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CHAPTER7
MIKAYLA
“I told you, the task is ridiculous. You can’t expect me to?—”
“I expect you not to embarrass me,” Mom cuts me off, and I dip my chin, unable to hold my sigh in check. “Don’t go sighing in my ear. You are wasting this amazing chance by not being open-minded. Jarrod really went out on a limb for you over this. He got you into that school, he’s paying for your education, and Aimee has been more than gracious helping you out during rush and ensuring you got a bid.”
“Gracious?” I spit back. “This whole initiation thing is bullshit. I’ve done everything they’ve asked of me, but making some guy fall for me just so I can humiliate him? It’s too much.”
“Oh, stop being such a prude. It’s just a little fun. You have to show your commitment to these girls. Once you’ve done that, they’ll have your back for life. Believe me, it’s worth it.”
I grit my teeth, wishing for Rachel’s mom. Why couldn’t I have been born into that family? Yes, Ray lost her dad when she was fourteen, and it sucked. It was heartbreaking. He was the nicest guy on the planet, and he died without warning. I don’t know if Rachel will ever truly get over it. I don’t know if I will. Ty Beauford was like a father to me, too, and Ray and I cried buckets together after that awful day. But her mom was solid. She was there for her, for me. She stayed strong… unlike my mother, who fell apart after Dad left, then didn’t really pick herself back up again until Jarrod came into her life six years later. And then she became someone else all over again.
I’ve experienced three versions of my mother, and the only one I truly liked was the first one, but that’s probably because I was too young to know any different.
“Mikayla, you go back to that house and you apologize. You grovel. I don’t care what it takes, but you secure your place in Sigma Beta Mu.”
“But Mom?—”
“You know what’s at stake here. I am marrying Aimee’s father, and I expect you to do our family proud. Megan expects it too. She’ll be joining you in less than three years, and I don’t want you ruining her chances of getting in.”
“I know, I just?—”
“Jarrod and I made the conditions very clear when we agreed to pay for your education. It’s all in the contract.”
Fucking contract. Why the hell did I sign that thing?
“You want a degree.Iwant you to get this degree.” She lets out a sigh—one of those disappointed ones that always make me feel bad. “Really, Mikayla, you don’t need to make this so difficult. These conditions are in place tohelpyou. I’m trying to secure your future here. Without Jarrod you’d be going to some little community college, but instead you have the opportunity of a lifetime at Nolan U. Don’t waste it.”
I huff and kick the bag at my feet, wishing I wasn’t dependent on Jarrod, wishing my father was still around so he could go to bat for me. But he’s not, so I signed that contract thinking it was for the best.
Shit. Double shit! Fuckity-fuck!
I clamp my teeth together, resisting the urge to scream.
“This is good for you, sweetie. Those sisters will teach you how to become a woman. I don’t think it’s asking too much to play along with a few silly games in order to secure a solid standing at Nolan U and have the support of these girls as you navigate college life. You don’t want to screw this up. Now, go back there and do whatever you have to.”
“I really—” Clamping my lips together, I swallow down my argument because I’m smart enough to know it will be a waste of air.
Jarrod has me in a headlock with that stupid contract, and as much as Mom is pissing me off right now, I really don’t want to upset and embarrass her. She’s put up with a lot of shit in her lifetime and…Dammit!
“Fine,” I finally mutter.
“That’s my girl.” She ends the call with a bubbling laugh while I sneer at my phone, slapping it against my leg and muttering, “It’s just so great that you get me, Mom.”
Squeezing the phone in my hand, I’m about ready to hurl the thing across the parking lot when a deep voice stops me.
“You okay?”
I spin around and notice Captain Hero still standing there. Seriously? The guy’s frickin’ relentless!
“I’m going! I’m going!” I flick my hands in the air.
“Need a ride?”
“No.” Lifting my duffel bag with a grunt, I haul it over my shoulder.
“Need me to carry that heavy pack for you?”
