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- Herausgeber: Bethany Lopez
- Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
- Sprache: Englisch
- Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2020
Frat House Confessions: Ridge - This makeover has nothing to do with love and everything to do with Karrie and Ridge using each other to get what they want. What starts as a ruse soon becomes an attraction they cannot deny. When it's all said and done, they'll both have more to confess than a need for revenge.
Frat House Confessions: Wes - A year has passed, but anger and regret still linger. Can Wes and Trixie agree to put the past behind them and move forward, or will late night confessions prove to be more than they can forgive and forget?
Frat House Confessions: Brody - When Brody keeps showing up in Emma’s world, her initial assumption is that he’s still playing games. As his confessions come to light, Emma starts to see beneath the surface. Will it be enough to change her perception of him? And will she be able to teach Brody that love is worth more than all his money can buy?
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Frat House Confessions
Bethany Lopez
Contents
Frat House Confessions: Ridge
Frat House Confessions, Book 1
Prologue
1. Karrie
2. Karrie
3. Ridge
4. Karrie
5. Ridge
6. Karrie
7. Ridge
8. Karrie
9. Ridge
10. Karrie
11. Ridge
12. Karrie
13. Ridge
14. Karrie
15. Ridge
16. Karrie
17. Ridge
18. Karrie
19. Ridge
20. Karrie
21. Ridge
22. Karrie
23. Ridge
24. Karrie
25. Ridge
26. Karrie
27. Ridge
28. Karrie
29. Ridge
30. Karrie
31. Ridge
32. Karrie
33. Ridge
34. Karrie
35. Ridge
36. Karrie
37. Ridge
38. Karrie
39. Ridge
40. Karrie
Epilogue
Ridge’s Playlist
Frat House Confessions: Wes
Frat House Confessions, Book 2
Prologue
1. Trixie
2. Wes
3. Trixie
4. Wes
5. Trixie
6. Wes
7. Trixie
8. Wes
9. Trixie
10. Wes
11. Trixie
12. Wes
13. Trixie
14. Wes
15. Trixie
16. Wes
17. Trixie
18. Wes
19. Trixie
20. Wes
21. Trixie
22. Wes
23. Trixie
24. Wes
25. Trixie
26. Wes
27. Trixie
28. Wes
29. Trixie
30. Wes
31. Trixie
32. Wes
33. Trixie
34. Wes
35. Trixie
36. Wes
Epilogue
Frat House Confessions: Brody
Frat House Confessions, Book 3
Prologue
1. Emma
2. Brody
3. Emma
4. Brody
5. Emma
6. Brody
7. Emma
8. Brody
9. Emma
10. Brody
11. Emma
12. Brody
13. Emma
14. Brody
15. Emma
16. Brody
17. Emma
18. Brody
19. Emma
20. Brody
21. Emma
22. Brody
23. Emma
24. Brody
25. Emma
26. Brody
27. Emma
28. Brody
29. Emma
30. Brody
31. Emma
32. Brody
33. Emma
34. Brody
35. Emma
36. Brody
37. Emma
38. Brody
39. Emma
40. Brody
Epilogue
Frat House Confessions: Crush
About the Author
Also by Bethany Lopez
Frat House Confessions: Ridge
Copyright 2019 Bethany Lopez
Published June 2019
ISBN - 9781072926436
Cover Design by Makeready Designs
Editing by Red Road Editing / Kristina Circelli
Formatting by Bethany Lopez
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please don’t participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
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Created with Vellum
To anyone who yearns to be accepted and love for who they are… you deserve it. Don’t settle for anything less.
Prologue
“Forgive me, Papi, for I have sinned,” I said dryly, sneering at the bottle in my hand, whose contents were dwindling.
“Tell me,” Papi asked.
Papi was our treasurer. He’d originally planned on becoming a priest, and now was our go-to guy for advice, complaints, and absolution for our sins. We all knew that he’d given up the priesthood, but we still used his room as the frat house confessional.
“I’ve been having those urges again,” I muttered.
“About your father?” he pressed, leaning forward in his chair with his elbows resting on his knees.
He was currently dressed in a toga.
Not to be a total fucking cliché, but it was rush week and as the hottest frat on campus it was our duty to host the first toga party of the season.
“Yeah,” I replied, taking a chug of rum before adding, “The one where I beat him bloody.”
“Has something happened to bring these thoughts back? You were doing good over the summer, and hadn’t thought about him or the way he’d treated you as a child for a while. I thought our talks were helping.”
“They are, it’s just … Brody called to give me and Wes a head’s up … My mom’s filing for divorce. Guess the bastard’s been cheating on her again. And, that’s not all, Brody heard them fighting and found out the asshole was married before.”
“No shit?” Papi asked, his face showing his surprise.
I couldn’t blame him. I thought I knew every skeleton in my father’s closet.
“Yeah, turns out we have three older sisters.”
Brody and Wes were my younger brothers. Wes was here at college with me, while Brody was living out the last year of his sentence in that mausoleum our parents called a home.
“Fuck, that’s crazy,” Papi said, taking a pull of his beer.
I ran my hand over my face, my vision blurring as I recalled my conversation with Brody.
“Now, my mom’s feeling all clingy and emotional and said Wes and I have to come home for Thanksgiving. She’s talking about inviting her best friend and her daughter, who she’s been trying to hook me up with for years. She’s always had this grand plan of marrying me off and partnering up with another rich family who have good social connections. I don’t know how I’m going to get out of it.”
Papi leaned back and teepee’d his hands, bringing them to his lips as he looked at me thoughtfully.
I took another drink as I waited, sure that Papi would bring the magic like he always did.
A few seconds later, he snapped his fingers and stood up excitedly.
“I’ve got it.”
“Tell me,” I encouraged, getting to my feet as well, albeit somewhat unsteadily.
“Two birds … one stone.”
I waited, the sounds of the music from below pulsing beneath my feet.
“This year, Crush is planning on making the pledges participate in a new test. Each pledge is going to have to find a girl who needs help. You know, somewhat dumpy, shy, or in that awkward, I just moved away from home and don’t know who I am phase. Once they get their pick approved, it will be their job to make her over and turn her into the kind of chick we’d want hanging around the house, rather than the type to hang with the losers in Denny’s all night.”
