I opt for a more diplomatic approach.
“Aren’t we all going together, anyway? I’m gonna see you there.”
My hopes of getting out of this easily are shattered when she insists. “I know that, silly.” She giggles. “But I thought you could come knock on my door to pick me up, and we could go to the club together. Like a date.”
Nope. That’s not happening.
Regardless of the fact that Gen is a bitch, I still feel bad for turning her down. But I have the perfect way to let her down as gently as possible.
“Look, Gen, I’m flattered, but…”
Her eyes narrow and her jaw pops. “Are you saying no?” Her voice goes up by several decibels. “Do you know how many guys would give their left nut to go on a date with me?”
I fight the urge to cup my nuts to reassure them that they’re safe. The more I look at Genevieve Bergen, the more she reminds me of a praying mantis. I wouldn’t put it past her to eat her unfortunate sexual partners after she’s had her way with them.
“Oh, believe me, I’m flattered. And in different circumstances, I’d say yes. But I can’t. I play hockey with your ex,and to make things worse, Mack is my roommate too. Going out with you would be against bro-code.”
Gen rolls her eyes. “Whatever! What about all the girls at training camp who are hooking up with him then? He doesn’t give two shits about hooking up with my future teammates. Why should you show him a kind of respect he hasn’t even thought about showing me?”
Maybe because you’re a raging bitch who wouldn’t think twice about sabotaging your teammates?
I don’t say that either. “Look, Gen, I don’t know, ok? That’s between you and your teammates. But Mack and I are becoming good friends, and I don’t want to do anything to change that.”
“It’s because you like Taryn, don’t you? Isn’t that against bro-code since she’s fucking both Mack and Tucker?”
I hate people who don’t understand when a conversation is over. “Not that it’s any of your business, but Taryn and Mack are just friends.”
“And you buy that?” Gen snorts. “Come the fuck on. They’re so cozy, it’s obvious they’re fucking.”
“Gen, they’re not. But even if they were, I don’t want any drama this year. And going out with you would be just the opposite of that.”
She opens her mouth to continue arguing with me, but I’m saved by my phone.
Normally, I would never answer an unknown number, but right now I’d do pretty much anything to get out of this uncomfortable conversation.
“Sorry, I gotta take this.”
A female voice greets me. “Nash Belkin?”
“Speaking.” I drawl, turning so that my back is to Gen.
“This is Hemlock Beach Sheriff's Department. I’m putting you through to Deputy Sheriff Moss. Hold the line.”
A male voice comes on after an audible click. “Is this Nash Belkin?”
I confirm he’s speaking to the right person.
“I’m Deputy Moss. We spoke a couple of weeks ago in regard to the murder of your frat brother, Timothy Greene. Do you have a minute to talk?”
“Sure. How can I help you, Deputy? Is there any news about the investigation? I haven’t seen much in the news.”
There’s a brief pause as the deputy sheriff exhales. “Unfortunately, not much. That’s why the news networks have been repeating the same details over and over. We still haven’t found the murder weapon despite our forensic unit going through the crime scene and the entire fraternity house with a fine comb. Unfortunately, the murder was committed during or shortly after a huge party attended by hundreds of students. So it’s a lot of evidence that might not even relate to the crime itself.”
I nod, even if the deputy sheriff can’t see me. “Yeah, half the campus came to party at the Gamma house. The house and the garden were bursting with people. And more people were still arriving even when I eventually decided to call it a night.”
“When was that again? Do you mind refreshing my memory?”
I have no problem answering any questions. I don’t think I even spoke to Tim during the party. “Around one a.m., maybe one thirty. But I was definitely in bed by two.”
