Everything To Lose - E.M. Denning Page 0,2

she met them at the trailhead. She waited with three bottles of water, fresh clothes for Jonathan, and a trash bag.

“You boys have fun?” She was still in her pajamas, her long hair piled on top of her head in a messy bun. It was nearly three in the morning and she probably wouldn’t go back to sleep, but Zane knew there was nowhere else she’d rather be.

“Oh Dante,” She took a step back. “You can’t wear that shirt in the car. Jonathan got shit all over you.”

“I thought it was him I smelled.”

Zane popped the car door open and rooted around in the back seat. He’d borrowed the car a few days ago when he was having work done on his and he’d left his hoodie in the back seat. He pulled it out and passed it over to Dante.

“Here. You can wear this.”

“Thanks, Zane.” Dante pulled his shirt off carefully and dropped it into the bag with a frown. “I don’t want that shirt back.”

“Oh, you thought I’d wash this crap?” Zane’s mom laughed. “If Jonathan feels a strong attachment to any of this stuff, he can clean it. You boys don’t pay me enough.”

“We don’t pay you anything, Ma.” Jonathan laughed as he struggled to pop his shoes off to change his pants.

“My point exactly. Zane, can you help him before we’re here all night? Sit his drunk ass in the front seat, it’ll be easier for him to get out if he has to puke.” She left Dante holding the bag and she climbed back into the car.

Zane looked at his drunk brother and sighed. He glanced at Dante. “Well, let’s do this.”

Dante nodded somberly and they both watched Jonathan fumble with his zipper. “You undo his pants. He’s your brother.”

Zane was going to kill Jonathan.

Chapter 2

Dante

Dante stared at his dorm room and blinked. His roommate had already settled in and had set up his half of the room. A baseball uniform hung off the back of the desk chair. If he was in with someone from the team which meant lots of baseball practice and a gloriously empty room to study in.

Dante spent a couple hours making his room look comfortable. He put his clothes away and made his bed. He’d worry about decorations later. If ever. His stomach growled and he realized he’d missed dinner by an hour. He pocketed his keys and headed out to explore the campus.

It felt strange to know that Zane was somewhere in the city and he was the only person here Dante knew. He wandered down to a cafe off campus and opted for nachos and a chocolate milkshake. The summer heat still clung to the city and Dante sat in the shaded section of the patio.

He pulled out his phone and scrolled through his messages. Jonathan had sent him ten thousand selfies over the past week. He loved California and part of Dante wished he’d been interested in art the way Jonathan was. Up until a few years ago he imagined they’d have this whole great college experience together, but Jonathan had crushed that. Dante had held his disappointment back for Jonathan’s sake, but even now it sometimes felt like a bitter pill.

“First day on campus and he’s already found the best off campus shakes and is scowling at his phone like a true college man.” Zane plopped down on the chair across from Dante and swiped his milkshake.

“Hey, Zane. What are you doing here?”

“I had to drop a friend off on campus and saw you sitting here. Thought I’d say hi. So… what do you think? What’s your roommate like? What dorm are you in? Give me all the details.” Zane put his milkshake back but took a nacho. “Sorry, I’m starved.”

Dante pushed the plate to the middle of the table but kept a possessive hand on his milkshake. “I think he plays baseball. I saw a uniform.”

“If he gives you trouble, you tell me.”

Dante rolled his eyes. “I’ll be fine. Not every jock is a flaming abusive homophobe. Don’t be so judgy. Anyway. I’m in the Cavell building.”

“Ah, good old Cave Hell. If you sneak up to the roof, make sure you block the door because it locks automatically.”

“Is that rumor or experience?”

“And don’t get caught. Campus security doesn’t like kids on rooftops.” Zane stole another nacho and moaned. “What are you doing later?”

Dante shrugged. “I have orientation tomorrow, but nothing until then. I thought I’d eat, then give myself a tour.”

“I’ll show you around