Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 89074 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 445(@200wpm)___ 356(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89074 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 445(@200wpm)___ 356(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
But apparently a lot of the guys took it pretty seriously, and they really do write down what they consider to be their current darkest secret, ready to have it read out loud to the entire group.
“It’s kind of wild,” Oliver says. “But also kind of cool, I think. Keeps the guys real with each other, I guess.”
“If realness, or honesty, means picking and choosing what you wish to say? Sure. A guy can write down whatever the hell he wants.”
Oliver nods. “But that’s the whole point of Onyx. You’re supposed to want to tell the truth. To have the other guys really know you. The families of Onyx members are some of the most influential and powerful people in the world, and—”
“Don’t I know it,” I mutter.
Thinking about how influential and powerful my father is just makes me want to blow my brains out, anyway.
He has money and power, but it sure as fuck hasn’t made me happier. It's a colossal privilege, but it isn’t a recipe for perfect mental health.
And it certainly doesn’t mean I’ve ever been loved.
“Have you thought about what you’re going to confess?”
I puff out a bitter laugh. “I’ll confess that I think Onyx should quit pretending the Confessional matters at all.”
Oliver looks down at the grass, kicking at a rock with the front of his shoe.
For a moment, I almost feel a pang of sympathy.
I don’t want to crush the dreams of a hopeful, wide-eyed freshman.
But I also can’t be anyone but myself.
When I look up at his eyes again, he’s giving me a sidelong stare.
“I know you’re having sex with Rayne,” Oliver says.
I’m silent.
My heart pounds harder in my chest.
I hold Oliver’s gaze, and my body instantly switches into fight mode.
“Say more,” I tell him, keeping my tone even, holding back the rabid monster inside me.
“I walked by your bedroom door at the wrong time, and I heard some stuff I probably wasn’t supposed to hear,” Ollie says.
As I watch his expression, I realize there’s no bargaining in it.
He’s not trying to catch me, he’s just… being honest.
Stupid.
Fucking.
Honesty.
“I wouldn’t think too much about what you heard.”
My heart is still pounding. I don’t know what to expect out of someone like Oliver, and in reality, I don’t know him very well at all.
“Oh,” he says, his eyes going a little wider. “I’m not going to tell your brother. It’s just that Rayne is the first person who was welcoming to me in Onyx. I don’t want to see him get kicked out.”
I let out a breath of air. “Rayne Colson will never be kicked out of Onyx. It’s impossible.”
“Why?”
“Because everyone loves him,” I say simply, realizing how true the statement is when the words leave my mouth. “Rayne could do anything, and still be beloved. It’s a gift he has that other people don’t. Don’t ask me how. It’s just… him.”
I expect Oliver to act confused, but he doesn’t. He just nods, looking down at his cider again.
He takes a big swig, and I can tell he’s enjoying the liquid courage from the alcohol.
“Seems kind of impossible not to like Rayne.”
It feels like there’s a live wire in front of me, and I’m not sure the best way to defuse the bomb.
Oliver has information that he shouldn’t have.
But soon I realize that the situation is going to resolve itself for me, very quickly.
“Oliver—”
“I won’t tell a soul,” he says, “but I do want something in return.”
“You’re here to strike a deal, aren’t you?”
He nods slowly.
And despite everything, I can’t help but smile.
“I am.”
I sigh. “You’re going to fit right in at Onyx, I promise. What deal do you want?”
“I want you to start a rumor about me.”
“That isn’t what I expected.”
“I’m not good socially, and I’m not very subtle. But you clearly have subtlety down to a science.”
“I try. Clearly I didn’t escape your notice tonight.”
He smiles. “I want you to help me start a rumor that I’m great in bed.”
I lift an eyebrow. “You think that’ll work?”
“If it’s done right, it’ll work,” he says. “If you think the Confessional is bullshit anyway, then use your paper to write something good about me. Say Oliver gave you the best night of your life. No one will know you wrote it.”
“How drunk are you, Oliver?”
“Very. But I don’t care. The Confessional is anonymous. If you’re worried about them knowing it’s your handwriting, I’ll write it for you, or type it and print it out, I don’t care.”
“If I do this, I’m telling Rayne.”
Ollie gets a pained look on his face. “I don’t want anyone to know.”
I nod. “Rayne is good at keeping secrets. As you can tell, apparently. But I don’t want to live in a world where he thinks I fucked you or anyone else.”
Ollie’s expression softens. “Oh. I didn’t realize you guys were… like that.”