“Two summers at least. You and Billy were headed to the airport for—what? Three weeks in Southeast Asia?”

“Oh yeah! It was a month. Great trip, but your mom was mad as fuck. Billy hadn’t told her about the extra seven days, and she was anxious to have him home.” His face sobers. “How is he?”

I don’t answer Deacon because his brother is touching me again. “Cassidy Cakes,” Powell says. “What’s the good word? Nate says you’re starting grad school. An Eli.” His voice is accusatory, as if my brother had told him a lie.

“Come on, Powell. What’s the first thing you learned in kindergarten? Hands on your own body.”

“Still as uptight as ever. Guess some things never change.” Sucking down his beer, Powell smiles. “So, did you and Avery ever reconnect?”

“Actually, I saw her a few weeks ago. Are you guys dating?”

“Dating? Avery and I can barely make it through one evening without an argument.” His eyes light up, like he’s stumbled on a sunken treasure. “If I recall, you and Avery had your own tête-à-tête.”

“That was forever ago, Powell.”

In high school, during one of Nate’s blowout parties, Powell sidled up behind me and pressed his cock against my ass. “I’m gonna split you in half,” he growled. A year later, he cornered me in Nate’s bedroom and wrestled me to the floor. Powell was heavy, like a tank. His weight flattened me as he thrust a knee between my legs, dug his fingers into my thighs. I was struggling to push him off when my brother walked in. “Whoops,” Nate said, misinterpreting. “Didn’t mean to interrupt.” Powell scrambled to his feet. I ran out of the room, trying not to cry.

He’s repulsive, I think now. Repulsive. Pressure pulses behind my eyes. “I have to go,” I announce, licking my teeth. My mouth is numb. Earlier Nate offered me cocaine; I should’ve said no. When I try to stand up, my legs give way. I grab the lip of the bar for support. Behind me, I hear Powell talking to Nate about Billy.

“I know for a fact he’s innocent. Of course, he’s innocent. He can’t plead out.”

My lips are tingling. “What the fuck do you know, Powell?”

Nate whirls around. “Lighten up, Cassie. Deacon and Powell are on Billy’s side.”

“Seriously?” Powell is indignant. “You think I don’t know how a guy gets railroaded? Brody Leighton’s cousin? At Duke? Met a girl on Tinder. Took her for dinner. Used a condom. Stayed the night. The whole fucking nine. Still, the girl reported him. Next thing the guy knows, he’s booted out of Duke and working at Best Buy.”

“A condom?” I feign incredulity. “That’s consent right there, brah.”