Page 82 of Hard to Fake

"Some of the people in this room and generations of women before them say they’re creating opportunities for sisters, but what they mean is a certain kind of opportunity.

"We don't like to talk about people who don't fit the mold. We’re all way too obsessed with how things look.”

Scanning the audience again, this time I find a few grudging nods.

It wasn’t my intention to start something, but it seems I’m not the only one who feels this way.

When my gaze returns to the front, Caroline’s stiff and icy. “Perhaps you should have been more concerned with how things looked when you were this close to getting the entire Kappa house shut down over your substance abuse problem, Brooke Ellis.”

A collective gasp goes up.

I feel like I’ve been slapped.

The room isn’t sure what to believe, and Caroline can’t tell who’s on her side.

I wait for a strategy to rush up at me, but I’m blank as a sheet of paper.

My hand tingles. It’s Ruby, clasping my palm in both of hers in support.

I tug my hand away with an apologetic look for my contrite friend and start toward the doors.

On my way, I spot Elise, her face pale and stunned.

There goes my chance to rep her brand.

The realization devastates me, but there’s nothing I can do.

Busting through the doors and stalking down the hall, I’m vaguely aware of nearby laughter. Some guys are drinking and playing cards.

“Brooke.” Miles’s voice comes from somewhere behind me, sounding concerned. “Brooke, wait.”

I don’t turn to look at him.

The only thing that matters is that I get the hell out of here.

* * *

MILES

She's running down the hall. I can barely keep up even with much longer legs.

I catch up to her at the end, where she's leaning against the wall with her head bowed. It's clear that whatever happened in that room hit her hard, and I don't want to make things worse.

"Brooke," I say softly, leaning against the wall next to her. "Tell me what’s wrong."

She looks up at me, her eyes wide. “Coming here was a mistake."

I put a hand on her back, rubbing soothing circles.

I feel her trembling slightly, and I wrap my arms around her tightly, holding her close. It feels as if we've been doing this forever, as though we've been together for years instead of a few days.

Brooke takes a deep breath, her hand reaching for mine.

"I can’t handle being in that room right now. I’m so angry. But I’m still here because I need to make it work. I can be disgusted with them, but I still need Elise. No matter how hard I try to get away from it, at the end of the day, it feels like all anyone cares about is appearances. They believe whatever they want to believe and tell whatever stories suit them.”

The wavering in her voice and her words breaks my heart.

"We don't have to go back there," I say, stroking her palm with my thumb.

---