IT WOULDN’T BE A NEW SEMESTER at Palm South without an Omega Chi party. At least, that’s what everyone has been telling me all week. Since I bailed on Clinton’s twenty-first birthday party last Saturday, Skyler is dragging me to their house tonight and I know trying to get out of it is pointless. But, I feel more prepared tonight, less in a funk than I was last week. Classes are picking up and so far, I’ve been drama-free.
Knowing who will be at this party, I just hope I can stay that way.
“So is it weird doing interviews for the blogs and stuff?” I ask Skyler as we walk toward the O Chi house. Kappa Kappa Beta and Omega Chi are on opposite ends of Greek Row, but it’s a nice evening, cool without being too cold. The rest of the girls are already there waiting for us, but Skyler had a phone interview with one of the top poker blogs and couldn’t reschedule, so I stayed back with her.
“A little.” She shrugs. “Mostly I’m just annoyed by them.”
“Really? Isn’t it good exposure?”
“Sometimes. I mean, I like when they ask me about how I started playing or what my advice for new players is. But, most of the time, they’ll ask me about shit that isn’t relative — who I’m dating, what my diet is like, what lotions or hair products I use.” She shakes her head, worrying her bottom lip between her teeth. “It just sucks. Because I’m a female player, they’re less interested in my skills than they are in how I look.”
“Wow. That is shitty.”
She nods. “I mean, don’t get me wrong. I know that looks can be used as a weapon. When I walk into a room of guys who don’t know who I am, it’s easy to fool them into thinking I’m a novice. I can flirt them into folding or hanging on when I have a good hand. But still, I just wish they’d stop publicizing it all over and start taking me seriously.”
“They will one day, Big,” I assure her, and I really know it to be true in my heart. Skyler is fierce, and even though I’ve never seen her play a game of poker, Clinton talks about how amazing she is all the time. “You’ll see.”
“I hope so, Little Nug.” She winks at me just as we reach the Omega Chi house. We push through the front door without knocking and filter into the crammed house. It’s insanely noisy, screams and music filling every room. I kind of miss the quietness of our walk.
Clinton scoops Skyler up in a crushing hug when we reach the kitchen, spinning her around as she pounds her baby fists on his chest. They’re both laughing, and I can’t help but notice how truly happy Clinton looks. I don’t think I saw that big of a smile on his face at any point last semester.
“Skyler fucking Thorne! Keg stand. Right now.”
Skyler laughs as he lets her drop back to the floor. “Done. Where’s the keg?”
“Follow me,” he says with a grin. Before we can exit, Skyler is scooped up in another hug.
“Damn, Bear. Not even going to let me kiss my girlfriend before you go stealing her away?”
Adam presses his lips to Skyler’s as she giggles and I tuck my hair behind my ear, looking at Clinton instead. I am definitely not thinking about how good Adam’s hair looks, or how his t-shirt is tight around his bicep muscles, or how his body wash smells the same as it did when I laid in his bed before Winter Break.
No, I’m not thinking about any of that.
“It’s an O Chi party, Adam. Not Alpha Sig. My rules.”
“Fair enough,” Adam concedes, pecking Skyler one last time before smacking her butt as she scampers off. “Don’t let me down.”
“What? You’re not going to hold my legs?” she asks, eyes wide and playful.
“Good point. I’ll be right there.” He turns to me as Clinton and Skyler make their way toward the keg near the kitchen. “Hey, Cassie.”
I swallow a bit when he says my name, nothing but kindness shining in his chocolate eyes. He’s looking at me like he’s half-worried, half-expectant. Of what, I can’t be sure. “Hey.”
“Did you have a good break?”
“Yeah.” I don’t know why I’m making this so weird when it doesn’t have to be. “I’m going to get a drink.”
Without another word, I slip away and head in the same direction Skyler and Clinton had. Skyler’s hands are already braced on the handles of the keg but I snake my cup in, quickly filling it before wishing her luck and heading off to find the other girls.
Jess and Erin are dancing in the living room, but I’m not quite on that level yet, so I wave at them before continuing to peruse the house. When I spot Ashlei and Bo in the hallway that leads back to the bedrooms, I make my way toward them.
“I told you I’m fine. Please stop worrying about me. I’ve got it under control, I promise.” Ashlei’s words catch in her throat when she sees me approaching, but Bo is still watching her carefully with a concerned look on her face.
“Hey girls,” I say tentatively. “Am I interrupting?”
“No way, roomie,” Bo replies with a smile. She cut her hair over Winter Break and I have to say it suits her. Her dark almond eyes and high bone structure are on prominent display. I didn’t really get to spend much time with her last semester, but we’re rooming together in the house this year, so I look forward to changing that.
“We were just talking about you, actually.” Ashlei smiles and Bo waggles her eyebrows.
Oh no. This can’t be good.
“Why do I feel like I should run in the other direction?”
They both laugh, and I notice Bo hooking her pinky in the jean pocket of Ashlei’s shorts.
“The Kappa Kappa Beta date auction is coming up. We think you should be one of the girls we sell.”
