usually rush things. They take their time, get to know each other.”
“Thanks to aji, we have eighty years to get to know each other!” he laughed.
I laughed along for a minute, not really sure how to keep from encouraging this whole conversation. I mean, there was certainly a lot of awesomeness wrapped up in the package that is Javier—gorgeous to look at, a secure family, intelligence, and apparently a sense of humor—but I was in college and not even thinking about getting married. Unlike some people I knew, my parents had sent me to college for something other than a diamond ring, and I intended to get it.
Chapter Ten
“So, how was your date?” Kennedy asked as soon as my flip flop crossed the threshold of the Theta house. There was no telling how long she’d been sitting there, waiting to pounce on me for any romantic news.
“I’m not really sure,” I answered, wrinkling my forehead in confusion. “I think I’m engaged?”
She squealed, like that announcement was somehow not only acceptable, but something to be celebrated. Her victory dance—complete with turning in little circles and repeated clapping of her hands—was interrupted by a sneering response from Quinn.
“Oh goodie. You can be the wife of a drug lord. Our Theta founders would be so proud,” she said, sauntering towards us with a rolled up stack of papers in her hand, papers which she slapped against my chest. “You might want to check out your boyfriends a little more thoroughly next time. Turns out Javier’s family owns a cocaine plantation. His uncle is currently sitting in a Florida prison for trafficking.”
I took the papers and unrolled them, flipping through them one by one to read the Wikipedia printout. It couldn’t be true. This had to be a mistake! I mean, de la Cruz y Garcia was a common last name, right? It was like Smith in his country! Right?
“You have two choices, Andie. Dump the Mexican thug, or pack your things and leave the Theta house. I’m calling an emergency board meeting right now, and after what I’ve seen of your behavior, I’m pretty sure they’ll decide that the last option is the only one you’ve got anyway.” She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at me before turning on her heel and walking away. Kennedy looked after her, and then at me, before surprising me by putting an arm around my shoulders and leading me to our room.
***
“They voted,” Kennedy said quietly, slipping back into our room several hours later from the darkened hallway, pushing the door closed slowly like she was scared that someone was standing out there. “I don’t understand.”
“Oh, c’mon Kennedy, what’s there to understand? I never fit in with this bunch, so it would just make sense that they would want me gone. So, what, am I homeless now, or do I get to stay long enough to find a new place to live?” I asked, sitting up in bed with my knees pulled to my chest. It had been an emotional evening, not because these girls who were supposed to be my friends were downstairs voting on whether or not they ever had to speak to me again, but because a really awesome guy who may or may not be my future husband is the heir to a drug cartel.
“No,” Kennedy said, coming to sit on my bed with a confused look on her face, “they voted to keep you.” She looked like that shook her to her very core, unnerving her somehow. I tried not to look offended at the thought that I might get to stay. “I...don’t understand what’s happening.”
“Oh, wow, that didn’t hurt at all, Kennedy. Thanks.” I flopped back over on my side and faced the wall.
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