Hazed (Palm South University)

I can feel it still, Brandon’s laser-sharp gaze, and when I casually turn to survey the party, I find him staring at me through the gaps in the crowd. Every now and then, someone will walk in front of him or in front of me, somewhere in the way, but all the while, his gaze stays fixed on me.

And it stays that way all night.

No matter where I move, no matter who I’m with, if I look in that general direction, I find those hazel hues locked on me.

So, toward the end of the night, I decide to give him something to stare at.

I know it’s juvenile. I know I’m playing a game similar to one I would have in college. I’m also completely aware that Brandon is an adult, and it will likely not have the desired effect on him that I’d like.

But I don’t care.

I still waltz my ass up to the hottest guy I can find and drag my fingertip down the sleeve of his suit jacket. I still laugh at his stupid jokes and lean in closer when he talks business and draw attention to my lips with every sip of my drink. I still push my cleavage together a little as I find the shell of his ear and whisper we should go somewhere more private, and I still let my gaze flick to Brandon’s when that man takes my arm in his and steers us toward the exit.

You’re doing just fine without me? That’s great.

Because I’m doing just fine, too.

I don’t care if it’s partially a lie. In that moment, with the adrenaline and power running through my veins and an incredibly fine specimen pressing his warm palm to the small of my back, it feels true.

And I hope the smirk on my lips as I leave Brandon behind is convincing enough that he believes every bit of it.

“YOU JUST CAN’T GO wrong with Key West,” Skyler says matter-of-factly.

“I know, but come on — we’ve done Key West. Many times. I think we should switch it up.”

Skyler nods. “Fair. The cruise was a hit.”

“Again, we’ve done it. I think we need something… more. Something unexpected.”

Skyler’s legs are in my lap, both of us sprawled out on a blanket in the back yard of the Kappa Kappa Beta house. It’s a beautiful day, sunny and warm, and Skyler has her bikini top paired with her shorts to make the most of it. We’ve both been busy since school started back — Skyler with presidential duties, me with partying it up my last semester.

And, if I’m being honest, trying not to drive myself insane with thoughts of Erin.

Priorities.

But now, we’re down to the wire to hammer out Spring Break details.

“You thinking like international?” Skyler asks, swiping through Spring Break designations on her phone. “We could do Bahamas… or go all out and hit Hawaii.”

“Hawaii would be cool,” I agree, looking through the options pulled up on my own phone screen. “But… expensive, considering we’re in Florida. It’s basically halfway around the world.”

Skyler sighs. “I keep coming back to Key West.”

“It’s senior year. This is it, Sky. Our last Spring Break.”

At that, Skyler looks up at me with a pouty lip and big doe eyes. “I know that, but when you say it… it makes it more real.”

“We’ve got to do it up big.”

“Well, if we’re there, it’s guaranteed to be a shit show.”

I laugh. “True. We could always go to Pittsburgh.”

“Wanna make out on the roof again, Bear? Because I think my boyfriend might take issue with that.”

I bark out a laugh just as my phone screen fills with my little brother’s face, all goofy and smiling and sweaty. He sent me the picture last season after they won their conference championship.

“I must have conjured you,” I say when I answer the video call. “We were just talking about Spring Break and I mentioned Pittsburgh.”

Clayton wrinkles his nose. “Ew. Why on earth would you ever want to come here for Spring Break?”

“It was a joke, trust me,” I say just as the phone is stolen from my hands.

Skyler pops up to sit on her knees next to me. “Hey, Little Bear!”

“Skyler Thorne,” Clayton muses, running his fingers over his chin in appreciation of the view filling his phone screen. “Look at you, hot as ever. That boyfriend of yours still treating you right?”

“Always.”

“Well, if that ever changes, you let me know. I’ll kick his ass and then sweep you off your feet.”

She laughs, sliding her sunglasses down her nose enough to arch a brow at me. “You’ve really taught him all you know, haven’t you?”

I throw my hands up. “Hey, this is all him. Kid’s got more game as a high school sophomore than I’ve had my whole life.”

“Still juggling two girlfriends?” Skyler asks.

“Nah, I’m single. Why be tied down when there’s so much fun to be had?”