Page 7 of Claimed and Shamed

“Hey everyone! As Tracy mentioned, my name is Susan and I have been a Zeta Tau sister for five years now. I play water polo professionally, out of California and honestly, I have my sisters to thank for it. I had a pretty rough time here at Michigan State, trying to balance classes and sports practice, as well as homework. I felt as if I had no time to myself. If I wanted to party or hang out with my friends, I needed to make a sacrifice and that came with consequences. However, my sisters were always there for me. They roomed me with another member who was taking similar classes to mine – if not the same – and we did our homework together so we had someone to help us stay accountable. It was entirely because of my sisters that I didn’t flunk out. They helped make sure I had fun but still graduated, with honors! They brought out my best possible self. I was pushing myself to do it all and instead of telling me to slow down or to knock something off of my schedule, they found ways to help me make it happen. I will always be appreciative of that.”

Everyone starts clapping, including Mel and I. Susan makes the sorority sound like something I need in my life. I, too, am struggling with a balance of school, sports, and pleasure. I can definitely use the additional support, even though Mel is as supportive as they come.

“Is that Tricia Mars over there? As in, the senator’s daughter?” Mel motions toward a girl on one of the couches, sitting on what I assume to be her boyfriend. I wonder what he’s doing here. This is clearly a girls’ only event, but since Tricia is already a sister, maybe she was able to invite whomever she wanted. I’m sure being the senator’s daughter also gives her some privileges. They are laughing a bit about Susan’s speech but Tracy isn’t having it.

“What’s so funny Tricia? Do you have any questions for Susan?”

“Not really. I was thinking more about what a waste of stress that had to be. Sports might be a lucrative career for a few years, but eventually you burn out, injure yourself, or you just age out and someone younger and stronger comes along. It seems like a waste to dedicate your college years to a sport with a short shelf-life that will only benefit you for a short period of time.”

Honestly, she was right. I understood her words and why she said them, even if her delivery was a bit harsh. This is why I’m pursuing a career in sports medicine and not just volleyball.

“Yeah, besides, I know of other ways to make money that last way longer than a sports career.” Tricia’s boyfriend laughs.

“He’s kind of a freak, in a bad way, don’t you think? What the heck does she even see in him?” Mel scoffed.

By this time, I had finished my third glass of wine. It’s free so I’ve decided to take full advantage. I’m definitely starting to feel a little tipsy, though. I can’t really focus on Tricia and her boyfriend, or the rest of the event because my mind is on Hudson. Whenever I get tipsy, I always think about him, because I know it’s easy to avoid accountability for my feelings.

Ready to pick up where I left off this morning?

Hell yeah, meet me at our spot in 20 minutes.

“I’m ready to go,” I say to Melissa, who still seems preoccupied with Tricia and her boyfriend. She agrees to go though and we get up and head back to our dorm.

“I need to pick up some notes from one of the girls in my biology class, so I can finish our homework tonight. I’ll be right back!” I say.

It’s getting so hard to think of a believable excuse, every time I want to sneak away to see Hudson. Normally, I would just say I have a dick appointment, and while Mel might be jealous, she will still be happy for me. However, she wants to know who my mystery fuck is so badly that I worry that, one day, she’ll try to follow me or something just to find out who he is.

“Okay, hurry back! I’m going to start some homework, too. Let me know when you get back if you want to finish at the library.”

I think Melissa’s mind is still on the rush event because she doesn’t even bat an eye at my lie. Normally, she would ask a million questions.

“Okay! See you in a bit.”

It’s a good thing our spot isn’t too far from my dorm and that I didn’t tell Mel how long I would be. I make my way through the forest behind our halls, which is the perfect midway point between both my and Hudson’s buildings. Right smack dab in the middle is a clearing that we always use to fuck in. No one goes in these woods because are no trails or anything for hiking or running. As I approach the open space, I see Hudson’s muscular frame, standing there with his arms folded, waiting for me. I stay where I am to watch him a little. He’s so built and chiseled, like a Greek god. I can see why he’s hard to beat in his MMA matches.

I take a step forward and a twig snaps. His eyes are on me instantly and for some reason, I get the thrilling sensation of wanting to run away. I pulse with adrenaline, as if he were a predator and I, his prey. Something tells me he isn’t in the mood to chase me.

“Come.” He beckons me out of the trees and into the open space. I obey, stepping forward and walking right up to him.

“Did you like my little gift this morn—”

Before I could even finish my question, his lips are on mine, crushing against my mouth and I almost back away in shock at his forcefulness. I hardly ever let him kiss me. It always seems like a thing people in relationships do and our relationship is definitely not one of those dynamics. However, when we do kiss, it’s raw with passion and desperate need. This kiss is no different.

“Open.” He grips my cheeks, forcing my mouth open with his tongue. He darts it around mine, assaulting my mouth and driving my senses wild. His hand moves to the back of my head to deepen the kiss. I hesitantly let my tongue meet his and I hear a low growl in his throat as he sucks it into his mouth. I try to put my hands in his sandy blonde hair, but he grabs them both and holds them behind my back, so I can’t touch him.

He pulls back. “And where the fuck have you been looking like that?” His eyes scan my outfit. I thought it was pretty plain, but I realize how his eyes are lingering over my cleavage, where an ample amount is showing. I also know he loves me in shorts, because he thinks they make my ass look great. He isn’t wrong and that’s why I wear them.

“A rush event with Melissa.” I dart my head forward, trying to get him to kiss me again, but his expression darkens and I don’t understand why.

“A rush event? What the fuck is wrong with you?” He let’s go of my hands.

Chapter Four

Hudson

“It’s not as if I owe you any explanation, but it was just for Zeta Tau. Melissa dragged me to it. What’s the problem?”

I almost can’t hear what she’s saying to me because my blood is boiling and rushing into my ears.