by Sherry Soule
Getting up, I plopped on my bed, wrapped the fluffy comforter around my shivering limbs, and sobbed harder. I hated hurting Cole, but it was just the way it had to be for now. There was no way we could backtrack to the friend zone. That line had been crossed when we’d started sleeping together and spouting those three fateful words that irrevocably changed every relationship.
Sniffling, I sat up, then snagged a tissue from the box on the nightstand to blow my nose. Tears sprang to my eyes again. I swiped them away and tried to ground myself in the here and now. Inhaling deeply through my nose, then slowly exhaling through my mouth, I dried my tears. Crying alone in my room wouldn’t change anything. I’d made my decision and now I had to live with it.
I hadn’t heard from the Zeta Betas or Cole. So when my iPhone buzzed, I stared at the device like it was a lit stick of dynamite, then picked it up. “Hello?”
“It’s Jade. Meet me outside the dorm. Now.” She hung up.
Resigned to whatever fate the Greek gods dealt me, I trudged downstairs and outside to face Jade. I could feel my overseas trip to Paris being swept away like crumbling ashes. I had broken a rule. A big one. An unforgivable infraction. I’d been secretly dating an off-limits frat boy and now they would finally kick me out of recruitment.
The moment I spotted Jade standing by a tree near the entrance to Stevenson, wearing black Ray-Ban frames with tinted lenses, I braced myself for an epic drama-queen meltdown. Waited for the swearing, the threats, and the name-calling. I’d almost rather be thrown into a shallow grave than to face the fearless Zeta Beta leader. I had no way of digging myself out of the mess I’d made and lying wouldn’t cut it this time.
Breathe in, breathe out.
My palms grew damp and I chewed my lower lip. “Let me explain—”
“No need, PNM. I get it.” Jade leaned back against the tree and sighed. “There’s no groveling required. However, you might be called to standards if you don’t get your shit together.”
Standards was supposed to be a support system within the sorority, but ask anyone about standards and they just shook their heads or nervously fidgeted. Standards was where a girl went when she’d misbehaved and the chapter leaders addressed underage drinking, wild partying, or inappropriate social media postings, and general expectations the sorority had for its members. Like girls who broke the rules…
I threw my hands up and my voice rose in pitch. “So I’m just out? That’s it? I don’t even get to plead my case?”
“Why bother? Cole’s just your average hit-’em-and-quit-’em college D-bag. Don’t waste your time, Serena. You could do so much better,” she said. “Dump him and we can move on.”
“Wow…I thought you were going to cuss me out and then order me to de-pledge.”
“No. I think you know what’s the right thing to do.” Jade shook her head as if pitying me. “I’m only trying to save you some misery down the road. Hashtag heartbreak. It’s all warm, fuzzies until hearts get broken and a gallon of ice cream is needed. And then your fat ass needs to sign up for Jenny Craig. Stop seeing Cole and everything is all good.”
Cue the applause. Jade was feigning interest as if she actually cared and her speech sounded well-rehearsed. But whatever. I’d been forgiven. Offered a free pass for some odd reason. Why should I question it?
“I’ve already broken up with him,” I said softly. “It’s over.”
“Terrific. We’re having a mixer tonight with our parallel fraternity Gamma Alpha Delta and I want you to come.” She pushed off the tree and walked away. End of discussion.
How could I refuse? My Paris trip and social life were hanging on by a thread. And Jade was busy pulling all the strings.
I went back up to my room and got ready for the party. I felt sleek and sexy in a pair of tight DKNY jeans and a cute, black accordion-pleated cami with Tiffany diamond studs glittering in my ears. I left my long hair down and the pale strands fell in soft waves down my back. After applying my makeup, I walked to the Gamma Alpha Delta frat house alone.
It was a cold and extremely dark night, with a wind that slashed a torrent of leaves from the trees whenever it blew. I found the Zeta Beta trio hanging out in the backyard while the rest of the partygoers were inside talking and dancing and drinking.
“Hey,” I said with a wave.
A PNM frat dude carrying two red Solo cups of beer handed me one as he moseyed by us. “Here you go, gorgeous. Enjoy the party.” He jerked his chin at Brooklyn. “Looking good, honey.”
