Page 164 of The Charlie Method

Mitch turns and walks away. I let out a breath as I watch him go.

“I’m sorry about that,” I say, touching Will’s arm.

He shakes his head, turning back to me. “You don’t have to apologize for him. He’s the one who should be sorry. That was fucking rude.”

“Yeah. He’s still not over our breakup. I don’t know if he’ll ever be.” I offer a small smile, trying to lighten the mood. “By the way? You’re pretty intimidating when you want to be. That’s how you need to handle your dad.”

“Yeah, maybe.” Will chuckles, taking my hand as we fall into step with each other again.

I’m still thinking about the run-in with Mitch when I get home later, and as my mind replays the tense encounter, a gnawing unease settles in my stomach. I try to shake it off as I grab my laptop for our weekly meeting.

I enter the dining room and take my seat next to Sherise, then twist in my chair to say hi and smile at Blake, who’s leaning against the wall. She smiles back, looking tanned and happy. She went to St. Barts over the break with her family and their friends. I guess someone they know has a beach house there. Faith was away too, as one of her million siblings got married over the holidays. Destination wedding to Greece. Lucky bitch.

Everyone is chattering away as they wait for Agatha to start the meeting. The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end when I notice a few girls sneaking glances at me, their whispers suddenly becoming more pronounced. But I hide my frown and brush it off, focusing on Agatha. She sits at the head of the table, posture set with her usual air of superiority.

“Let’s get started,” she announces once everyone has filed in.

Much to my relief, the next hour passes quickly. And whatever had caused my sorority sisters to whisper seems to have passed—at least until Agatha stops me from leaving the room after she dismisses everyone.

“Charlotte,” she says sharply. “Don’t go yet. We need to have a little chat.”

My heart sinks, but I nod. As the others stream out of the dining room, some of them throw sympathetic looks my way. Others just seem curious.

I brace myself as Agatha approaches with her perfect hair, designer dress, and an expression that’s a mix of concern and condescension.

“What is it, Agatha?” I ask, stifling my irritation.

She folds her arms. “It’s been brought to my attention that you were seen making out with a guy on campus today.”

My jaw drops. “I’m sorry—what?”

“You heard me.”

“I don’t see how that’s any of your business,” I say in amusement. I was expecting something a lot more dire. Like maybe someone accused me of embezzling from the house account. Or someone figured out I’m regularly having sex with two guys.

But this is about me kissing Will on campus?

Big fucking deal.

“It’s my business when it reflects poorly on this house. As Delta Pi sisters, we’re expected to uphold a certain image. An image of class and dignity. Slutty behavior is unbecoming of a Delta.”

My hands clench into fists at my sides, her condescending tone igniting a spark of anger.

“Slutty behavior?” I echo, my voice rising slightly. “It was a kiss, Agatha. Chill the fuck out. It’s not like I was blowing him on the quad.”

“That’s not the point,” she snaps back. “The point is that your actions are being noticed and not in a good way. We have a reputation to maintain, and you’re putting that at risk.”

I stare at her, incredulous. “Who told you about this anyway? Who’s so concerned about my personal life that they felt the need to report it?” But I know the answer before she can even open her mouth. “Mitch. It was him, right?”

Of course he would stoop this low. And I know for a fact he has Agatha’s phone number. As the VP of Delta Tau, he was part of our executive board group chat when we cohosted a dinner party last year with his frat.

“It doesn’t matter who told me. What matters is that you need to start thinking about how your actions affect all of us.”

My patience snaps. “You know what? I’m done with this. I’m done with you thinking you can control every aspect of my life because it might reflect poorly on this precious sorority. So why don’t you just mind your own business and stop acting like you’re the fucking morality police?”

Her eyes widen. She clearly wasn’t expecting me to talk back. “I’m just trying to—”

“To what? Shame me into submission? Well, I’m not going to apologize for living my life the way I want to. If that doesn’t fit into your picture of what a Delta sister should be, then maybe I don’t belong here.”

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