The Hazards of Skinny Dipping (Hazards #1)(5)
Author: Alyssa Rose Ivy

Cara laughed. “Wow, flashback to elementary school.”

“I know. I didn’t think they actually meant a school bus.” I got in line to board.

I turned when I heard some loud whistling. “Delta Mu’s looking hot!”

“Be nice, boys!” Jana yelled at a group of guys walking by. They were all huge—as in giant-muscles-I-wouldn’t-want-to-meet-you-in-a-dark-alley huge.

One guy yelled back, “We are being nice. See you in a few.”

“Wait, those guys are going to be at laser tag?” My jaw dropped.

“Usually we’d have the whole place rented out, but the owners double booked. We’ll be sharing with the Kappas.”

“This is going to be interesting.” Mallory laughed.

“Sisterly bonding with frat guys…right,” I mumbled.

Jana turned toward me. “What was that?”

I smiled. “Nothing.”

“Their bark is bigger than their bite. They’re actually really nice,” Jana assured us.

“I’m sure.” I stepped up onto the bus and took a seat. Cara slid in next to me, and Mallory sat with Jana across from us. I looked out the window, watching a crowd of guys. I’m sure they were some frat’s new pledge class.

“This place is hot guy central. I don’t even know where to start.” Cara ogled the guys.

“I agree.” I did, but the only guy on campus I was really looking for was Dylan.

The ride went quickly as we learned some sorority songs. I hate to admit it, but they were kind of catchy. Before I knew it, we pulled into the lot of the laser tag place. It was located in a strip mall, the kind of place where you went for groceries or frozen yogurt. It must be the cheapest kind of rental space because that’s where laser tag always was.

Inside, we geared up. It was a really funny sight to see a bunch of sorority girls wearing electronic vests and holding guns. We were about ready to go into the game room when the door opened, and the Kappa guys flowed in.

The pledges all wore black t-shirts that read “An offer you can’t refuse.” The shirts weren’t particularly original, but who doesn’t like a Godfather reference?

We listened as a middle-aged guy read off a list of instructions. Pretty much, we weren’t supposed to hurt each other or the equipment. After we grumbled our agreement, we were allowed in. It was just like any other laser tag place I’d been to. The neon lights and fog made it feel like we were stuck in Tron.

I wasn’t going to lose easily. Most of the girls were done within minutes, giggling as Kappas took them out. Cara, Mallory, and I set off together, but we got separated when a group of guys came at us Rambo style. The guy leading the pack wore a backward baseball cap. I hoped he was doing it to be funny. Not that I would have questioned it. He was giant, at least 6’4” or 6’5”, and a solid wall of muscle.

I hid behind a blockade, determined to wait out baseball cap guy. There was no way he was taking me down. I waited and waited, and finally I saw him turn the corner. I pointed my gun, aimed, and hit him straight in the back.

“Damn it.” As his vest lit up and buzzed, he searched for the culprit.

I smiled and winked at him. “Better luck next time.”

“That wasn’t very lady like.”

“Who said I was a lady?”

An active sister I was pretty sure was named Dana walked past us. Her vest blinked. “You’re a Delta Mu. Of course you’re a lady.”

I resisted the urge to stick my tongue out at her. “This has been fun and all, but I’m still alive.” I gestured to my vest.

Baseball cap guy smiled. “Yeah, yeah. Go kill some more men, Annie.”

“Annie?”

“Yup, see you around.” He nodded before disappearing into the man-made fog.

I moved back into my hiding spot, but before I could even look for my next victim, the lights flashed, and the game was over. I reluctantly walked toward the exit. Maybe laser tag was more fun than I’d remembered.

Chapter Three

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

Subject: Re: List Complete!

Dear Juliet,

I really hope that email was a joke. I’ve warned you about Dylan. He’s a jerk. In other news, I heard through the grapevine you’re pledging Delta Mu—I’m so psyched for you. Feel free to raid my closet next time you’re at my house. I have tons of shirts and stuff. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.

Your Only Cousin,

Amy

“You must be Tally.” I awkwardly pulled my towel tighter around me. Of course, my roommate and her family had to come by right as I came back from the shower. The floor was all girls, so most of us didn’t bother dressing in the bathroom.

“Yeah… and you’re Juliet?” The leggy brunette held out a hand.

I accepted the handshake. “Yup. Nice to meet you. I’ll just go get dressed in the bathroom.” I grabbed some clothes and headed to the door.

“No, don’t be silly. We’ll wait outside for a minute.” Tally’s mother smiled.

“Oh, thanks.”

I dared a look at who I assumed had to be Tally’s younger brother. He was probably fifteen or sixteen, and he had the biggest, cheesiest grin on his face.

“Come on.” Tally tugged on his arm, and they walked out.

I pulled on a pair of khaki shorts and a blue tank top. Black flip flops completed the outfit. I brushed out my hair before securing it back into a bun.

“It’s safe to come back in.” I opened the door.

“Cool.” Tally smiled.

“Obviously, I took that side.” I pointed to my bed. “I hope you don’t mind.”

“Not at all.”

“Good. Well, I’ll get out of your way so you can unpack.”

“You don’t have to.”

“No, it’s totally fine. I have to be somewhere in twenty minutes anyway. I’ll see you later.” I glanced at her family. “Nice meeting you.”

“Same to you.”

The brother grinned at me as I walked out. Poor kid, he really needed to get a girlfriend.

I thought about stopping by Cara’s room, but I opted to go for a walk instead. I’d been on campus over a week, but I’d barely done anything that didn’t involve Sorority Rush or the Delta Mu house. I took a walk around the quad before cutting across campus to the sorority houses. I turned onto Coming Street and went up the front steps.