“What, like a dogfight? That’s fucked up,” I said with a scowl.
Crush was a fucking asshole, but everyone knew that.
“Kind of, but not quite that shitty. We aren’t giving out prizes for finding the ugliest chick and making her think she’s hot, we’re rewarding pledges who find a girl with potential and help her realize that potential.”
“How do I play into it?”
“Well, as the brother every pledge wants to emulate, and our Sergeant at Arms, you could sort of lead the cause. Get Crush off your ass by playing along with his stupid game. Find a girl to makeover, let Crush have his jollies, and take the girl to Thanksgiving. Tell your mom you guys are in love and she doesn’t need to fix you up.”
I looked at him like he was crazy, cause he fucking is, then shook my head.
When the room started spinning, I stopped.
“I can’t take some frumpy girl home for Thanksgiving. My mom will never fall for that shit. She is the Susan Temple after all, and anything other than a Stepford chick will not be welcome.”
“Ridge, dude, you’re not listening,” Papi said, then looked at me closely and added, “Or, maybe you’re just drunk … You will make this girl into whoever you want her to be. Make her over into the young woman of Susan Temple’s wet dreams.”
“That’s fucking gross,” I said with a scowl.
“Just think about it,” Papi said. “That’s your penance, if you choose to accept it. Find a college beauty who’s hiding her light under a bushel and give her a makeover that’ll have every guy in this house jizzing over her.”
He walked over to the door and opened it, turning back to me.
“Now, we have a kickass party going on downstairs, and I just know there are some fine ladies down there wondering where their Papi went, so I’m going down. You coming?”
“Nah,” I said as I followed him into the hall. “I’m not really feelin’ it. I think I’m gonna go listen to some music and sort my shit out. If anyone asks where I am, just say I’m balls deep in a blonde.”
“You got it, brother,” Papi said, bounding down the stairs toward the chaos.
I turned left down the hall toward my room, swaying slightly as I lifted the bottle once more to my lips, and wondered if I was willing to lie to some unsuspecting chick in order to get my mom off my back.
Probably.
Karrie
“What are we doing in here?”
“I have a surprise for you…”
I watched everything playing out on the tiny screen of my phone, like a car accident that I knew was coming, but couldn’t tear my eyes away.
The girl with her eyes dancing, all dressed up in her LBD and heels, excited about what she had in store for her boyfriend, was me … silly, naïve, Karrie, who was about to have her heart shattered.
The handsome boy, who we all now knew was a total asshole, was my then boyfriend, Drake. He was about to pull my heart from my chest and hand it back to me.
It had been four months, and I’d had the entire summer to get over it, but for some reason, whenever I got low, I pulled up the video and reminded myself why men could not be trusted.
I blinked back tears and focused on the oblivious girl.
I cringed as I caught my wink toward where I’d set my phone up to record, eager to get Drake’s reaction when I gave him his present.
“Karrie, since we’re alone, there’s been something I’ve been meaning to tell you,” Drake began, and I held my breath as I waited for him to drop the bomb on my unsuspecting self.
“What’s that?” I asked innocently.
I’d literally had no idea that there was anything wrong in our relationship. We’d dated exclusively all of sophomore year after he’d swept me off my feet at the field party after the last softball game of the season.
“I think we should see other people,” Drake said, and a tear slipped down my cheek as I watched myself blink at him, not sure I’d heard him correctly.
“What? Why would we do that?” my former self asked.
“Because we’ve only got two years left of school, and it’s crazy for us to be tied down, don’t you think? I mean, don’t you want to see what else is out there?”
“No, of course not … and neither do you … Drake, we love each other. Please, don’t do this,” I pleaded and I wanted to reach in the phone and clap my hand over my mouth. Urge myself to shut up and not sound so desperate.
“I’m sorry, Karrie, but I can’t do this anymore,” Drake had said, then he walked past me and out the door without looking back.
Unfortunately, I’d forgotten all about the video I’d been recording, so there was ten more minutes of footage where I cried my eyes out. I mean, full-on snot bubbles and all.
I never watched that part. I didn’t need to. I knew it was there, and that was humiliating enough.
“Please tell me you’re not watching that video again.”
I looked up to see my roommate, Ermina, glaring at me from the kitchen.
I quickly exited out of my videos and dropped the phone on the couch.
“Karrie, why do you do that to yourself? Drake is a total douche, don’t let his actions keep controlling your emotions.”
Ermina was studying psychology and I was her favorite test subject.
“I’m not. I just needed a reminder of why men are pigs,” I replied.
Ermina sighed.
“All men are not like Drake and you need to stop lumping them all together. You’re going to find someone to treat you the way you deserve to be treated.”
“Right now, I’d just settle for making Drake see what a mistake he made, then shove his face in it.”
“You’re better than that,” Ermina chastised.
“You know, I don’t think I am,” I countered, but she just laughed.
I noticed she was dressed up to go out and asked, “Where are you off to?”
“Well, as you know, it’s rush week, so I planned on heading out to a party so I could study the animals in their natural habitat … maybe find a topic for my research paper. Wanna join me?”
She asked it reluctantly, and I knew it was because I’d said no every time she’d asked me to do anything over the last four months.
It’s time for that to change, I decided and stood up.
“You know what, I will go with you,” I replied, and her jaw dropped.
“Really?” Ermina asked, her voice conveying her excitement.
“Yeah, let me throw on some shorts and I’ll be ready.”
She looked down at my favorite T-shirt and ratty sweat pants, then up at my hair, which was pulled up in a bun, and said, “I can wait while you put some clothes on, maybe do your hair and makeup.”
“Nah, I’m good,” I replied, pushing my glasses up my nose, not caring what I looked like.
I just needed to get out of this apartment … maybe have a drink, or ten.
I hadn’t gone to a party as a single woman since Drake and I’d broken up and hadn’t been to a party without him in over a year.
“Okay, as long as you get out of the house, I’ll take you however I can get you,” Ermina said, and I blew her a kiss.
“I’ll be ready in five.”
Three minutes later we were out the door and headed to Greek Row, ready to mingle with the elitists and the poor underclassmen who desperately wanted to join them. I didn’t care about fraternities or sororities, how they acted or what went on behind closed doors, all I cared about was free booze and wiping Drake from my memory.