She rolled her eyes and ignored him as if he were a lower creature. “I just needed some fresh air. I’m sweating like a pig!” Brooklyn dapped at her clammy face with a paper towel. Her Dolce & Gabbana low-cut, boob-bearing blouse clung to her small breasts, probably from working up a sweat on the dance floor.
“It’s friggin’ cold out here.” Jade pushed loose hair that had escaped from the back of her ponytail off her neck. She was sporting a short J.Crew skirt and a polo with black Lanvin ballet flats, and a thin cardigan. “Hashtag freezing.”
“Stop whining,” Claire said, taking a dainty swig from a silver flask. She drew her long cashmere coat tighter around her body clad in a blue halter dress with silver beading in the bodice. “And have another drink.” A gentle breeze lifted the wild curls from her shoulders
Jade rolled her eyes. “You get bossy when you drink.”
I sipped my beer and sighed. In a way, hanging out with the ZBs again felt like reuniting with a snobby friend who I’d only reconciled with because I craved access to her designer crammed closet and Stella McCartney dresses.
Through the sliding glass window, I spied Raven and Jenny holding a silver trays with clear plastic cups filled to the brim with a suspicious-looking reddish liquid.
“Are you all right, Serena?” Jade asked. “If you don’t want another beer I’m sure Raven would be happy to get a vodka shot for you.”
I didn’t want to appear ungrateful for being invited to the Zeta Beta mixer tonight after being caught with Cole. And it was nice to get a night off—although I felt a twinge guilty since Raven and Jenny had to work the party by serving drinks—rather than enduring all the hazing rituals or running their errands, as I had been doing pretty much nonstop since I pledged Zeta Beta. But I didn’t want to get drunk and embarrass myself, either. I did that just fine when I was sober.
“No thanks. I’m good,” I said, lifting the cup. I took another deep breath and let it out into another icy gust, pulling my wool coat closer to my shivering skin.
Three frat brothers—Ethan, Bram, and Kellan—were sitting around an outdoor fire pit talking about a football game and their loud voices echoed off the mansion. Raven stepped outside and passed out drinks. As she turned, she smacked into a short guy in a football jersey and the tray tumbled from her hands.
Kellan stood, towering over the poor guy who looked like he was about to pee his pants.
“Sorry, sir.”
“Apology accepted. Now hand Raven back the tray, then drop and give me a hundred, PNM.”
Without the slightest hesitation, the male PNM handed Raven the tray, dropped to the cement patio floor, and started doing push-ups.
“I don’t hear you counting,” Kellan said, crossing his arms.
The guy’s freckled face turned bright red and he was panting as he counted. “Four…five…six…”
Kellan and Bram smiled. I glanced at Ethan, who was chuckling.
“Serena,” Jade said, taking a sip of her cocktail. “You interested in Ethan now?”
My brows knitted together. “Huh?”
“You were staring at Ethan.” Brooklyn’s left brow elegantly lifted a fraction. “Are you trying to undress him with your eyes?”
“Puh-lease. I wasn’t staring,” I said.
“Deny it all you want, but we saw you.” Jade glanced around at the other Zeta Beta girls and slowly smiled. “Just go talk to him. You don’t have to marry the guy.”
“I don’t think so,” I said.
<
br /> “I just thought you two could get to know each other,” Jade said with a shrug. “Ethan could be good for you. He’s a junior and in the GAD frat. We approve.”
“I’m not dating anyone right now, Jade. So please no matchmaking, okay?” I said.
Claire’s expression turned hard. “If you want to be a Zeta Beta, then you have to learn to play by our rules. That means no more ATO boys. Got it?”
My stomach responded with a tight clench and I set my empty cup on a table. “You can’t force me to date guys that I’m not interested in.”
Jade rolled her eyes again and took another sip of her drink. “We know that, but one more infraction and we’ll never consider giving you a bid. Besides, Ethan is better suited for you.”
“Unlike some people,” Brooklyn said, tossing the paper towel in a nearby garbage can. “Prescott is nothing but trouble.”
“Plus, being seen with Ethan can seriously help your damaged rep,” Jade said.
“Come with me.” Claire roughly grabbed my wrist, and pulled me toward the fire. “Hey, Ethan! This is the hot PNM I was telling you about.”
