Chapter 5 LOOKS LIKE DANGER. RUN OR STAY?

The freshman house smelled like cheap beer, sweat, and too much cologne the second we stepped inside. Bass vibrated through the floor, red Solo cups were already scattered across the lawn, and the living room was packed with football players shouting over a game of beer pong. Kelly and Claudia stuck close to me like nothing had changed, but the air between us still felt brittle.

I’d changed into something simple but cute — a soft black off-the-shoulder top that showed just a sliver of collarbone and my favorite high-waisted jeans with white sneakers. Nothing special. Just me trying to look like a normal freshman who hadn’t spent the last twenty-four hours letting her brother’s best friend finger-fuck her into three orgasms.

Carter was already there.

He leaned against the kitchen counter in a black CFSU tank top that stretched across his chest, snake tattoo flexing every time he moved his arm. His hair was still damp from the post-game shower. His eyes found me the second I walked in, and something dark flickered across his face before he smoothed it away. He didn’t smile.

I looked away first.

That was when Jamal appeared.

Dark hair messy like he’d run his hands through it after the loss, green eyes bright even in the low light. He was still wearing his Riverside hoodie, but he carried it like it didn’t matter. He caught me looking and grinned — easy, warm, the kind of smile that made you forget he’d been staring at you the whole game.

“Hey,” he said, voice smooth as he stepped closer. “You’re the girl from the stands, right? Vivian? I didn't think you would come”

“Yeah, it was kinda last minute” I gave a small smile, trying to ignore the way Carter’s stare burned into the side of my face. “Good game by the way. Even if you lost.”

Jamal laughed, low and genuine. “Ouch. Straight for the throat. I like it.” He leaned one shoulder against the wall, close but not crowding me. “You’re in Sports Management, right? I saw you coming out of the building earlier. Brave choice — most freshmen are scared of the big bad basketball world.”

I shrugged, letting myself lean into the easy banter. Carter was still watching. Good. Let him watch. After last night, after breakfast this morning where he acted like we could just be “normal,” I needed to breathe. To feel like I wasn’t completely under his control.

“It’s what I want,” I said, tilting my head. “Working with athletes, figuring out the business side. Sounds fun.”

Jamal’s green eyes lit up. “Fun and chaotic. You ever need a tour of the rival side of campus, I’m your guy. No pressure.” He smiled again, the kind that reached his eyes and made the corners crinkle. “You got a nice smile, by the way. Should use it more.”

I actually laughed — small, but real. “Smooth.”

“Trying my best.” He glanced toward the kitchen, then back at me. “Your roommate situation working out okay? Carter’s cool and all, but living with the team captain can’t be easy.”

I felt Carter move before I saw him. He was suddenly closer, sliding into the group like he belonged there, one hand casually brushing my lower back as he reached for a water bottle on the table behind me. His touch was light, but his fingers pressed just enough to remind me.

“Jamal,” Carter said, voice even. His face was calm, but the muscle in his jaw ticked once. “Good game tonight. Almost had us on that last play.”

Jamal grinned, unbothered. “Almost doesn’t count, man. You still kicked our asses.” He looked back at me. “Anyway, Vivian, if you ever want to grab coffee and talk real sports business — not just the CFSU version — I’m down.”

Carter’s hand stayed on my back a second longer than necessary before he pulled away. His expression didn’t change, but I saw the way his fingers flexed at his side.

Before I could answer, Kelly appeared out of nowhere, looping her arm through Carter’s like it was the most natural thing in the world. “There you are! I was just telling Claudia how cute you two looked on the court earlier.” Her smile was bright, but her eyes flicked to me and Jamal with something sharp underneath. “You guys talking about the game? Or… something else?”

Jamal chuckled. “Just offering Vivian a rival perspective.”

Kelly’s laugh was a little too loud. “Oh, that’s sweet. Vivian’s super focused on school though. Right, Viv?”

I gave a tight smile. The tension was already thick enough to taste.

Someone yelled “Truth or Dare!” from the living room and the whole party seemed to shift toward the circle forming on the floor. Kelly dragged us all over before I could say no. Carter sat across from me, legs stretched out, eyes never leaving my face. Jamal ended up right beside me.

The game started innocent. Silly truths, easy dares. Then Kelly’s turn came.

She looked straight at me and Jamal, smile sweet but her eyes glinting. “Truth or Dare, Vivian?”

“Dare,” I said, because saying truth felt scarier right now.

