Never Have You Ever (The Love Game Book 1)

by Elizabeth Hayley

  “First of all, Sam asked about your accomplishments, not my sociology exam. Second, everyone cheated on that final. It was impossible.”

  “Not me,” I said. “And I still managed to get a higher grade than you. I worked my ass off for that B-minus. As far as community and university service go, I volunteer with the writing center and have tutored another student since last year. I’ve also signed up to help out at the animal shelter and give kids swimming lessons.”

  This time it was Gina who asked a question. “Was that before or after you decided to run for president?”

  “Before,” I answered, knowing that Gina had asked the question because she’d already known the answer and knew it would make me look good. Thank you, Gina.

  “Why don’t you talk about your service record, Aamee?” Sam asked.

  “I’d love to. Last year I coached a local cheerleading squad of eight- to eleven-year-old kids. This year I’m doing that as well as mentoring young girls as part of the Big Siblings program.”

  I wondered if the parents of these poor children knew who their kids’ role model was, and I decided that they probably didn’t. Aamee could project quite a clean image when she needed to. She was like a mute swan—beautiful and delicate on the outside, but if you encroached on her territory, you’d likely end up with a few bruises after she spread her wings.

  “That’s also impressive,” Sam said. “Shall we talk about sorority events and fundraising now?”

  “Sure,” Aamee answered, a broad smile spreading across her deceitful face. “I’ve already been planning this year’s fall festival. It’ll be a costume party around Halloween, and all proceeds will go to the local women’s shelter. Theme still to be determined. How about you?” she asked me, knowing I wouldn’t have been in charge of anything of the sort.

  “You know I’ve been helping with that, but it’s not my place to plan something of that magnitude myself.”

  “It would be if you were president. How do we know you’ll be able to keep up with previous years’ events if we’ve never seen you plan one?”

  “You got elected president without having to prove that.”

  “I was running unopposed, remember?” she asked with so much sarcasm in her tone that no one in the room could have missed it. “Since you feel you’re so much more equipped to lead a sorority, I think it’s only fair that you should be required to plan a large-scale event also.”

  The fact that Aamee had suggested it told me she was worried she might lose to me if the presidency came down to a vote today.

  “Do I have a motion to extend the decision until Sophia can run her own event?” Sam asked.

  A few hands raised in the air as the girls agreed that would be a good idea.

  “I’ll need more than two weeks to plan something. Aamee’s been planning the party since the beginning of the school year, maybe even longer.”

  Sam looked to the other officers, who seemed to nod in agreement with me. “That only seems fair. Near the end of the semester would give you the same amount of time as Aamee had to plan hers.”

  “I think I’ll be fine with a November event,” I offered confidently. It was a daunting task, but I was sure I could find help, and I needed to prove I was more qualified than Aamee. Planning an event of the same caliber in less time would help with that.

  “November it is, then,” Sam said. “Let us know when you have an exact date for your event and what it will be. I would assume that the judging would mostly be based on the event’s turnout, attendee opinions, and funds raised, but I’ll let you know of the exact criteria when the other officers and I have had a chance to talk over the specifics.”

  Aamee and I muttered our okays, and Sam turned to the rest of the group. “I guess the voting is deferred until a later date after both events have been held and we’ve gotten an opportunity to review the feedback and fundraising efforts. Until then, good luck with your event planning, ladies. If you need your sisters’ help, please don’t hesitate to ask. And that includes calling on each other if needed. Remember, you’re still both a part of this sorority, and we’re all here for each other.”

  Aamee and I both looked at each other, a silent exchange that both of us understood perfectly. We’d rather be eaten alive by a rabid animal than request the help of the other.

  This shit was on.

  Chapter Fourteen

  S O P H I A

  Though Emma and Gina wanted me to hang out for a bit, I didn’t spend time at the house after the meeting. I didn’t have much of a desire to be there longer than I had to, which did cause me to become at least slightly concerned that I shouldn’t be running for president. What type of leader doesn’t want to be in their own sorority house?

  But after analyzing it, I knew my hesitance wasn’t indicative of my ability to be an effective president. I didn’t want to be in the house. Aamee asserted a certain power over some of the girls, and that power caused fear, which then resulted in them treating me differently. It was like Aamee had spent the beginning of the school year creating little robots who followed her every command.

  Sophia is the devil.

  Yes, Master.

  Don’t talk to her.

  Yes, Master.

  I hoped if I became president, they would stop acting out of fear and see Aamee for who she really was: a Barbie Doll with the personality of Annabelle. And I wasn’t about to let that demon influence my sorority sisters if I could help it.

  With a long huff, I walked through our apartment door. When did it become our apartment, when it is neither mine nor Drew’s?

  Drew and his group were spread out in the living room again, working on their project. He’d told me they were going to try to meet here once a week, but I’d forgotten until now because I’d been so preoccupied with the sorority meeting.

  Carter was also there for his study session, and even early for once. His gaze darted from the TV to me when I tossed my bag onto the table by the door.