I blanch. “Um, absolutely not.”
“Come on!” Bo pleads. “You’re the only redhead we have and you’re smoking hot. I know you could bring in some big bucks.”
“Bo is Co-Community Chair this semester, so she really wants to try to outdo last year’s results,” Ashlei adds. “It’ll be fun, Cassie. Promise.”
I sigh. “Are you going to badger me until I give in?” They both nod, grinning, and I just shake my head. “Fine. But you two owe me.”
Bo squeals. “Yay! Thank you, thank you, thank you!” She wraps her petite arms around me and I pat her back in return.
“Don’t worry, we’ll pay you back in the form of shots on your first Spring Break.” Ashlei winks, lifting her cup before taking a sip.
“That doesn’t sound like fair payment.”
“That’s because you haven’t been on a Spring Break yet.”
“Touché.”
Bo hooks Ashlei by the crook of her elbow, dragging her toward the living room. “Speaking of Spring Break, we need to sweat off some pounds. Let’s dance!”
Ashlei tries to grab my hand, but I pull back. “I’ll be right there. Just going to get a refill,” I say, wiggling my empty cup in the air. Bo blows me a kiss and then they disappear into the crowd and I lean back against the wall.
I’m not sure why I’m feeling so off. I haven’t seen Clay or Paris since I got back from Winter Break, but the wounds they inflicted still feel so fresh. Thinking of the talk I had with my sister when I was home, I push myself off the wall and head for the kitchen.
Don’t let anyone else have that much power over your emotions, Cassie. College is an amazing experience, but it’s up to you to ignore the drama and focus on the good. Avoid silly boys, ignore spiteful girls, and don’t be afraid to have fun.
I think it’s time for a shot.
IT ONLY TAKES ME AN HOUR to get into the party spirit. I guess whiskey will do that to you.
I’m already sweating from dancing with the girls, so I squeeze my way through the crowd to the back porch to get some fresh air. When the cool January breeze hits my skin, I sigh with relief, leaning my forearms on the railing.
“Water?” He asks, and I know it’s him before I even turn around. My heart picking up speed, I turn at the hips and take the water from Adam’s hand, offering a small smile.
“Thank you.”
“No problem. You girls are fun to watch.”
“Creeper.”
He smirks. “Can’t help it.”
“I’m surprised you’re not out there dancing with Skyler.” I don’t know why the words sound so bitter when they leave my lips. I don’t care that he’s dating Skyler. I’m happy for them.
Truly, I am.
“Sometimes it’s more fun to watch.” His eyes light with an intensity at those words, his white teeth blazing against his tan skin as he smiles wider. I quickly take a drink of my water.
“Congratulations on your rush. I heard it was the best Alpha Sig has had in a long time. Stole a lot of guys Omega Chi wanted.”
Adam beams. “Yeah, thank you. I’m pretty stoked about it. The pledges are all really excited to be here and to make a great name for our fraternity.”
“Must be your infectious attitude,” I tease. Adam smiles, but it fades after a moment and he just stares at me. I feel naked with his eyes on me that way.
“Why didn’t you return my calls over the holiday?”
I drop my eyes to my hands, picking at the nail polish on the fingers gripping my cup. “I just needed a break from everyone.”
“Even me?”
“Especially you,” I murmur, my chest tightening.
“What?”
I sigh, lifting my eyes to his again, somewhat thankful he didn’t hear me. “It’s nothing personal. I was just homesick, so I tried to focus on my family while I had them close.”
Adam’s brows are still furrowed, but he relaxes a bit. “Understandable.” For a moment he just watches me, and I really wish he’d stop. “I was just kind of worried about you, you know… after the way the semester ended.” I really, really wish he’d stop looking at me the way he is. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” It’s not a lie, not completely, anyway. I was far from fine over break, especially after Clay took my virginity and then embarrassed me in front of the entire school. But being home with my family really did help, and now that I’m swearing off boys, I know I’ll be okay.
“You know I’m always here for you.” His hand touches my arm just slightly with his words and I shudder.
“There you are!” Skyler bounds out the sliding glass door and throws her arms around Adam’s neck. His eyes are still on me, but his hands wrap around her small waist. “Come dance with me.”
Finally tearing his eyes from mine, he smiles down his nose at her, nodding. “Whatever you want, Poker Star.”
Skyler’s blue eyes dazzle in the low light of the night as she turns to me. “Coming, Little?”
“Yeah. Just give me a second.”
Skyler drags Adam inside and I lean on the railing again, focusing on my breaths. My skin still feels hot, despite the water and the fresh air. Once I feel I have myself together, I pull out my phone to check the time.
And I have two missed texts.
Both from a number I don’t have saved in my phone.
– Okay, so I waited a few days so I wouldn’t seem so desperate, but I’m tired of playing the “I’m not interested” game. Can I take you out this week? –
– … Please say yes. –
I smile, biting my lower lip as I type out a response.
– Friday. Seven o’clock. Ralph’s. –
If Grayson wants me to break my no boys, no drama rule, he’s going to have to work for it.
First test — saving me from the creeps at the auction.