Hazed: A New Adult College Romance (Palm South University Book 6)

by Kandi Steiner

  After a cool down, I’ve got my bag slung over my shoulder and I’m walking out of the studio. I pull my phone out to see a dozen or so missed texts — mostly from the girls checking in on me.

  I know they’re worried. After all, I was completely alone on Valentine’s Day earlier this week, and I haven’t even tried to date since everything happened between me and Brandon. The truth is that I’m not ready. And maybe I will be soon, but right now, I just want to focus on myself.

  Besides, the new job is keeping me plenty busy — especially with our launch event in the works.

  Tucking my phone away, I dig for my keys and unlock my car in the parking lot. And just as I do, I notice a familiar car driving by.

  I stop dead in my tracks at the sight of it — the sleek, pearl white Acura NSX. I’d know that car anywhere, and I’d also know just as well as anyone else that there wasn’t another one out there like it.

  It’s one of a kind.

  Which means there’s no trying to talk myself out of the fact that Brandon is driving by me.

  I can’t move, my feet rooted to the cement as I try to see through the dark windows. I know it’s useless, though. They’re tinted so dark no one can see through them — and on purpose.

  He’s speeding by, probably not even looking around him at all, just focused on getting home after a long day.

  Except suddenly, he slams on his brakes.

  The car comes to a squealing, smoky stop right in the middle of the road and a good thirty feet before the stoplight ahead — which is green anyway.

  My breath hitches in my throat, heart racing loud in my ears.

  Does he see me?

  Is he going to turn around?

  I’m not sure how long we stay like that — him stopped dead in the middle of the road, me rooted in place.

  Both of us watching.

  Both of us waiting.

  But then a car pulls up behind him, and on this downtown street, it’s a one-way.

  He doesn’t move at first, not until the car beeps its horn. Brandon’s car jolts forward, and then he’s speeding off again.

  There’s a chance to U-turn at the next light…

  But he doesn’t.

  When I realize he has no intention of turning around, my stomach rolls, and I shake my head at myself for even thinking there was a chance.

  For wanting him to turn around.

  I finally will my feet to move, and then I climb in my car and slam the door shut, peeling out of the parking lot with as much fury as I can.

  Maybe I don’t need to wait until I’m ready. Maybe the best way to get over Brandon is, as they say, to get under someone else. Maybe a little romp with a stranger would set me right.

  With that theory in mind, I head for the bar.

  “WELL, I THINK THAT about wraps it up for this week,” I say to the rest of the Kappa Kappa Beta Executive Board while glancing at my watch. “Mandy, send me the proposal for Greek Week before you start the applications for event chairs. And Kimberly, make sure you remind Omega Chi that we’re excited to do Spring Break together as usual, but they need to get on board with planning ASAP, otherwise they’ll get no say in where we go.”

  The ladies nod, and then it’s a shuffling of papers and a flurry of voices as everyone gathers their things to head out of the KKB house library. I check my watch again, knowing Kip and his crew have already been rehearsing for an hour. If I hurry, I can catch the last half before we go to dinner together.

  It’s been amazing having Kip back at Palm South.

  It feels a little like that first semester we met, except without all the drama. When I’m not tied up in Kappa Kappa Beta events and he’s not working on the show, we’re tangled up in his sheets, or exploring the city together, or spending early mornings out on the water. We’re together practically every minute we can be, and I don’t miss my “alone time” even a little bit.

  I had enough of that over the last semester of us being apart to last me a lifetime.

  To say I’m thrilled that I don’t have to jump on a five-hour flight just to spend a few stolen days with him is an understatement. And since we’re only promised this semester and the summer together, I’m going to make the most of it.

  I toss my backpack in my room before jogging down the KKB house stairs two at a time, careful to be extra quiet when I go by our house mom’s room so she doesn’t come out and ask me a million questions like she loves to do. As soon as I’m on Greek Row and headed toward the auditorium, my cell phone rings.

