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  “I guess I’ll text him we’re coming.”

  “J, stop being a twat. Our social status has changed so much this year. We’re pre-gaming with some Sigs. Eek!”

  “Did you just say eek out loud? Am I the only sane one around here?” I might as well have been talking to myself because she was down the hall already, stripping to get into the shower.

  I finished my drink before summoning up the courage to text him.

  Jenna: We’re on for the pregame.

  Aiden: Hell yeah. We have drinks. Don’t bring any.

  Jenna: This is new for me, but what time should we show up?

  Aiden: Whenever you want. I’m here all night.

  Jenna: K, see you soon, amigo.

  “What are you wearing, J? You going for sexy but casual, or are you jazzing it up?” Maya asked, dressed in just a bra and thong.

  “Just my black jeans and Suns tank. Nothing too fancy. Maybe my boots.”

  “Oh, the ones that make you look like a slutty biker chick?”

  “Of course. The ones I refuse to let you borrow. Any of the others, go ahead.”

  Kennedy came into my room wearing a short dress with heels. “Is this too much?”

  Maya answered first and assured her it was fine. I nodded in agreement and finished scrunching my hair for the night. Kennedy and I were ready a half hour before Maya.

  We had gotten used to waiting and created our own drinking game. Take a drink when Maya asked a question about her hair, shoes, outfit, or jewelry. Take a shot when she changed her entire outfit. We were three drinks in when she came out.

  “You bitches ready?” Maya strutted out of her room in a skintight red dress. She looked amazing but too overdone for a pregame.

  “Girl, take it down to a five. You’re above a ten right now.” They looked to me for honesty because I still tended to blurt out the truth despite the consequences.

  Her face lit up and only made her more aware of her looks. “Bitch, please. I’m aiming to be above a ten. I need to get those guys to notice me.”

  “Oh, they will. Let’s vámonos.” I got up and set my drink on the counter before heading over to a pregame I wasn’t sure about.

  “Stop trying to make Spanish happen, J. You can’t speak it!”

  “She took one year of Spanish, and she thinks she’s fluent.” Kennedy shared a look with Maya. “It’s cute…and sad.”

  “I’m going to keep trying! ¡Ay, caramba!” I yelled back at Maya.

  Chapter 10

  The Family That Drinks Together Stays Together-Aiden

  “HEY, do we have any whiskey left from last weekend?” It was hot as hell, and I was in the basement, going through the liquor cabinet. All because Jenna told me she liked Jameson.

  “Uh, I think so. I’ll check the other bar. Why? Rough day?” Jon asked while scrolling through his phone.

  “Nah, Jenna and her friends are stopping by for a pregame. You down?”

  He looked up from the screen with an incredulous face. “Dude. Don’t even ask. I’ll be there. I like her, and her friends are hot.”

  “For sure. It’s weird how we never saw them on campus before, and all of a sudden, they’re coming over—and it’s not to get laid. This is new for me. It’s weird how shit works, ain’t it?”

  “Ah. Our dear leader is being mortal. It’s a nice change. This might be new for you, but not for the rest of us. We’ve all had girls come over for pregames. Yours just usually ended up in bed.”

  “Have I always been an ass?”

  “Ass? Nah. A player? Yeah. It makes the other guys hate you, envy you, but respect you.”

  “Thanks for the talk, Maury.” I diverted the conversation because I was getting uncomfortable. “Zeke and ass face here?”

  I wiped my brow because our basement had to be at least a hundred degrees at the moment. I needed to get our air checked soon.

  “Yeah, Zeke’s working out, but in this instance, I’m not sure which ass face you’re referring to?”

  “Kam.” I grunted as I lifted a box of beer and carried it toward the stairs to add to the pile to take up.

  “He’s around. I’m sure he’ll come, too.”

  “He wants to ask out Jenna,” I said without emotion.

  “Okay. Thanks for the update.” Jon eyed me suspiciously.

  “He asked permission from me. It was fucking weird.”

  Jon helped me grab the next box and gave me a long look. “Dude. Do you want to fuck Jenna?”

  “She’s hot, so obviously, but she wouldn’t ever go for it. We’re just friends.”

