Walking into the Delta Phi house was like walking into every ridiculous sorority house in every ridiculous chick-flick ever made. Shiny white marble floors stretch through a foyer that is packed with early twenty-somethings looking to let go of their week. A staircase with a cherry wood banister envelopes the room by wrapping up one wall and around over the doorway in front of us that leads deeper into the heart of the house.
Coming from an Ivy League school, I'm used to kids with plenty of mommy and daddy's money to spend, but this is different. People are here to see and be seen. They're dressed in their best and snapping selfies for their Insta. There's a champagne fountain just inside the main room and an actual wet bar with actual bartenders along the south wall. There was a valet to park our cars when we got here and I'm honestly surprised there wasn't paparazzi outside. Grateful too, because the last thing I need is for someone I know to spot me on the gossip sheets. This is ridiculous.
"Alright," Daria says, bringing forth her inner drill sergeant and yelling over the raucous hollers and loud thumping bass. "We don't leave this house without everyone else. Leave no bitch behind, right?" The girls all nod excitedly before bounding through the crowd. Jade, like a good roomie, stays by my side.
"Hang with me for the first hour or so. I'll point out some people to you. I'm sure there are some faces you'll have seen in the press, but that doesn't necessarily mean they're the ones to know here if you know what I mean." I do know exactly what she means.
I walk to the champagne fountain, which is sandwiched between two attendants standing next to either side. I eye them curiously. "It's so no one slips anything into the champagne," Jade tells me.
It's smart. My sister's tox screen did show Rohypnol, along with a laundry list of other drugs, and she was sexually assaulted, but I keep this to myself. One of the first things I packed before I came here were test strips for roofies.
We both grab a glass of champagne before walking deeper into the room. There are three royal purple chairs, which I could only describe as thrones, sitting atop a raised platform. What in the ever-loving fuck, is this a throne room? I grab Jade's hand. "Why are there thrones in here?"
Jade rolls her eyes before briefly scanning the crowd. She points to a tall girl with flowing red locks, red lips, and a killer smile. "That would be for Brooklyn James. She's the HBIC in this sorority, and kinda on campus. She's a big deal. Be careful with her, she seems nice and is to her sisters and close friends, but not everyone else. She can, and will, crush you if it suits her."
I know that game. I've played it my fair share of times. I also know of Brooklyn James. Daughter of the famous A-list movie star Chadwick James. He's played every major tough guy role for the better part of a decade. For a girl named Brooklyn, she's very white and very entitled. She's also the step-sister of Lex Wells. Both of them are notorious in any social circle.
In Hollywood, and even outside of it, they're known for being steeped in controversial gossip like tea in hot water. Which really is the perfect metaphor when you think about it.
I found plenty of pictures of Brooklyn when I was doing my research prior to coming here, but I couldn't find any photos of Lex. I've heard he's a bit more private, although he's equally ill-famed. Playboy. Asshole. Revered among the men of this school. Meeting them both is imperative to my cause but I can't say I'm looking forward to it. I'd rather dry hump a cactus.
"Is she the president of the sorority?" I ask Jade, playing dumb. I know for a fact that she is.
"Yeah, she is. Those girls next to her we call the J's. Jessa, Jules, and Jenna. I honestly can't even remember which is which. You'll never see them without one another unless it's in classes, and no one really refers to them singularly. They're just the J's," she shrugs.
I quirk an eyebrow at her with a smirk, "Ya never wanted to be a fourth J?"
"Fuck no," Jade states emphatically. We both fall into a quick fit of laughter before someone bumps my elbow, nearly spilling my champagne on my five hundred dollar shoes.
"Oh, I'm so sorry," a deep voice echoed behind me. I turn, irritated, to find a dreamboat who is perfectly filling out a tailored white oxford rolled up to his elbows and black slacks. His smooth muscular forearms could star in their own porn shoot they're so goddamn perfect. Gray eyes are encircled by thick black eyelashes which are truly wasted on a man. He pauses before lifting one corner of his mouth and reaching out his hand, "I don't think we've met. I'm Bradley."
