A DEAL WITH THE CAPTAIN

16.THAT'S A TWIST

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

HUNTER’S POV

THAT’S A TWIST

At least half the campus boys have imagined a moment like this. Being summoned by Angela f*****g Deveraux in the middle of a packed club? That’s the kind of s**t guys would brag about for the rest of the semester. A few of them are already looking at me with open jealousy, and honestly, who gets a f*****g luck streak like this in one night?

First, Lisa- the girl who had guys jealous as hell when Bill Turner landed her freshman year-walks up to me in the middle of the club and asks me to f**k her. Then, minutes later, everyone sees me heading to the bar counter with Angela. That’s basically hitting the jackpot on a college campus. Angela tips her head back and swallows her second tequila shot in a row before scrunching her nose at the burn. Even that is f*****g gorgeous. It actually hurts a little to look at her.

“I needed that.” She exhales, shifting slightly on her seat. “Listen, um… can I ask you something?”

“Sure.” I shrug, trying to play it cool.

“Is Ryan seeing someone?”

For a second, I just stare at her. Okay. Maybe not everybody imagines a moment like this. Of all the things I expected to come out of Angela Deveraux’s mouth tonight, that definitely wasn’t one of them.

“What?” I almost pinch myself just to make sure what I heard was actually right.

She laughs awkwardly, suddenly looking embarrassed with her cheeks appearing a little flushed, “I know it’s stupid, and definitely a guy like him has someone. Forget I asked.” She reaches for the bottle. “Another shot?”

I just nod because I honestly have no f*****g idea what else to say. Ryan? I bet he would never have seen it coming either when I tell him later. She gives me a small smile before walking back toward her friends at our table, leaving me standing there like someone just dumped a bucket of cold water over my head. The only thing that finally snaps me out of my reverie is a tap on my shoulder.

“Golden boy, I need a little help with Lisa.”

I turn to find Cassie motioning toward her best friend, who is slumped against the booth with her eyes barely open.

Jesus Christ.

Darren. I’m almost certain he convinced her to drink half the club dry the moment I turned my back on them.

“Sure,” I say, already heading over.

I crouch beside Lisa and try to get her attention. For a few seconds, she just stares at me blankly, her eyes unfocused, as though she’s trying to figure out where the hell she knows me from.

Yeah. This isn’t going to work. I bend down and lift her easily into my arms. She makes a weak attempt to protest, mumbling something that doesn’t sound remotely coherent, but within seconds she gives up and lets her head fall against my shoulder. Cassie follows behind us, carrying both their purses and Lisa’s heels. By the time we reach the parking lot, the cold night air hits me hard enough to make me breathe deeper.

“Where’s your car?” I ask Cassie.

“We’ll grab a taxi. I didn’t drive here.” She answers nonchalantly.

I stop walking and look at her.

“What? You’re not taking some random cab. Can’t you see Lisa is wasted?”

“Why the f**k are you coming at me for?” she shoots back. “I knew we’d get s**t-faced tonight, and I couldn’t risk driving.”

Well. Fair point.

“Fine. I’ll drive both of you.”

I turn towards my Jeep. I’ll come back for the guys later. Ryan already has Bill at home, and Darren can probably find his way home if he wakes up long enough to remember where he lives. But I’ll definitely be back for them just to be sure before heading to the house.

“Thanks.” Cassie sighs in relief. “My place is closer than hers. Drop us there.”

She helps me open the back door, and I carefully lower Lisa onto the seat. For a moment, she’s completely still. Then her eyes flutter open. She looks up at me through heavy lids, and there’s something in her expression I can’t quite place.

“I hate you,” she slurs.

I snort, “The feeling is very much mutual.”

Her lips tremble into something that almost looks like a smile before her face crumples again, “I hate me more.”

My amusement disappears but she mumbles on, “I hate that I still f*****g like you when I should hate you, Bill.”

A tear slips from the corner of her eye. Then her eyes close again. I freeze. Bill? She thinks I’m Bill? I stare down at her, completely f*****g stunned. I don’t even look like the guy.

Not really. Different hair. Different build. Different face. Different everything. But maybe when you’re this drunk, none of that matters. I glance at Cassie, but she’s already climbing into the passenger seat, completely oblivious to what Lisa just said. I look back at Lisa.

The girl who stood in the middle of a crowded club tonight and asked me to f**k her because she wanted to forget Bill Turner is now lying unconscious in the back of my Jeep, crying because some part of her still f*****g loves him.

Okay. He definitely did a number on her. It makes me question what kind of a mess I have walked myself into. If she even remembers the fake-dating conversation we had by tomorrow.