She shoved me forward at Ethan. The hard push took me by surprise and I stumbled, bracing my hands against his thighs to halt my fall. All the guys cracked up. Ethan placed his hands lightly on my elbows to steady me.
“Are you okay?” he asked, his tawny eyes searching mine.
“Yup. Fine,” I said quickly.
Wait a second. What the hell had Claire been saying about me to this guy?
“Sit,” Ethan said, gesturing to the empty patio chair next to his.
“Okay.” I took a seat and gazed into the fire.
“So, Serena. You’re new to Beaumont,” he said. “Sophomore, right?”
The soft timbre of his voice made my skin tingle in a pleasurable, almost humming way.
“Right,” I said.
Ethan smirked. “Let me get you another drink.”
“I just made one for her,” Claire said, thrusting a cup of strong liquor into my hand. “Drink up.” She smiled, then walked away with the other Zeta Beta girls.
The guys sitting around the fire all stood and announced that they were going to the keg in the kitchen to refill their cups, leaving Ethan and I alone outside.
I took a big gulp of the foul-tasting liquid. “What’s your major?”
Ethan laughed. “Great pick-up line. Political Science. And you?”
“Fine arts. I got all my artistry genes from my mom. Painting is my passion…” I slurred, taking another swig.
“You a party girl?” he asked.
The world became hazy. I leaned into his shoulder and my head felt like it was going to float off my shoulders. The trees tilted and swayed.
“No…N-not really,” I said with a giggle, then took another gulp. “This drink...is really stronggg.”
“Perhaps we should go inside and find a place for you to lie down,” Ethan suggested.
I went to stand, but my legs wobbled and the ground tilted. “Yeah, I feel kinda sleepy suddenly.”
Ethan helped me up and kept an arm securely around my waist.
“Aw! Look at you two, all coupley,” Jade said as Ethan walked—I stumbled—past her.
“Maybe someone should take her home,” Bram said.
“Nah, I’m going to take her inside,” Ethan replied.
“Good idea,” Kellan said.
“Take good care of our PNM,” Claire said, patting Ethan on the back.
Ethan led me inside the house and upstairs to an empty bedroom. The mixed scent of sweaty gym socks and stale beer struck my nose and turned my stomach. He lowered me down on the bed. The room spun in fast circles. Ethan smiled and sat next to me, studying my face.
“Claire didn’t lie. You’re smoking hot,” he said. “You’re a classic beauty. Like a porcelain doll.”
“I-I’ve heard thattt line before,” I slurred, taking another gulp of my drink.
Ethan’s fingertips grazed my check. “It’s your skin, it feels smooth as—”
“I use a lot of moisturizer,” I said blearily, sipping my drink. I swayed in my seat, and suddenly there was two of him. Fan-freaking-tastic. Now my brain was totally misfiring. “I think I’d better stop drinking now.”
“Might be a good idea,” he replied. “Here. Let me help you out of that coat.”
Ethan took the cup from my hands and set it on the nightstand, then he placed one of his solid arms around me and slipped off my jacket. “Better?” He stood to take off my shoes.
“Much…” I closed my eyes. “You must think I’m a sloppy drunk.”
“Not at all,” he whispered. “I think you’re remarkable.”
And then he leaned down and kissed me. Half-delirious, I wrapped my arms around Ethan’s thick neck. His tongue invaded my mouth and he practically shoved it down my throat. Thoughts of Cole instantly flooded my mind.
This was just wrong, wrong, wrong on so many levels!
Ethan’s hand slid up to my breast and squeezed. Hard. Like he was squeezing a lemon. I had an extremely bad feeling about him. Like Ethan was the sleaziest guy since James Spader in Pretty In Pink.
I pushed his hand away, just as a swirling dizziness invaded my senses and the blackness came swiftly.
MISUNDERSTANDING
My head pounded and I was hesitant to open my eyes. My vision blurred. I took several deep breaths until the rush of wooziness subsided and I felt strong enough to lift my head. Then I leaned up on one elbow. My mouth was so dry it felt like I’d eaten a bag of cotton.
