Page 54 of Ice Me Out

My last option would be begging Luke to sleep in his car. But I know that’s risky in case campus security sees me.

Luke pulls me to his side, looking way more relaxed than I feel. I guess he isn’t the one who’s about to be homeless.

“You don’t need to move out.” He says. “I’m actually here to pack my things. I’m moving into the Gamma house, and you can stay here.”

I step away from him, unsure I heard him right. “What?”

My brother nods to confirm what he just said. “You can stay here at least until the summer break. I just spoke to the Dean and Coach Harrison, and we have their permission. This is now your room.”

It doesn’t make sense. “But what about them?” I point my finger at Jamie. “They don’t want me here.”

Jamie flinches at my accusation.

So he’s ok kicking someone to the curb. It’s being confronted with the results of his actions that makes him uncomfortable. Good to know.

“Hey,” he sounds almost offended. “That’s not a fair assessment of the situation.”

“Is it not?” I snort, shocked by the nerve on this guy. “I have it on good authority that you unanimously voted against letting me stay here.”

Jamie glares at Luke. “Good job, dude. Thank you for throwing us under the bus.”

“What did you want me to do? Make up another reason why she was gonna be homeless?” Luke argues.

His teammate ignores him, turning his intense blue gaze on me.

Why does he have to be so handsome? No one should have such a perfect jaw and heart-shaped lips that look pillowy soft. And that’s just the start of how hot Jamie Hart is.

He runs a hand over the top of his head, where his blond hair is slightly longer, tousling the golden strands in a way that makes him look even more attractive.

“It’s not that we didn’t want you,” his voice softens as he tries to meet my gaze. “You have to understand that this isn’t a private rental where we can do whatever we want.”

On a rational level, I know he’s right, but that does nothing to help how rejected their refusal makes me feel.

When my mother was alive, she taught me that if you don’t have anything nice to say, you’re better off saying nothing. So I stick to her teachings and cross my arms over my chest, to signify that nothing he can say is going to change my feelings.

“Bex,” Luke interrupts the standoff between me and his teammate. “Jamie isn’t wrong. Cut him some slack, will you? He was there with me earlier in Coach Harrison’s office, too.”

I look between my brother and Jamie. “Are you trying to tell me that he had something to do with getting permission to let me stay here?” I point my finger at Jamie.

“Jamie is the reason why the Dean and Coach agreed to let you stay.”

Oh?

I blink, confused by the bombshell Luke just dropped.

“Why would you stick your neck out for me when you wanted me out of here by today, just like the others?” Jamie flinches at my question, and I know I’m onto something.

“Huh, well, there is a tiny condition for you to be allowed to stay. And the Dean is going to speak to the Greek Council to endorse your application to work at the Zetas’ new art center.” Jamie says, rubbing the back of his neck.

“A condition?” I’m immediately suspicious. “I knew this sounded too good to be true. What’s the catch?”

Nothing could have prepared me for the answer to that question, I swear.

“You have to be my girlfriend until the end of the academic year.”

I’m one hundred percent sure he didn’t just say what I heard. “Come again?” I ask, my mouth opening and closing just like Lady Marmalade was doing a few moments ago.

Jamie’s explanation doesn’t shed any light on this crazy turn of events. “I need a girlfriend, and you need a place to stay. It’s a win-win.”