7

MIA

I can’t believe how easy it was to get away. Good thing the alarm won’t be installed until tomorrow. I figured he’d have to take a shower sometime—at most, I was ready to wait until he went to bed before sneaking out. It’s not like the party will wrap up early. According to the email I got, Kappa Alpha is hosting an all-night event to kick off the semester.

My first college party. I can’t believe this is happening. My hands tremble a little as I tuck hair behind my ears, but I put a stop to it fast. I can’t let nerves ruin things. I mean, I already got away from Zeke. I have to take advantage, which means not freaking out. It’s just a party. I’ve been to parties before.

Though the stakes feel higher than they ever have. I’m not naïve. These kids are rich, and they’ve never known anything but privilege. I’m starting to finally loosen up and feel comfortable in their world, but I can’t fool myself into thinking we’re the same. We never will be because being able to easily get out of trouble is in their DNA. I can’t count how many times I heard Mom click her tongue over reports of yet another prep school asshole getting away with heinous acts all because their parents could afford the right lawyers.

What would she think if she saw me walking up the street toward the three-story Victorian that houses one of the largest frats on campus? Would she be proud? Or would she complain my dress is too short and order me back to my room to change?

The house is like one of those bug zappers, drawing people from all directions. I watch them walk up, shiny cars rolling past and groups of kids pouring out. The girls are so pretty. I have to keep from fidgeting as I walk up the brick steps that cut into the sloping lawn.

I wish I wasn’t alone. That’s one thing I can’t talk myself out of wishing. I know my clothes are just as good as anybody’s, thanks to my dad. I know I’m pretty, even if I don’t feel quite as hot as the other girls who are used to going to parties like this. Dad hardly ever let me out after I moved in, and it’s not like I did a ton of partying before then. Sometimes, Blair and I would go to one and hang out on the fringe, huddled together with our beers, laughing at everybody making jerks out of themselves.

The thought of Blair is like a kick to the stomach. She should be here with me. I never saw myself starting this part of my life with her so far away. I force myself to look like I’m not anxious when I reach the porch where a dozen people are waiting to get into the house.

It’s so loud I can barely hear myself think, and almost too dark to see. There are people on the stairs, all over the furniture, but the biggest crowd is around the kitchen. Once I manage to elbow my way through the packed rooms, I can see why. It’s where all the drinks are. The table and counters are covered in bottles, and out back, there’s a line of kegs already being tapped.

“Here.” A tall, muscular guy, who looks like he plays football, presses a red cup into my hand before I know what’s happening. He has to lean down for me to hear him over the ear-splitting noise. “Drink up. What’s your name?”

“Mia!” I have to almost scream it, and still, I can barely hear my voice.

“I’m Dave. Nice to meet you. This your first party?”

“What, am I wearing a sign?”

He laughs, and it’s a nice feeling. He doesn’t know who I am, and I don’t know who he is, and he’s not lording his power over me the way certain men do. Men who, I hope, don’t know I sneaked out while they were in the shower. “Yeah, it’s kinda obvious. But that’s okay. We all have to start somewhere.” When somebody shoves past him from behind, he presses me against the wall. “Sorry.”

“It’s okay.” It’s actually kind of nice. He’s cute, and he has a nice smile. I just now realized how much I’ve missed having causal contact with guys. Being able to flirt a little without somebody breathing down my neck. I’m free.

Even if I can’t stop thinking about Zeke.

“What about you?” I ask, grinning up at him before taking a sip of my drink. It’s strong as hell with a fruity taste, like punch.

“I’m a junior. Business major.” He shrugs. “I like playing ball a lot more. And partying, obviously.”

“Obviously.”

He comes closer without being shoved this time, one arm above my head, leaning against the wall. “You here with anybody?”

Man. We’re not even wasting time getting to know each other. His eyes move over my face and eventually settle on my mouth. When I bite my bottom lip, they narrow. “No. I’m by myself.”

I can just about see the JACKPOT sign flashing in his mind. He thinks he’s found the perfect mark. “Maybe we could go someplace where it’s not so loud.”

“Like the other side of campus?” I ask with a laugh. I can’t imagine a quiet place anywhere in the house.

He laughs, too. “You’re funny. I can tell you’re smart. Not a lot of girls around here are.”

Oof. Here we go. Now he’s going to praise me for being not like the other girls. “So you know all the girls around here?”

His smile slips a little. “You know what I mean. Too many girls play dumb or are dumb. It takes a smart girl to be really funny.”

“Thanks. I am pretty smart.” Which is why I’m not going to drink any more of what’s in my cup since I didn’t pour it myself. I’m not saying I’ve watched one too many Lifetime movies, but I’m not not saying that, either.

“So what do you think? I’m tired of yelling. It’ll be quieter upstairs.” He slides a hand down my arm before taking hold of my fingers.

I wouldn’t say yes anyway because it’s obvious he’s trying to take advantage of somebody he thinks is stupid and naïve. Maybe the frat boys have a bet to see who can get laid first by a freshman tonight. I want to make friends, but not that way. I’m not that desperate. “I don’t think so,” I say with a little shrug. “I’m just going to kind of mingle for a bit. But I’d like to hang out down here.”