Karrie
“Thank you,” I said to the pledge who handed me a beer, then turned around, scanned the room, and exclaimed, “You’ve got to be kidding me!”
“What?” Ermina asked, turning to follow my gaze.
“Fucking Drake,” I whispered, closing my eyes to try and shut out the sight of the well-chiseled jaw and curly brown hair of my ex.
“Shit, seriously?” Ermina asked. “I thought he never came to frat parties.”
“He never used to stand in the middle of the room with his tongue down some half-dressed, big-titted chick either, but he’s doing that right now.”
“Shit,” Ermina said, a little louder this time, and began ushering me into a different room.
Once we were in the crowded dining room, where a rousing game of beer pong was happening, Ermina looked at me and said, “Let me go get a closer look, you stay in here. Don’t move.”
I leaned against the wall, then thought better of it and stood straight. Who knows what these Delta guys do on the walls.
After a few seconds, I could no longer resist the urge and peered around the corner back into the other room, to see what Ermina and Drake were doing. He was no longer lip-locked, but instead was scowling at my roommate, who was standing before him with her hands on her hips. She appeared to be reading him the riot act.
I love Ermina.
I grinned and started to slide back into my spot, only to find it was currently occupied.
“Oh, sorry,” I said when I stepped on someone’s foot.
I looked first at the foot, which was large and encased in basketball shoes, then my gaze traveled up the thick jean-clad thighs, over a form-fitting T-shirt, which did nothing to hide the well-formed chest underneath, before landing on a very handsome face.
“No problem,” the sexy stranger said with a lopsided grin, which only made him more handsome. “Did I take your spot?”
I shrugged and took a sip of my beer as I looked around the room. “There’s plenty of wall space.”
“Hmmm, but, why are you hanging out by the wall?” he asked, his voice deep and kinda gravely.
“Where should I be hanging out?” I asked, wondering what was taking Ermina so long.
“I’m sure any guy here would be pleased as fuck if you spent some time with them,” the sexy stranger said, and I knew immediately he was full of shit.
I rolled my eyes and said, “Give me a break.”
“What?” he asked innocently.
I waved a hand over myself and shot him a glare.
I knew I didn’t look my best. Hell, I didn’t look Ermina’s worst.
“What’s your game?” I asked him.
“What makes you think I’m playin’?”
I took in his short dark hair, bright-blue eyes, almost too-perfect face, and rolled my eyes again.
Unable to stand it any longer, I ignored him and peeked into the other room again.
“Who are we looking at?”
I glanced over to see ole blue eyes peering over my shoulder.
“That asshole?” he scoffed. “From the baseball team? You can do better than him.”
I looked up at the side of his face. “You know Drake?”
“Yeah, he comes around here a lot. Thinks he’s big man on campus and that by hanging with us, he’s one of us … but it doesn’t work that way. He’s a total knob.”
“He comes here a lot?” I repeated, looking back at Drake and wondering if I ever really knew him. “You mean, this year?”
“This year. Last year. Ever since he started school here. He’s always here hanging on some different girl. Like I said, you could do better.”
I gasped and looked back at him, shocked.
“Last year he was here? With a different girl every time?” I asked, my voice loud enough to make people look over at us.
He nodded.
“Mother fucker,” I hissed, then tossed back my beer, threw the red solo cup on the ground, and stormed over to where Ermina was still giving Drake the business.
“You cheating asshole!” I shouted when I was close enough.
“Karrie, what the fuck?” Drake asked, looking around, seeming embarrassed I was making a scene. “We aren’t dating anymore, I can see who I want.”
“Not now, douche nozzle, before, when we were together,” I clarified, stopping before him and putting my hands on my hips. “My new friend over there said you were always coming in here with strange women, even when you were supposed to be committed to me.”
Drake looked over my head and scowled.
“You believe fucking Ridge? Dude’s the biggest player around.”
“I don’t care if he gets more action than Dwayne Johnson, I’m more worried about what you were doing.”
Drake clasped his hand around my bicep and started dragging me down the hall.
I squirmed and tried to get loose, but his grip was too strong.
“Get your hands off her!” Ermina yelled, her heels clapping down the hall as she ran after us.
Before I could jerk my arm away, my blue-eyed stranger was standing before us, glaring down at Drake.
Call me petty, but I liked the fact that he towered over Drake.
“Unhand her, man, that’s not how we treat women at Delta.”
Surprisingly, Drake let me go, before turning on his heel to go back the way he came.
“Keep your crazy away from me, Karrie, yeah? We’re over. Let it go,” he said over his shoulder and he was gone.
“You okay?”
I rubbed my bicep absently and finally asked, “Who are you?”
“My name is Ridge, and I have a proposition for you.”
Ridge
“Uh, looks like you got it handled,” Karrie’s hot friend said, then clicked off toward the party.
I looked down at the skeptical girl in front of me and suppressed a grin.
She may have been wearing glasses, unfortunate clothes, and not an ounce of makeup, but even with her hair piled on her head, I could tell she could be seriously hot with a little effort.
This would be almost too easy … if I could get her to play along.
“What sort of proposition?” Karrie asked warily.
“Come upstairs with me, so we can get some privacy, and I’ll tell you all about it.”
“Upstairs? Yeah, right. Why would I go upstairs alone with you? What do you think I am … stupid or easy?” she asked, and I bit back an impatient retort.
“Neither. It’ll be quiet, and we won’t have so many eyes on us. What I want to ask needs to be done in private,” I said.
When she looked like she wanted to argue some more, I looked her pointedly up and down and added, “Don’t worry, I just want to talk. You’re not my type.”
Karrie scoffed, looking momentarily offended.
I worried I’d been too honest, but then she shrugged and said, “After you. But, I’m texting my friend to let her know where I am, so she knows who to come after if anything happens.”
“Works for me.”
I grabbed a couple beers on the way up and led her to my room.
My mom had raised me to always make my bed and put things in their place, so I wasn’t worried about freaking her out with my piggish ways, like some of my brothers.
“Hey, Ridge!”
I looked down over the railing into the room below, to see Crush looking at Karrie’s back and giving me a thumb’s up sign.
Then he fisted his hands and gyrated them like he was fucking the air from behind.