I find myself dumbstruck for a moment by his cocky grin and exceptionally good looks. He even has highlights in his hair. What guy has time for that shit? "Hi. Ellie. I just got in today. I transferred from back east."
"Welcome, Ellie from back east," he smiles while injecting a flirtiness into his tone that wasn't present at first. He eyes me carefully and I see something that seems akin to recognition flash in his eyes, but it passes just as quickly. "How are you finding things here?"
I watch as his gaze drifts down my body appreciatively. He does a pretty good job of hiding it. "It's alright so far. I haven't even been here twenty-four hours yet, so it's a little early to form an opinion. The weather is better though. It's just starting to get much cooler over there." The weather? Am I seriously bringing up the weather? Who the fuck am I?
I start to feel Jade gently tightening her fingers at my elbow. "Hey Brad," she says with absolutely no love in her voice. Most people wouldn't notice it, but I do. Jade isn't a fan. I look between the two of them and both of their smiles seem brittle. Yep. Don't wanna do this right now.
"It was so nice to meet you, Brad, I'll catch up with you later," I say, offering him a smile.
"Don't be a stranger." He winks at me before turning back to the group of guys he was speaking with before unceremoniously spilling my drink.
Once we're a few steps away Jade leans in conspiratorially, "Stay away from him. He may look good, but he's a wolf in sheep's clothing. He's Charles Bronley's son."
Charles Bronley is a big name back east. He's a Real Estate tycoon who still manages to be loved due to all his philanthropy. You may not be able to buy happiness, but you sure as hell can buy love.
Charles has paid top dollar for the public's adoration, but that doesn't stop there from being stories about him. The main one being that he's involved with the mob. In that chunk of the country, everyone is accused of being involved with the mob. Separating fact from fiction can prove to be a bit of a challenge. Oddly enough, I didn't have his son on my list. I mentally add him before asking Jade a little more about him.
"That's a big name. Seems like he could be a big man on campus," I muse, inclining my head to urge a response from her.
"Yeah," she pauses with clear distaste in her tone, "He's the frat president. Like, THE frat president. Delta Phi's opposite. All his frat brothers are here. I spent a lot of my freshman year dating through them, but they're all snakes. I learned it the hard way. Freshman year is for tough lessons though, I guess."
I take her word for it. She seems to be masking something and there's clearly more to the story there, but I don't pry. I've known her for half a second and it's really none of my business. Plus, I don't intend to tell her any of my business either, so it seems only fair to allow her a few secrets.
"Jade! It's so good to see you," Brooklyn says effusively as we approach her. She brings Jade in like she's going to hug her before air-kissing the sides of her cheeks. I somehow manage not to roll my eyes at the gesture. I know better. "And who is this?" she turns her assessing gaze to me.
I try for friendly. "Hi, I'm Ellie, I just enrolled."
Brooklyn cocks her head to the side, smiling brightly. "Ellie, welcome. Coming in at the middle of a semester certainly makes things challenging. It's very unusual. What major?"
Brooklyn seems exceedingly sweet, but I'm appropriately cautious. "Psych," I tell her. Which is what I'm majoring in, here. I don't want to be on the books as a communications major. "I hear that the program is great. I was on a waiting list and a spot opened up."
This is a bald-faced lie, but they do have a long waiting list. I was able to get in as a favor to my mother owed by the dean of admissions.
"Yeah, the psych program here is good," Brooklyn hesitates, "but, Berkley's is better and it's easier to get into. Why didn't you go there?" She's challenging me, but her approachable grin holds firm. It's meant to disarm me, but I'm good at spotting faux friendliness. Nonetheless, I wasn't prepared for this question. I try to buy myself some valuable thinking time by throwing back the remnants of my champagne while Brooklyn snaps at a waiter. He comes by takes my glass and provides me with a refill. Thankfully it offered me just enough time to come up with something on the fly.
"Yes, Berkley does have a great program there. I was actually on a list for both but this one came open first and I really just couldn't pass up the opportunity to check out a campus so steeped in history, ya know? This place is notorious."
"Yes, it is," she defers quickly. "Either way, my brother is a psych major. He can show you around and maybe help you catch up."