  “How’d it go?” Drew looked up from where he’d been messing with Brody’s laptop. “I’m hoping your sigh means you’re just acclimating to your new role and you’re disappointed you won’t be living with me anymore.”

  Aniyah gave him a look like he’d just tried to explain quantum physics. “Why would she rather live with you than her sorority sisters?”

  “Uh, because I’m awesome. And the life of the party.”

  “What party are we speaking about exactly?” Carter asked. “I have yet to see you at one.”

  Drew shrugged, and I recognized that he’d dug himself a little hole. He played the easygoing, happy-go-lucky senior well, but when it came down to it, he cared more about actually learning something than anyone else in the room.

  “The semester’s still early,” he said. “I’m just gearing up. And besides, it’s why I had to transfer here to begin with. No way my parents were paying for another year at Buckley with the way my grades were. I gotta focus and take this whole school thing seriously.”

  “I’m confused,” Xander said. “So you do party, or you don’t?”

  “I party,” Drew said confidently.

  Xander reached into his bag. “Nice, ’cause I just got my hands on some good shi—”

  “But not your kind of partying, I guess,” Drew added quickly.

  Xander shrugged and settled back against the couch cushions. “Suit yourself.”

  “Speaking of parties, I have to throw one,” I said, plopping down next to Xander. “What do you have in that bag?”

  Xander’s eyes lit up, and I realized they were so dark, I couldn’t tell whether his pupils were dilated or not.

  “I’m kidding,” I said.

  Drew was leaning forward, his forearms on his legs, which were spread wide. “So did you win or not?”

  “I didn’t win, but neither did Aamee. They said it was too tough to decide with a vote right then because neither of us has really proved ourselves as president yet. We each have to throw an event at some p
oint during the semester, and the other officers are going to gauge attendee opinion and the amount of money we raised and things like that before everyone votes.”

  After no one said anything, I looked away from Drew and around the room at everyone. “I hate that I have to wait another month or two before the vote, but I get why they’re doing it. As long as I think of a good solid idea for the party, I’m hoping I can make the rest fall into place.”

  “Don’t look at me,” Toby said. “The only party I’ve ever been a part of is a political one.”

  “I already enlisted the help of my best friend from home. She’s supposed to come Saturday and just stay for the night. If anyone can help me figure out how to throw an event of the century, it’s Taylor. When our high school chose a venue for our prom no one liked, Taylor threw her own at a better place. Most of our class went to hers.” I looked to Drew. “I should’ve asked you if she could come first. Do you mind?”

  “Of course not.”

  Carter stood. “You can tell Taylor she doesn’t need to make the trip. I’m all over this. We can get a keg and some strippers. One of my buddies—”

  “This isn’t a bachelor party,” Drew said.

  “Parties are lame,” Aniyah said, and her contribution began and ended with that.

  We were all silent for a minute or so, all presumably thinking about what to plan, when Drew’s phone rang.

  He held it up so that everyone could see it was his mom calling. “I should probably take this.”

  Then he excused himself to the bedroom, leaving me alone with Lazarus University’s motleyest crew.

  D R E W

  My mom and I didn’t make it a habit of talking. It wasn’t that we didn’t get along or didn’t like each other. It was just that neither of us typically found a reason to call the other. Plus, we didn’t share many things in common. While my mom and sisters were content to sit on the porch, gossiping about neighborhood drama over a carton of Newports, I’d wanted better for myself.

  I always had. And while most parents should be happy their kids wanted better than they had, my mom and dad seemed to resent my drive in a way that highlighted just how insecure they were with their own lives. They’d settled, and they knew it.

  Even in their marriage, they hadn’t put forth the effort it deserved to raise five kids. For years, they’d gone through the motions rather than work hard to make their lives better. To most, they didn’t appear to be more than friends who cohabitated for the sake of a budget and convenience. I wanted more than that for my life.

  So when my mom called me, I answered. I always did. Because someone was either dead or dying or she needed something from me. And while the latter frequently annoyed me, I couldn’t help but hope for it when the alternative involved someone’s demise.

  “Hey, what’s up?” I asked, closing the door to Sophia’s bedroom behind me.

  “Hi, Andrew, it’s Mom.”

  It always sounded strange to be called Andrew. Only my mom referred to me that way. I was Andrew Christopher Nolan III, and since my dad went by Drew, my mom had always called me by my given name to distinguish us from each other. If she’d had it her way, she would’ve named me Jesse, a Full House nod I was thankful I didn’t receive.

  When my younger brother was born seven years later, she tried Jesse for him too, but my dad wouldn’t have it. The most he would allow it for was our bulldog, who we all called Uncle just to mess with my mom.

  “What’s new?” I asked, waiting to hear whose funeral I’d need to attend or what she wanted from me.

  “I just called to see how you’re doing. How’s the bar?”

  “Good. Same as it always is. What’s up with you guys?”

  “Not much,” my mom said casually. “Dad started working at the car dealer up the street.”

  I was pretty sure he had worked there years ago, but I didn’t ask. Management had probably changed since then, and they must have had no clue he’d ever been employed there. I tried to remember why he’d left, but my mom spoke again before I could.