What an ass.
I ignored him and kept on walking.
Once we were to my door, I opened it and stepped aside to let Karrie walk in first.
“Wow, this is nice,” she commented, the surprise evident in her voice. “It doesn’t even stink. Drake’s room always smelled like sweaty socks. I always came armed with room spray.”
“Take a seat,” I said, ignoring her comment as I shut the door behind us.
Karrie looked at the bed, then at my desk chair, before choosing comfort and opting for the bed.
“Okay, I’m here. What’s the proposition?” she asked, accepting the beer I offered.
“First, let me ask you to hear me out, all of it, before you bust in all pissed and say no.”
“That sounds ominous,” Karrie said, and I chuckled. “But, yeah, okay … go ahead.”
I paced the room for a minute, then grabbed my desk chair and placed it in front of her. I sat down, keeping my eyes on hers, and prayed she was as cool as I suspected she was, and wasn’t about to kick me in the nuts or something.
“Here it goes … Crush, our VP and resident dick, has the pledges picking girls to give makeovers to. The pledge that makes the biggest transformation, wins, although, I have no fucking idea what the prize is … probably to wash Crush’s jock strap or something. Anyway, Crush and I don’t see eye to eye, and he’s been making noise about trying to get me fired as Sergeant at Arms so he can find someone to take my place who will do whatever he says. It was suggested to me, that if I play along and lead this stupid game, it’ll keep him off my back, at least this year. The position looks good on my resume, or I wouldn’t care, but I’m not gonna let that douche mess things up for me.”
Karrie looked more and more pissed as I talked, so when I paused, I held up my hand and said, “I’m not done yet.”
She stuck out her tongue, then bit down on it to let me know she was keeping her promise.
“I need to take someone home with me for Thanksgiving, to keep my mom off my back about settling down, even though I’m not even done with school yet. She’s a little crazy and is adamant that I get married right after graduation. Since I’m not prepared to pick out my wife just yet … that’s where you come in.”
I stopped talking, and when Karrie stayed silent, I said, “Okay, you can stop biting your tongue now.”
“What’s in it for me?” she asked, and I felt relieved that she didn’t automatically shut me down.
I didn’t know her well, but the fact that she was hiding her light under a bushel, and I could offer her something in return, made my job much easier. I’d rather not lie to some unsuspecting chick about Crush’s stupid game, and I didn’t want to pick one of the frat house groupies who may think I’d come to actually like them.
Karrie was obviously bitter, and still hung up on that douche Drake, which made her perfect for my plan.
“Drake and I hate each other. Like, I fucking can’t stand him. From what I can tell, you and he were a couple and not only did you not know he was stepping out on you the whole time, but things didn’t end well. If he thinks you’re with me, it’ll drive him crazy.”
“Hmmm, I’m listening,” Karrie said, tossing back more beer.
“You’ll get to hang out here, which means free food and all the booze you can drink. Plus, I’ll pay for the makeover. That includes, clothes, makeup, hair … You’ll be set for the year.”
I looked her over again. She obviously needed some help putting herself together, and I had money to spare.
“And, we’ll pretend to date,” she clarified.
“Yup.”
“What about this stupid makeover thing for your hazing, what do I have to do for that?” she asked.
“It’s not a hazing, just a mess around,” I said, not wanting that shit to get around. Hazing was illegal on campus and they wouldn’t hesitate to shut us down. “You’d come to the initial party next week, where all the pledges and brothers who are playing bring their girls and we take their before pictures. Then, in two months, we’ll have the big reveal, where we’ll show off the transformation and take the after pictures. There’ll be some sort of ceremony where Crush gets up in front of everyone so he can hear himself talk, and then he gives out prizes to the girls and pledges.”
“Then, Thanksgiving.”
“Yup, Chicago for Thanksgiving. And, after that, it’s over. We’ll stage a breakup and you can go back to your life.”
Karrie stood up and I followed suit.
“Can I think about it?” she asked.
“Of course. Why don’t I give you my number and you can call me with your answer? I just need to know before the party on Friday.”
I watched as she input my number into her phone, then walked her to the door.
“Thanks for hearing me out,” I said, but Karrie just nodded and gave me a small smile, before walking out and disappearing down the hall.
I shut the door and leaned against in, sending up a small prayer that she’d say yes.
She’s the one, I know it.
Karrie
“How’s it going, sweetheart? You doing well in your classes?”
“Mom,” I chided. “School barely started.”
“I know, honey, but your scholarship…”
“I’ve been doing this for three years now, I know what I need to do to keep my scholarship.”
“Sorry, force of habit.”
“Yeah, it’s okay, I’m used to it,” I joked. “How’s Carter doing?”
My brother, Carter, was fifteen and a teenage nightmare. He and I had always been close, but my parents were having a hard time with him.
My mom sighed.
“The same. Basically stays in his room all day and grunts at us when we try and talk to him.”
“Is that Karrie?” I heard my dad ask in the background.
“Yes, Judd, I’m not done…”
“I just want to say hi before I head out, Sam.”
I smiled at their bickering.
“Hey, baby girl, how’s practice going?”
I rolled my eyes and laughed.
While my mom was always worried about my schoolwork, my dad only cared about softball.
“So far so good. It’s been great seeing everyone again, and meeting the new team members.”
“Coach still got you at short stop?” he asked, and the fact that we’d had this conversation a million times over the years brought me comfort.
“Yup, that’s what she said last practice.”
“That’s good. Make sure you’re warming up good every time, even if you’re just running drills.”
My dad had played baseball in college and had even gone pro for a while, but had given it all up for me and my mom. He’d gone on to coach at the high school he was a teacher at, and coached me growing up.
There’d never been any question about it, I was always going to be a softball player.
“I know, Dad, I will… promise.”
“Okay, Kare-bear, love you, here’s your mom back.”
“I love you too, Dad.”
“I’m back,” my mom said eagerly, and I felt bad when I informed her, “Mom, I’ve got to go. My first class is in fifteen.”
“Oh, okay, honey, you have a good day, and we’ll talk again soon.”
“Thanks, Mom, love you.”
“I love you, too.”
I hung up and picked up my bag as I headed for the door.
“I wish I had parents like yours,” Ermina said groggily.