It’s like magic. A second ago, he was sweet and cute. When he draws his brows together in a scowl, the mask falls off. “Suit yourself.” He pushes off the wall with a string of curses I can’t hear over the music and quickly disappears into the crowd.

So much for friendly small talk. That was extremely unpleasant. I’m tempted to follow him around and make sure he doesn’t take advantage of anybody. Blair would laugh herself to death if she knew that was going through my head at my first party. I go to the sink and empty the cup before tossing it in the trash. Maybe I’d better stick to beer tonight.

I go outside, and it’s such a nice break from feeling like a sardine in the house. I’m the only person out here alone—everybody’s paired up or in groups of three or four. I can tell some of the girls are new. They have that same wide-eyed look that I know I must have, even if they’re trying to play it off. I lock eyes with one of them, and she smiles. “Are you here by yourself?”

I cringe. “Yeah.”

“You can hang out with us. We all just got here today. I’m Posey.” She gestures to her friends. “This is Erica and Bri. We’re all roommates. What about you?”

“I’m Mia. I’m living by myself. I wish I had roommates to go places with,” I admit, and the three of them tip their heads to the side like they feel bad. They seem nice, genuine.

“We’ll be your roommates for the night,” Posey suggests. She’s a tall, slender brunette whose contour game is better than mine will ever be. Erica and Bri are pretty with their shiny blond hair and blue eyes, but Posey’s the standout.

Erica laughs. “Yeah, because some of these guys are way too obvious.”

“They lurk around, trying to pick off the girls who are here by themselves.” Bri wrinkles her nose in disgust. “It’s sick.”

“I just met one of them inside.”

“Girls need to have each other’s backs.” The girls nod in agreement with Posey, and I do, too. Maybe I’ve found some people I can relate to.

We get our beers and decide to hang out outside, getting to know each other. All three of them come from expensive prep schools, but they seem pretty down-to-earth. By the time I’m finished and almost ready for another drink, I’m feeling a little buzzed and smiley and happy. When was the last time I felt happy? Probably the last time I hung out with Blair.

“Who is that?” Erica’s mouth falls open, her eyes wide. She’s staring up at the back door leading from the kitchen, and I follow the direction of her gaze.

And the ground drops out from under me. The music goes quiet—no, that’s the rush of blood in my ears, deafening me. I should’ve known this couldn’t last long.

Standing there in his leather jacket, he makes the guys all around us look like little boys in comparison. I can see why the girls are practically drooling.

He locks eyes with me before I can react, then stomps his way down the wooden steps. “What are you doing here? You know you’re not supposed to—”

“Who is he?” Posey takes me by the arm, pulling me in close like she wants to protect me. I like this girl. Even if her instincts are slightly off. I do need help from this man, but not the kind of help she thinks.

“Let’s go.” He comes over to me and takes me by my other arm, but Posey is not about to let go.

“Who do you think you are? Get your hand off her.”

Zeke lets out a derisive laugh, looking her up and down, clearly not seeing much of a match. “You don’t know what you’re talking about, so back off. She’s not supposed to be here.”

“Would you stop?” I hiss through clenched teeth. People are staring. Even a couple of girls who were making out while a bunch of guys watched stop what they are doing so they can watch us instead. The guys have phones and were recording the girls—what happens if they record us? My father will kill me if he sees the video. I don’t know how he’d find it, but he would. I know it.

All of this goes through my head in the blink of an eye. I hand my cup over to Posey with an apologetic smile. “Hopefully, I’ll see you around campus.”

“Here, give me your number.”

I call it out to her, and she calls my phone so her contact info will be there.

Meanwhile, Zeke is leading me around the side of the house rather than cutting back through the party. I’m glad since the last thing I want is to be humiliated in front of my newly made friends.

“You know the kind of trouble you could be in right now?” Zeke’s Harley is parked in front of the house, which of course, has attracted attention. I wish the people who brought our things left it behind. The second he snarls at the group that’s gathered around the bike, they scatter. It would be funny if I wasn’t so embarrassed.

“Stop.” I pull my arm free once we’ve reached the bike. “You’re making a scene.”

“You’re the one who put me in this position. What the fuck do you think you’re doing, sneaking out like that?”

“Could you stop? I mean it,” I mutter, glancing around.

“It’s what you deserve. Maybe you’ll think twice before you do some dumb shit like this again.” He puts a hand on the small of my back and gives me a tiny shove. “Get on the bike.”

“In this?” I look down at my dress. It’s a little too short for a ride.

“Not my fault you’re walking around with half your shit hanging out.” He slings a leg over the motorcycle’s seat, leaving me plenty of room to get on behind him. I’ve never been so embarrassed in my entire life, but I know better than to keep fighting. The idea of any of the guys around here thinking they could be my white knight and get in his face nauseates me. There’s no way it would end well.

So I have no choice but to swallow my pride and climb on behind Zeke, wrapping my arms around his waist. Posey’s watching, and I give her a smile to tell her it’s okay. I’ll have to text her later, and… what? Explain that my father doesn’t trust me to exist without a bodyguard at all times? That just for once, I thought I could have a little fun on my own?

“If you think we’re not going to have it out when we get back to the condo, you’re out of your mind.” I don’t have a chance to answer since he guns the engine before peeling away from the curb.

Yes, I’m sure we’re going to have it out.

And after the way he just humiliated me, there’s nothing I would rather do.