Palm South University: Season 1 Box Set (Palm South University #1)

by Kandi Steiner

  “We’re on the map now.”

  I scoff. “You really are stupid if you honestly believe that.”

  His face drops and he steps forward, bowing up his chest to mine. “Maybe you should watch the way you speak to your president if you want to keep those letters.”

  I bite down on the inside of my cheek hard to keep from opening my mouth. Shaking my head, I don’t give him another word before taking off toward a group of Omega Chi Betas. As much as we’re rivals with them, we need their support just as much as the girls’ at this event.

  I’m still steaming over the conversation with Clay two hours later when Jeremy and I start breaking down the tent. It pisses me off that he can’t stand to see me try to better our fraternity. Part of me thinks he’s jealous or worried I’ll overshadow him, and part of me knows he’s just a miserable human being.

  “Looks like I missed the party,” a soft voice says behind me just as Jeremy and I pack the large navy tent into its cover. When I turn and come face to face with Cassie McBee, I smile.

  “We can always take the party somewhere else.”

  “Oh yeah?” She grins. “Where to?”

  Cassie is cute, I can’t deny that, and part of me wants to tell her we can move whatever party she wants to my bedroom. But there’s something about her that’s innocent – too innocent for me to screw up. “Ralph’s?”

  Her face falls a bit, but she snaps out of it quickly. “Wish I could. I’m actually on my way to class.”

  “Let me walk you?”

  “Uh,” she falters, holding up the longboard I didn’t realize she had tucked under her arm before.

  “I didn’t know you longboarded,” I say, genuinely surprised. “Can’t say I’ve met a sorority girl who rides before.”

  Cassie blushes. “Yeah well, I’m not initiated yet. Maybe the sorority girl life will wipe away my longboarding habits eventually.”

  “I hope not. But, can you ditch it long enough to let me walk you the rest of the way to class?”

  “Sure.”

  I toss a glance at Jeremy to make sure he’s cool with taking our equipment back. He nods and I grab a flier from our bag and hand it to Cassie as we turn away from the Student Union.

  “Oh yeah, the concert,” she assesses. “I already told you I’d be there.”

  “Just making sure you didn’t forget. You bringing your slip-n-slide sister?”

  She scrunches her nose in a way that makes her look even more innocent than before. “I don’t like that nickname. But yes, she’ll be there, too.”

  “What’s wrong with that nickname?”

  “I think it sends the wrong message.” She waits for me to catch on and when I do, I blanch.

  “I’m sorry, but that’s hilarious. I like it even more now.”

  Cassie punches my arm lightly and I grin. Her bright scarlet hair is braided over her right shoulder, accenting the natural pink blush of her cheeks. I’ve never really been into red heads, but there’s something about her that intrigues me.

  The problem is, I feel the same way about her Big.

  Skyler Thorne has always been a gorgeous girl, but getting to talk to her more this semester has piqued my interest. She’s a spitfire and her confidence is unparalleled by any girl I know. Funny – it’s like she and Cassie are almost polar opposites. One is innocent and light, one is mysterious and dark. They’re like two sexy little devils perched on each one of my shoulders.

  “This is me,” Cassie says as we reach the Sciences Building. “Will I see you before the concert?”

  Her hazel eyes assess me and I throw her a sideways grin. “I’d be disappointed if you didn’t.”

  When her cheeks flush red, I’m not sure how to feel about it, but I don’t have time to analyze it before she turns and disappears behind the large wooden doors. Pulling out my cell, I type out a text to a few brothers to meet at the house. We have a lot to get done before next weekend and I’m determined to do it right.

  Alpha Sigma may be in the back of everyone’s minds now, but if I have anything to do with it, we’ll be all the campus can talk about by the end of the semester.

  “I CAN’T BELIEVE this will be your last initiation,” I say to Siomara, hugging one of her chevron square pillows close to my chest. “You’re graduating, G-Big. That’s insane.”

  Siomara smiles, her white teeth blazing against her dark Spanish skin. “I still have a couple of months.”

