Chapter 3
The frat house was vibrating with deafening bass.
The air was thick with cheap alcohol and overpowering cologne.
I pushed open the heavy oak doors.
I stood in the doorway in a dangerously tight, high-slit red dress that cut through the dim room like a match strike.
The fabric swayed with my steps, flashing my long legs under the strobe lights.
For a second, the frantic music seemed to fade.
Every guy in the room turned to stare.
I ignored them.
My gaze cut straight through the crowd, locking onto the figure by the champagne tower.
Brad.
He had his arm wrapped around a blonde, a half-empty whiskey glass in his hand, grinning like he owned the place.
When his eyes swept over me, his arm stiffened.
Like a shark smelling blood, he shoved his date aside, adjusted his collar, and strutted straight toward me.
He had absolutely no idea the bombshell making his eyes go wide was the "fat, stupid" online girlfriend he’d been trashing.
"Hey, gorgeous."
Brad blocked my path, flashing what he clearly thought was a killer smile.
"Don't think I've seen you around. Freshman?"
The greasy mix of booze and stale tobacco on him made my stomach roll.
Fighting the urge to splash my drink in his face, I arched an eyebrow.
"Yeah. Just got to campus. Still trying to figure things out."
Brad's eyes lit up.
He leaned in, invading my personal space.
"Well, you found the right guy."
He swirled his whiskey, dripping with arrogance.
"I'm Brad, an executive board member here. As long as you're at State U, there's nothing I can't handle."
I widened my eyes in fake awe.
"Really? You must be pretty important."
The flattery fed his ego perfectly.
He puffed out his chest, raising his voice so the guys around us could hear.
"Of course. I plan all the frat dares and icebreakers."
"One word from me, and whoever I want gone is out."
My knuckles turned white around my clutch.
Looking at his smug face, my smirk deepened. I didn't rush to expose him.
Like a patient hunter, I watched my prey step willingly into the trap.
The higher he climbed, the harder the fall.