Page 143 of Game Plan

“Like what?” Donovan asked. “The same way you talk to us?”

“I-I don’t care who you guys think youuu are, but I’ve seen enough of your ugly mugs for a lifetime.” He fidgeted with his keychain, stumbling and bracing himself against a car to keep his balance. “I-I’m done with all youuur stupid asses. Leave me the fuckkk alone.” He fished a small packet out of his pocket, and using one of his keys, he brought a line of white powder to his nose and snorted it. He inhaled twice before running a finger under his nostrils.

What a shitshow.

He closed his eyes, and Cassidy used the distraction to snatch his keys from his grip. “Listen to me, dickhead. I don’t care who you are, who you know, and what you do, but there’s no way you’re driving yourself tonight.” She crossed her arms over her chest, tipping her hip forward.

Nichols lunged at her, trying to grab his keys back, but she sidestepped, and Donovan stopped him with a firm hand. “Don’t touch her.” Geez, he really knew how to look threatening when he wanted to. There was no humor in his expression, and his eyes were darker than usual, almost lethal.

“Y-you can’t holddd my car hostage against myyy will.”

“No, but we can call the cops on you if you get behind that wheel. They’ll be more than happy to slap you with a DUI for both booze and drugs. I’m sure your coach and the university will be thrilled to have you on their football team once they hear about your little extracurricular activities.”

“All of youuu, go to hell,” he screamed, pointing an accusing finger at us, before scurrying off, tripping over his own feet in his haste.

“What do we do with his car keys?” Cassidy asked.

I opened my palm. “Give them to me. I’ll ask Mase to return them in the morning.” I secured them in my pocket.

“Is he the guy who’s been intimidating you?” she asked.

“Yep.”

“What are you talking about?” Donovan asked.

“I caught him having sex in the library once, and he’s been confronting me ever since to make sure I’d keep it to myself.”

“Fuck.”

“Tell me about it. He’s the one who sent these guys to corner you at the gym. I’m sorry I didn’t explain anything sooner. He threatened me he would hurt you guys if I told anyone. What now?”

Cassidy lifted a finger and walked toward Gabe, who was sitting on the concrete steps by the dumpsters, looking deflated, staring into the distance. “Want a ride? We were here with HADB to pick up your…huh…friend…but we can drive you home instead if you wish.”

“I don’t have a car.”

“It’s all right. It’s our last run of the night. Come on.” My friend extended her hand, and Gabe grabbed it as she helped him to his feet.

“Thanks,” he muttered. “I really don’t wanna go to my place. Evan lives there too, and he’s the last person I wanna see right now.”

“You should get that cut looked at. I think you might need stitches.” Donovan gestured at his split eyebrow. “You can come to my place if you want. I’ve got a first aid kit and can clean it up for you, then we can assess the damage.”

“You sure?” Gabe looked like he had no fight left in him.

“Yep. I live at Morton Steward Hall.”

“Me too. Eighth floor. I share a room with two other guys. Plus Evan.”

“I’m on the sixth floor. My roommate already left. You can have his bed until he returns in January.”

Gabe nodded, his head hanging low. “Thanks, man. I appreciate it. If I go back in there”—he turned his head in the direction of the bar—“I’ll get another beating. I’ve had enough for a night. I tried to defend Nichols when someone used homophobic slurs against him, and he threw me under the bus to save face. I can’t believe I fell for him and all his lies.”

Cassidy opened the car’s back door for him to slide inside. “We all do stupid shit in the name of love. Don’t worry, you’ll get over him.”

“You sure it’s a good idea to let him move in?” I asked Donovan, pulling him aside.

“Nichols is a jerk. I have a spare bed, and I can be his friend if he needs one. Mel, you and I, we’ve been through some tough stuff ourselves, so you know how lonely it feels when everyone turns their back on you…or you feel like they did.”

“I know. Promise me you’ll be careful, though. Don’t get tangled up in this mess. Nichols is bad news. You saw him tonight. Stay far away from him.”