  “It’s just crazy,” I whisper, shaking my head. “And then you’ll be president, Big.” I turn to Kelsey. Her soft grin spreads into a full-blown smile and she looks to Siomara.

  “If I get voted in.”

  “Like it’s even a question.” Kelsey has been training for this moment since she became a KKB sister. Regardless of the fact that everyone in our Greek family line for the past seven years has been president, Kelsey is literally the only candidate for the position. She’s incredibly driven, smart, and talented. If anyone can lead our sorority and make it even better than it is now, it’s her.

  “Speaking of which, how do you feel about our newest family addition, Ex?” Siomara asks.

  “She’s really sweet. Quiet, kind of shy, but when she’s around Skyler she seems to open up.”

  “Have you had the chance to connect with her one on one?”

  My mouth pulls to the side. “Honestly, I’ve been so busy I really haven’t.”

  “Erin,” Kelsey scolds me. “She’s your Grand Little. Don’t you want to have the same relationship with her that you have with Siomara?”

  “Ugh, I suck,” I groan. “Sometimes I get so wrapped up in all the event planning that I forget to be a good friend. Or in this case, a good Grand Big.”

  Siomara pats my back sympathetically. “Don’t let yourself drown in the logistics of it all. At the end of the day, this is still college and these four years are supposed to be full of amazing fun. Don’t let friendship fall second to leadership.”

  “Wow, so deep, Big,” Kelsey teases. Siomara sticks her tongue out and continues making notes in our initiation guidebook.

  “Just make some time for her, okay? She’s new to all this. Once we initiate her, she’ll be a sister for life. Help her understand what an awesome thing that is,” Siomara adds. I nod and we get back to work, prepping everything for the ceremony and the celebration after.

  Maybe it’s the Greek family line I was brought into or maybe it’s just my inherent nature to always be a super nerd, but our sorority ceremonies have always been close to my heart. I love planning them, and I love seeing new sisters experience them even more. There’s something magical when we’re all singing or reciting principles that were founded more than one-hundred years ago that gives me chills. So many people judge Greek life and claim it’s “buying friends”. If only they were open-minded enough to see what it’s really about.

  Friendship.

  Family.

  Scholarship.

  Community.

  And so much more.

  Taking Siomara’s advice, I text the girls and ask them all to meet me at Ralph’s when we finish initiation practice. I’m applying the last bit of liner to my almond-shaped brown eyes when my phone rings.

  “Hey Mom,” I answer, putting her on speaker phone so I can finish up my makeup. My medium-length blonde hair is a tangled mess so I pull it up into a high pony and let a few strands hang, framing my face.

  “Erin, dear, how are you?” My mom’s voice is like a mixture of milk and honey – smooth, with a thick southern drawl.

  “I’m well. I’m actually about to head out with the girls, can I give you a call tomorrow?”

  “Please tell me you’re behaving in a lady-like manner, Erin Xander,” she warns. “You don’t want to get yourself a reputation.”

  Fighting the urge to roll my eyes, I suck my lips between my teeth and think before responding. “I have a great reputation on campus, Mom. Don’t worry.”

  “I hope so. For how much your father and I donate to the
school, you know you have eyes on you at all times. And let’s not forget you’ll be a senior next year.” Her voice trails off, but she doesn’t need to finish the sentence for me to pick up what she’s implying. My parents expect me to find a “suitable man” to date by next year so I can be engaged right after I graduate. I want law school, they want an MRS degree – Mrs. Rich Ass Doctor.

  “Mom, you know I’m going to be president, which means I’ll be here an extra semester. And regardless of how you and Dad try to ignore me when I say it, I want to go to law school.”

  “Oh Erin,” she says with a sad sigh. “You’re much too pretty to be a lawyer.”

  I don’t even try to argue. “I have to go, Mom. Talk soon.”

  “Okay, darling. Kisses.”

  Suddenly, my need for a drink escalates from an eight to an eleven.

  My parents are from what I’ve always known as “old money”. They both come from rich parents who also come from rich parents. None of the women in my family have ever worked a day in their life, unless you count fitness and party-hosting as work. My mom was hesitant to even entertain my idea of getting a degree at all, but conceded only when she realized I’d probably need to go to college if I wanted to meet a doctor or an entrepreneur.

