Page 103 of Seeds of Malice

"Oh, I'm Ivy." I go to take his hand.

Dax swats at his fingers. "Don't touch my girlfriend."

Girlfriend! I'm Dax's girlfriend.

My heart soars.

Matt flinches and holds his hands in the air. "I was just introducing myself."

I put my hand on Dax's thigh, feeling a bit bad for Matt. I announce, "I'm Ivy. I'm new."

"Obviously, you're new," Avery mutters under her breath.

I shake my head, glaring at her.

Matt gives her an uncomfortable look.

"Are you just getting here?" Dax questions.

"No. We're on our way out to the party. Hopefully, we get there early enough to not have to entertain you two."

"There's a party?" I inquire.

Dax shakes his head. "No, we're not going."

"You're not going? You have to. You're the president," Avery declares.

"President of what?" I ask.

Avery answers, "Alpha Omega Tau. It's Dax's frat. You're not going to try to stop him from being who he is, are you? It's his job to be at that party. In fact, he should be there right now, not here with you."

My chest tightens. "Dax, is that true?" I fret, not wanting to get him in trouble with his frat or change anything about his life. I like Dax for who he is. I would never want him to change anything for me.

Dax turns to me. "It's fine, Ivy." He snaps his head back toward Avery. "We're not going. Enjoy your night not in my presence."

Avery puts on a fake smile and adds sugar to her voice when she says, "Oh, sorry. I forgot it's probably a little too intense for Ivy, isn't it?"

Too intense for me? What is she talking about?

Dax booms, "Shut up, Avery."

Avery rolls her eyes. "Tell me it's not true, Dax. You know it's too intense for her. She can't handle it."

"I can't handle what?" I question.

Matt nervously looks away and then back at me.

I push, "What does she mean, Dax?"

"What I mean is your country-girl, Ms. Goody-two-shoes self can't handle a real party," she spouts.

Anger fills me. I get defensive. "I can handle going to a party, Avery."

"Really? Why don't you prove it?"

"We're not going," Dax says.

I let my insecurities get the best of me, and my voice shakes as I blurt out, "Why? Because you don't think I can handle it either?"

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