by Ruby Vincent
“Oh my gosh, are we happy to see you,” one of them said. “We felt like the biggest idiots for not being in on the secret email that went around.”
Another girl rolled her eyes. “Apparently, we should have known to dress our best. This is Somerset University, not my Hicksville state school. Or at least that’s what the charming girl kissing up to the dean said.”
“We know the type,” I replied. “Nice to meet you. I’m Valentina.”
“I’m Keily,” said eyeroll girl. She kind of resembled Sofia with her auburn hair and delicate features. I’d have to make a joke about her dad spreading his seed worldwide—when he was better, of course.
“I’m Mai,” said a girl with short, thick black hair and braces. She reached out to shake our hands.
“Palmer,” greeted the girl who first spoke. “The three of us are from Jersey. Where are you guys from?”
“Locals,” Sofia replied.
Palmer pulled a face. “Bummer. I was going to say you guys should hang out in our dorm tonight. We’re throwing a little let’s-avoid-unpacking party.”
“I can come. I live on campus.”
“I can’t come,” I confirmed. “My kid’s bedtime is nine o’clock, which means it’s my bedtime too.”
“Oh, you have a baby?” Keily cooed. “How old?”
“He’s four.”
Her smile twitched. I could practically hear her doing the math in her head.
Sofia came to my rescue as always. “What are you guys majoring in? Maybe we’ll have the same classes.”
“Pre-med,” said Mai.
“Graphic design,” Keily added.
“Chemical engineering,” Palmer said.
Sofia perked up. “I’m chemistry. I bet our classes overlap.”
“Oooh. We should sit together during class registration. Make sure we get the same ones.”
Just like that, the five of us hooked up. We got to know each other during the meet and greet and then moved to the building next door to register for classes. Dior and her band of volunteers were helpful, going around the room showing people how to organize their schedules.
“I’m so glad we got the same English class, Val. Did you think about what clubs you want to join? They have dance teams.”
Our group followed the crowd going to the quad. The last event of the day was checking out the club booths.
“I don’t know if I’ll have time,” I said. “I read somewhere that it’s better to join clubs in your sophomore year after you’ve learned how to handle your course load.”
She shook her head. “That doesn’t apply to us. After Evergreen, we can handle anything.”
“We couldn’t do that anyway,” said Palmer. “If we want to be Sallys, we have to pledge as freshmen.”
“Sallys?” I repeated.
“It’s a sorority.”
“No, it’s the best sorority,” Mai corrected. “The Somerset Sallys go on to be senators, CEOs, pro athletes, and more. They all say they wouldn’t have gotten where they are if not for this sorority. Can you imagine the internship opportunities in that alumni network?”
Keily rolled her eyes, but she did it with a smile. “I’m sure the alumni network is awesome. Though I hear it's their parties that are legendary. Girls try to get in just to be sure they’ll score an invite.”
Palmer raised her hand. “And I’m pledging because these two swore up, down, and sideways I’d regret it if I didn’t.”
“Of course you would,” Keily said. “Being in a sorority is a huge part of the typical college experience.”
“Do you hear that, Val?” Sofia asked out of the corner of her mouth. “Typical college experience.”
My eyes flared. “No. Oh, no. If I don’t have time for a club that is three hours a week, I definitely can’t join a sorority.”
“Please, Val.” She clapped her hands together. “Please, please, please.”
The next thing I knew, they were all on me.
“Please,” said Palmer. “Think how much fun we’ll have.”
“Can I at least check out their booth before I decide?”
“Yes!” The four of them jumped up and down like they'd already won.
Keily grabbed my hand. “Come on, we’ll find it. The Greek Row booths are near the fountain.”
It wasn’t hard to find the right one. The sign reading “Are You A Future Sally?” gave it away.
Girls in hot pink tops sporting Greek letters handed out flyers, cookies, and a cup of something that looked perfect on a hot day. Needless to say, they had the largest crowd in front of their booth.
