Page 83 of Heartless Beloved

Talk about it? Like he cares? How can he do this to me when I’m trying so hard not to fall for him even more?

Following my silence, he continues. “I’ve had a bit of a shit day too, and I wanted to take you somewhere special where I go to clear my mind. I think you’ll like it. You can rant to me there.”

My head falls forward, my forehead hitting the window. “Stop making me like you,” I groan.

“I’ll wait for you in my car.” Knowing perfectly well I’ll follow, I watch him disappear from the lawn.

The moment he’s out of sight, I run to my bed and grab his hoodie. I put on my long fuchsia trench coat and a black baseball cap and run to the mirror. I’m wearing my black leggings, my face completely bare of makeup. I hesitate momentarily, wondering if I should put on some mascara and blush, then decide otherwise. He’s not going to run away, is he?

I go down the wooden stairs two at a time, my Gucci crossbody bag hitting my lower back and excitement bubbling in my chest now that I know Xi doesn’t think I’m an idiot for being upset about grades.

I’m rushing through the entrance hall when someone calls my name. Harper is standing in the doorway leading to the living room.

“Going somewhere special, pledge?” Her eyes narrow on me and I offer her my best fake smile.

“Late night ice cream.”

She cocks an eyebrow before walking toward me. Women like Harper are so aware of their feminine power. I don’t like her, but I’d give anything to walk around with the assurance she has. To cross my arms over my chest and cock my hips in a threatening and confident way like she does.

And how I wish I had her balls.

“You remember the first night of initiations, Alex. Right?”

Feeling myself shrinking under her intense stare, I nod.

“Do you remember when we said we hadcamerasin the rooms that night?”

My chest tightens, remembering what I did with Xi then. How could I forget about the cameras?

“It looks like youreally,” she drags on the word, twisting the knife, “enjoyed yourself. Didn’t you?”

“Harper—”

“I asked you one thing.One. To stay away from him. Only you couldn’t keep your slutty ass in check, could you? Are you that stupid? Don’t you think we all fall for his tactics?”

“I’m so sorry,” I squeak.

“Sisters over anything else, Alex.”

A lump blocks my throat when I try to apologize again. Tears fill my eyes, making her scoff. “Oh, please. Don’t act like a sweet, innocent girl.” She crosses the boundary of my personal space, talking in my face now. “You’re a little slut who went behind her sister for a guy who will throw you to the side the first chance he gets. Think about what you did before crying to anyone.”

The conversation is over. Not giving me a chance to defend myself, she turns on her heels and goes back to the living room. I can hear a few of them watching a movie in there.

I wipe my tears and head for the door.

Fuck.

Fuck this girl and this sorority. All Harper’s been doing is taking pride in bullying the pledges and dragging out initiations.

I find Xi’s car down the road and jump in. Slamming the door, I look out through the window, attempting to collect myself before I turn to him.

“If I don’t get a kiss in the next two seconds, I’m going to start getting mean.”

My heart thunders at his words. Everything seems to take second place when Xi is around.

It should be worrying, though I could use the distraction right now.

His hand wraps around the back of my neck, and he pulls me to him. I turn around from the pressure, only for his lips to meet mine in a devouring kiss.

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