The Hazards of a One Night Stand (Hazards #2)(34)
Author: Alyssa Rose Ivy

“Because I already have plans.” I didn’t have plans, but there was no way I was going to the Kappa house that night. Seeing Colt and Tanner outside the house was bad enough, seeing them on their turf, so to speak, sounded even less appealing. The passing days did little to make me more comfortable with the situation.

“Plans? The only other party I’ve heard about is at the Iota house. Don’t even pretend you’re going there.”

“Why wouldn’t I be?” Cara had just given me the perfect excuse. No one I knew would be at that party, but at least there wouldn’t be any Kappas. “Those guys are nice.”

Cara looked at me like I had two heads. “Yeah, they’re nice guys, but there’s no way you’d get caught dead at their house.” Her face scrunched up.

“Says who?” Admittedly, I didn’t usually hang out with those guys, but maybe I should change that. They weren’t complete geeks or anything. Just not our usual crowd.

“Says you.”

“I’ve expressed my distaste for the Iota’s verbally?” I bit back a smile.

“Maybe not in so many words, but there isn’t a chance you are showing up there.”

“You want to bet?”

“Yes. I do want to bet.” Cara grinned. “There’s no way.”

“Isn’t this their angels and devils party?” I vaguely remembered seeing the signs posted around.

“Yes.” Cara smiled. “What? Are you going to wear your devil costume from last Halloween?”

“I was actually hoping to borrow your angel one. Do you still have it?”

“Yes, and you can definitely borrow it.” She dug the costume out from the back of her closet.

I held up the pile of white. As Cara mentioned, I already had a devil costume, but I was feeling angelic that night. “Thanks.”

“No problem, but now you’re making me want to go.”

“Then come.”

“Yeah, because Aaron would just love that.”

“He’s your boyfriend, not your dad. He can’t tell you what to do.”

“But if the shoe was on the other foot, I’d kill him for going to another sorority’s party.”

I nodded. “All right, fair enough.”

“So you’re really going to do this?” She looked at me skeptically.

“Yes.” I didn’t want to, but once I committed myself to it, there was no way I was backing down. I couldn’t just sit home. Kappa wasn’t the only frat, and it wasn’t the only social option I had.

I decided not to go with the whole angel costume. I wore the white mini dress, and stuffed the halo in my bag. I didn’t bother with the feather accessories. Those were way too much unless it was Halloween. I wasn’t sure how seriously people would take the party theme. This way I could play it off as a hot dress if no one else dressed up.

After saying goodbye to Cara and dodging some questions from a few girls at the house, I headed over to the Iota party. I’d only been in the house once, freshman year, so I had no real idea of what to expect.

The front door was pulled open, and I walked in with a few other girls. “Welcome to the Iota house.”

“Hi.” I smiled at the greeter. I was supposed to want to be at this party, I might as well act it.

“An angel. We haven’t seen too many of those tonight.” He ignored the other girls, all dressed as devils, who slipped past me into the room.

The guy had longish black hair and looked vaguely familiar. Maybe I knew him from class or something.

“Yeah. I have my halo packed.” I tapped my bag.

“Nice. Glad to see you at the Iota house, Mallory.”

So he did know me. “Thanks.”

“You don’t remember my name, do you?” His brown eyes stared into mine.

Pretending wouldn’t help. I smiled. “I’m sorry. I’m really bad with names.”

He laughed. “By the way you’re looking at me, you’re really bad with faces too.”

“Oh.” Could the awkwardness get any worse? I had no clue who the guy was. I was close to turning around and jetting out the door when I spotted a beacon of hope across the room. Jade, who was still my favorite pledge, was standing with a girl I didn’t recognize.

“Could you excuse me?” I said as politely as possible.

“Wait I—”

I didn’t give him a chance to finish. I walked right over to Jade. “Hey.”

“Hey, Mallory!” Jade sounded excited yet surprised. I couldn’t really blame her. This wasn’t the usual scene for girls in our house. “Diane, this is Mallory. She’s a sophomore in my sorority.”

“Hey, Diane. Nice to meet you.” I held out my hand.

She smiled shyly and accepted the handshake. “Nice to meet you too.”

“So, uh, what brings you to the Iota house?” Jade had a twinkle in her eyes. She was searching for the story.

“Looking to change things up I guess.”

“Yeah. I bet.” Jade grinned.

I shrugged. “What are you guys doing here?”

Jade looked at Diane, and Diane nodded. “Diane has a thing for one of the pledges here.”

“Oh.” I smiled. “Is he around?”

“He’s over there.” Diane pointed to a guy back behind the bar.

“Have you talked to him yet?” My love life may have been a mess, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t help someone else out.

She shook her head. “No. He doesn’t even know who I am.”

“Let’s get drinks.” I nodded toward the bar.

Diane looked down. “I can’t.”

“Listen, you’ve already done the hardest part. You’re here. Now let’s get drinks.” I started toward the bar, hoping they’d follow.

I checked behind me, and they were right on my heels. When Diane didn’t say anything to the pledge manning the bar, I took over. “Three cups of the vat.”

“Coming right up.” The guy filled the cups and set them down. If I didn’t do something, the opportunity would be ruined for Diane.

“Hey, what’s your name?”

A small smile spread across his face. He thought I was flirting. “Chris. What’s yours?”

“It’s not important. I just wanted to know so I could tell your brothers how good of a job you’re doing.” I turned to Diane. “Isn’t he doing a great job, Diane.”