  I may be the only girl in the country whose parents would be disappointed if I passed the BAR.

  When I get to Ralph’s, Skyler, Cassie, Bo, and Jess are already waiting at a back table. It’s happy hour, so I slide up to the bar and grab a cheap plastic cup filled with beer before heading back to them.

  Mother would be so proud.

  “Let me guess,” I say, chugging half my beer before taking a seat next to Bo. “Lei was busy again?”

  “We shouldn’t be worried, right?” Skyler asks, her brows furrowed.

  “Why would we be?” Jess challenges. We all turn to Skyler, waiting. She looks uneasy, like maybe she said something she shouldn’t have.

  Shrugging us off, she grabs her drink and lifts it to her lips. “I don’t know. No reason. I’m just being weird.”

  No one pushes the subject, but when I see Jess sketchily glaring at some bald guy across the room, I decide it’s the perfect time to call her out. “Speaking of weird, what’s going on with you and teacher guy?” I waggle my brows and Jess groans.

  “He’s annoying.”

  “Oh?” Bo chimes in. “So you’re not into him anymore?”

  “Oh I’m still very into him.”

  We all exchange blank stares.

  “He’s annoying because he won’t go the fuck away.” She groans. “I’m not allowed to have him, yet he has to look sexy as hell in class every day and then he somehow happens to party at the same bars, too. I mean really,” she dramatically gestures toward where the bald guy she was just staring at is seated at the bar. I guess that’s Jarrett. “How unfair is it that he looks that good right now and I’m three drinks past buzzed?”

  “Just go talk to him,” Skyler urges, being her normal, confident self. “I mean seriously, he probably wants to bone, too.”

  “No way,” Jess argues, shaking her head. “You should see the pained looks he gives me in class. Like I’m the biggest regret he has and he’s just waiting for my ticking time bomb to go off and expose his shit.”

  We all fall silent, unsure of how to argue that. If I were Jarrett, I’d be worried about Jess blabbing, too. He has more to lose. He has everything to lose.

  Suddenly, a wide grin breaks out on Bo’s face. “Well look who decided to show.”

  Ashlei gives her a pointed look. “Talking shit about me, girls?”

  “Always,” Skyler jokes, cheersing Ashlei’s fresh cup of beer. “Looks like you have some catching up to do again.”

  “Well,” she concedes, lifting her cup as we all do the same. “I guess it’s a good thing I like a challenge.”

  SITTING AT THE SORORITY HOUSE is driving me insane. I don’t feel prepared for the competition tomorrow, but there’s nothing more I can do. I practiced all day and if I do any more, I’m going to be too sore and worn out to compete. This is the time when I’m supposed to rest and prep my body, but all I feel is anxiety.

  Ever since I can remember, I’ve always been competitive. And not just a little bit, but to a fault. I blame my need to win for all my failures in dance throughout the years. I would constantly push myself too hard and then punish myself if I didn’t win. I even went through a cutting phase, which I knew was wrong and hurtful and stupid but I did it anyway. Now, I’m older. I’m more mature and I’ve learned from my past.

  But I still feel that same need to win overpowering every other sense right now.

  “What I would give to get inside that pretty head of yours,” a sweet voice says in the darkness. I jump, but relax when Bo’s smiling face comes into focus. She joins me on the small white porch swing set up in the back courtyard of our house and I return her smile.

  “Trust me, you don’t want to know everything going on in my head right now.”

  “Actually, I do. And I’m not the only one.” Her brows pull together. “Everyone is talking about you, you know. The way you’re always dodging events, the weird makeup, the late nights.” She shrugs. “Some of us are worried.”

  The way she says that last part does something to my stomach that I know isn’t good. Bo is stunning, and more than that – she’s unique. Not just with her petite stature and exotic features, but with her sharp tongue and gentle heart, too.

  “You guys don’t need to worry about me.”

  “Well,” she says, chewing her cheek. “Maybe if you tell me what you’re up to, I can help ease the tension in the group.”