  “Then who cares? If you aren’t going to bang her or date her, then let Kam ask her out.”

  “I told him I didn’t care, but he better not mess with her.”

  Jon shook his head, then answered his ringing phone.

  I continued carrying the boxes upstairs before grabbing a shower. When I got out, I heard a scream come from the living room area. I ran out in just a towel to find an interesting scene unfolding. Jenna held a baseball bat, running around the room with Zeke, her friends standing on top of the table, shrieking, and glass was shattered all over the floor.

  “What the fuck is going on?” It looked like a madhouse. The window would be a bitch to replace.

  “A goddamn squirrel just broke the window and is in the house, Aiden. A freaking squirrel!” Jenna yelled without glancing in my direction.

  “I think it’s behind the couch. Quick, open the door. These two are useless right now.” Zeke pointed to Maya and Kennedy, who were currently eyeing me. I forgot I was just in a towel. Shit. I needed shoes. I wasn’t in Die Hard and I wouldn’t walk on broken glass.

  I opened the door, and Jenna somehow maneuvered the couch and chairs so the only means of escape was through the door, and the squirrel darted out of our frat.

  “Unreal.” She turned around and took notice of my lack of clothing. A slow blush creeped onto her face, and her pulse quickened at the base of her neck. “You look fake. Like straight out of a magazine.” She took an audible swallow and laughed.

  “Uh, thank you?” I wasn’t sure what she meant, but she walked over to me, wearing skintight jeans, a low-cut tank top, and a hat. Totally not my type, I mentally told my dick.

  She didn’t hold back her smile, and she touched my abs, which caused my dick to jump. I needed to get clothes on. Like five seconds ago. “Wow. They are real.” She looked at her friends, and they were smirking at her.

  Even Zeke covered his mouth with his hand to hide his laughter.

  “Okay, first off, Aiden knows he’s hot, so this isn’t news. The calendar didn’t really display the full effect of these bad boys. Well done, Aiden.”

  “Mr. February strikes again!” Jon froze as he entered the scene. “What in God’s name happened here?”

  “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you. Take the ladies upstairs to the suite, and I’ll get some pledges to clean it up.”

  He nodded and led them upstairs. I used the moment to go throw on some shorts and a V-neck and collect myself. I was turning into a goddamn headcase.

  Maya and Kennedy sat with some beers and talked to Jon and Kam. “J! They haven’t played Circle of Death before!”

  “Bullshit. They’re in a frat; they had to have played it before.” She gave me an I don’t believe you look and rolled her eyes.

  “Seriously, we’ve never played,” Kam said, giving me an honest look. “They were explaining the rules right before you walked in. Sounds like a hella good time.”

  “I’m all in.”

  I sat on the edge of a loveseat but left a little space between Jenna and me. I needed it because she was overtaking my senses.

  Maya explained the rules, and we got started.

  “Okay, each number has a different rule, so for six, it’s six, dicks, so all the guys would then take a drink. Once you draw the card, you then have to place it under the tab of the can. Ace is wat
erfall, so the drawer gets to choose which direction the fall goes, and we all have to drink until the person before us stops. Basically, we’ll get fucked up. Oh, and if you’re the one to pop the tab off the beer, you have to chug it. We’ll let Aiden start, as he so kindly invited us here.”

  I ran my hand over my jaw before sighing and drawing a card. I held it out to show them. “Three?”

  “Three, me,” Jenna replied.

  “Um, what?” I barked.

  “Three, me, like three drinks for myself. Perv. I know what it sounded like. Maybe later,” she joked. I blamed the alcohol for the shot of pleasure coursing through me.

  “Don’t make promises you won’t keep, shorty. Three, me.” I took three swigs, and I tried to ignore the way Jenna smelled and shifted her weight on the couch. I also tried to ignore the look Kam was giving me.

  “All right, my turn.” Jenna held her whiskey in one hand and drew a card.

  She picked a seven. “Maya, are we doing heaven or never have I ever for sevens?” Everyone knew as soon as she asked what the answer was going to be.

  “Never have I ever. Duh.”

  “Okay, everyone, get out four fingers. Every time you’ve done something, you put a finger down. The first one out finishes their drink because shame on you!”

