Page 30 of Sinister
“I think so.”
“My bestie is the Queen of Diamonds Frat and I think this will be right up her alley.” I grin.
“Some have all the luck.” Josephine bites off the end of her breadstick roughly. “So, how did you get forced into living in a male only, apart from their queen, frat house?”
This was the question I was hoping to avoid. “Sin’s parents adopted me when I was five and Rome and Chaser are my besties.”
“Get the fuck out of here!” She nearly spits out the sip of champagne she just took. “You’re kidding, right?”
“I wish.” I offer a small smile and hope she gets that I don’t want to talk about it.
“You’ve struck the goldmine, girl. Look, I get that look you’re giving me, and I won’t ask any questions and your secret is safe with me.” She places her hand over her heart. “But if you ever need to vent, I’m all ears.”
“Thank you. It’s going to be hard separating myself from them, but I’m determined to get through this college experience on my own.” I eye the students all being social and mingling.
“I don’t know a soul here either, but I arrived about a week ago, so I’ve been getting all the goss seeing as I’m in one of the bigger dorm buildings. You should come by and hang out, get away from that house full of guys.”
I nod and grin at her invitation. “I might just take you up on that offer.”
We spend the rest of the afternoon chatting with faculty members, other students and some alumni who were invited to give us newbies tips on college life. On the drive home, everyone is silent, and I use this time to look through my tote bag. The puffer jacket is my new favorite possession, its material is soft like butter. Pulling out a small packet of mints, I offer one to Rome who sits beside me, his hand lingers on mine for a moment longer than normal. Or am I imagining it? Maybe I’m exhausted.
My phone buzzes and I unlock the screen to see a text from Sass.
“Who text you?” Rome is quick to ask.
“Saskia. Why?” I glance at him quickly and see he’s looking over my arm to see my phone.
“No reason.” He looks back out his window and stays that way until we get home.
“So, do I get the keys to one of these beasts seeing as we’re not allowed our own cars here?” I ask as Sin parks the car in the garage.
“Not a chance, Mono.” Sin places his ear buds in before climbing out and heading inside.
“Fine,” I sigh.
“I’ll drive you wherever you want to go.” Rome grins at me.
“I don’t need a chaperone. No one is coming here to stalk me.” Climbing out of the car, I slam the door extra hard and storm inside, up the stairs and straight into my room.
Me: Can you come pick me up?
Saskia: Fuck yes! I’ll give you thirty to get changed. Wear something fucking hot that will make those boys wish you were their Queen??
I smile at her response. Always my knight, that girl. I’d kill for her if she needed me to. I jump in the shower and quickly wash the day off me, making sure I don’t wet my hair. Yes, I’m one of those girls that wears a cute pink shower cap like a grandma. Wrapping my towel around me, I go into my walk-in closet in search of something revealing to show off my curves. I find a short black dress with a heart neckline and two slits at the side. I think it’s Saskia’s and is meant to be loose, but on me, it sits nice and snug. I pair it with my black patent leather Opyum YSL sandals and matching YSL clutch. Throw on some bronzer, extra lashings of mascara and my go to Dior brown lipstick.
My phone lights up with a text from Sass that they’re here at the front. Racing down the stairs in the hopes no one sees me leaving, I come to the bottom to face the entire house staring at me, jaws to the floor, and a stillness that will bug me for days to come.
“Where the fuck do you think you’re going?” Sin’s voice vibrates through the silence.
Watching him, Chaser and Rome make their way through their roommates toward me makes me want to laugh. It’s absurd.
“Out.” I hop off the bottom step and walk to the door, opening it to see Saskia standing there like the goddess she is, flanked by three hot as fuck, tattooed up guys.
“Oh my God, I missed you!” Sass squeals and launches herself at me, hugging me into her, no doubt showing everyone behind me more than they needed to see with my dress riding up. “You look fucking edible. Well played,” she whispers so only I can hear.
Letting go of me, she grabs my hand and pulls me out the door, but not before I notice the sudden tension between her friends and the three still inside the doorway. I glance at Rome and notice the tick in his jaw on his otherwise cool expression as he and the other two move to stand on the threshold.
“Axton. Damon. Hunter. You know you aren’t permitted here unless invited.” Sin’s blank glare is the perfect mask for his unhinged rage.