longer talking and on the ground. Braeden stood over him and shook out his fist. “Shut the fuck up.”
Conner moaned and sat up. Braeden planted himself in front of him and crossed his arms.
I couldn’t help it. I grinned. Romeo did, too. I also wished I’d done it.
“Did you say yes?” Josh asked.
“Yes,” Trent repeated. “I’m gay, and yes, I’m in a relationship with Drew.” He gestured at me with his thumb.
Murmurs and talking started working around the room.
“I wasn’t lying about it like Con would have you believe. I was trying to figure it out, trying to learn how to balance me with the person everyone wanted me to be.” He went on. “But I did lie about something.”
“Ha! I told you!” Conner yelled. “Liar.”
I started forward, and he flinched, his lips pressed together.
Trent rolled his eyes but then turned toward me and held out an arm, blocking me. To the room, he said, “I lied about not knowing who jumped me a couple weeks ago. I do know.”
More murmuring went through the house. “Who was it!” a couple Omega brothers demanded.
“What the fuck, man!” someone else yelled.
“It was my own brothers,” Trent said. “Conner was the ring leader. Daniel, Michael, and Jeremy helped him. They held me down in the parking lot right outside this house and beat me. For weeks, when Conner’s had a chance, he’s whispered taunts at me.”
I watched Trent’s shoulders tighten and his chest puff out with a deep breath. On impulse, I stepped up closer, presenting a united front. It was time I shouldered some of this as well.
“Dick licker, faggot, sinner, pervert, gay boy, you name it; I’ve probably heard it. He also suggested on more than one occasion that I kill myself.”
“Are you fucking kidding me?” I spat. Anger so hot it was white burned through me. There was no fucking excuse. None.
Braeden’s face turned red, and he reached down and lifted Con by the back of the neck. Romeo moved and buried his fist right in his gut.
Everyone stood there in shock.
But it wasn’t good enough.
I lunged forward and grabbed Conner by the front of his shirt. My vision was tinged with red and my chest heaved with breath. “You’re the one who doesn’t deserve to live,” I growled and punched him in the face.
He crumpled to the ground, and I leapt on top of him.
What if Trent wasn’t so strong? What if Trent didn’t have all the support around him? What if Conner managed to get in his head…?
What if T actually took his suggestion and ended his life?
I hit him again, and there was scuffling and movement all around me. Braeden grabbed my arm, and I swung at him, too.
Conner’s lip was split and bleeding, and his eyes were wide with fear. Maybe he finally realized he pushed things too fucking far. Maybe he understood I wanted to kill him.
A set of vise-like arms wrapped around my chest and dragged me off the asshole. I fought to get free until Trent’s voice penetrated my murderous fog.
“Stop, Forrester,” he said against my ear. The brush of his lips turned me slack. I stopped fighting and let him pull me back. “He isn’t worth this.”
“You are,” I said, my chest still heaving.
Conner was getting to his feet, watching me with fear in his eyes. I gave him a cold look, and he tried to run. A few nearby Omega brothers grabbed him and forced him to stay.
“He’ll get his.” Trent leaned in and said low, “I’m okay. You and I are okay.”
I nodded, focusing on his face and his resolve. Someday I was going to ask him how he stayed so calm. Someday I wanted to know why he was so much more protective of me than himself.
Because he loves you more than himself.
That thought made me want to pound Conner all over again. But I didn’t. I stayed at Trent’s side, and he continued talking.
“I didn’t say anything because I felt betrayed, and it would cause a divide in this house. But clearly, I can’t keep putting up with it, and I won’t lie about who we’re sharing a house with. Before you knew who it was and the reason I was attacked, you all wanted revenge. You were pissed off on my behalf…” Trent’s words trailed off.