Kelly’s smile widened just a fraction. “I dare you and Jamal to go into the back room — the one with the couch — and make out for two full minutes. Like you mean it.”

The circle erupted in whoops and laughs. Jamal grinned at me, green eyes sparkling. “Only if you’re cool with it.”

Carter’s face didn’t move, but I saw the way his hand tightened around his water bottle until the plastic creaked. “She doesn’t have to do that,” he said, voice low.

Everyone turned to look at him. Someone laughed. “Dude, it’s just a dare. They’re adults.”

Carter’s jaw flexed hard. He stared at me for a long second, something dark and unreadable in his eyes. Then he shrugged, cool as ever on the outside. “Yeah. Adults. Do whatever you want.”

My heart was hammering. Jamal stood and offered me his hand, charming as ever. I took it. We walked to the back room — some kind of small den with an old couch and dim lamp. The door clicked shut behind us.

At first he was still the nice guy. He stepped close, green eyes soft. “You sure? We don’t have to—”

I cut him off by stepping in and kissing him. It was supposed to be quick, fake, just to prove a point. But Jamal kissed back — gentle at first, then deeper, hands sliding to my waist. For a second I let myself lean into it, trying to feel something normal, something that wasn’t Carter’s hands and Carter’s voice and Carter’s control.

Then everything changed.

His grip tightened too fast. He pushed me back against the wall, mouth turning rough, one hand shoving up under my top without asking. “Fuck, you’re hot,” he muttered against my mouth. “Been wanting to do this since the game.”

I tried to pull back. “Jamal — wait —”

He didn’t stop. His hand shoved higher, fingers digging in. “Come on, don’t be a tease now —”

I shoved at his chest. “Stop.”

He laughed low, pressing even closer. “You kissed me first, baby —”

But before I could react the door burst open, so hard it slammed against the wall.

Carter filled the doorway, shoulders tight, eyes blazing. In two strides he was across the room. He grabbed Jamal by the back of his hoodie and yanked him off me like he weighed nothing.

“Get the fuck off her,” Carter snarled, voice low and dangerous. His face was pure fury — the snake on his bicep flexing as he shoved Jamal toward the door. “Now.”

Jamal stumbled, green eyes wide with shock. “Dude, what the hell —”

“Out.” Carter’s voice left no room for argument. Jamal glanced at me once, muttered something under his breath, and left.

The second the door shut, Carter turned to me. His chest was heaving, jaw locked so tight the muscle jumped. His eyes raked over me — checking if I was okay — but the anger was still rolling off him in waves.

I swallowed hard, my heart still racing. “I shouldn't have followed him”

His laugh was short and bitter. “Yeah. You shouldn't have. C'mon we are going home.”

We didn’t say another word to each other on the way out.

Kelly tried to stop us at the door, all fake concern and a bitchy little edge in her voice. “You guys don’t have to leave. Carter, you can drop her off and come right back. The party’s just getting started.”

Carter didn’t even look at her. “I'm sorry Kelly but I have to go.Enjoy the party I'll See you around.”

I couldn't help but roll my eyes at her fake sympathy or maybe it was just jealousy…

But Kelly was really getting on my nerves. I knew she had a little crush but this…And he's acting oblivious too.

“Uhh Whatever “

The ride back to the apartment was dead silent. Streetlights flashed across his face, highlighting the hard set of his jaw. I kept my arms crossed, staring out the window, the taste of Jamal still on my lips and the memory of Carter’s hands from last night burning under my skin.

His phone started ringing in the cupholder. Once. Twice. Then it didn’t stop — constant, insistent vibrations lighting up the screen with an unknown number. Carter’s grip tightened on the wheel until his knuckles went white. He cursed under his breath, low and vicious.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, glancing at the phone. “Who’s calling?”

He didn’t answer, just kept driving, jaw locked.

It rang again. And again.

I reached for it without thinking. “It’s probably Kelly or Claudia. They’ve been blowing up my phone too—”

“Don’t!” Carter snapped, voice sharp and tense. He snatched the phone before I could touch it and shoved it into his pocket, shoulders rigid. “Leave it.”

I jerked my hand back, startled. He looked… scared. And that wasn’t the Carter I knew.

I sank back against the seat, heart beating a little faster. Whoever was calling, it wasn’t about the fight tonight. This was something else. Something far worse.

It wasn’t my business for now, but I hoped he was okay.

The rest of the ride was even quieter.

But the second the apartment door closed behind us, he turned the lock.

His voice was dangerously low, calm, and terrifying all at once .

“Bedroom. Now..”