Page 120 of The Friend Zone

“Come again?” Jagger asks.

“Are you sure?” It’s Ryker’s question.

“If you don’t believe me, you can google it.”

Ryker takes the bag from me. “No, I believe you. You’re about to graduate with a major in Pharmaceutical Science after all. I just don’t get what Topher would do with that shit.”

I run to the bathroom as my dinner is about to projectile from me like in a scene fromThe Exorcist.

Cold sweat makes me shudder as the last piece of a puzzle clicks into place. A memory that has been haunting me for over three years finally begins to make sense.

CHAPTER 24

RECKONING

BAY

Freshman year

Rush week party, Gamma House

“I think you’re an excellent fit for Zeta Theta Beta, Bay,” Rachelle, the Zeta president beams. “Are you going to pledge?”

I try my best to play it cool. “Hmm, I’m seriously thinking about it.”

Rachelle hugs me. “Yay! If you do, I’ll be your big sister. Which means you’re practically in, unless you fail your initiation. But it takes one look at you to know that you’ll be fine. You’re definitely Zeta material.”

That’s what I was hoping to hear. I spent hours on my hair and makeup and I agonized over my outfit for a whole week. Image is everything in these situations.

“Yes, I think I’ll love being a Zeta,” I smile back, trying to contain at least some of my excitement. “All the sisters I spoke to earlier at the Rush Fair and tonight are lovely.”

“And not just the sisters,” Rachelle leans in to whisper in my ear. “We’re affiliated with the hottest fraternity on campus.Most of the Gamma Delta Tau brothers are either on the hockey team or on the football team. We’re invited to all their parties, like tonight. We have exclusive mixers. A lot of Zetas end up dating a Gamma during their college careers and a very high percentage of those relationships end in marriage.”

I know all that. When I decided that I wanted to pledge a sorority, I did my research. “I dated our school quarterback for most of my high school years,” I admit. “I’ve never been to a hockey game, but I’m curious.”

Rachelle giggles. “I know, your high school boyfriend was hot. I saw your senior prom photos on your social media. We have to do our research on our pledges after all. Whether you go for a brother who plays football or hockey, Gamma men are the best. And I already saw a couple of guys who have been staring at you since you arrived. A few are rushing too, just make sure to see who gets accepted before you agree to a date. Hookups are fine and encouraged, but I have to warn you. Don’t get too attached because while technically you can date whoever you want, dating someone who was rejected by Gamma would be social suicide.”

There’s a tall blond guy, with piercing blue eyes who’s caught my eye. He’s absolute physical perfection. He’s been looking at me too, even though he’s trying to be cool about it. He doesn’t have a Gamma Delta Tau pin on the lapel of his blazer, so he must be a pledge.

“Ooh,” Rachelle chuckles, following my gaze. “That’s a hottie. I approve.”

“What if he isn’t invited to pledge?” I ask.

Rachelle’s tone is conspiratorial. “He will be. Travis—the Gamma president—and I always get together after the Rush Fair and discuss the people who indicated that they’re interested in rushing. That guy is a recruit to the hockey team,so he’s pretty much a shoo-in. There’s also another guy who’s been staring at you all night.”

I don’t even have to look at the guy Rachelle is talking about. I know who she’s talking about because I caught him looking at me. He’s not as tall and muscular as the blond guy, but he still looks pretty fit. He’s been following the Gamma president pretty closely all night.

“Hmm,” my lips twist as I give the dark-haired stranger an evaluating look. “He’s kinda cute, but I don’t know if I’m into him. I’m not sure I like the lackey types.”

Rachelle pulls me closer, lowering her tone even more. “Oh babe, you got it wrong. That’s Topher Mumford, he’s a fourth generation Gamma legacy. He isn’t trying to ingratiate Travis. If anything, it’s the other way around. Guys like Topher are definitely Gamma material and he plays center forward on the hockey team. One day he’ll be Gamma president like every man in his family before him. They’re as old money as it gets. Their family tree is full of senators and high-profile lawyers and judges.”

I must have been looking at Topher while I listened to Rachelle, because our eyes meet suddenly through the fairly crowded room.

Topher’s dark eyes skim from my face down the length of my body. He smiles when his eyes return to mine.

The fact that a popular guy like him is showing interest in me is flattering, but the tall, blond hockey player is more my type.

However men aren’t at the forefront of my mind right now. I’m here to make sure I get accepted into Zeta Theta Beta, and I hope I can get Lakyn to pledge too. That requires a double effort on both sides; I need to convince Rachelle that Lakyn is Zeta material. But I also have to convince my twin sister to give Greek life a chance.

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