  “Hey, Lei,” I answer.

  “I’m broken.”

  I chuckle, waving at a few Omega Chis as I pass them on the sidewalk. “I highly doubt that. I know you well enough to know nothing can break Ashlei Daniels.”

  “Well, I would have agreed with you before what happened Friday.”

  “Oh, do tell.”

  She sighs dramatically. “So, I was coming out of the studio that evening, and I see Brandon’s car. It completely fucked me up, Sky. I just stood there awkwardly watching him drive by.”

  “Oh, babe. I’m sure he didn’t see you.”

  “He slammed on his brakes and froze in the middle of the street for a good sixty seconds.”

  I grimace. “Okay, so maybe he did see you. Did he get out?”

  “No! That’s what was even weirder. He stopped, and I know he saw me, and I know he saw that I saw him. But he just stopped in the middle of the road and then when cars started coming, he sped off. No call, no text, nothing.”

  “Ouch.”

  “So I went out.”

  “Oh?”

  “And that’s when I realized I’m broken. Because I went to one of my favorite bars, Sky, and I looked good, I felt good, but I…” She sighs again. “I wasn’t attracted to a single person in there. Guy, girl, it didn’t matter — everyone sucks in comparison to Brandon.” She pauses. “I don’t think I can have one-night stands anymore.”

  “Oh, Lei…”

  “Don’t,” she says, and I can almost see her holding her hand up, that beautiful face of hers scrunched up in discontent. “Don’t pity me. Just fix me.”

  I chuckle on a sigh. “Well, first of all — you’re not broken. You’re healing, my love. And those are two very different things.”

  “Healing is awful.”

  “It is,” I agreed, remembering the pain easily. I was lucky to be happy and on the other side of everything that Kip and I went through, but I’d never forget what it felt like to be in the middle of it all. “Unfortunately, about the only thing that is going to help you is time. And staying busy, which I already know you are. Don’t worry about trying to date someone else, or even just have sex with them. Right now, the best thing you can do is focus on yourself and just let each new day slowly erase that pain until you’re truly ready to let someone else in.”

  Ashlei is quiet for a long while before she whispers. “And if that day never comes?”

  “It will,” I promise her.

  “I don’t want to hurt anymore,” she says, and I can hear the emotion strangling her as she holds it all in. “I don’t want to think about him.”

  I sigh, tugging on the door to the auditorium. There are students lining the halls, gathered in groups hunched over laptops or rehearsing. “You may always think about him, Lei, but soon, it won’t be all the time. It will be every once in a while, and it’ll be memories that bring a smile to your face, because you’ll be thankful for the time you shared together — even if it didn’t last. But for now, just trust me when I say that every new day you get up and go to work and go to the gym and make it through, you’re one step closer to not having him occupy every waking minute of your thoughts.”

  “I can’t wait for that day.”

  “It’ll come,” I promise again. “Until then, I think a girls’ night is in order. Why don’t I come over after you finish up at work tomorrow?”

  “Please. I need tequila and hair pets.”

  “Lucky for you, those are two
of my specialties.” I smile as I round the corner at the end of the hallway that will lead me to where Kip and his crew are meeting today. “I’ll text you with a time.”

  “Thanks for talking me off the ledge.”

  “Love you, Lei.”

  When the line cuts out, I use the camera on my phone to make sure my hair and makeup aren’t a complete disaster after the long Monday I’ve had. Then, I push through the doors and smile when I find Kip leaning against a table with a half-eaten box of pizza on it. His glasses have slipped down to the edge of his nose as he studies what I imagine is the script in his hands, his brows are furrowed together, and his blond hair looks windblown even though I know he’s likely been inside most of the day.

  My little director.

  Everyone in the room looks familiar — producers, writers, directors, the like. But as I make my way toward Kip, I frown.

  Because Natalia makes it to him first.