Brooklyn turns and grabs the man behind her by the shoulder. When he turns to face us my entire world just stops.
Heart Failure.
He has a mop of black hair, brushing right above cool blue eyes, and a smile that promises sin. "This is my brother, Lexington."
Fuck. me. That's Lexington? He turns to fully face our circle from the group of women he was entertaining before. The looks on their faces tell me they're none too happy with having the star of their fantasies drawn away.
Unlike most of the men here, he's dressed for a girl's wet dream. Designer jeans worn in all the right places, a white v-neck t-shirt, and a leather motorcycle jacket. I can see tattoos poking out from the top of his shirt as well as his sleeves and my God can someone help me close my mouth?!
I'm used to attractive men. I grew up with them. The gene pool here is bananas. You know what everyone says, an eight anywhere else is a three in LA. Well, this man is an LA eleven.
"Hi," I squeak before clearing my throat in an attempt to regain my composure, "Hi." I begin again with much more confidence than I have, "I'm Ellie. Your sister says that you're a psych major?" His smile widens and I just about expire on the spot. Dimples. He has fucking dimples.
"Yeah, Ellie. I am." Confidence oozes from his pores. He looks me in the eyes with a warmth that lacks authenticity before continuing, "are you a student here?"
Duh, God. Why didn't I lead with that? How am I being a spaz? I'm the most confident woman ever, what the hell is happening to me? "Oh, uh, yeah," fucking dammit, "I'm uh, new. Just got here today."
"Transfer then?" He considers aloud.
Brooklyn rests her elbow up on his shoulder in a show of familiarity. "Yes, she is, and I think it would be very helpful for her if you might be able to show her around. Help her get caught up on some of her classes. She's a psych major as well." I note something slightly conspiratorial in her tone but don't let on that I heard it.
"Oh, of course. I'd love to help ya out. Answer any questions you might have." He tucks his hands behind his back and rolls up onto the balls of his feet briefly before flashing a smile that doesn't quite reach his eyes. "Hand me your phone."
Still recovering from the assault on my feminine senses, I don't think to question his command, digging into my clutch and handing him my phone. When I drop my arm back to my side he reaches out for it, gently grasping it just below the elbow and lightly running his fingers down my forearm in a soft caress until he reaches my hand leaving sparks in its wake. He uses my thumb to unlock my phone. It takes a moment to register what just happened.
"Hey, what are you doing?" I ask, affronted. Just then his phone dings from his pocket. He hands me mine back and pulls his phone out smiling playfully.
"There. Now I have your number. I texted myself so mine is on your phone as well." He steps into my bubble ever so slightly and I feel my pulse spike in my chest as I raise my chin in an effort to keep eye contact with his tall frame. "I'll text you before Monday. It was a pleasure meeting you." The heat in his gaze is contagious.
"It was nice meeting you, too," I say, breathless, quickly grabbing Jade and making a hasty departure. I couldn't take another second of that intensity. It only took me…. twelve hours? To almost crack my composure completely? I even gave him my phone which has all my information on it along with tons of photos of my family, including my sister - who I'm sure he's at least seen. What the fuck was I thinking? I wasn't thinking.
"I thought I told you he was bad news!" Jade hisses in my ear.
"Yeah, you did. I don't know what the fuck happened there," I say unable to keep the awe and confusion from my voice.
"Look, Ellie. You seem like a sweet girl. I know he is sex on a stick, but he's broken a lot of hearts all over this campus and I would hate for yours to be among the casualties." Concern etches her face.
I could tell her that I break hearts, or that my exes call me 'the ice queen', but none of that fits with my secret identity here and to be honest I think Lex could melt me in five seconds, which terrifies me.
I stop walking, turning to face her, "Thank you for looking out for me. I appreciate it. I'm not looking for anything right now, anyway. It will just be nice to have some help settling into my classes."
She gives me an apprehensive nod, followed by another one more confidently as though she made up her mind about something. "Ok. Let's go find the girls. They're probably outside."
I smile warmly at her and follow her through the double doors, already feeling exhausted from niceties. It's only midnight. This party is going to kill me.