SOLVED. Horror: An evil boy and another boy become friends when young, evil boy tortures normal boy well into adulthood [s]

[Erin]

Okay. I read this book three or four years ago. I got it from a little library in Pinedale, Wyoming, if I remember correctly, and it was sort of ratty, so it's probably fairly old.

This whole thing is basically a spoiler.

In this book, two boys become friends. I seem to remember them going to a private all-boys school. The "evil" boy makes the other boy sneak out and go to a strip club at one point. At another point, the two boys and some other friends accidentally kill a dog or puppy (I think?), whom the evil boy does something terrible to (although I cannot remember what).

Even more intense spoiler right here!

I think the "evil" boy grows up to be a serial killer. I know for sure that he and the "normal" boy - now a man, I suppose - get into a fight toward the end of the novel. It seems like it was in a motel room or some kind of run-down building. The police are on their way, and the "evil" man is psychologically torturing the other man. Finally, the other man snaps and uses a pair of scissors in an attempt to cut off the "evil" man's fingers. I think he succeeds with one, describing how it was difficult to go through the bone. He starts on another one before he realizes that he's becoming just like the "evil" man, so he stops and either runs out to the police, who have now arrived, or the police come into the room.

I know it's not very much to go on, and I'm sorry to ask you guys to find this for me, but Google is not being my best friend right now, and I really want to re-read this book. Thanks so much for taking the time to read this, even if you can't help!

[Melissa]

I'm pretty sure this is Pressure by Jeff Strand. I just finished reading it and that's the exact same plot.

[Mona]

At first I thought it wasSomething Dangerous but I don't think that one follows the story as far as college.

BTW, Melissa, Pressure sounds really good. I'm adding it to my list and checking if my library has it.

[Mona]

YAY!!! My library has it and I just reserved it. Thanks Melissa :)

Erin, I hope this is the one you were looking for. In any case, it sounds good.

[Erin]

Oh my goodness. I've haven't been online because I went on a trip to Wyoming again, and I was expecting to be sorely disappointed when I checked back in on my post. However, Melissa, you are my hero. Pressure is definitely the book I was looking for. Thank you so much!
Thank you, too, Mona, for mentioning Something Dangerous. It sounds extremely interesting. I'm only sad that school begins tomorrow, because that means I'll have less time to devote to these wonderful books! I'm definitely reading both of them. (Yes, Pressure is wonderful enough for a second read.)
Thank you both again!

[Mona]

Erin wrote: "Oh my goodness. I've haven't been online because I went on a trip to Wyoming again, and I was expecting to be sorely disappointed when I checked back in on my post. However, Melissa, you are my h..."

You're welcome Erin. I am reading Pressure now and liking it. I had to put it aside to finish a FirstReads I won a month ago. I can't wait to get back to it.