“Why not?” Jordy sounded surprised. “I didn’t push Chad out that window, no matter what my asshole brothers might have said. I mean, sure, I get that you’re here on official police business, but once you’re done questioning me, there’s no reason why we can’t see each other socially, is there?”

I’m not entirely convinced you didn’t push him.

A knock on the door kept him from answering. Jordy excused himself and walked to the front door.

You’re allowing your attraction to cloud your judgment, Joe chided himself. Yes, he’s a good-looking guy. It would be fun to fuck him. But it’s clear he has strong feelings about Chad York. It’s not impossible he pushed him. Sure, being rejected by someone you’re attracted to is painful—God knows it’s happened to you plenty of times, and will happen again, and it does suck—but it’s hardly a motivation for attempted murder. But then again, you’ve investigated murders committed for a lot less. People are capable of anything—and he still hasn’t told you what they argued about. In the heat of passion people do things they’d never do—and you can’t forget this kid is really, really smart, and very emotionally vulnerable. He could have lost his head, shoved Chad out the window, and come back here to figure out how he was going to get away with it.

“I’m sorry, Detective.” Jordy walked back into the living room. “This is my neighbor—I told you about him. Jeff Morgan. Jeff, this is Detective Palladino with the Polk Police Department.”

Joe stood up and shook hands with a handsome young man he recognized but couldn’t place.

“It’s nice to meet you,” Jeff said with a slight midwestern accent. He frowned. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but I wanted to make sure Jordy was okay.” He turned his attention to Jordy. “Eric called me and told me what happened.”

“Some of the brothers think I pushed him,” Jordy replied sourly. “Which is why the nice police detective is here.”

“Well, Eric doesn’t think so, and neither does anyone with a brain!” Jeff replied, his blue eyes flashing. “What a bunch of gossipy bitches.” He turned back to Joe. “You can’t believe Jordy did this!” He frowned. “I’m sorry, but you look familiar. Have we met?”

Joe stared at him, trying to place him. He was about to say Jeff looked familiar to him as well when an image of Jeff wearing a yellow thong, shaking his ass on the bar at Fusions, flashed through his mind. “I don’t believe so,” Joe replied, keeping his face immobile. Joe had tipped him more than once, managing to grope his legs and touch his perfectly chiseled chest. Sean had been crazy about him, unable to take his eyes off him as he moved around on top of the bar. “Look at that package,” Sean had said. “It would be worth seeing if he’s a hustler, don’t you think, Joe? I mean, most of them are, right?”

He pushed those thoughts out of his head.

“I just can’t shake this feeling I know you from somewhere.” Jeff shook his head.

Joe shrugged. “Maybe the grocery store or the gym.”

“Maybe.” Jeff frowned and turned back to Jordy. “Well, I probably should leave you two alone.” Jeff touched Jordy on the shoulder. “Sorry, I wouldn’t have interrupted had I known.... Jordy, come over when you’re done. Are you going to be okay?”

Jordy nodded. “I think so. I mean, it’s such a shock. . . .”

“Well, if you need anything, or just to talk, come on over. Blair’s going to be home from rehearsal soon, and we should be home the rest of the night.” He pulled Jordy into a big hug, and Joe bit his lower lip.

They’re both so gorgeous, it would be hot to watch them—

“It was nice meeting you, Detective.” Jeff shook his hand. “Just sorry it’s under these circumstances. And if there’s anything I can do to help, I’m just right across the hall.” His face darkened. “I always knew Chad York was going to be more trouble than he was worth.”

Jordy walked him to the door, and Joe could hear them murmuring to each other. He heard the door open and shut before Jordy came back and plopped down in his chair. “Sorry, Detective.” He spread his hands sheepishly. “I wasn’t sure if I should have just gotten rid of him.”

Joe shook his head. “Not a problem.”

“Jeff is a great friend,” Jordy went on. “Him and Blair both. They’ve always been great to me.” He grinned. “You should have seen the looks on their faces when they came back from Christmas break! They couldn’t believe how much I’d changed. . . .” His voice trailed off. “I guess that’s where I left off, right?”

Joe nodded.

“The Saturday before the first Monday of school, the house always has a welcome-back party,” Jordy went on, “and that’s the first time the brothers saw the new me. . . .”

Chapter 7

Igot out of the car and took a deep breath. I hadn’t set foot in the house since Initiation Night. I’d skipped the end-of-semester party—I really didn’t want to see or talk to anyone. The last time I’d walked into Beta Kappa I’d been fifteen pounds heavier, wore glasses, and looked like a total dork. I hadn’t really known how to dress right, didn’t have the slightest clue how to eat right, and had never set foot in a gym. As a pledge, I’d been a wide-eyed innocent just looking for a place where I could belong, make friends, and be myself.

I was a different person now, and my brothers were about to find out how much I’d changed.

I leaned back against the car. The house was all lit up for the party. The door to the backyard from the foyer was open, and I could see some brothers gathered around a couple of kegs. The deejay was lugging in crates of equipment, and some guys were seated at the picnic tables in the backyard. It had rained most of the day, and as the sun had gone down a thick fog had blanketed Polk. The street lamps glowed through the heavy mist. The parking lot was full, and I recognized some of the cars.

I almost got back in the car and headed back home. Don’t be an idiot, I chided myself. Remember how everyone at Fusions reacted to you that first time. Every time you’ve been back there you’ve met several guys, and you haven’t gone home alone once. Chad is in for the shock of his life.

That thought made me smile a little bit. In the six weeks since that horrible night when Chad dismissed me as beneath his notice, I’d replayed the scene hundreds of times in my head. I’d played it pitch perfect, never giving him the slightest clue how much he was wounding me. I was proud I’d not given him a single hint of how he was destroying me with a smile on his lips. I’d never forget that he’d been smiling as he cut me off at the knees and poured salt into the wounds. I would never forget those words as long as I lived.

“You’re funny and sweet and a lot of fun to be around. But you just aren’t my type. I like guys who take care of themselves.”

My mouth twisted as I forced the humiliating memory out of my mind again. After all, he hadn’t just come right out and called me a disgusting, fat pig unworthy of the great Chad York—but he might as well have.

I smoothed my red pullover down over my now-flat stomach. The sleeves had been rolled up to the top of my biceps, and my low-waisted jeans fit snugly and showed my new ass off beautifully. Go inside, I ordered myself. You look great and you know it. Everyone is going to be amazed. Don’t be so nervous, you’re just being ridiculous.

I must have changed my clothes about twenty times, trying to figure out what showed my body off to its best advantage. Should I wear a muscle shirt showing off my now-defined shoulders and arms? Or something with sleeves? Black jeans or low-rise blue? Unable to make up my mind, I’d finally called Jeff and Blair for help.

“I don’t know what your problem is,” Blair had drawled after I showed them my third option. “You look amazing, Jordy. You look great in everything.”