What just happened? Justin not only gave me an apology, but I didn’t wrap my hands around his neck and squeeze the living breath out of him. Furthermore, I gave him relationshipadvice.
Knox and his cold demeanor bounce through my mind. Janelle can’t have him back. She’s toxic. She’spoison.
I hope to God that Justin takes my adviceforonce.
* * *
The mixerat Kappa Gamma Gamma of course includes our matchups at Beta Kappa Phi. And since some of our favorite boys belong to that alcohol-soaked frat house, none of us mind the mandatory get-togethers. Tonight’s theme isA Midsummer Night’s Dream, which is ethereal and wholly romantic with the exception of the peppering of frat boys who have chosen to don the mask of adonkey’shead.
Ava, Lucky, and I are festooned with floral wreaths as our crowns emulating our favorite Snapchatfilter.
“So, where’s your main squeeze?” Lucky bumps her hip into mine so hard she nearly sends me sailing acrosstheroom.
“Finishing up practice.” I can’t imagine how exhausted he must be. Knox made love to me last night for hours on end, sweetly and deliberately. I would swear on my life that boy never went to sleep because each time I opened my eyes he was right there watching me with somber eyes. It was haunting and heartbreaking and makes me wonder if maybe there’s something wrong with one of his family members and he was sworn to secrecy. Whatever he’s holding close to the vest, it’s sucked the life out of him, and it kills me to see him so disturbinglymelancholy.
Ava cranes her neck toward the door. “How about your sister and brother? I’m dying to meet them. Is your sister joining us at Briggsthisfall?”
“Next fall. And believe me, that will be soon enough. Harley is a spitfire. She says what she wants and does what she wants. And as empowering as that might sound, it’s ridiculously stupid half the time. There’s a reason we have checks and balances in us. Too much truth can be the equivalent of throwing acid in somebody’s face.” My heart gives a quick thud because it just occurred to me that maybe Knox isn’t giving me his truths because he thinks it might hurt me. Knox is a prince. He would never in a million years even think to rip myheartout.
Ava laughs and puts Lucky in a playful chokehold and points down over her. “Says what she wants and does what she wants. Guilty andguilty.”
Lucky breaks free by way of torture tickling poor Ava. “And trust me, I’m not dumping acid on anyone who doesn’t deserve it.” She gives a sly wink. “Just say the word and I’ll dump away—with my words, of course. There are a few people I’ve been dying to tell off for some time now.” She nods past me. “Case inpoint.”
I turn to find Janelle laughing it up with a group of my sisters. “Traitors.”
“You got to give it to her”—Lucky scoffs in the blonde witch’s direction—“she has bigballs.”
“Take that back. I don’t want anything that remotely sounds like a compliment being lobbed her way—especially not from one of my bestfriends.”
“Aww!” Ava leaps over me with a clumsy embrace. “Bestiesforever!”
“Room for two more in thishug-fest?”
I spin around to find two faces that look markedly out of place in this thicket of short-skirted coeds, but who are more welcome to my tired eyes than a thousandsunrises.
“It’s a real Shelton reunion!” I scream as I pull them both in at thesametime.
Henry looks dapper with his button-down shirt and a cute red bowtie, and Harley, well, she looks dangerously attractive, and in no way, shape, or form is she to be left unsupervised this evening. Harley’s eyes round out as she takes in thesights.
“I cannot wait to get here. Just one more year and, Whitney boys, hereIcome!”
“It’s Whitney Briggs.” I offer her a playful smack over the arm. “And if you say that again, I’ll put a good word in for you at the all-girls universityacrosstown.”
“You wish!” She snorts at the thought, and it’s only then I note she already has a red Solo attached to her hand. Yeah, it’s requisite for the sisters, for any coed in general, but Harley doesn’t need whatever drink she’s about to imbibe—not to mention the fact she’s underage in every capacity. I take the drink from her and knock it back. Beer fresh from the tap.Knewit.
“Ava and Lucky, this is Henry, my real big brother, and this is Harley, my wild child of a little sister. Sanity works on a sliding scale in my family, so consider yourselfwarned.”
“Duly noted.” Ava politely shakes their hands, as doesLucky.
Lucky leans in toward Henry. “Did you go toBriggs?”
“Once upon a time.” He gives a quick wink. “It’s a longstanding family tradition, and if I didn’t attend, I risked being the blacksheep.”
We share a laugh at the seeming absurdity my brother uttered, but Henry, Harley, and I know it’s true as that brightbluesky.
“Our father would disown us.” I wrap an arm around Henry and pull him in. Despite our age difference, I’ve always felt so close to Henry—as if we were twins. Knox comes to mind, and my gaze drifts to the door. I cannot wait to show him off again to my siblings. Plus, this will be a great chance for him and Henry to get to know one anotherbetter.
Harley laughs and looks that much more beautiful. All my life I’ve been venerated for something as superficial as the genetics I’ve been gifted, but in my opinion, Harley takes it to another level in the looks department. Not to mention, under all that impulsive bravado, that girl has a heart of gold. Instead of spending the summer in New York with Dad, getting lost while shopping Manhattan, she’s decided to spend every waking hour with Henry. I’d do the same, but I’m in internship mode at the moment. Besides, I think it’s great he’s here to visit his old stompinggrounds.