  Her dark brown eyes are almost black in the low lighting of the courtyard. With her hair pulled over one shoulder and her kind smile, she radiates beauty in the simplest way imaginable.

  “I can’t tell you, Bo. I can’t tell anyone.”

  Bo frowns. “Are you in trouble?”

  “No,” I answer honestly. “Promise.”

  “Tell me anything,” she tries again. “Whatever you feel like you can tell me.”

  I sigh, struggling with my inner voice telling me I need to keep my mouth shut and my inner anxiety fighting to tell someone – anyone – about the competition.

  “Let’s just say… I have a unique hobby. I love it, I’m good at it, and tomorrow I’m going to be…” My voice trails off as I struggle for the right words. “Tested on it.”

  Bo looks confused, but she doesn’t press for more. “Well, whatever it is, I can tell you’re stressed about it.” I nod, but then she places her soft hand over mine on the edge of the swing. My breath catches and her eyes flick to mine. Swallowing, she pulls her hand back. “But you shouldn’t be, Lei. You’re amazing. At everything you do. And whatever this thing is that you can’t tell us about, I can tell it’s important to you. I know you’re going to pass whatever test it is that you have tomorrow because that’s the kind of person you are. You’re a winner.”

  For a moment, I don’t respond. The air around us feels different from when she first joined me on the swing and I can’t figure out how to comprehend the change. “Thank you,” I finally manage just above a whisper.

  Bo nods, then she lifts herself from the swing. “I’m going to make some tea. You want some?”

  “Yeah, actually that sounds great.”

  “Come on.” She notions inside and I follow, possibly watching her a little more closely than I should. Before this semester, Bo Hán was just my best friend’s Little.

  But now, I have a troubling feeling that I might want her to be more.

  “OH MY FUCKING FUCK!” Leslie screams when we all pile back into our private dressing room. The entire troupe is jumping up and down, trophies and medals in hand. The energy is uncontrollable.

  “I seriously can’t believe this,” I chime in, shaking my head. “We won. First place. In four categories!”

  “Well believe it,” Hayden says, picking me up and twirling me in his arms. “An
d I think we can all agree that we have you to thank.” He plants a long kiss on my lips.

  “It was all of us. We’re a team.”

  “True,” Kya says, unfastening her bra. I used to be shocked by how comfortable she was stripping in front of anyone and everyone, but I’m used to it now. “But we’ve all competed before and we’ve never done this well. You kicked ass today, Ashlei.” She winks and strips off her spandex, quickly replacing it with a pair of fitted sweats.

  “To Ashlei,” Leslie says, pulling a flask from her Kitty Heels gym bag. We all chuckle as she takes a swig and begins to pass it around. Various members of the troupe clap me on the back in congratulations after they take their swigs. Then, everyone starts getting dressed, energy still buzzing around us.

  “Hey,” Hayden says, grabbing my hand. “Come with me. I have a better way to celebrate.” He winks and a roaring fire instantly lights in my stomach.

  Pulling me through the dressing room to a back bathroom, he locks the door behind us and props me up on the counter, pressing himself between my thighs in one quick motion. Slowly, he kisses down my neck, his strong hands gripping my hips as he does. He’s still in the tight, barely-there shorts from our final routine and nothing else. I drag my fingernails down over his chest and abs before tucking them beneath the thin fabric. Even though I just barely graze him, I can feel how hard he is and I bite my lip in anticipation.

  “Wait,” he breathes, pecking my lips once more before backing up slightly. When he pulls a small plastic bag filled with white powder out of one of the bathroom cabinets, I immediately shake my head.

  “No, Hayden. No way. You know I’m not into that stuff.”

  “Come on,” he says sexily, his voice low and his eyes bright. “We just won in four categories. We qualified for semi-finals in January. Celebrate with me. Just one line. I promise, I’ll take care of you. I won’t let anything happen. It’s just going to make you feel even more alive than you already do.”

  I bite my lip, feeling my heartrate accelerating. I know I shouldn’t, but the way Hayden is looking at me makes me want to. I’m already on a high, I do want to celebrate, and I do trust Hayden. I know he won’t let anything bad happen to me.