shook himself slightly as if he’d been in a daze. “Nothing.”
Before I could press for a real answer, Aniyah walked by us and stared at a painting on the wall. “This is fascinating. Who’s the artist?”
Her question was directed at Drew, and he shoved his hands in his pockets and stared at the painting on the wall like it was going to rip his face off. “Oh, that. It’s uh…”
“God, you don’t remember anything,” I teasingly scolded him so I could save him from having to answer. “It’s a Paul Castle. His work is amazing. I stumbled across his Instagram page a couple of years ago and had to own some of his work. I bought this for Brody last Christmas.”
My story was true. I’d bought Brody the vibrant painting on a whim but later worried it might get buried in a closet somewhere. Work like Paul’s was created to be displayed, and it would’ve broken my heart a little to think that no one would get to see it. When I’d moved in and found it hanging on the wall, I was pleasantly surprised.
And as I stood there admiring the painting with Aniyah and Drew, my body filled with affection for my brother who knew fuck all about art but had hung the painting anyway. Maybe it was because he thought it made him look cultured, but I preferred to think that he hung it because I’d given it to him.
“I’ll have to look him up,” Aniyah said before moving back to where everyone else was congregating.
Drew held his palm up in front of me. “Thanks for the save,” he said.
I quietly slapped his hand. “Anytime.” I possibly should’ve been worried about how much I meant it.
“Sophia,” Carter called. “What’s going on with Aamee? Have you figured out a way back into the sorority house yet?”
Aniyah’s head whipped in my direction. “You’re in a sorority?” Her tone was a mix of accusation and disbelief.
“Yup. Zeta Eta Chi.” When her face scrunched up, I asked, “Not a fan?”
“When I was a freshman, my roommate rushed with them. I went to some parties with her, but…it’s not for me.”
I nodded. I got it. For how close most of the sisters were, some didn’t always extend that friendliness to outsiders. Hell, some didn’t extend it to their sisters either—hello, Aamee. Cattiness sometimes went looking for a target, and I wouldn’t have been surprised if freshman Aniyah had been one before she’d built all that armor she cloaked herself in.
To answer Carter’s question, I said, “I think I found something that’ll get me back in the house.” I left out Drew’s new hobby of scouring sorority handbooks in his free time. “I’m going to call for a meeting to discuss it. Fingers crossed it goes in my favor.”
“Well, I hope it works out for you,” Carter said. “Let me know if there’s anything I can do.”
“Thanks. I will.” I cast a look at Drew, who was giving me a smile I couldn’t help but return. It was nice of Carter to offer, but I had a feeling I already had all the help I’d need.
Chapter Ten
S O P H I A
“This meeting will come to order,” Aamee shouted over the chatting sorority sisters who were all gathered in the large living room.
The day after the cramped study date at Brody’s place, I’d sent Aamee and Macy, our sorority secretary, an email requesting a formal meeting. I knew Aamee would try to block the meeting, which was why I’d also sent it to Macy. A formal request had to be taken seriously, and she was gung ho about her secretary role in the sorority.
Macy then sent an email to all my sisters, telling them to mark their calendars for Tuesday of the following week. Everyone was told to make every effort to be there.
Once everyone was quiet, Aamee continued. “Sophia Mason requested this meeting, but she hasn’t shared what it will pertain to. Though I’m sure we can all guess.” Her smile was smug, and I couldn’t wait to wipe it off her face. “So at this time, I’ll turn the floor over to Sophia so we can all get back to our lives.”
Aamee walked over to a chair that she banned anyone else from sitting in during meetings. She considered the floral upholstered monstrosity some kind of throne.
I moved to the front of the group. “I know everyone has other commitments, so I’ll be as brief as possible. You’re all aware that I’ve