  I didn’t even realize she was in the room, and when I do, I find myself frowning even more. From what Kip explained to me last night, today would be mostly working on finalizing the shots list and getting applications in for filming permits. They aren’t supposed to start shooting until next week.

  So why is Natalia here?

  And why are her glittery fingernails touching my man’s arm?

  She smiles, making some comment as she leans against the table beside him. I don’t like that she touches him at all, but the fact that she lets her hand linger over his forearm for at least thirty seconds makes me want to gouge her eyes out. And the little smile, the batting of her lashes as she laughs at something he said?

  It’s enough to make me see red.

  Before I take another step, I force myself to take three deep breaths. I shake my head at myself, at the jealousy coursing so strongly through my veins. It’s hard not to get this way after everything Kip and I have put each other through, but I’m older now — more mature.

  More secure in our relationship and the fact that I know Kip only has eyes for me.

  So what, Natalia is here. She’s probably helping with something on their pre-production checklist. And so what, she touched his arm. Maybe she’s flirty. Maybe she’s trying to butter him up so she can get a good recommendation letter for when she goes out to Los Angeles, herself.

  Do they even do recommendation letters in film? I have no freaking clue.

  Regardless, she’s not a threat.

  And treating her like one would be a mistake.

  Smile firmly in place again, I make the last of the trek across the room. Kip looks up from his script when I’m roughly ten feet from him, and that brilliant smile of his that I love so much spreads like butter across his perfect face.

  “Well, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes,” he says, setting his clipboard down on the table behind him. Then, he’s pushing off from where he was leaned against it, and in the next breath, I’m in his arms.

  “Hey, you,” I whisper, and I focus on squeezing him tight, on returning his kiss with as much gusto as he gives it.

  And on not sending eyeball death lasers at the girl he hired to play me in his show.

  “Am I running late again?” he asks, checking his watch.

  “No, no, I just wanted to come by and see how it was going.” I smile. “An extra hand, if you need it.”

  “Trust me, I’ve been offering all day,” Natalia says, beaming at me.

  I bet you have…

  “Natalia,” I greet with a smile I hope doesn’t look as fake as it feels. “Nice to see you again.”

  “You, too!” She nods at Kip. “Your man here is a workaholic. A bit of a control freak, too.”

  He gives her a playful glare. “It’s my first baby, okay? So I’m a little possessive. Sue me.”

  “No way! Then I wouldn’t get paid.” She winks at him, and then her beautiful blue eyes find me. “I’ll leave you two be. Kip, let me know if you want me to swing by the library to follow up on the permit.”

  Kip makes a face. “You wouldn’t mind?”

  “Are you kidding?” she asks, hopping down from where she was sitting on the edge of the table. Then, her stupid hand is reaching out to touch his arm again. “I told you, I’m happy to help.”

  He breathes a relieved sigh. “Thank you. It would be one thing off my list today.”

  “I’m on it.” She squeezes his arm, and then her smile is aimed at me again. “See you around, Sky.”

  “See you.”

  I keep my smile in place as she walks away, all the while telling myself it’s not worth it to tell her she is not allowed to call me Sky.

  That’s reserved for friends.

  And I can already tell she is not one of those.

  Listen, I know I sound crazy. But being a girl myself, I know girls. I know the manipulative, sneaky games we play. And I know the way Natalia is looking at Kip and what she’d do if he gave her so much as a yellow light instead of a red one.

  “I didn’t realize Natalia was joining you today,” I said when she was gone, turning my smile to Kip.

  He shrugs. “She just showed up and started helping. She seems really eager to be on the project, which is refreshing, if I’m honest.” He chuckles then. “Then again, I’m sure she’s just trying to get a foot in the door with a future UCLA grad.”

  “And future hot film director in LA,” I add, wrapping my arms around his neck. But then I frown. “You know I can help, too. I’ve offered.”

  “I know, baby,” he says, pressing his lips to mine. I want that kiss to last forever, but he breaks it with a smile as he slips his arms around my hips. “But you’re president of the top sorority on campus now. Remember? You’ve got plenty on your plate. Besides, I’ve got this all under control.”

