Page 52 of Pucking Good Girl

“Sam was one of them, but Fiona was there, and so was Madison.”

Gen turns to look at one of her best friends. “Madison, what do you have to say? Is Talia making this all up?”

Madison pales as all the eyes in the room turn to her. “I—I don’t know. I can’t remember. You know me, I forget everything I hear when I’m drinking prosecco.”

“How very convenient,” Sam glares at Madison. “Fiona, you were there too. Remember?”

“Hmm, no, sorry. I must have been asleep.”

Great. None of the girls will back me up except Sam. And then it dawns on me that they all look scared. Is it possible that Genevieve has something to hold over their heads to keep them loyal?

“Whatever.” I say, disappointed in the girls I’ve considered sisters for almost four years. “But this is my word against yours. It’s hardly enough to vote on expelling a sister.”

Genevieve’s expression softens. “You’re right. But our bylaws state that the president has the right to call a vote for any reason, including the termination of someone’s membership, as long as she has the backing of two members of our government. Do I have anyone who seconds my request to take a vote on Talia Prescott’s exclusion from our ranks?”

“I second it.” Madison immediately raises her hand.

“Me too.” Her other friend, Olivia, who was elected treasurer, joins in.

Gen slams her gavel. “Awesome. Then everyone in favor of Talia Prescott being stripped of her Zeta Theta Beta membership, effective immediately, raise their hands.”

“Wait,” I call out. “What are you doing? Shouldn’t this be a vote by ballot? A secret vote?”

“Nope. I have the right to request an open vote since this is an emergency meeting. Zeta sisters, I’ve taken enough of your time tonight. Everyone in favor of Talia’s expulsion, raise your hand.”

I watch in shock when every hand in the room goes up. The only sisters who don’t vote to kick me out are Sam and Carissa, the Dean’s daughter.

A loud crack makes me jump when Gen slams the gavel to ratify the result of the vote.

When another crack echoes in the room, I realize that it wasn’t just the gavel. Thunder is clamoring outside and torrential rain begins pelting the windows.

“The Zeta sisters have spoken,” the smile on Gen’s face is brighter than the light that flashes into the room when lightning comes to join the furious elements outside. “Talia, you’re hereby stripped of your Zeta Theta Beta membership.”

Talia

I can’t believe this is happening.

“This should be a cautionary tale for you all, sisters.” Gen lectures. “No one likes a slut. And Talia is the prime example.”

“Gen, is that really necessary?” Carissa looks uncomfortable. “You got what you want. There’s no need to be so mean. And this isn’t over. Talia can appeal to the central chapter and ask to be reinstated.”

Genevieve’s withering glare goes from Carissa to me. “Sure, good luck with that. My mom is a member of the central government of Zeta Theta Beta, and I informed her about Talia’s conduct.”

“You know,” Carissa shakes her head. “You’re taking your anger out on Talia, but did you really expect Mack to never move on? Calling Talia a slut is a little harsh.”

I nod, grateful to Carissa for speaking in my defense. God knows that Gen is the most vindictive woman I’ve met in a long time. I’m sure she’ll remember everyone who didn’t fall in line tonight and had my back.

“Oh, but that has nothing to do with Mack,” Gen says, turning her glare back to me. “I had decided to be the bigger person and let Talia get away with stealing the man I love from me. I understand that Mack is a catch. His family is practically hockey royalty, and he’s going to be a huge star once he goes pro. I knew every woman on campus would shoot her shot once they knew he was single. And being a charity case and all, the chance to have a rich boyfriend must have been too hard to resist. I completely get it.”

Those words sting more than every other catty thing Gen has said to me since freshman year. “I don’t care about money or fame. I love Macklin because he’s thoughtful and kind, and so funny. And hot.”

Love.

The word slipped out before I even realized it. But there’s no time to worry about the potential of getting my heart broken.

Gen is looking at me like a predator ready to deliver the final blow to her prey. “Really? You love Mack?”

Now that those words are out, there’s no way I can take them back, and I don’t even want to. “Yes. I’m in love with him.”