“That’s how you know you’re a true leader.”
“I have little faith in myself?”
That made us both laugh. “No. You’re humble. And granted, everything I know about Greek life I learned from Animal House and a sorority handbook I got ten minutes ago, but I think you have what it takes. You don’t seem like the type of person to shy away from something just because it seems difficult. You tutor Carter in psychology, for Christ’s sake. I don’t even know if he knows it starts with a P.”
I was glad when that made her smile.
“Well, that doesn’t say much for my tutoring skills.”
“I’m serious, though. I think you should at least consider it.”
Her expression told me she wasn’t going to. “And you should consider looking through the handbook some more. I’m not running for president.”
I mumbled a “Fine, but I think you’d be good at it,” before turning back to the computer to continue my mission.
There were other possible loopholes that I found—like Aamee not giving Sophia written notice of what she did wrong—but Sophia would’ve had to request that before the initial meeting. Sophia’s eviction should’ve also been cleared with the dean of students, but since Sophia technically had broken the rules, that likely wouldn’t help her case.
I’d almost given up when I stumbled across something that I knew would pique Sophia’s interest. I read through the paragraph to make sure it was feasible before I alerted her to my findings.
A stupid grin spread across my face. “You can appeal it.”
Immediately Sophia’s attention was on me. Her eyes locked on me before she bolted up from her seat and hovered behind me.
“Really? What does it say exactly?”
“It’s right here.” I pointed to the spot on the screen and selected the text with the cursor. “If the decision was made in bias, you have a right to appeal that decision and ask the other sorority members to vote.”
“Oh my God! You’re a genius! This is amazing!”
Sophia was practically dancing behind me. When she stopped, she spun the chair I was sitting in so I was facing her. Then she leaned down, grabbed my cheeks, and brought her lips closer to mine than a sibling ever should.
I was torn between fearing someone would catch this near-intimate exchange and hoping she’d do it.
But for now, the excitement on her face was enough for me.
“That bitch is gonna get a taste of her own medicine,” she said.
I grinned proudly. “Fuck yeah, she is.”
Chapter Nine
D R E W
I wasn’t sure if inviting such an odd group of people into a one-bedroom apartment was a good idea, but it was too late to reconsider now.
When my business ethics group had wanted to meet in a place to study where we wouldn’t have to worry about our decibel level and could spread out in a more comfortable way than we could in the library, I’d offered my place. Well, Brody’s place.
Xander enthusiastically seconded the suggestion, but Toby had asked if we could meet later. It would be an added distraction to have to play gay big brother to a beautiful debutante who was having her own study session with a guy who seemed to have been bashed in the head ten times too many, but I hadn’t wanted to rescind my offer.
“How many people did you say were coming?” Sophia asked me.
“Three.”
She gave me a long-suffering look. “You’re lucky you found the appeal thing yesterday. You practically walk on water to me right now.”
“Want me to go fill the bathtub so I can show you I can actually walk on water?”
She smiled a little too sweetly. “Not unless you want me to drown you in it.”
“That’s no way to talk to your savior.”
She opened her mouth to reply, but before any barbs flew out, there was a knock on the door. “Carter won’t be here for another half hour, so that has to be one of yours.”
“One of mine? I feel like a cult leader,” I said as I strode to the door.
“If the Kool-Aid fits.”
I laughed as I swung open the door. There was Toby, wearing khakis again but with a blue sweatshirt and a timid smile.
“Hi. I’m not early, am I?” he asked.
I opened the door wider and gestured him inside with a sweep of my arm. “Nope. Right on time.”
He took a few steps in but stopped when he saw Sophia. “Oh. He— Hello.”
After I shut the door, I moved to his side. “This is my sister, Sophia. Soph, this is Toby.”
“Nice to meet you,” she said, giving him a warm smile.
He returned her greeting in a quiet voice, his face a bit redder than when he’d first arrived.
I made a decision then and there that in addition to our group project, Toby was going to be a personal project for me. I’d need a month tops to get this kid laid.
“Want anything to drink?” I asked him.
It seemed to take a minute for him to realize I’d spoken to him. “Oh, no. No thanks. I have a water bottle in my backpack.”
I motioned to the sofa. “I figured we could spread out in there.”
“Sounds good to me.” Toby went over and began setting up what he needed for the project on the coffee table. He seemed much more comfortable in work mode than he did having to be social. Maybe I’d need two months.
Just as I was about to follow Toby, there was another knock on the door. I swung it open and saw an annoyed Aniyah and a smirking Xander with his left arm around her shoulder.
She slowly panned to look at the offending appendage before looking straight ahead again. “If you have even the tiniest desire to keep that arm, you will remove it from my body.”
Xander’s cheeks looked ready to burst with holding back his laugh. He was clearly trying to get under her skin, but I thought he’d maybe want to choose a less volatile adversary next time.
“It’s cool,” he said. “I’m right-handed anyway.”
“Xander,” she warned with a clear desire to murder him.
He withdrew his arm. “Everybody’s so touchy. Or, more accurately, not touchy.” He stepped inside the apartment, and Aniyah followed after, rolling her eyes.
After I shut the door, I quickly introduced Sophia, who said pleasant hellos before excusing herself to her room.
Aniyah took in the apartment. “Nice place.”
I shrugged. “I like it.”
She looked around but didn’t ask any questions, and then she and Xander followed Toby’s lead and prepared to get to work.
“Anyone have anywhere particular they want to begin?” I asked.
Toby cleared his throat. “I think it would be useful for us to answer the ethical dilemma questions first. Then we can have a solid foundation from which to evaluate our case.”
“Makes sense to me,” Aniyah said.
“Me too,” Xander agreed.
So that was what we did for the next hour or so until a pounding on the door interrupted us.
Sophia rushed out of her room to answer it. “Sorry,” she said to my group. She threw open the door and planted her hands on her hips. I imagine the glare she sent Carter matched her stance. “Why are you banging on my door like you’re trying to break it down? And where the hell have you been?”