Page 38 of Forbidden

I’m probably the worst sorority sister. Swimming and my music take up so much of my time, I’m never available to help plan and prep for things. I think the only reason I get away with so little participation is because I DJ at all the parties. This year, I’ve been glad of being a little on the outside. It meant when all the drama surrounding our president, Sasha Darryn, went down before winter break, I managed to sidestep most of it. Luckily, things seem to be getting back to normal again now.

Although the party only officially started an hour ago, there are already a few dozen people milling around. This is one of the first parties of the year that’s open to everyone on campus, with a cover fee for those who aren’t Bees or Wolves, so it’s usually super busy.

I follow Maggie through into the kitchen, giving side hugs to my sisters as I pass them.

“What are you drinking?” Maggie asks, holding up a bottle of vodka in one hand and rum in the other.

I grimace. “Just soda for me. I’ve got a six a.m. practice tomorrow.”

“Seriously?” Maggie makes an exasperated noise and pours me a lemonade.

“No rest for the wicked.” I shrug and take the glass, turning to survey the growing crowd.

Maggie leans against the counter beside me and sighs. “At least your coach is hot as hell. And that accent. Oh, and the new guy is fine, too. I don’t know how you get any swimming done. I swear the pool water must be at least twenty percent drool.”

I snort into my drink. If only she knew I’d slept with both of them. Heat floods my body as I try and fail to stop thinking about Doug and the way he owned my body—his dirty words rumbling in my ear. It’s near impossible to stop flashes of that night from invading my brain. When it comes to Lane, it’s much easier. It was so long ago, it almost feels like it didn’t even happen. We were different people then.

Laughter pulls me back into the room and I realize Maggie’s moved away, chatting to a cluster of Wolves who must have arrived while I was reliving the pounding of my life. I take a breath and head toward the table I set up earlier, my decks ready and waiting.

“Hey.”

A thrill runs through me at the deep familiar tone, and I turn to find Aldo behind me, a couple of the others from the team continuing to the kitchen to get drinks.

“Hey, yourself.”

“You look incredible,” he says, and when he looks me up and down I feel it like a caress.

He looks delicious. Wearing skinny black jeans with rips along the thighs, large enough that I can see the powerful muscle there, and a loose gray t-shirt with a low neck that shows the dip of his pecs amidst the expanse of olive skin.

“You look pretty damn fine yourself.”

Aldo grins at that, as if he doesn’t realize how hot he is. “It’s pretty busy.”

“It’s only going to get busier. You sticking around?”

My heart quickens as I wait for his answer. With a weekend practice tomorrow, he might just be showing his face before going home. Now he’s here in front of me, I can’t deny how much I want him to stay.

“Are you DJing all night?” he asks, glancing at the decks behind me.

I shake my head. “No. I’ll do an hour and then hopefully Trey will jump on. Then I’ll do another set later on.”

“In that case,” Aldo smiles, “I’ll stick around until you finish your set.”

My heart breathes a sigh of relief. “Great.”

“Good luck,” he says, then frowns. “Or is that back luck, like for actors?”

I shrug, smiling up at him. “I’ll take it.”

He nudges me with his arm, grinning, and heads toward the kitchen. I watch him go, wishing his t-shirt was a little shorter so I could enjoy the incredible ass I know is under there. It takes a lot more willpower than I’m used to, to turn and set up. I’ve never looked forward to the end of a set more.

ALDO

Leaning against the wall, I sip my drink and watch Joy on the decks, using the opportunity to enjoy the sight of her in her element. She looks incredible in skintight leather pants and a small glittery halter neck top that shows off her toned stomach. Her dark hair is loose around her shoulders, falling around her large purple headphones. She’s beautiful.

Although it’s only ten p.m., people are dancing and knocking back shots like someone announced the end of the world. I’m sober as hell, but it’s hard not to get caught up in the mood. Smiling to myself, I watch people squeal their approval as the songs melt seamlessly into one another. I don’t know how she does it, but it’s seriously freakin’ awesome.

I haven’t had a chance to speak to Joy outside of practice since we got back from winter break. I texted her over the holidays, but I was really busy with my family. As well as preparing for Abriana’s wedding, I shadowed my dad and Uncle Nico, touring some of the Californian branches of the restaurant that our family still runs directly. Even though I’ve grown up around the business, it’s scary to think that I’ll actually be shouldering some of the responsibility after graduation.

---