“Val.”
I turned as Ryder came up to us. He grabbed my chin and kissed me. “I’m heading out.”
“So soon? Did you get a chance to sign up for a club?”
“I’m not joining any of these clubs.”
I shot him a teasing smile. “You know, you don’t have to be a loner.”
“Yes, I do.” He kissed me again. “I’m going to pick up Adam from school.”
“You are? I thought Caroline wanted to get him.”
He shook his head. “She does, but she needs to rest. I’ll bring Adam home and she can read to him in bed. She’ll like that.”
“He will too,” I whispered against his lips. “Thank you. I love you.”
Caroline and Ryder had been amazing with Adam since the first moment they invited us into their home. Caroline doted on my son. Ninety-nine percent of the toys in his room were items she bought over my protests. Whenever she was well, she surprised us with picnics, shopping trips, you name it. It warmed my heart that she treated him like family.
It also touched me that Caroline was finally comfortable enough to talk to me about what she’d been going through. The bouts of depression didn’t shock me. The cancer did. Suddenly her fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss, and Ryder’s protectiveness made sense. I was the dense one who didn’t see it sooner.
“Love you.” Ryder backed away. “Maverick and Ezra are around here somewhere. Tell them I left.”
“I will.”
He waved and disappeared around a booth. A hot breath ghosted over my ear.
“That is your boyfriend?” asked Keily. “Good job.”
“One of them.”
“What?”
I clapped. “Why are we all standing around here? Let’s meet these Sallys. Their cookies look good if nothing else.”
The girls didn’t need more prompting. We weaved through the crowd to the front of the booth. A girl in a hot pink top materialized at my side as I reached for a pamphlet.
“Afternoon, ladies. Interested in the Sallys?”
“Yes.” Sofia stepped up next to me. “Can you tell us more about you guys?”
“Happy to,” she said warmly. “My name is Teagan. I’m a sophomore and a Sally, so I can tell you everything you need to know. First, our Greek name is Zeta Rho Sigma, but around campus we’re known as the Somerset Sallys. Our brother fraternity, Nu Alpha Theta, are the Somerset Sams.”
Someone bumped my back. I peered behind me and found a few other people pressing in to listen.
“The Sallys and Sams are special because we’re not part of the original Somerset Greek houses. We were founded and named in honor of a young heroine who saved our school. In 1894, a student brought a gun on campus.”
“A gun?” I cut in. “That’s awful. I never heard about it.”
She nodded. “The only reason we’re not in the history books is because of Sally Hollenbeck. She came out of the bathroom just as the shooter walked past with his gun, heading for a crowded auditorium. She couldn’t stand by and do nothing. Sally had a few years of martial arts training under her belt and she used it. They fought, struggling over the gun, and in the midst, it accidentally went off.”
The crowd was silent. We all stood spellbound by her story.
“The bullet struck Sally and the gunman took off running into the arms of the campus guards.”
“What happened
to Sally?” asked Sofia.
“She was rushed to the hospital, where she later died.”
A collective sigh of regret passed through the crowd.
“Sally saved countless lives that day,” Teagan said. “There is nothing that can truly repay her sacrifice, but every day, we Sallys strive to embody what she taught us about bravery, strength, and intelligence. Our house only accepts girls with a 3.5 GPA or higher. We believe it’s our duty to help our community and ask for fifty service hours a semester despite the Greek requirement being ten.
“The Sally house is a great place to live. We have a separate healthy, high-protein meal plan. The girls have the option of sharing or having a single room. And the best part is we have almost daily house bonding activities. Sometimes, these activities take us off campus. Last year, we went horseback riding and did a ropes course.
“Our sorority is unlike any other house because our girls are unlike any other. We’re a family that studies together, plays together, and grows together. I won’t pretend this will be easy.” Teagan’s smile swept over us. “Upholding the Sally name takes hard work and commitment, but I can promise you, it pays off in the end. The next four years of your life will be like none other and I can’t wait to be a part of them. Join us.”
