Palm South University Season 1 Omnibus (27 page)

“So,” Jarrett muses, taking a seat at the edge of the bed and pulling my left foot into his hand. When he gently starts massaging it, I lean my head back and moan. “Are we going to talk about what this is.”

“What
what
is?” I ask, my head still against the pillow, eyes closed.

“Don’t be naïve,” he warns. “After tonight, I won’t be your professor’s GA anymore.”

I lean up on my elbows, but don’t pull my foot from his hands. “Are you trying to be my boyfriend, Jarrett Locke?”

“I’m not necessarily trying to title it like that, no.”

I frown, but not really because I’m disappointed – more because I’m confused. I mean, I’m not looking for anything serious, either. But then again, what else is there?

Oh. Right.

“So, fuck buddies, then?”

“I’m not necessarily trying to title it like that, either.”

I huff, yanking my foot back this time. “So then what exactly
are
you trying to say?”

He shrugs. “I’m just saying I don’t want to fuck anyone else. And I don’t want
you
to fuck anyone else.”

“So, like I said…”

“But I also want to hang out with you.”

“But we can’t be seen in public because you’re a GA for next semester, too – even if I won’t be in the class again.”

He nods, but for once, he looks sheepish, his normally lusting eyes taking on a childish glow.

I consider it for all of two seconds before abruptly moving from the bed and pulling on my clothes. “Yeah, I don’t know about that.”

“What don’t you know about? What’s there to question?” I just give him a pointed look, my long blonde locks falling in my face a bit as I do. My hair is usually shiny and radiant, but since I’ve been in his bed for two straight days, it’s taken on a greasy appearance instead. Hastily, I tie it in a messy bun and let it sit on my head.

“What if I just see you when I see you?”

Jarrett stands, towering over me as he moves his hands to my waist and pulls me into him. “We’ve already established that no one on that campus can fuck you into oblivion like I can. So what are you going to do? Buy a new vibrator? Name it after me and pretend it’s half as good?”

I scoff. “Cocky bastard.” I try to peel myself away from him but his grip remains firm.

“You and I both know when I’m being cocky and this is not one of those times.” He pauses, his intense dark eyes searching mine. “I’m being serious. And honest. You should try it.”

“I don’t want this to be complicated.”

“Me either.”

Sighing, I pull my tank top over my head but it stops where his hands are still firmly planted. Jarrett does make a good point. I’ve never met a man who can give me pleasure the way he does. And I know when I leave here all I’m going to think about is the next time I can come back.

So I cave.

“Okay.” Jarrett smirks but I poke my finger hard into his chest. “But if shit gets complicated or dramatic, we end it. I’m serious.”

“Deal.”

I eye him cautiously. “Okay.”

“Okay.”

AFTER MY TEST in Scope and Methods, I meet the girls at Ralph’s for drinks. Finals week is about to really kick in and we know we won’t see each other much until the celebratory parties next weekend. They’re all chatting animatedly, but I can’t stop staring at Ashlei and Bo. They’re sitting right next to each other, laughing and talking to us like nothing happened at semi-formal.

And it’s really irking me.

I never called them out on their shit. In fact, I haven’t talked to either of them since semi, but they haven’t questioned it because it was Thanksgiving and now we’re all in finals mode. Ashlei is always sneaking off anyway. Now, anytime she disappears when Bo isn’t around, I can’t help but wonder if that’s where she’s going.

But, then again, staring at them now, I can’t help but wonder if maybe it was just a drunken kiss. Hell, I’ve kissed a few girls in my drunken state of shenanigans – it’s not like it doesn’t happen. Still… something feels off.

“Ready to be roomies next semester, Cassie?” Bo asks, cheersing our little red head from across the table. I have to admit, I was a little skeptical about Cassie when I first met her. I wasn’t sure how she’d fit in with us. I’m not that close with her yet, but she has easily melded into our group and I love the color she brings to it.

“I’m ready to be out of the hellish situation I’m in right now, that’s for sure,” she says, clinking Bo’s glass before taking a sip. “Paris will be in the Zeta house next semester, too. I guess it was only a matter of time.”

Ashlei shakes her head. “I have plenty of girlfriends in other sororities. If Paris ended your friendship, it’s because that was her choice.” I kind of blanch at the term girlfriends, wondering if there’s more to that than she lets on, but I decide not to press it.

“I’m going to miss her,” Cassie mumbles, trailing the condensation on her glass.

Skyler gently pats her back. “And there’s nothing wrong with that.”

“Except that you’re not allowed to miss her anymore because you’re clearly in better company now,” Erin adds, winking at her Grand Little.

“I’m more curious about how your night went after semi-formal,” I add. We made jokes about how we both went with frat presidents that night. The difference is I left without mine. She didn’t.

Cassie’s cheeks blush a furious shade of red that almost competes with her hair and she immediately sucks down half her drink. “It was fine.”

My eyes scan the other girls and they’re all looking around the table, too, before we burst into a fit of laughter. Cassie covers her face with her hands and tosses a napkin in my direction.

“You guys are the worst.”

“Hey,” I say, throwing my hands up. “Ain’t no shame in getting some penis action. Clearly I’m not going to judge.”

