“The brothers of Alpha Sigma would like to welcome back the lovely ladies of Kappa Kappa Beta back to Palm South for spring semester. We proudly present our new pledges,” Adam says, before reading off a small list of names. Kip is one of only eight pledges, and he’s the only junior. “We’ve asked each pledge to prepare something to tell you a little about themselves. Wesley, we’ll start with you.”

They go down the line performing ridiculous stunts or talents to try to stand out, telling us about their interests, hobbies, background and majors via poems, songs, athletic stunts and more. Kip is the last to speak, and when he does I feel my throat tighten, along with my thighs.

He smiles and licks his lips, his eyes smoldering, which causes practically the entire chapter room to swoon. Suddenly, he turns to the other pledges. “Hit it, boys!”

They all break out into different beats, starting down at one end and making their way toward Kip, each pledge adding a new sound. There’s bass and treble and everything in-between as they lay down a beat with their mouths. Once the rhythm is all set up, Kip turns to the crowd and starts to rap.

Yes, rap.

Let me tell you a story about this girl I met,

She had the bluest eyes that were hard to forget.

She challenged me to a game of foosball,

Little did I know that I would lose all.

Cinderella stole a kiss and then she ran away,

So I gave her some space for a couple of days.

Then I took a thousand bucks and I played my cards right,

I bought a date with the princess last Saturday night.

And now here I am to collect my prize,

No more running and no more lies,

It’s been over a week and now I’m ready for my date,

So what’ya say, Skyler Thorne, can I pick you up at eight?

The beat drops and everyone goes crazy, a mixture of claps, laughter, and cheers. Then, all eyes are on me – including Adam’s. He doesn’t seem too thrilled with Kip’s stunt, but he can’t say that here.

Kip’s eyes are hard on mine, his smile unwavering.

And I want to kill him.

Or do I want to kiss him?

Damn, I think it’s a little bit of both.

I stare back at the eyes around me before finding my Big’s. She tilts her head toward Kip and gives me the eyes like, “Hello?! Say yes!”

I find Kip again and he’s still smiling, completely calm and collected as the whole room waits for me to speak. I swallow the lump in my throat and force a smile. Poker face, Skyler.

“About time you did this the right way, pledge. I guess you can take me out. Friday night. And seven, not eight.” I wink and everyone cheers. My Little nudges my elbow and lifts her brows, so I give her a quick smile as the boys leave the room. Kip eyes me the entire time he walks, his blue eyes lighting my skin on fire. Once they’re gone, Erin adjourns and I immediately head for my room as the other sisters clear out.

Cassie and Jess chase after me, sliding through my bedroom door before it even has the chance to close. I share a room with Jess, so I can’t really escape her, but I have a feeling it’s about to be a party in here.

“Oh my God!” Jess says, her voice squeaking. “That was probably the hottest thing I’ve ever witnessed. I wonder where he’s going to take you!”

Cassie rolls her eyes and drops down on the bed beside me. “Are you okay? Does this mean you’re really doing this? You’re really going to play him for Ex?”

I sigh, burying my head in my hands. I have three answers going through my head for that question she just asked – the answer my Big wants to hear, the answer I want to hear, and the truth.

The truth being that I don’t want to play this game and I know if I go on this date, I’m going to like Kip even more than I already do.

And I’m not even allowed to like him this much.

Erin and Ashlei burst through the door, Erin running straight up to me while Ashlei hops up onto Jess’s bed.

“This is so perfect, Little! I knew you would come through. I’ve been so busy getting everything situated for the semester that I haven’t had time to check in and here you are outperforming what even I could imagine!” She smiles a huge smile and pulls me in for a hug. “I knew there was a reason I picked you as my Little. You’re a bad ass, just like me.”

We all laugh, though mine sounds like a mixture of a cough and a sneeze. The girls start talking rapidly, guessing where Kip will take me and planning out what I’ll wear. I smile and nod when appropriate, but my Little locks eyes with me and I know she knows. She sees it, she’s reading through my poker face. At this point, I just don’t have the energy to fake it.

And I can’t let them see me sweat.

“Girls, I’m really, really tired. Can we meet after morning classes tomorrow to talk about dresses and date options?” I throw on the biggest smile I can and shake my head. “You girls know I’ll need you if I want to look anything close to cute.”

They all giggle and Ashlei hops off Jess’s bed. “Oh, we’ve got you, girl! Ex, let’s go rummage through your closet and find something sexy, but not too revealing. You want us to accentuate the boobs or the butt, Sky?”

I suck on the inside of my bottom lip and force another smile. “You choose, I trust you.”

“I’m going to study with Greg tonight,” Jess says, hopping into a pair of jeans and throwing on a hoodie as Erin and Ashlei head out the door. “I’ll try not to wake you when I get home.”

I shrug, kicking off my heels and tucking myself under the covers. “You’re fine, J-Love. I’m a heavy sleeper.”

Cassie smiles at Jess. “Studying, huh?”

Jess gives a sheepish grin and bites her bottom lip before ducking out the door. “Night, losers.”

Cassie and I are left alone, her legs still swinging off my bed. Please, Little. Don’t ask me what’s wrong, don’t ask if I’m okay.

“You know, you don’t have to do this,” she says quietly, her eyes on the floor. “You don’t have to put yourself through hell just to play a stupid game.”

I snort. “We both know that isn’t true.”

“You really think Ex wouldn’t make you president just because you didn’t play with her ex-boy toy?”

I pull the covers over my head and let out a long breath. “I don’t know, Little. You know your Grand Big. She’s one of those girls who’s used to getting what she wants. If this is what she has in mind for me to prove I can sacrifice for this position, I’m going to do it. It’s our Greek line tradition to be president, and I don’t want it to end with me.”

The room is silent for a minute, most likely because Cassie knows I’m right. After a while, I feel her weight leave the bed and her voice comes from near the door. “Want me to turn the light off?”

“Please,” I say quietly, almost too quietly. She hears me, though, and a few seconds later the light flicks off and the door shuts, leaving me to my thoughts. I let them wander to Kip, to his blue eyes and smooth skin, to the stubble that runs along his jaw, to his goofy smile and incredible arms.

The game is on, now. He made a public move and all eyes are on us – watching, waiting. I can’t back out now, I can’t play the let’s just be friends card anymore. No, he’s marked me as his and I’ve accepted the challenge, except my acceptance is fake and untrustworthy. I’ve been issued a mission, and I have no choice but to complete it. I’m about to play this guy like a hot Blackjack table in a crowded casino.

And he has no idea what’s coming.

My feet and calves are completely numb, my body shaking uncontrollably and I should be thinking about my founders but instead I’m thinking about Skyler. Adam is getting closer and closer to me, and if I fuck up and don’t give the right answer again, my pledge brothers and I are going to be stuck in this pool of ice water for another round.