Everyone burst into applause, my crew loudest of all. I could tell they were sold. The funny thing was, Teagan sold me too.
EZRA
I spotted Valentina at the front of a group. They were all hooked on whatever that woman was saying. I pushed through, heading to Valentina.
“Would you like to join?” the woman said to her.
“I think so. What would we have to do?” Val gave her a look. I don’t think she knew how fierce a punch her green eyes packed. “There isn’t any hazing, is there? Because I’m good to walk away right now.”
The woman laughed. “I like you already. To answer your question, first you rush to give all the Greeks a fair shot at you. After rush, if we like you, we’ll give you a bid. Once you accept our bid, you’ll become a pledge. You spend ten weeks proving you're fit to carry the name Sally, but there will be absolutely no hazing.”
Valentina was nodding along.
Is she really interested in this? We talked just last night about all the stuff on her plate.
“Val?”
She turned around. “Hey, love. There you are.” Val draped her arms around my shoulders and kissed me like no one was watching. “You guys totally ditched me,” she said.
I chuckled. “Don’t play. I snuck a peek and saw you with your new friends. It took you ten seconds to replace us.”
Val poked my chest. “I could never replace you guys. I don’t have the energy to break new boyfriends in.”
“You’re funny,” I deadpanned. “Very funny.”
“I love you too,” she said with a grin.
“So, what’s going on?”
“Sofia, Teagan, and my new friends have talked me into a sorority.”
“Perfect,” Teagan said, overhearing us. Papers were in her hand in a flash. “You can fill out the registration right now.”
“I didn’t know that was your thing.”
“It’ll be fun,” a girl that looked kind of like Sofia piped up. This wasn’t the place for a private conversation. “Sorority sisters make friends and memories for life.”
“Well said,” Teagan agreed. “And you can join too. The Somerset Sams would be happy to have you. And we’ll be ecstatic to have Valentina.”
“Sure. I’ll take a registration form.”
“Really?” Val asked.
“Why not? You can make great connections in a fraternity. It’s also good on a resume.”
Val came with me to pick up a registration form from the fraternity. We walked in on one of the guys giving Teagan’s speech. I took in the boys wearing green Nu Alpha Theta shirts. They all strained to contain these guys’ physiques.
Is this a requirement they’re leaving out? You have to be ripped?
One guy crept closer to Val, a smile plastered on his face, and I snaked an arm around her waist. I didn’t need these guys getting any ideas.
Val stroked my forearm. “You don’t have to be so possessive, baby.”
“I know what every straight guy is thinking when he sees you. I do have to be this possessive.”
I couldn’t see her roll her eyes, but I could sense it.
We left with our forms and went off in search of Maverick. Day one down. Four more to go.
Val and I walked hand in hand, following the curve of the fountain. Water lapped at the rim of the basin, spreading a soft, soothing sound for those listening. On the other side of the booths, a couple of guys threw the football around the quad. Maverick had no trouble sticking out amongst his slighter friends.
“Do you think that kid will ever stop growing? By next week we’ll need to heighten the doorframes.”
Val threw her head back laughing, revealing her smooth, slender throat. It begged to be kissed, so I did. I felt her hum against my lips.
“I’d love Maverick if he was ten feet tall or ten inches.”
I licked a strip up her neck and pressed my lips to her ear. “I’m the one who is ten inches.”
A thrill went through me at hearing her suck in a breath. “You don’t have to tell me.”
“Maverick’s busy. We can go to the car and—”
“Ezra. Ezra, over here.”
I whipped around. “Mom?”
My mother, Amelia Lennox, the Media Maven, the Times' most influential person, passed under a flying Frisbee and by a couple making out to get to me.
I positioned Valentina in front of me. My imagination had gotten to the car with Valentina before I did.
