Page 14 of Operation: Ogre

“Of course I do. I thought you trusted me.”

“I do.”

“Then fake dating here we come,” I said with a grin.

Jaxon sighed. “This is going to end horribly.”

“Of course not,” I lied. “It will be great.”

Chapter Six

Jaxon

Ipulled at the hem of my shirt as I stared at Chris. He’d had an almost manic energy about him all week. We hadn’t done much, except for the usual class activities and getting coffee. I’d been dreading going to this party all week, but I couldn’t back down now.

Aaron and I had had some nice text conversations over the week. He was just as funny and kind as I’d thought he would be when I got to know him better than a passing acquaintance. More than that, he did love my protein powder, though he did agree with Chris about rebranding it, and had already talked it up to several of the other soccer players. They were all calling it Bro-tein because of Chris. It was ridiculous. However, I did appreciate the sales as I tried to get my company off the ground—something my parents were helping me with.

But now it was the annual party that the soccer team hosted. I was going as Chris’s guest, which wasn’t shocking at all—I normally did. However, I wasn’t looking forward to this fake dating scheme, and it wasn’t because Chris was human. Last year, I’d seen several human and monster couples, so being with a human wasn’t all that odd. It was more that this was Chris. He was my best friend. I didn’t want this to get weird between us; he was too important.

“Stop worrying,” Chris said from right beside me, shooting me a grin. “It’s going to be fun.”

I wasn’t so sure about that. I’d never liked parties. The social pressure to talk to people, to laugh, to fit in—I’d never been good at any of that. But Chris would be there. Everything was easier with him around. Even if he did have this ridiculous plan.

By the monster god, this was going to go horribly.

Would anyone even believe that we were suddenly dating? I really didn’t think so.

My stomach churned and began to climb my throat in agonizing increments until it was near strangling me. I was going to spew my hastily chugged protein drink everywhere. That would be a good look. Show up to the party covered in my own vomit. Fuck, I would never live that down. I should just go back to the dorm. It was safer, more comfortable there.

“Hey,” Chris said when I’d stopped in the middle of the sidewalk. He grabbed my hand, and shocks shot up my arm, making my chest squeeze. He went up on his toes and rested his palm against my cheek, giving me that soft smile I adored. His dark brown eyes looked even richer with the dark eyeliner he’d slicked on. He whispered, “It’s all going to be fine.”

“How do you know?” I demanded. Where the hell had this confidence come from?

His smile grew. “Because we’re together. Worst case scenario, we go to a late dinner and have vegan Grendel cheese sandwiches, okay?”

I couldn’t help but grin. “My favorite.”

“It’s like I know you, or something,” he teased, then tugged on my hand. “Let’s go.”

Even with Chris’s reassurances, I couldn’t quite banish the gnawing chasm in my gut. I was sure this party wouldn’t be too bad, but at the same time, did I really want to take that risk? Wouldn’t it be easier to just go back to my dorm room? I did have homework. We had to pick a Shakespeare play. So much to do.

For some reason, Chris’s manic face as he’d told me I had to make things happen reappeared in my thoughts. I was already talking to Aaron, which I wouldn’t have thought was possible only a couple of months ago, so I guessed there was some truth to his words. I did have to put in the effort if I wanted any kind of real result. And Chris was right about one thing. He was going to be there, so it really couldn’t be that bad. Nothing with him could ever be all that bad, after all.

We stepped into the crowded suite, and I was immediately wrong. This was horrible. I wanted to turn right back around and flee, but that would have meant letting go of Chris’s hand, which oddly enough, fit oh-so perfectly within my much larger grasp. Somehow, I couldn’t find the strength within me to release him, so I was dragged right into the crowded party.

Music thumped, booze was passed around, someone was smoking weed, and people pressed together in a way that couldn’t be structurally safe for this single room. This whole room was going to crash into the floor below. This whole party spelled trouble, and I really wish I hadn’t been dragged into it.

“Well, hello there,” Carter called from where he was lying on several people’s laps. I rolled my eyes. He always found someone to sit on; in this case, it was three harpies, who I believed were cheerleaders. None of them seemed all that upset, as they were giggling and one was petting his hair like he was in his shifted form.

“Why are you here?” Chris asked over the loud music.

He held up his drink. “It’s kinda obvious.”

I rolled my eyes again. Carter, much like Chris and Sam, didn’t drink. None of them had ever shared the reason behind them all being sober, and it really wasn’t my business—that didn't mean I wasn’t curious.

Chris just shook his head and ignored his older brother. However, as we moved further into the suite, he paused again. Samantha was laughing as she pressed against a busty cheerleader. Sam gave the other woman a warm look that made me want to turn away. I really shouldn’t be watching this.

“Seriously, they’re everywhere,” he muttered.