She shrugs.

River peels at the label on his bottle, his gaze lowered. “I’d suggest she find a hottie”—his lips tighten—“at a rival fraternity, or a super-smart guy. I’m assuming this hypothetical ex is smart?”

“Yes,” I say.

Carl taps his chin. “Someone he’d be envious of! The plot thickens.”

“No plot,” I say. “This is all conjecture.”

“A pre-med, pre-law, or physics major,” Lila exclaims. “Genius. The Phi Beta Kappas are doing the ski trip—all brains, skinny arms, and geeky, but you like that, Ana.”

Do I?

My eyes brush over the leather jacket on River, the slope of his broad shoulders, the color of his gaze. Tonight, the gray of his irises hints at smoke and his lashes flutter against his cheeks as he breaks our gaze.

“If I Can’t Have You” by Shawn Mendes plays on the speakers, a song about keeping your distance, about hating to admit how you really feel about someone you can’t have.

Goose bumps skate over my arms.

Why does that song make me think of him?

He twists his ring. “Let’s say there’s a third guy in this scenario. He’s a good friend of her ex. He’s a popular athlete—hypothetically. If this girl wanted, he could help her find the right guy. He knows everyone, could help by introducing her to the perfect rebound.”

My chest rises, nerves flying. “What does this third person want in return?”

He takes a sip of his beer and sets it down gingerly, eyes downcast. “This guy needs a favor.”

“What?” I ask, my voice lowering.

“He has four days to write a paper. He needs this girl to tutor him. It will mean a lot of work on her part, but he’ll make it worthwhile on the ski trip he’s going on.”

Lila looks between all of us. “I’m hypothetically confused. There’re too many fake people in this conversation.” She rolls her eyes. “River, will you help Ana find the right booty call that will make Donovan jealous if she helps you in that lit class?”

There’s a tense silence, then, “Sounds good to me,” he says in a tight voice. He rubs a circle on the table with his finger.

Lila faces me. “Ana, will you help River so he will set you up with some fine-ass man you can diddle, which will ensure Donavon knows you are better than him in every way?”

I glance over and see Harper trailing her fingers down Donovan’s arm.

My jaw sets.

“Are you for real?” I ask River, a tremor in my voice.

He looks up at me, and my breath snags at the uncertainty I see in his eyes.

“Yes.”

Five seconds pass as we stare at each other.

Revenge would be sweet.

Me showing Donovan I’ve moved on. With someone he’d be envious of…

“Then let’s rock this.” I breathe out and extend my hand for a handshake.

He exhales and takes my hand, his thumb skating over my palm, lingering. Fire goes up my arm.

“Hell yeah!” Lila calls. “Progress! My girl’s got balls!”

I barely notice her, and River doesn’t acknowledge her either. He drops my hand, picks up his beer, and takes a swig, never dropping his eyes. I see emotion there, hot and fierce.

Heat builds on my face.

Carl clears his throat, a little laugh coming from him as he watches us. “Alright, then. Crazy Carl saves the day! By the power vested in me by the aliens, I pronounce you participants in this hypothetical revenge pact. You may now drink up.”

I don’t have a drink, but I lower my lashes and watch River take another swig. I take in his muscled arms, the way his broad shoulders flex, the way his eyes drape over me.

Um, we made a pact for a rebound, but…

Come on, let’s be real.

The ultimate revenge would be to bang River. His frat brother.

I can’t do that.

Right?

16

I burst through the front door of the house I share with Crew and Hollis. Tossing my jacket on the coat rack, I take in the place and storm to the kitchen, throwing dirty dishes in the sink then throwing a dishtowel over them. Darting to the den, I pick up cups and plates and an empty Funyun bag—disgusting—and run them to the kitchen.

“Whoa. Who’s coming over this late?” Hollis asks as he looks back at me from the couch. “I’m getting ready to watch the game.”

“Anastasia.” I throw shoes into our basket near the door. Doesn’t anyone pick up in this house? Okay, most of them are mine.

There’s a quizzical expression on his face. “Really?”

“Yeah.”

“Dude. I thought you were gonna wait, like your dad said.”

“It’s a study thing. The library closes early on Sundays, so it’s my place or the Kappa house and, well, we all know we can’t go there. Our house is the only option. I don’t want to go to her place. That feels worse. Right? At least I’m in control here. I don’t know. Dammit. She’s going to be here any minute. She gets off at ten…” I jerk up a damp towel someone left on the ground. (It was me.)

“I can help you write it,” he offers.

“You suck at lit.”

“True.” He props his feet on the coffee table, scratches his abs, and picks up the remote to click the TV on.

“Put a shirt on. Geeze. No one wants to see your six-pack but you.”

He waves a hand at his chest. “You’re just jealous ’cause I’m cut like diamonds. How did this study thing come about?”

“I saw her at the bar,” I explain. Crew and Hollis weren’t there tonight. “She wants a rebound, and Crazy Carl was there. I wasn’t even going to sit down with them, but I did, and now I made a deal for her help with my paper. She’s going on the ski trip with me, and I said I’d find her a guy.” I pause. “Basically, I’m insane.”

He nods. “The best people are. Guess you aren’t telling Donovan about the study thing?”

“Not sure why he would need to know. He wouldn’t like it, I’m sure. It’s too late now. I mean, my mouth was saying crap while my brain was yelling What are you doing?, and holy shit, It was my idea. I couldn’t stop, and what if she figures out I can’t understand these books and thinks I’m stupid—”

Crew comes out of his room, frowning. At least he has a shirt on. “Ana’s coming over?”

“Yeah,” I say.

He checks me out. “You look sober.”

“It’s a class thing,” I mutter. “Nothing else.”

“You’re wound tight, bro. You okay?” he adds as I spin my ring.

“We’re on your side” comes from Hollis as he stands. “One hundred fucking percent. If you wanna take a shot at her, it will cause some strife with the brothers, can’t lie, but we support you. I said to keep it in your pants, but I was joking. You do you.”

It’s not anything they haven’t said before.

But I am the president.

He is my friend.

“We’re just studying,” I say, stalking into the kitchen. Everything is piling up in my head. Her. This class. My future at Braxton. Mom.