Everyone laughs harder at that before the topic of conversation changes to Erin and her application for Recruitment Chair. It’s a ballsy move, especially since there are at least three other senior girls going for the same position. They’ve been waiting over three years to get their shot at that chair, but something tells me it’s going to go to Erin anyway. She always has everything under control and the entire chapter knows that no one can run recruitment and bring us a better pledge class next fall than she can.

“So, since we’re not going to be together for New Year’s Eve, I want to hear everyone’s resolutions right now,” Erin says and we all groan in unison. She’s all about the sharing/sisterhood shit and even though we all secretly love it, too, we pretend like it’s annoying. Mostly because it’s fun to tease Erin.

She gives us all a pointed look, but lifts her glass. “Oh, stop. Little, you go first.”

Skyler blows out a long breath before lifting her glass to join Erin’s. “I resolve to stop being afraid of what might happen if I take risks. Starting with this tournament.” We all smile at that, even if we don’t fully understand it. I certainly have no interest in poker or her obsession with it, but I can tell from how she’s been talking that this Atlantic City tournament is a big deal. So, obviously, I’m going to support her.

Cassie raises her cup next. “I’m going to ace my classes and get a head start on my pre-med program.”Ashlei and I give her pointed looks and she concedes. “Okay fine, I’ll have a little more fun, too.”

It’s not quite good enough for me, but again, I let it go. Little Miss Innocent can stay our little angel for a while longer.

Bo toasts to new beginnings and Ashlei ditto’s her as they lift their glasses in unison. The soft and knowing look they exchange isn’t lost on me and I frown, thrusting my drink up next. “Well, other than changing my major because clearly political science is not for me, I resolve to be honest. I just think honesty is an important virtue and I’m making it a priority.”

Nearly everyone at the table seems uncomfortable at my toast, but I hold my glass high along with my head and smile.

“I resolve to bring us the best pledge class yet when I’m elected Recruitment Chair,” Erin finishes us off. None of us even comment on the fact that she didn’t say
if
. We all know she’ll get the job.

We clink our glasses together and say “Happy New Year” in unison before throwing back the liquid. Bo hugs me, which is surprising, and asks me to study for finals with her this weekend. I agree, because I really do need to get closer to her – especially if I expect her to grow our family tree next year. I consider telling them about my recent romps with Jarrett and what we agreed to at his apartment this morning, but as I open my mouth I think better of it.

For once, I’m going to keep my little private affair to myself.

“Drink up, ladies,” Skyler says, signaling for the bartender to return to us. “We survived another semester at Palm South University.”

Scanning the faces of my beautiful sisters, I can’t help but wonder how many secrets survived right along with us.

THIS HAS TO BE A JOKE.

That’s all I can think as I stare at Clay. His blue eyes are hard, like he’s pissed the words are coming from his mouth just as much as I’m surprised by them. Running his hands back through his dirty blonde hair, he repeats them again, but I still don’t understand.

So this time, I say it out loud.

“This has to be a joke.”

Clay purses his lips, but then takes a deep breath and crosses his arms hard over his chest. “It’s not. Tommy is transferring and that leaves Social Chair open. Since you practically did his job this semester anyway, it only makes sense that you step into the position officially.” He shifts and I can tell he hates admitting any of this.

“Is this some sort of peace offering?”

“In a way, I guess,” he admits. “But honestly, I still think you’re a little punk who has no respect for older brothers. That aside, you did get us recognized a lot this semester. You’re the best brother for the job. That’s a fact I can’t ignore as president.”

If I weren’t focusing so hard on clamping my jaw shut, my mouth would be hanging wide open. Is this really Clay right now? Where’s the colossal asshat I’m so used to dealing with?

“So, are you in?”

Shaking my thoughts, I nod. “Yeah. Of course. I, uh, thank you. Thanks for this.” I sound like an idiot, but this is the most cordial conversation I’ve ever had with Clay. It’s fucking weird.

Clay nods and extends his hand to me. We shake firmly and then walk side by side back into our fraternity house. For once, it’s quiet – mostly because our Academic Chair has deemed the house a study zone for finals.

Before I can stop myself, I clear my throat and ask Clay the question that’s been burning in the back of my mind for weeks now. “So, how is Cassie?”

Clay smirks, and it’s like the douchebag I’ve always known emerged out of him to overpower the professional stand-in. “Oh, she’s
amazing
.” He cocks a brow in a sideways glance at me in a way that suggests he means that in every sense of the word. “Something about the little innocent ones, isn’t there? It’s almost like you get to play the role of teacher.”

I grind my teeth together. “Clay, don’t be a fucking dick. She deserves your respect and you know it.”

“Oh, of course,” he agrees. “And she got it. All night long after semi-formal.” His slimy grin grows wider and I shove him hard against his chest. He stumbles back, his legs hitting the arm of our couch and he just falls down to sit in it, laughing hysterically. I consider rushing him again but he stands, wiping the corners of his eyes. “Ah, man, next semester’s going to be fun.” He claps me hard on the back. “Welcome to the Executive Board, Brooks.”