  “Never have I ever…had sex on the first date,” she said so sweetly I wasn’t surprised everyone put a finger down except Kennedy and, shockingly, Jon.

  “Jon, aren’t you sweet? You’re the real MVP,” Jenna purred.

  “I’m glad you think so. I knew not being a dick would pay off.”

  Maya went next, and I cringed at hers. “Never have I ever…had sex in a public place.”

  “Shit,” I muttered under my breath, and Jenna sucked in a breath, too. She’d put a finger down, too, and my mouth dropped.

  “There are a lot of things you don’t know about me. Don’t be too alarmed.”

  Kam looked at me for a second too long before he said, “Never have I ever…said the wrong name during sex.”

  No one but me put their finger down, and I actually felt ashamed of myself for a moment before glaring at the ass face.

  Jenna burst out laughing. “Low blow, Aiden. Haven’t you heard the rule? You’re just supposed to call them all baby or sweetheart so there’s no confusion.”

  “John Tucker Must Die. Great fucking movie,” Zeke said, and the three girls gave him a skeptical look. “So I accidently watched it with my sister once, and I remembered the quote.”

  “Such a manly man,” Maya said in a teasing tone. “Your turn, Nate.”

  “Okay, ladies, sorry, but I have to. Never have I ever given a blowjob.”

  “Oh, come on, man. Don’t be sexist. Anyone in here could’ve given one if they wanted to,” Kennedy said in a haughty tone. Nate had no idea how to react to that one. Shit, none of us did.

  “My turn, hmm. I want to knock out all four of you. Never have I ever…flashed anyone my lady parts.” Jon winked at everyone.

  “Boo, you whore,” Maya yelled at Jon playfully.

  “Don’t make me come over there and lift your shirt, you…you old maiden.” Jenna suddenly realized she was tied with me and bit her bottom lip in malice.

  Jenna started off slowly, “Never have I ever…taken a selfie.”

  “Fuck off!” I glared and put my last finger down. I knew she was trying to get me out. I held up my drink and also flipped her the bird. I chugged it in ten seconds, then bowed.

  “Get over here, shorty. This is going to be your first selfie.” I pulled her into my arm and held out my phone. We took the picture, and she shoved me off her.

  “Great. Now I’ll have to put my finger down when selfie comes up.”

  “Glad to take your selfie cherry.” I helped her back into her seat.

  “You can make the weirdest things sound dirty.” She bit her lip, eyeing me a second longer than necessary.

  The rest of the game went by rather quickly, without any incidents, until the last couple rounds when my joke of a life caused me to pop the tab on the beer can. “This can’t be happening. PBR? I can’t chug this shit. I have class.”

  “Sorry, pretty boy, rules are rules. You know this. You gotta chug it.” Jenna’s words were slurring a bit, and I didn’t blame her. I was feeling all the drinks and shots. I was so not in the mood for a PBR.

  “Come on, tiny. You told me you could handle your drinks. Prove it.” I baited her, really just desperate to not drink the shitty beer.

  “Pass me the can.” She pushed it open and began chugging the piss beer. She finished it and gave the meanest look she could muster before slamming the can on the table. “I wish I bet something on that, because I feel cool as fuck.”

  “You are cool, baby. Don’t worry.” Zeke purred and blew her a kiss. She pretended to catch it before he asked, “What are you ladies up to tonight?”

  “We’re heading to a Delt party. My cousin is in their frat, and they’re having their school-back bash,” Kennedy answered. “Wait, no, back-to-school bash. Yes, that makes sense.”

  I raised my eyebrows at Jenna, and she answered my unasked question. “I was told there was an ice shot luge. Literally the only reason I’m going.”

  “Maybe another time we can all hang out.” Maya hummed as she and Kennedy walked out of the room. “You coming, Jenna?”

  I stood and answered for her. “She’ll be right down.”

  “What the heck, man? You look pissed?” Her eyebrows scrunched as I guided her down the hall for more privacy.

  “Don’t go to that frat.”

  Chapter 11

  Nothing Good Happens After Midnight—Ever-Jenna

  “WHAT the hell do you mean by that?” I was pissed. Why the hell did he not want me going to a party?

