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I start down the hall toward the exit. “Pretty sure they can,” I say. “And I’m not living in a world where Emerson Floyd is Delta Xi and I’m not, so let’s get going.”
They instantly follow me, their faces fixed with sudden determination.
“Which one first?” Ben asks as we step outside.
“Yeah, let’s start with the hardest one and work our way through,” Alex says.
“Good idea,” I say, checking the list again beneath the light of a lamppost.
I laugh.
“What?” Ben asks.
“Well, it might not be the hardest, but it’ll take the most time.”
“What is it, dude?” Alex asks impatiently.
I smile. “The panties of a Beta Kappa Beauty.”
CHAPTER 31
DANA
The bonfire burns.
Bright flames illuminate the large backyard of the Beta Kappa house, the fire surrounded by dozens of young women clad in black dresses. I stand among them, my shoulders brushing against others, but no one seems to mind the intimacy. It’s been a night of conversations — some light, others deeply personal. Turns out, Speed Friendship was just a warm-up round.
Initiation is the main event.
“Pledges,” Ms. Jaxx addresses us with a wide smile. “Please kneel.”
We all obey, our knees sinking into the soft grass beneath us as she steps forward with another Beta Kappa holding an ornate box in her hands. They start at the end of the line, taking smaller boxes from inside and handing them to the pledges. Blue velvet boxes, the edges lined with gold.
Go, Bearhawks.
They reach me. With a smile, Ms. Jaxx places a box in my palm. “Welcome, sister,” she says, taking a second to cradle my hands between hers before moving on to the next girl — Jacinda.
I open my box, my breath held tight. Swallowing hard, I pinch the necklace inside, pulling it out and letting it dangle from its golden chain. The firelight reflects off the letters. Two Greek letters.
Beta. Kappa.
“Ladies, please stand,” Ms. Jaxx says once they’re finished.
We all rise and stand shoulder-to-shoulder again. As we move, a line of fourth-year Beta Kappas steps forward, happily offering to help us put on our necklaces. Old greets new; a tradition I can tell means so much to them. I picture myself in four years, happily initiating the new recruits in this backyard, surrounded by sisters old and new.
I officially have sisters. Finally.
And — officially — I’m no longer protected by the Delta Xi code, according to Courtney.
They won’t touch you until after Bid Night — it’s part of their code.
After that, though…
My thoughts instantly turning to Connor. To tonight. To?—
Wait — Connor?