My eyes flew to where she stood in the kitchen, coffee cup in hand.
“Jeez, I didn’t know you were standing there!” I exclaimed, my hand going to my heart.
“Mmmm, I was eavesdropping while you talked to your hot dad.”
“Gross.”
I curled my lip up at her as I put my hand on the door handle.
“I gotta go,” I told her, and added, “And, your parents are great.”
She huffed. “My parents are more worried about whether or not I’m tarnishing their good name than how I’m doing in my classes. They’re nothing like your parents.”
I didn’t have time to argue or talk up her parents, so I simply said, “Make sure you make it to class on time. I’ll see you tonight.”
“’Kay.”
I was hurrying to the English building when a large mass stepped into my path.
I looked up, pulled the earbuds out of my ears, and blinked at the sexy crooked grin from the other night.
“Hey,” I said, cringing when it came out more breathless than I’d intended.
“Hey yourself,” Ridge replied with a grin, giving me a onceover.
I was suddenly very aware of the fact that I was wearing the same T-shirt from the party, my hair was pulled back in a makeshift bun, and my face was once again makeup free.
Feeling self-conscious, which only made me defensive, I glared up at him.
“Get a good look?” I asked. “I bet you’re happy I look like this … It falls right into your makeover plan.”
Ridge cocked a dark eyebrow.
“Does that mean you’re going to go along with it?”
I’d told him I’d think about it and get back to him before the party, but I was still on the fence.
“Not sure yet,” I said, before darting around him.
Within seconds he’d fallen into step beside me. “What do you have going on today?” he asked.
“Why?”
“Cause a boyfriend should know his girl’s schedule,” Ridge said with a cocky grin.
“Ugh,” was my reply.
“Come on, it won’t hurt you to tell me…”
No longer hearing him, I stopped in my tracks when I saw Drake and the girl from the party. They were walking up the steps to the English building. He was smiling down at her, and she up at him.
When he opened the door for her and followed her inside, the breath came back into my lungs and I became aware of Ridge talking.
“Karrie.”
I blinked and looked up at him.
A thousand pictures flashed through my mind.
Drake and I at the fields after my games, Drake telling me he loved me as he hovered over me in bed, and Drake smiling at the girl who’d replaced me.
“Okay,” I told Ridge, my mind made up for me. “You have a deal. I’ll be your makeover project and go home with you for Thanksgiving, if you help me make Drake wish he’d never even heard my name.”
Ridge
“Ridge.”
I was heading upstairs to my room when I heard my brother call my name.
I looked down to see Wes, my younger brother, and soon to be frat brother, leaving a group of pledges and heading my way.
“Hey, Wes, what’s up?” I asked as I turned and headed back down the stairs.
Wes was a freshman this year, and first up on his agenda was to become a Delta. I’d encouraged it because having a group of brothers behind him would not only keep him motivated, but it was a good way for Wes to meet people and get involved.
He was planning on going out for the swim team, since he’d been on the team in high school, but being a swimmer wasn’t going to get him pussy, especially as a freshman. Being a Delta, however, now that would have all the ladies fighting to get a taste.
“Crush said you’d be at the party tonight, that you’re entering a girl into the contest.”
“Nah, we’re not entering, I’m just playing along to … show solidarity, if you will. It’ll still be a pledge event. Why, worried about a little competition?” I joked, even though I knew that’s not what he meant.
Wes was the middle child, the good one. He was Mom’s favorite and the peacekeeper in the family. I was hoping getting him out of her clutches would give him the chance to loosen up for once.
“I don’t know how I feel about the whole thing … seems kinda dickish,” Wes said quietly, looking around to make sure no one heard him.
Namely Crush.
“It is, but we won’t let it get out of hand. Crush may be an idiot, but he’s not malicious … Antoine would never have signed off on something that could be seen as hazing or bullying,” I assured him.
Antoine was our president, and nothing happened in Delta without his approval.
“Do you have a girl picked out already?”
Wes sucked in air and blew out his cheeks like a blowfish. It’s a nervous thing he’d done since we were kids.
Having him here, at Delta with me, was actually extremely satisfying to me, and I hadn’t thought it would be. Given the fact that I’d grown up as Dad’s punching bag and he’d always been shielded behind Mom’s skirts, my brother and I didn’t have the best relationship.
But, we were both growing up, out of the asylum of our childhood, and finally getting to know each other as people.
Logically, I knew it wasn’t his fault he was Mom’s favorite. And, honestly, I’d rather be the one taking the hits and keep my brothers safe, but after years of bruises, welts, and broken bones, logic didn’t always factor.
I’d been jealous of my brothers, and so eager to get away the ink had barely dried on my diploma before I was gone.
After a few months, I’d started to worry that without me there, my father’s anger would turn to Wes or Brody; luckily, that hadn’t happened. Mom had finally put her foot down and stood up to our dad, and he’d apparently lost interest and started sleeping around … finding his jollies elsewhere.
We were all better off without him in our lives.
“Yeah, there’s this girl in my Lit class, she’s pretty cool. I told her about this competition and although she’s not into Greek Row, she does need help with something, so we’re gonna trade.”
“What does she need help with?” I asked, hoping some chick wasn’t taking advantage of him already. “Is she a good fit for the comp? Cause Crush takes this shit very seriously.”
“Huh? Oh, yeah, she’s a good fit. She’s not interested in a makeover, but said she’ll play along if I help her pick up chicks?” Wes replied, not taking his eyes off the ground.
I chuckled.
“Wait, she wants you to help her get women?” I asked incredulously. “And, how are you going to do that? With your vast knowledge of eighties movies?”
Unless things had changed drastically in the two years since I’d left home, I knew Wes was the last person anyone should ask for dating advice.
My brother had zero game.
“I know how to talk to girls,” Wes protested.
“Dude, you dated one girl in high school, Cynthia, and you knew her your whole life. All you guys did was eat lunch together at school one day and boom, you were dating. Have you ever even asked someone out on a date.”
Wes thinned his lips and I knew I was right.
“You better be careful,” I warned him, placing my hand on his shoulder. “College chicks are different than high school. They may be just a few months older, but something happens when they get out on their own. If you don’t deliver what she’s asking, there’s bound to be some blowback. Especially if she comes through for you.”