  “He hurt his back trying to lift a tire he had no business going near in the first place.”

  And there it was. The reason for her call. Undoubtedly, my dad’s injury meant he was unable to do as much around the house, so she’d called me.

  “He okay?” I asked.

  “He’ll be fine. Lying around on the couch, milking it every chance he gets.”

  I laughed softly. “I’m sure.” Silence lingered on both ends of the phone for what felt like a long time. “Can I do anything to help?” If I waited long enough, she’d ask anyway, so I put it out there first.

  “Yeah, if you have the time. Just some yard work and stuff. The grass is getting pretty long, and that branch finally fell off that tree in the backyard the other day. It can probably just be broken up and tossed into the woods.”

  “Okay, I’ll get time at some point to come over this week. What’s Cody up to? He should be doing some of it too.”

  My brother still lived at home, and there was no reason he shouldn’t be helping if I could find time to.

  “I could ask him if I ever saw him. He’s never home.”

  Sounded like Cody. “I’ll call him.”

  “Thanks, Andrew. The girls and I miss you around here.” She said “girls” like they were all jumping rope and playing dress-up. Two of the three “girls” were older than me but still lived at home, mooching off my parents, who barely had anything to give.

  “I miss you too.” And it was true. I did miss them. I just didn’t miss that life. It was why I’d moved out when I was old enough to get a job that paid for a small apartment and why I only talked to a couple of my buddies from high school.

  I’d realized shortly after graduation that if I were going to go anywhere in life, be anything, I’d need to distance myself from the people and places that were holding me back. And then, when I’d agreed to “sub” for Brody, I’d all but cut them off completely.

  I didn’t know for sure, but I had a pretty good feeling they’d have opinions about my choices that I didn’t care to hear. I knew damn well they thought college was a waste of time and money, and I didn’t think their perspective would change just because I wasn’t paying for it—especially since I wasn’t even getting college credits for them. It wasn’t something they’d be on board with, and I didn’t need any more doubt infiltrating my mind. I already doubted myself enough.

  It was the reason I’d always been so protective of Cody. I wanted better for him than he wanted for himself. He was a good kid with a sharp mind. I didn’t tell him that enough. No one did. It’d be good for both of us to spend some time together, even if it was cleaning up our parents’ yard.

  “Have you guys thought about Cody’s birthday?”

  “What about it?” my mom asked. “It’s not until December.”

  “Yeah, but it’s his eighteenth. I thought we could do something special for him.”

  “What’d you have in mind? We never did anything special for the rest of you.”

  That was true, though her argument didn’t do much to help her maternal image. She meant well. She and my dad both did, but there was no giving five kids anything more than they needed.

  “I don’t know. Just like a small party or something.”

  My mom was quiet for a few seconds. “You think we could have it at Rafferty’s? Do you guys have a back room or something? Maybe the owner’d give us a deal.”

  My first choice would not have been to volunteer the bar as a place for my kid brother’s birthday party, but my mom clearly wasn’t offering their house as a venue, and something was better than nothing. There was no way they could afford to rent a place out.

  “I can check.”

  “Okay, we can make it a surprise!” she said, suddenly enthusiastic. “Let me know if you need any help with the planning or anything. I’m sure the girls would be happy to help too.”

  “Sure, okay. And I’ll let you know when Cody and I c
an help with the yard work.”

  We said our goodbyes, and as I hung up the phone, I wondered how I always seemed to bite off more than I could chew. I was currently taking higher-level college classes, working almost full-time, helping someone run for sorority president, and now I was planning a surprise party.

  My life was almost unrecognizable. And it made me happier than I’d been in a while until I remembered much of it wasn’t really my life.

  By the time I made it back out to the living room, my group was packing up to leave.

  “I think I just agreed to plan a party,” I said, scratching my head as I let my conversation with my mom sink in.

  Aniyah shook her head. “Does every member of the Mason family need a lesson on why parties are manufactured popularity contests?”

  “Apparently,” I said.

  Aniyah just shook her head again and threw the last of her books into her enormous purse. We’d gotten a good amount accomplished, and once everyone knew what their individual responsibilities were, they headed out. Carter was still there, about to begin his study session with Sophia. He pointed to her room now that I wasn’t in there and told her he was going to get set up.

  Once he was out of earshot, Sophia said, “Everything okay? You seemed like you weren’t expecting her to call.”

  “Yeah. Fine. She just needed me to help with some stuff around the house.” I pressed my hands into my eyes before massaging my temples. “And then I somehow agreed to plan a surprise party for my brother.”

  “Yikes.” She winced.

  I’m sure my face showed just how daunting I found the whole process, even if it was only a birthday party for my little brother.

  “I also think I somehow made it my idea, which means I can only blame myself for whatever work I have ahead of me.”

  She smiled widely, raising her eyebrows in a way that made me nervous for what she was about to say. “I’ll help you plan your party if you help me plan mine.”

  It was an offer I couldn’t refuse.