Hazed (Palm South University)

“I will,” Erin promises.

“Can we turn into a badass hit woman team and kill those douchebags who raped you, though? Because I’ve got some anger to work through and this just amplified it,” Skyler says.

Erin smiles, but shakes her head. “I don’t think killing them would be justice,” she says, and then she heaves a deep breath. “But, maybe, reporting them would.”

We all go still, then.

“Are you thinking of filing a report?” Skyler asks.

“I’m not thinking anymore. I’m doing it. I don’t know all the laws with statutes of limitation, and everything in my gut still tells me that the system won’t work in my favor. But… I owe it not only to myself, but to every other woman out there who has gone through this, too. Maybe I’ll be laughed out of the court. Maybe I’ll be called names. Maybe no one will believe me other than you guys and Bear. Maybe those guys will walk free and go on to live their lives without ever paying for what they did to me.” She shrugs. “All I know is that I have to try. And I finally feel like I’m strong enough.”

Ashlei’s eyes well with big, watery tears, and they shed before she can do anything to stop them. “You’re the strongest person I know, Erin. And we’ve all got your back. We’ll be here every step of the way.”

We hold each other just like that for what feels like hours, no one wanting to move, no one wanting to break the iron chain of support shielding us from the outside world. In the end, boys come and go, but through heartbreaks and breakthroughs, the highest highs and the lowest lows, it’s these girls who are always here.

Who always will be.

As much as our lives shifted after Erin, Ashlei, and Jess graduated, I know there’s even more change to come. We’re all going our separate ways for the summer — some heartbroken, some happier than they’ve ever been — and in the fall, Skyler and I return as the final two of our entire group to finish out our college careers.

After that, Palm South University won’t be our home anymore.

It will be a part of our past.

But one thing I know for sure, the women in this bed will never be. They’ll always be my present and my future, too.

“You ladies are my soulmates,” I whisper after a while.

Jess nods. “It’s us against the world.”

“Always,” Skyler agrees. “No matter what.”

“We’ll never be alone,” Ashlei echoes.

And finally, Erin lifts her head, looking at each of us before she whispers. “Kappa Kappa Beta forever.”

TO BE CONTINUED…

One last semester. One last season. One last book.

The epic series finale is coming this fall.

Pre-Order GREEK, Palm South University #7, now.

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Join the Palm South University Facebook group to discuss your thoughts, feelings, favorite characters and theories with other PSU addicts.

Thank you for reading Hazed. Palm South University has been my passion project for seven years now, and I’m thrilled you have joined me for the journey. I can’t get enough of these characters. Thank you for loving them with me!

If you liked this book, check out my new box set – The Pain in Loving You – where you can read THREE of my angsty all-time bestsellers. You’ll get Weightless, A Love Letter to Whiskey, and Make Me Hate You all in one epic collection.

You might also enjoy my Becker Brothers series, following four rowdy brothers in a small town in Tennessee as they solve the mystery of their father’s death – and find love along the way. Keep reading for a sneak peek inside!

My latest release is Close Quarters, a sexy, angsty billionaire romance set on a yacht in the Mediterranean. If you’re a fan of Brandon Church, this one is right up your alley.

I also love to hang out with my readers online. My favorite place to hang out is Instagram, but I’m also on TikTok if that’s your jam. And, my group on Facebook gets exclusive giveaways, sneak peeks, and more – so come hang out.

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And again, thank you for picking my book out of the millions you could have selected to read. I truly appreciate it.

Noah

When you hear the word Tennessee, what do you think of?

Maybe your first thought is country music. Maybe you can even see those bright lights of Nashville, hear the different bands as their sounds pour out of the bars and mingle in a symphony in the streets. Maybe you think of Elvis, of Graceland, of Dollywood and countless other musical landmarks. Maybe you feel the prestige of the Grand Ole Opry, or the wonder of the Country Music Hall of Fame. Maybe you feel the history radiating off Beale Street in Memphis.