“It’ll be fine,” he said, shrugging my hand off. “She’s a nice person, you’ll see.”
I lifted a shoulder.
What could I do? I’d warned him, now he was on his own.
“All right, well, I’m gonna go get ready, I’ll see you at the party,” I said, but before I could turn and head back up, he stopped me.
“Hey, have you heard from Brody?”
“Nah, not in a couple weeks. Why?” I asked.
“Mom said he’s acting weird … staying out all night, hanging out with guys she doesn’t know. She’s worried.”
“I’m sure he’s fine,” I scoffed. “He’s a senior for God’s sake, what does she expect, him to be home sitting down with her for dinner at the formal table, serving her cocktails?”
“Ridge,” Wes warned, his tone impatient. “She’s not as bad as you make her out to be.”
“Actually, she’s worse,” I replied, and was officially done with the conversation.
I turned and started up the stairs.
“What about Brody?” Wes called up after me.
“I’ll call him later,” I said, then walked down the hall and switched my mind to other things.
Namely, the upcoming party and my deal with Karrie. I found myself wondering what horrible slacker gear she’d show up in this time.
I could hardly wait to find out.
Karrie
“I’m starting to think you have a serious problem and need, like, an intervention or something,” Ermina said as I laced up my Doc Martins.
“Mina, I’m fine, I swear,” I assured her.
“But, you’re going to Delta house, right? Dressed like that?” she asked, waving her hand over me in distaste.
I sighed.
“Yes, but, it’s not what you think … I’ll explain it all later, I promise, but right now, I have to go or I’m going to be late.”
“Would you at least put on some lipstick? Mascara? Please?”
I couldn’t help but laugh at her.
“Next time, promise,” I said as I hurried out the door. She was still frowning at me as I closed it behind me.
Checking my phone, I swore when I saw the time and hurried to my bicycle.
Ten minutes later, I swung into the Delta driveaway, ignored all the stares from well-dressed frat boys and their dowdy-looking dates, and parked my bike on the side of the house.
“Did you just ride here on a bike?”
I finished putting the kickstand down and glanced up to see Ridge leaning on the side of the house.
“Why are you always leaning on walls?” I asked, ignoring his question, because surely it was rhetorical.
“It accentuates my length and gives me the chance to watch everyone around me,” he answered, pushing off and walking closer.
Not wanting to be overly predictable, I fought back an eye roll and simply scowled at him.
Ridge stopped in front of me, looked me up and down, and smirked.
“What?” I asked, crossing my arms.
“Well, you can keep the Docs, but the rest of it…”
“You told me to dress down so the makeover would look miraculous, or whatever. You should be happy.”
“You realize we’ve only met three times, and you’ve been wearing that same T-shirt every time, don’t you?”
I looked down, then shrugged and said, “It’s comfortable.”
“I hope you at least wash it…”
“Obviously. Just because I like comfort doesn’t mean I’m dirty.”
Seriously, this fucking guy.
“And, sweatpants?” Ridge asked, glaring at said pants. “Sweatpants are okay on Sunday mornings, or when the Dodgers lose the World Series, but I have a feeling this is every day normal attire for you.”
“Yeah, well, we don’t all have to be Mr. GQ twenty-four seven,” I shot back.
“When I look good, I feel good about myself. It’s about confidence, and feeling my best. You should try it,” he replied, not rising to my bait.
I huffed and felt my shoulders droop.
“I used to, ya know,” I said, looking past him, not wanting to meet those eyes. “I used to take care with how I looked, then Drake dumped me out of nowhere and I didn’t see the point. After time, this became like my uniform, and eventually, my armor. Dressed this way, I know guys will leave me alone, and honestly, it’s easier that way. There’s no way I’m putting myself out there again, not after Drake.”
“Hey,” Ridge said softly, his fingers grasping my chin, urging me to look at him. “Don’t give that asshole any more power than he’s already had. Fuck him. He’s in the past, now it’s time for you to focus on the future. Let’s get this shit over with tonight and then both of our plans will be set in motion. I promise, by the time we’re done with you, Drake’s going to be begging you to take him back.”
“As if,” I scoffed.
Because, honestly, there was no fucking way Drake could ever make up for what he did to me.
“That’s right, and we both know it’s right, but Drake doesn’t. He’s too much of a tool to realize his actions have consequences, but I for one am looking forward to teaching him that lesson.”
I smiled up at Ridge.
“Me, too,” I replied, then looked around and asked, “He’s not going to be here tonight though, right?”
Ridge shook his head.
“Deltas and the girls they’re entering into the comp only.”
I nodded and couldn’t deny I felt relief.
Ridge offered his arm and asked, “Are you ready?”
“As I’ll ever be,” I replied, tucking my arm around his.
“Let’s do this.”
We rounded the house and started up the stairs.
“Pledge!” Ridge shouted to no one in particular.
An eager-looking blonde guy came running over. “Yes, Sarg?”
“I’ll take a beer,” Ridge said, before turning his attention to me and asking, “What’ll you have?”
“Beer.”
“Two beers from my stash,” he told the pledge, who nodded before turning and hurrying off.
“Poor guy,” I murmured as I watched him go. “I could have gotten my own beer.”
“Nah, that’s what the pledges are here for. It’s like a rite of passage. Believe me, I served plenty of beer back in my day.”
We walked inside and I noticed that most everyone had moved into the house. There were guys wearing “pledge” shirts, along with the older, well-dressed guys, who were obviously already part of the frat.
Scattered throughout the rooms were the girls the pledges brought, all looking their worst, with eyes downcast and shoulders hunched, as if they were embarrassed to be seen out in public.
“These girls all know why they’re here, right?” I asked Ridge, thinking I was about to lose my shit if they were here under false pretenses.
“Yeah, killer, don’t worry, even Crush isn’t that much of a prick. It’s all in good fun,” he whispered back, leaning down so that I felt his hot breath against my ear.
A shiver ran through me.
God, he smells good.
“You okay? Cold? I can run up and grab you a hoodie,” Ridge offered.
I looked up to see if he was messing with me, but he wasn’t even looking at me, he was surveying the room. It appeared his offer had been completely genuine and he hadn’t noticed my reaction to him.
