Betrayed, Then Back For Blood

Chapter 142

Chapter 142

As the duet ended, the audience applauded with a scattered, awkward rhythm. They stared at their freshly elected campus king and queen as the pair stepped off stage, their faces unreadable, their performance burned into everyone’s memory like a fever dream.

Never in their lives had they seen campus royalty with so little concern for appearances.

Shoneport University’s campus idols weren’t actual celebrities with monetizable influence, but they still had access to exclusive opportunities, elite internships, and first–pick networking circles. Those weren’t things just anyone could get. But with that performance, they might have thrown the opportunities away.

The guy who had first suggested that Frank and Briar perform was now stumbling off to a corner, curling up in shame.

He knew he’d screwed up. He was full of regret. He really shouldn’t have said anything.

All he’d wanted was to see the gorgeous campus queen dance. Instead, he got a deadpan, overly cheerful rendition of “You are my sunshine.”

And now, the tune wouldn’t leave his head.

No one dared suggest the duo perform ever again. That performance had nearly shattered the collective fantasy. Any remaining filter of untouchable perfection was hanging by a thread.

Pretending nothing had happened, the crowd quickly pushed other students to the stage to revive the mood.

Backstage, Mason dragged Ted over and plopped down beside Frank and Briar. Flashing a huge thumbs–up, he grinned. “You Weaponizing cringe? Whose idea was that?”

guys

are vicious.

Frank chuckled. “What are you talking about? Do we look like the scheming type?”

Mason snorted. “Maybe not Briar. But you? A guy with tons of schemes? Please. Swear on something sacred, and maybe we’ll believe you.”

At first, Mason had been truly baffled by that performance. But after Ted patiently walked him through the logic, it all made sense.

This was Frank’s latest genius tactic. He self–sabotaged in public to avoid being mobbed by female admirers for the rest of the year. Reputation damage in exchange for peace and quiet.

This was the kind of spotlight others would kill for. However, these two were desperate to escape it.

Frank raised an eyebrow, amused. “Well, well. Look who’s catching on.”

Mason puffed up proudly. “Hey, I’m not the same meathead you met freshman year.”

Frank didn’t hesitate. “Yeah, right. Robert probably explained the whole thing to you.”

muscles for days but not a single strategic bone in his body. Whatever brains he had were used up just getting into

all touchy–feely with

would forget

Mason was speechless.

to pretend he hadn’t heard that. Real friendship means letting some things

avoid a few girls chasing you around campus? You’re graduating soon,

year?

10:35 Mon, 18 Aug

Chapter 142

semester, their entire research group would be off–campus doing hospital rotations. They’d barely have time

socialize.

were still holding hands like it was the most natural thing in understand my

were still firmly clasped.

awkwardly tried

world. “You wouldn’t

20

close in private, he

held tight and didn’t let go. “Don’t

for subtlety.”

laugh. “Alright, alright. I’ll

“dense” in matters of the heart

generous.

an apartment, a room, and

his claim

somehow Mason still hadn’t caught

in their group knew. Everyone but

plausible deniability hadn’t been broken yet. And

it were hot–tempered

sideways at Briar, who

s seate

a plastic cup like she hadn’t just sung a lullaby on

think about it, Ashton isn’t doing any better. He still hasn’t

tongue. ‘Love really

watching Mason and Ted’s

Qathana and spent her formative years at a certain special ops base with an almost exclusively male roster, this kind of dynamic was practically normal to her. Male–male pairings

her gaze

Over.

look away.

comes to men’s health…”