  “Look, you’re drunk, and they’re assholes there.” He ran his hands through his hair, exposing skin between his shirt and waistband. I absentmindedly licked my lips, but he spoke again. Then I remembered I was pissed. “I’m worried about you.”

  I scoffed. “Don’t be worried. That’s stupid. I know some of the guys there. Evan is Kennedy’s cousin. We’ll be fine.”

  “You can’t trust all those guys.” His eyes were intense and filled with anger. After seeing him in a towel earlier, it was hard to ignore my lady parts around him.

  “What do you think is going to happen? I’m just going with my girls to dance and probably play beer pong again.”

  “I just…feel responsible. You drank at my house. I should make sure you’re safe.”

  I responded with an eye roll. “That’s ridiculous. Don’t be overbearing. We’ll be fine.”

  “Text me when you get home, all right?”

  “Sure, but remember not all frat guys are assholes. I’ll be fine. I gotta go.”

  “Shit. Okay, just promise me you’ll be safe.”

  “Always am.” I patted his arm as I walked by, and I heard him suck in a breath of frustration. He was freaking nuts.

  I met my friends on the sidewalk, and we began walking toward the Delt house.

  “They were entertaining. We’re hanging out with them again,” Maya said cheerily. She waggled her eyebrows at me suggestively. “You and Aiden are totally going to hook up.”

  “He wouldn’t stop staring at you the whole time, J. It was intense,” Kennedy added in a whisper.

  I shook them off. “No, he’s just really overbearing. He asked me not to head to the Delt house tonight because he’s worried. He’s a mother hen.”

  “No, he’s jealous,” Maya said smugly.

  “No.” I refused to think along those lines. “Let’s drop it. This walk is going to kill my buzz.”

  “Wanna bet me five dollars I can hop the fire hydrant?” Maya egged us on. Drunk Maya liked dares and challenges. Drunk Jenna liked betting money. It was a win-win.

  “Five dollars. You do it in the heels, I’ll make you breakfast tomorrow,” I tau
nted. “If you don’t, you clean the bathroom.”

  “You’re on.” She took a deep breath and counted to ten. She ran to jump over the hydrant and landed it perfectly…until she fell flat on her ass.

  I burst out laughing, and we jogged over. Ken held her stomach as she laughed so hard she cried.

  Maya sat there exposing her ass to the world and pouting. “That hurt.”

  “Your pride and ass.” I helped her up and wiped away some tears.

  “I call it a tie. She did land it, but then she busted her ass,” Kennedy said as we continued our walk to the house.

  “I’m okay with that. Maybe next time, Maya.” I smacked her ass, and she flinched.

  “Damn. Hate myself right now,” she said under her breath, and I chuckled again.

  * * * *

  “My favorite ladies! How are we doing?” Kennedy’s cousin Evan greeted us as we walked into their house ten uneventful minutes later. Kennedy hugged him, and he kissed her on the cheek before giving us all hugs.

  “Looking fresh, E.” I gave him a wink and threw up some random hand gestures, making him laugh.

  “Jenna!”

  He guided Kennedy through the foyer.

  I heard some music playing and couldn’t stop myself from grinding my hips as we zigzagged through the crowd. As soon as we entered the kitchen, Maya and I were handed a cup filled with red liquid. It tasted fine. Of course we drank it. It wasn’t my first experience with jungle juice, and I wasn’t going to back down from free drinks.

  Maya and I were talking to some of Evan’s brothers when a group of girls walked up, looking ready to fight. I could be rambunctious when I drank, and incited by their facial expressions, I planned to dominate whatever they planned to dish at us.

  “So you’re Aiden’s new toy?” the tall blonde snapped through perfect teeth and lipstick.

  “Uh, excuse me? Toy? No.” What the hell? My defenses were on high alert—well, as high as they could be in my drunken state. Barbie wanted to play. All right. Bring it.

  “It’s rumored he was hooking up with some trashy bartender. Just wanted to warn you. He’ll never actually want trailer ‘trash’ like you. Ever.” She literally did air quotes around the word trash. What a twat.