Flopping back onto the mattress, I squinted at my unfamiliar surroundings. Light blue walls, a big screen TV in the corner, a pile of men’s clothing, and a huge oak dresser. Three windows with closed curtains. I sat up with a groan, clutching my aching skull. A lone mirror hung above the dresser and I gaped at my reflection. My face was pale and dark circles ringed my bloodshot eyes. My hair was all kinds of bad from my heavy slumber and lack of brushing, and I looked like a monchichi monkey.
Even worse, I’d awoken from Blackout City with no memory of how I’d gotten here. Or where here even was. I jerked off the blankets. Glancing down at myself, I gasped. I was clad in only my silky Lejaby bra and matching panties. What the—
I spotted my folded clothes neatly stacked next to my shoes on the floor by the bed. Wobbling to my feet, I sluggishly got dressed. Just as I was pulling on my shirt, the door burst open.
Cole stood there with his eyes bulging. He inhaled sharply, but didn’t speak.
Ethan appeared behind him and shouldered past him into the room. “Oh, so you’re finally awake, Serena.”
Cole didn’t move or twitch or even blink an eye. He braced himself in the doorway. His icy brown gaze darted from me to Ethan, then back to me. His unblinking stare remained fastened to mine.
Holy. Holy. Crap.
I froze with my shirt halfway over my torso. Did Cole think I’d slept with Ethan? Did I sleep with Ethan? I hadn’t overdosed on NyQuil—so this was all real, right?
The ground tilted beneath me. My body broke out in a cold sweat and suddenly I understood everything. Somehow, I’d been sampling the rape juice. Drugged and set up by the Zeta Beta. Those hateful, hateful bitches had not forgiven me for dating an ATO boy. I had defied them and this was my punishment.
But would the ZBs really go this far?
My legs wobbled. I fell back onto the edge of the bed, pulling my shirt down.
“No, no, no,” Cole said, sucking in a breath as he stumbled backward. “You had sex with him? Seth was right—you are a whore!” He turned and stomped off down the hall.
“Cole! Wait!” I shouted. “Please!”
Downstairs, the front door slammed shut.
Ethan snickered. “I definitely enjoyed myself last night, and I hope you did, too.”
With that smug grin, he reminded me of the creepy stalker / homicidal maniac in every Lifetime movie I had ever watched.
“You’re a perverted bastard
for doing this to me!” I slapped him with my open palm full across the face and it rocked his head to one side.
Seth took a step back, then steadied himself, blinking his eyes and glaring at me. “You bitch!”
Tugging on my shoes, I ran after Cole. I caught up to him on the lawn and grabbed his arm, but he snatched it away. “Stop! Please let me explain,” I pleaded.
He whirled on me, his brown eyes glittering. “Explain? Are you kidding me? I saw enough—”
“It’s not how it looks! I swear,” I said, my heart in my throat.
“Oh really? I get this strange 911 text from Claire to come to the GAD house after class and I assumed something was wrong. That you were in trouble.” His hostile glare swung my way and his voice changed, became abrasive, like a slap. “But I guess the joke’s on me since you’re fine. Just hooking up with that scumbag Ethan. Hope he wore protection.”
“You asshole!”
“You slut!” he said, his expression darkening.
The blood drained from my face. Three Gamma Alpha Delta brothers stepped onto the porch to watch the show. One guy even crunched on a bowl of cereal. Ethan was nowhere to be seen. Probably a good thing because Cole might strangle the bastard.
“I cannot believe I almost gave up pledging Zeta Beta for you!” I spat. “You’re not even worth it.”
His jaw clenched. “Ha! You’re the one making me look like an ass.”
My heart felt like it was going to beat itself to death. “You friggin’ suck right now. You’re not even giving me a chance to explain.”
Cole blinked hard as if he was fighting tears. “I don’t know what to think, Serena. I just caught you half dressed in Ethan’s bedroom. I texted and called you a bunch of times last night and the only text I got back from you was a message telling me to screw off.”
I tried to breathe without choking on a sob. Tried to wrap my brain around what was happening. “What? I never sent any text…that I remember…”
“How drunk were you last night?”
A muscle in my forehead throbbed. “I only had a beer and one drink! I think the Zeta Beta—”
“Not them again!” he said, exploding. “I’ve had enough of their shit and you letting them come between us! I’m done with you.”