Thank goodness. The last thing I needed was for Ridge to think I was even remotely attracted to him. This was a strictly professional relationship. Him smelling good, keeping his room clean, and acting like an occasional gentleman was just a bonus.
“No, I’m good, but thanks.”
“Here you go, Sarg, do you need anything else?”
The pledge was back.
I accepted the bottle of Stella and said, “Thanks,” to the pledge, before glancing up at Ridge and saying, “Fancy.”
“Only the best, baby,” Ridge said with a wink.
Annnnd … we’re back to eye-rolling.
Ridge
“Welcome, welcome. I’m ready to get started,” Crush called, causing everyone to look to where he was standing, on top of the ledge in front of the fireplace in the common room. “I’d like to say thanks to all the ladies who agreed to help these poor, insignificant pledges. Their mission is to turn you all into the hottest girls on campus in time for the big Delta Homecoming party.”
Crush paused and looked around the room. I don’t know if he thought he had the room eating out of the palm of his hands or what, but while the pledges looked scared, the girls looked kinda pissed.
“Tonight, I will personally meet each and every one of you and either approve or disapprove of the pledges’ choice. If I approve, we’ll see you back here Homecoming night; if I disapprove, that pledge is out of the running. The pledge who wins gets fifty points, and the opportunity to have a private dinner with the board.”
Karrie poked my shoulder, so I leaned down.
“What are the points for?” she whispered in my ear.
“The pledges earn points to become members,” I replied.
“And, what’s the benefit of a dinner with the board?”
I glanced at her, saw she was seriously curious, and said, “It gives them the opportunity to talk to us individually … privately, and give us more insight into who they are as a person, rather than just a pledge. It’s hard to give individual attention to each pledge, and they usually don’t get that chance until we’ve already gone through two rounds of weeding them out.”
“Hmmm,” Karrie murmured, then asked, “But, what’s in it for the girls?”
“What’s in it for you, you may be asking,” Crush began, and I stood back up, wondering what his answer would be. “Well, other than having access to the Deltas and our house over the next few weeks during the competition, the winning girl will have an open invite to every Delta event during her career here at U of M.”
I glanced down to see Karrie’s reaction and chuckled when she gave me a dry stare.
“To give you an idea of what I’m looking for,” Crush continued. “Bella…”
He held his hand out and Bella, his fuck buddy, came out of the kitchen and started moving through the crowd. The pledges and their girls parted, all eyes on Bella as she strutted toward Crush.
Wearing stilettos, a skin-tight leather dress, and what I’d bet a Benjamin was a wig, Bella placed her hand in his and let him pull her up onto his makeshift stage.
When she turned and faced the crowd, there was an audible gasp.
Yeah, sure, Bella was gorgeous, but she was seventy-five percent fake and one-hundred percent a raging bitch.
Not exactly who the young girls on campus should aspire to be.
“This is what a winner looks like,” Crush said with a dumbass grin.
“What a dipshit,” Karrie muttered and I grinned down at her.
“Right?” I agreed.
“So, go forth … eat, drink, and get ready for my inspection,” Crush said, hopping down off the stage and leaving Bella on display.
God, what a fucking douche.
“You hungry?” I asked Karrie. “There’s some pizza and chips and stuff in the kitchen.”
She lifted a shoulder and replied, “I can always eat.”
I put my hand on the small of her back and led her to the kitchen.
Once inside, I rounded the counter and grabbed some paper plates. Luckily, no one else had come in search of food yet; they were probably all anxiously awaiting Crush’s decision.
I handed Karrie a plate and noticed her watching me warily.
“What?” I asked, opening pizza boxes until I found a supreme.
“So, are we dating now?”
She put air quotes over dating.
I looked toward the door to make sure no one was coming before turning back to her and saying, “I figured we’d ease into it. We’ll be spending time with each other as we work on your makeover, and eventually we’ll start incorporating PDA and I’ll drop hints that we’re dating.”
Karrie grabbed a pepperoni and sausage slice and jumped up on the counter to sit.
“I’ve been wondering,” she began, her gaze on me pensive. “If we just need to convince your mom that we’re dating over Thanksgiving, why do we need to pretend over the next few months? Here? Can’t we save it for the trip?”
I shook my head.
“My brother’s a pledge. I need to start the ruse here so he gets wind of it and tells our mom; that way, it’ll be more believable when I take you home. Since Wes goes to school here and’s a pledge, he would know if I was seriously dating someone.”
“We’re going to lie to your brother?” she asked, not looking happy about it.
“Yeah, at least until after Thanksgiving,” I told her. “I’ll come clean once we get back and have officially broken up. Wes is a total mama’s boy. I need him to believe we’re together so that she’ll believe we’re together.”
“What are you talking about?”
I shifted to see my brother walking into the kitchen, a petite girl with long black hair and a scowl following behind him.
“Nothing you need to concern yourself with, pledge,” I replied, hoping he hadn’t heard what Karrie and I’d been discussing. “How’s it going? You guys have your meet with Crush yet?”
“Guy’s a total dick,” the raven-haired chick scoffed.
“That he is,” I agreed. “Hi, I’m Ridge, Sergeant at Arms, and this rude asshole’s older brother.”
“Trixie,” she replied, shaking my offered hand.
“And, this is Karrie, my date for the evening,” I said, turning to include Karrie, who was watching us from her perch. “Karrie, my brother, Wes, and his offering for the night, Trixie.”
“Hey, Karrie, it’s nice to meet you,” Wes said, finally remembering his manners and moving to take her hand in his.
His eyes were twinkling and he held her hand for a bit longer than necessary, so I walked over to him and pulled him away
“Hands off my date,” I told him, needing to establish boundaries, and interest, right off the bat if he was ever going to believe Karrie and I were dating by Thanksgiving.
I wasn’t exactly known for dating seriously and had never taken anyone home to meet the parents.
Wes looked up at me, surprise evident on his face, and held up his hands in surrender.
“You got it,” he replied, and backed away.
“Nice to meet you, Wes … Trixie,” Karrie said, placing her plate next to her with only the crust left.
“You’re not going to eat the crust?” I asked her.
She shook her head. “No, I don’t like it. Too much dough.”
“That’s sacrilege. You can’t call yourself a pizza connoisseur and not eat the crust.”
