Zeke stepped in fast, grabbing my hand and pulling me away from the guy I just punched.
"Sorry," he said, guiding me through the crowd. "It can get a little wild out here."
A little?
We made it to the edge of the lake and sat down, away from everyone.
"That group back there?" he nodded toward the crowd. "Bad news. There are… different groups here tonight. You must be careful around some of them."
"Groups?" I asked.
"Yeah…" he hesitated. "Packs."
I gave him a look.
"Packs?"
He quickly shook his head. "Sorry—I just… sometimes I see people like animals. The way they act."
I studied him for a second.
"Guess that makes sense."
"Honestly," he said, glancing around again, "you shouldn't be here. Want me to walk you home?"
"Am I not allowed?" I asked. "My brother and my best friend invited me."
Zeke followed my gaze.
Zack—surrounded by girls.
Cami—laughing way too hard with a group of guys.
Zeke's jaw tightened slightly.
"Just… stay close to me, okay?"
I wasn't sure how to feel about that.
"Okay."
"Tell me something," I said, tilting my head. "Who are you?"
He blinked, caught off guard.
"Wow… straight to it, huh?"
I smiled.
"I'm me," he said with a small laugh. "I don't really… talk about myself much. It's hard for me to open up."
His eyes caught the firelight—
Gold.
For a second, they almost looked like they were glowing.
Beautiful.
Dangerous.
"I've got friends here," he added. "Crazy ones. You already met Major."
"I remember," I said.
"How come you're so different from them?" I asked.
He smirked slightly. "Didn't drink the Kool-Aid."
That made me laugh.
"Where are you from?" he asked.
"Here," I said. "You?"
"Same. Just… up in the mountains. Den Road."
"No way," I said. "I see that road all the time. I've never been up there though."
"It's worth it," he said softly. "The air's different. Clean. Quiet."
"Sounds beautiful."
He looked at me—
Really looked at me.
"It is," he said. "A lot like you."
Then he immediately looked away.
"Sorry. I'm really bad at this. I haven't… done this in a long time."
"Don't say sorry," I said. "I get it."
"Tell me something," I said, changing the subject.
"Something," he replied, completely serious.
I laughed.
"Would you swim in that lake?"
He made a face instantly.
"No way."
"Why?"
"A girl died in there."
I smiled. "Okay… I like you a little more now."
His head snapped toward me.
"You like me?"
Before I could answer—
Major appeared out of nowhere, holding two girls like they were accessories.
"Look," he said to Zeke, grinning. "One for you, one for me… or I can take both."
Zeke didn't even look amused.
"Go away," he said. "And those girls look drugged. You might want to think about that."
"Always killing the mood, Zeke," Major said, rolling his eyes before walking off.
Zeke sighed.
"He's, my cousin."
"That explains a lot," I said.
"He's nothing like you," I added.
Zeke reached for my hand again.
This time… he didn't let go.
His hand was warm.
Too warm.
My chest tightened in a way I didn't understand.
"I've never had anyone hold my hand before," I admitted.
He looked at me, surprised.
"I'm glad I'm the first," he said softly, squeezing my hand just a little tighter.
He kept looking at me.
Then he leaned in.
I did too.
Everything slowed—
Then—
We both stopped.
Opened our eyes.
And realized—
We were kissing Zack's cheek.
"You should stay away from my sister," Zack said flatly.
Zeke pulled back, unfazed.
"Oh," he said calmly, "you come with a bodyguard."
I laughed.
Because… yeah.
That was accurate.
"I'll leave when she wants me to," Zeke added, standing his ground.
I felt something shift.
No one talks to Zack like that.
"I want him to stay," I said.
Zack shot me a look.
Sharp.
Warning.
"Zack," I said, gesturing around us, "he's the only normal one here."
Zack didn't even look convinced.
"I don't want you kissing him," he said.
Before I could respond—
A new voice cut in.
"You heard Zack."
We all turned.
A man stood there shirtless, covered in tattoos, confident like he owned the ground he walked on.
Short, spiked hair.
Black jeans.
And eyes—
Gray.
Cold.
Familiar.