“Hello, sweetie.” She kissed both my cheeks. “How was your first day?”
“Good, Mom, but what are you doing here?”
“I was invited, wasn’t I?” She reached into her purse and pulled out an embossed envelope adorned with golden letters announcing Parents’ Orientation. Somerset didn’t do things by halves.
“You said you weren’t going to make it.”
“I didn’t think I would. We finished taping earlier than expected.” A soft smile graced her features as she gazed around. “I was dying to see the old alma mater. You’re going to love it here, Ezra.”
My human shield stood quiet between us.
“Aren’t you going to say hi to Val, Mom?” I asked, jerking my head at my girlfriend.
Mom’s mouth formed an “o” of surprise like she just noticed Val was there. “Valentina. Hello.”
I waited for Mom to say more. Nothing came.
“Hi, Ms. Lennox,” Val said. “Your blouse is cute. Where did you get it?”
Mom stuffed the envelope back in her purse and hitched it up her shoulder. “I don’t have time to talk. I just wanted to catch you before you left and remind you about dinner tonight.”
“You’ve called, texted, and messaged me. I haven’t forgotten. Why are you being so intense about dinner?”
She winked. “It’s because I have a surprise for you. Obviously.” Mom leaned in for another kiss. “Bye, sweetie. See you tonight.”
She strode off without another word.
“Did you see that?” asked Val. “Amelia acknowledged I exist and spoke two whole words to me. She’s thawing.”
I stared after Mom, shaking my head. “She might as well be an Arctic iceberg at the rate she’s melting. I’ll talk to her again tonight.”
“Ezra, leave it. She has every right to hate me. I tricked her into thinking you bashed my face in.”
“That was years ago. And you only did it because of the Parents’ Day video—like I’ve told her over and over.”
Val laid her head on my chest. “She’s your mom. Amelia is hardwired to forgive you. Me, not so much. It’s okay. We’ll get there eventually.”
“You give my mother more understanding than she gives you.”
“Because I’m a mom too. If someo
ne let me believe about Adam what I let her think about you, I’d do a lot worse than hit them with the silent treatment.”
I held her securely. Valentina Moon was rage and pain, peace and forgiveness, mercy and ruthlessness. It made no sense that she could be all things... but she was.
I was not all things. I was simply one thing.
Val loved me all the same.
Chapter Two
Ezra
I parked in front of the garage and killed the engine.
“Why am I here again?” asked Ryder.
“Because Val refused to come.”
“So, I was your second choice.”
“Nope,” I replied. “Fifth. Jaxson had work to do, Maverick’s ordering textbooks, and Adam has a bedtime.”
Ryder cracked a grin. “I can drive my ass back right now, you know.”
“You could, but you wouldn’t leave me without a buffer.”
“Wouldn’t I?”
“Get out of the car.” I threw open the door to Ryder’s side, laughing.
He caught up to me on the cobblestone front path.
“Why do you need a buffer? You and your mom are creepily close.”
“This from you? You’d still be breastfeeding if Caroline let you.”
I darted to the side and his punch hit empty air. “Watch it.”
Putting my hands up in surrender, I explained, “I’m going to talk to Mom about Valentina again. She’ll be pissed about it for the rest of dinner, so you can fill in the awkward silence.”
“Because I’m known for my conversation.”
“Like I said, fifth choice.”
I unlocked the door and let us in.
“Mom? Mom, I’m here. Where’s my surprise?”
“I think that would be me.”
A tall man with hazel eyes and a matching sweater stepped into the front room.
I gaped at him. “Brian?”
“Miss me, little brother?”
“Nope.” I ran and seized him in a hug. “Forgot you exist.”
We laughed, pounding each other on the back.
“Aw, look at my boys,” I heard.
Mom enfolded us in Chanel perfume. She kissed my temple. “And you say I can’t keep a secret.”
I untangled myself from the group hug. “What are you doing here, Brian? Are Amina and the girls here too?”