“Good thing I don’t call myself that, then,” Karrie said as she hopped down. “Do we need to go in and meet Crush so we can get his approval?
She said Crush with a sneer that I enjoyed.
“Fuck that,” I replied. “I’m not part of the competition, so Crush has zero say in you, me, or howwe decide to make you over.”
“Okay,” Karrie said, wiping her hands with a napkin. “What should we do then?”
“Beer pong?” I suggested.
She grinned at me and replied, “You’re on.”
Karrie
I caught a glance of myself in the mirror while I washed my hands, and a giggle escaped my lips.
My flannel shirt was now tied around the waist of my cutoff sweats, so you could see all of the writing on my favorite T-shirt, which showcased different lyrics from Thirty Seconds to Mars songs. Paired with my Docs and completely messy up-do, I looked totally grunge.
Like I’d walked right out of a portal from the nineties.
I swear, I’d seen Crush’s lip curl up when he saw me and Ridge playing beer pong. Which, by the way, Ridge obviously had a lot of experience in, because I was totally smashed and he seemed no worse for the wear.
Wes, on the other hand, had passed out in the corner of the room. Trixie had looked at him with contempt and gone home with a few of the other girls.
Still giggling, I swung open the bathroom door to see Ridge leaning against the wall, arms crossed, eyes on me.
“You’re leaning again,” I told him, trying not to trip over my feet as I stepped into the hall.
“What’s so funny?” he asked, ignoring my observation and taking me by the arm to help me stay upright.
“Nothin’, just how rad you look.”
“Rad, huh?”
“Yup,” I said, popping the p.
“Do you want me to take you home, or would you rather go up to my room and crash here?”
I swung my head toward him, much too quickly, and asked, “Is it safe?”
“Safe? What, to go to my room?” he asked, pulling me against him when I started to waiver.
“Yeah, you’re not gonna try any funny business, right?”
Ridge scoffed.
“I don’t make a habit of pawing at wasted girls, even if they look like members of the Nirvana fan club.”
“Good one,” I said, as he pointed me toward the stairs. “Are you sure there isn’t some hot chick in stilettos waiting to warm your bed?”
“Jealous?” he asked.
I tried to guffaw, but it came out somewhere between a snort and a burp.
“You gonna be sick?” Ridge asked, moving us faster.
“Your insinuation that I’d be jealous of you makes me sick, but physically … no.”
“Okay, well, let me know if you do feel like puking, I have a bathroom off of my room, and I’d rather you make it to the toilet, than vomit on my bed.”
“Will do, Captain,” I said, giving him a jaunty salute.
Ridge shook his head and propped me up against the wall while he unlocked his door.
“You lock it?” I asked, letting my head fall back.
“Not always, but during parties, definitely.”
“Hmmm, I don’t remember it being locked last time I was up here.”
He looked at me with annoyance.
“Just an observation,” I said with a wave of my hand. “No need to get your panties in a bunch.”
Ridge just sighed. “Come on, killer, let’s get you inside before you fall over.”
He led me to the bed and I laid back on it with a happy squeal.
“Mmm, soft.”
“Here, take these.”
I opened one eye to see Ridge standing over me with one hand out and the other holding a Gatorade.
Sitting up, I took the pills he offered and the blue drink. Before popping them in my mouth, I looked closer at the pills, saw they said Motrin on them, and took them.
“Thanks.”
“Drink all the Gatorade,” Ridge ordered.
“Yes, sir.”
Ridge got some clothes out of his dresser and disappeared into the bathroom while I downed the rest of the drink. Once it was done, I set the empty bottle on the side table and laid back down on the bed.
“Is Wes your only brother?” I asked, then realized the last time I’d seen him was in the beer pong room. “Hey, is he going to be okay? Did you leave him in the corner?”
The door opened and Ridge stepped out wearing basketball shorts and a plain white tee.
“Don’t worry, a couple of the pledges had to stay sober to make sure the rest of them got home safe. Wes’ll be fine. And, no, our youngest brother’s Brody. He’s a senior in high school, but he’ll be coming to U of M next year.”
“Wow, all of you at the same school. That’s pretty cool … I mean, as long as you all like each other.”
“Yeah, we get along, it’ll be good for Brody to get away,” Ridge said, opening his drawer again and holding up a T-shirt. “You wanna put this on? It’s probably more comfortable than that.”
I looked down and saw my Docs were perched on his bed and quickly swung my feet to the floor.
“Sorry,” I mumbled, placing my hands on either side of me to steady myself on the bed.
“Here, let me help.”
Ridge crouched before me and started unlacing my boots.
“I didn’t think you’d be this nice,” I told him softly, enjoying the way his dark hair fell over his forehead.
“Don’t be fooled, I can be a total dick,” Ridge said, his blue eyes intense when he met my gaze. “But, you and I, we’re a team now, we need to have each other’s backs.”
I started to nod, but the room started spinning, so I stopped.
Once my boots were off, I scooted back up on the bed and laid my head on his soft, yet firm pillow.
“What about you?” Ridge asked as he crawled in beside me. “Do you have any brothers or sisters?”
Turning on my side, I tucked my hands under my cheeks and looked at him.
“I do … My mom and dad met when I was like two, at college. He was a baseball player and she was working her way through school and raising me. Eventually they got married, and now I have a younger brother, Carter.” I paused, thinking about my family and how much I missed them.
“So, he’s your stepdad?”
“Yeah, Judd’s my stepdad, but really the only father I’ve ever known. Initially, my real dad, Tucker, didn’t want anything to do with having a kid. He and my mom were just a hookup and he had dreams of playing professional baseball, which he did. About five years ago, he settled down and got married and realized what an ass he’d been. He contacted my mom and asked if we could meet. She left it up to me.”
“So, both Judd and your dad were ballplayers?”
“Mmm-hmmm, on the same team. I guess they were even friends, until Judd found out Tucker was a deadbeat dad. They hadn’t talked to each other either, until five years ago.”
“What did you decide? Did you give him a shot?”
“Yeah,” I said, trying to cover a yawn. “I met him and his wife, Claire, and once they had my little sister, Evelyn, I started spending more time with them. Now we’re a big, crazy, dysfunctional family.”
