Page 9 of Sin

“Thank you,” he says. “I really think you’re the best person to help her.” His lips quirk. “You’re definitely the only straight man I’d trust not to come on to her. I guess it’s a good thing you both can’t stand each other.”

I force a smile. Can’t stand her. Even twenty-four hours ago, I would have heartily agreed with him. How could that kiss have changed everything?

Chapter Four

Lily

Noah: We need to talk. I’m coming over after your art class. You better be there.

I groan as I shove my phone into my messenger bag. “We need to talk” means “I’m going to scold you” in Noah’s language.

I don’t need this now, especially when this isn’t even the worst text I received today. I got another one from Mason. Repeating his request to meet with me.

Sure, Mason. Let’s go get a round of beers and reminisce about the night you…

My throat grows tight. I hate even thinking about it.

Anyway, I ghosted him as usual. If he wants to meet with me, it’s probably only to repeat his threat that I can never tell anyone what I accused him of that morning.

When I make it to the steps of the sorority house, I halt, giving myself a moment before I go inside. I’m too fucking weary for this talk with my brother. I already know that my grades are bad. Extra pressure from Noah will only stress me out more.

After a few moments, I finally ascend the steps and walk inside. Two of my sorority sisters are standing in the living room. They turn to me with smiles on their faces. “Your brother’s here,” Ava says.

Lorelai grins. “With Ethan Harrington.”

Anxiety prickles my skin, making me unable to tease Lorelai about her giddiness over Ethan. My sorority sisters are in awe of him—like he’s a movie star—and I usually point out the absurdity of worshiping someone so self-righteous and boring.

I can’t think of a single sassy thing to say. My head is swimming. Why the hell is Ethan here?

“Where are they?” I ask.

“I think they went to your room,” Ava says. “Lorelai and I tried to make conversation, but Ethan wasn’t having it.” She wrinkles her nose. “I think he’s in a grumpy mood.”

“He’s always like that,” I say.

“Try to get them to come out here.” Lorelai says. “I don’t care if Ethan’s grumpy. I’m getting a picture with him and sending it to my brother. He’s a huge college football fan.” She smiles mischievously. “I’m going to tell him I’m besties with Mr. Number Forty-Four.”

When both girls laugh, I force a smile. My heart is pounding in my chest as I turn around and walk down the hallway.

Is it possible that Ethan told Noah about the kiss? It would be an incredibly strange thing to do, given that it’s none of Noah’s damn business, and Ethan specifically asked me not to tell him anything. But then again…

Ethan’s strict morality makes him a strange guy. Maybe he had a change of heart about keeping the kiss a secret. I can’t imagine it sits well with him to hide something from his best friend—especially when he knows it would piss Noah off.

The last time Noah came over to have a talk with me was months ago. It was when Mason first started pursuing me. Noah told me that his teammates were off-limits, that it could wreak havoc on their team dynamics if I got involved with one of them.

No matter how misogynistic and self-centered the request was, I wish I had listened.

When I make it to my bedroom door, it’s ajar. I push it open and find Noah sitting at my desk and Ethan standing by my dresser and staring at my painting of my childhood dog, Barkley, that hovers above it.

“What is this about?” I ask, too irritated for greetings.

Noah lets a long sigh. “I had a talk with Mom and Dad over the weekend. We’re all worried about your grades.”

My stomach drops. I suspected this, but somehow the prospect of it feels even worse than being scolded for kissing his best friend. Does Noah think a lecture from him—on behalf of Mom and Dad—is going to motivate me to work harder?

“This is your second quarter on academic probation,” Noah says. “If you don’t turn this around, you could be kicked out of school by the end of the year. You only have one year left, Lily. You’d be throwing away almost three years of hard work and tuition.”

My heart is in my throat. Does he think I don’t know this?

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