Page 41 of Ice Me Out
“I think it’s Karma, Luke. Before Shane made your brother an honest man, Luke was quite the party boy.” Candace’s tone is conspiratorial. “Coach must have named him captain because Luke has a lot of experience with a lot of the types of trouble hockey players like best.”
I see my brother under a different light.
Luke was always serious and quiet when he lived at home. Maybe it was the burden of hiding his true self from Dad. I have no experience with being in the closet, but I can only imagine how hard it must be. So it’s understandable that once he was free from Dad’s rules, he went a little wild.
The realization hits me that living with my father for the past three years meant conforming to all sorts of strict, sometimes crazy rules.
Pure Minds, Pure Souls, Pure Bodies.
Those three principles paved the way for the strict dietary regimens my father required all his clients to follow; the no touch rule; the many limitations to our social and academic lives.
Luke thinks I should go a little wild, too. Maybe find love on the way, like he did. That’s why he gave me that six, six, six rule.
“Anyway,” Candace smiles. “I would be more than happy to help you, Bex. But to have my sisters’ backing, they need to meet you. There’s no better time than a party, when everyone is relaxed and having fun. Follow me, I’ll make some introductions.”
Chapter10
A Mystery Kiss
Bex
“These are Heather and Angela,” Candace smiles, introducing me to two younger girls who must be freshmen or sophomores. “Heather’s dad is the town sheriff.”
Heather flicks her blonde hair off her shoulders. Her smile is friendly. “I think I wasn’t allowed to pledge because I’m a legacy. My sisters wanted to make sure our parties would never be interrupted by the cops.”
The girls laugh at Heather’s self-deprecating joke.
“This isn’t a super small party,” I observe. “I don’t have a lot of experience with sorority parties, but I expected more noise, more drinking, more… people? I don’t know. But everyone seems to be having fun in a very civilized way.”
Candace’s eyes shine with mischief. “Oh, we don’t throw ragers. That’s the Gammas’ specialty, we party by invitation only and select our guests. But that doesn’t mean we don’t have fun. In fact, we have a few very interesting party games planned for tonight. You should join Bex. See if you’d fit in with us.”
Heather and Angela look at me with renewed interest. “Oh? Is Bex a transferring Zeta?”
The president explains a short version of my story. I appreciate that she doesn’t mention the broken engagement, protecting my privacy.
“It’s almost time for the first game.” Candace announces. “I’ll introduce you to more sisters as I gather the ones who should be in the first one. Heather, Angie, you’re in, right?”
The two girls look excited.
“Absolutely, Prez,” Heather beams at her president.
Candace narrows her eyes in the direction of a small cluster of people who are talking next to the long, rose wood dining table on the opposite side of the room. “I wish Fiona didn’t bring Victor to our parties.”
To my surprise, Luke seems to have an opinion about that too. “You’re right. First off, he’s old as fuck. And I think it’s in really poor taste, anyway. Is she trying to ruin Connor’s night? Cheating on him was bad enough. Does she have to parade her new man under his nose every chance she gets?”
Candace exhales, her eyes still on the people in question. “Connor is such a catch. I don’t understand what Fiona sees in that guy, believe me. Besides, if Connor sees them together, I don’t want any trouble.”
My brother agrees. “Yeah, and he might be a grad student but he’s technically faculty, since he’s a TA. I would feel better if he didn’t come to our parties.”
The Zeta president nods, her jaw set with determination. “I think I have a way to send him a clear message that he isn’t welcome here. Come with me, guys. Let’s introduce Bex, anyway. Follow my lead. Fiona,” she calls when we’re within earshot of Connor’s ex. “This party is a mixer. If you wanted to go on a date, you should have given it a miss.”
Connor’s ex-girlfriend is a tall, leggy redhead with big brown eyes and a smattering of freckles on her nose. “But the games haven’t started yet, I?—”
The friendly demeanor Candace has shown us so far is nowhere to be found when she pins her sister with a hard glare. “We’re about to start. And you’re playing every game tonight.”
The girl looks surprised. “But I didn’t think it was my turn. Or I wouldn’t have invited Victor.”
That does nothing to appease the Zeta president. “This is a mixer, since you don’t seem to have gotten the message when I reminded you a second ago. You’re supposed to socialize. You should have taken Victor to last night’s party if you wanted to hang out. Case in point, I was looking for you to introduce you to Luke’s sister, but I couldn’t find you. Bex, these are Fiona and Hillary. They’re going to play the next game with you and a few other sisters.”
