“Is Ezio keeping everyone in line, at least?” I ask. “Organizing all the parties and group events?”
Holden shakes his head. “No. He said parties were stupid, and if we wanted a big back-on-campus bash, we should organize it ourselves. Jeremy pointed out we usually do the charity drive around this time, and Ezio laughed.”
Huh. Here I thought they all only did the charity events because they were forced into it. Maybe there’s some redeemable qualities to my frat brothers after all.
“What about you?” I ask. “Did you pass your marketing class?”
“Yeah. That’s my internship secured.” Holden sighs. “Your dad has contacts with Asteroid, right? Peyton’s trying to get an internship there, but he’s too chicken to ask you about it.”
I don’t know why I would help Peyton, but thisisthe point of the fraternity.
Networking.
Helping each other.
“I’ll make a few calls,” I say. “And if everyone’s willing to give me another chance, I can see about organizing something for us.”
Holden seems surprised, but he covers it quickly. “Thanks, man. I’ll tell Peyton.” He grabs his backpack before heading out.
Ezio had said that a leader is only as good as his followers. Well, that counts for him too. If he’s not making nice with the frat brothers, they won’t be good little soldiers for him either.
I shoot Pandora a quick text, then pick up my own stuff. I put my coat on, but I don’t bother with the hat and gloves. It’s only a short jog over to Pandora’s dorm.
With classes—and the frat stuff—keeping me busy, I haven’t been able to see her in person for two days.
I miss her.
How does that happen? How can I go from not caring about anyone to wanting to see her every single day, and missing her after only forty-eight hours?
I really am whipped.
I notice somebody on the stairs up to the dorm building.
It’s Bobbi, the same woman River fought a few weeks back. She’d been at the dean’s office too, hadn’t she? And River had mentioned running into her in the tunnels, before Pandora accosted him for a jealous fuck.
According to River, Bobbi is a student here now, freshly transferred from some lower tier university.
Dyschord U doesn’t get a lot of transfers, though. It’s got a sterling reputation, but it’s also expensive as fuck and caters to a very specific type of rich and powerful.
I jog up to Bobbi before she can enter the dorm building. She’s wearing a heavy winter coat, but no hat or gloves. She must have come from somewhere nearby.
“Hey!” I say, pasting on my most charming smile. “You’re Bobbi, right?”
For a split second, Bobbi seems legitimately startled. Then she gives me a confused look. “Who are you?”
Does she really not know? She must have seen me sitting with River the other day. I don’t let my smile falter. I extend my hand to her.
“Blaze Bouchard,” I say easily. “Yes, ofthoseBouchards.”
She takes my hand, which have more callouses than I expect. I know she fights for fun, but even River’s hands aren’t like this.
“Nice to meet you,” Bobbi says. After a beat, she adds, “Which Bouchards, though?”
She’d have to be really blind not to notice the Bouchard name plastered over certain school buildings.
“Never mind,” I say, not really interested in figuring out if that was a joke or if she is that out of the loop. “I heard about you from River. Well, and I saw you fight him.”
Bobbi smiles this time. “Oh, River’s friend. He’s a cool guy. Although his girlfriend…”