  I return his smile. “Okay. But don’t be afraid to call on me, if you need me. Alright?”

  “You got it. Now,” he says, shifting so I’m under his arm and we’re walking toward the door. “I think it’s time for the director to take a break.”

  “Oh, yeah?” I arch a brow. “Need a quick stress relief, Mr. Jackson?”

  He smirks, leaning in to whisper in my ear, “I really, really do. Think you can help?”

  My eyes flick to Natalia, and just like I knew I would, I find her staring at me and Kip as he drags me out of the auditorium.

  “Trust me, I’m the only girl for the job,” I whisper back, sucking his earlobe between my teeth.

  He shivers, biting his lip and murmuring something to one of his writers about taking a fifteen before we push through the door. And I know Natalia is still watching, that she’s wondering just how much competition she’s got.

  So before the door shuts behind us, I grab his ass for good measure.

  “WHAT’S WRONG, PREZ?” BEAR chides, giving me a cocky grin as he dribbles the basketball. “Tired already?”

  I’m bent over, hands on my knees, preparing to guard him again while sweat is pouring off my forehead and dripping from my hair down to the cement.

  “Not too tired to block this next shot.”

  Bear grins even wider, and then he’s dribbling the ball back and forth, between his legs, around his back before he breaks away and drives toward the basket. I stay on him the entire time, and when he goes up for the shot — a little jumper not too far from the hoop — I jump with all my might and sling my hand up into the air to block it.

  Except I don’t.

  And when the ball swishes in the net, Bear hoots and hollers in a victory loop as I stand there staring at the hoop with my hands hanging on my hips.

  “Tough luck, kid,” Bear says, ruffling my hair as he passes me.

  I shove him off with a laugh. “You have to admit, for someone who’s never played on a team, I didn’t do too bad keeping up.”

  “You did alright,” Bear concedes. He jogs to the side of the court, grabbing a water out of the small cooler we brought with us and tossing one to me, too. “Your shooting isn’t half bad. It’s your ball handling and def
ense skills that need work.”

  “Probably too late for me to go pro,” I tease, uncapping the water and taking a healthy swig.

  We’re not even out of February yet and Florida is fucking hot again. With only a few whispy clouds in the sky, the sun has been beating down on us for the last hour while we played. I already know I’ll have a gnarly tan line where my basketball shorts hide my hips down to my knees.

  And the sock tan. Oof.

  Still, with it only being in the low eighties, it’s one of those days you can’t help but take advantage of. Sooner than we think, it’ll be hot enough to fry an egg on this court, and the last thing we’ll want to do is be outside for more than thirty minutes unless it’s at the pool or the beach.

  Bear plops down at the edge of the court, balancing his elbows on his knees as he looks around at the other students playing at various hoops. Water in hand, I lower down next to him, taking another swig.

  “I feel like I can tell which ones are freshmen just by looking at them,” Bear says, nodding toward one of the smaller groups of guys playing.

  “How so?”

  “They still have hope in their eyes.”

  I chuckle, setting my water aside and leaning back on my palms. “Hard to believe this is our last semester, isn’t it?”

  “Impossible.”

  “I still remember my orientation.” I chuckle. “My aunt was so worried about me staying on campus for the weekend. She was worried I’d party too much.”

  “At least you had someone who gave a shit. My mom was so blazed out of her mind, I don’t even think she realized I was gone until my sophomore year.”

  I frown. “How’s that going, her being back in Pitt?”

  He shrugs. “Honestly, I haven’t thought much about it since I came back from break. She was good when I was there, and she and my little brother moved into a little apartment. I think if there was anything wrong, he’d let me know. Besides,” he adds, taking a drink of water. “I’ve had other things occupying my mind.”

  “Job hunting?”

  He laughs at that. “I wish it was something that simple.”