Page 17

Chapter Seventeen

Jemma

I ’m still in shock. My mind stopped working when I saw Tucker and Trent—identical twins. I couldn’t tell them apart. However, they had a few differences I should have noticed. Tucker wears his hair spiky in the front, while Trent’s sweeps over his forehead. And Tucker’s voice is slightly deeper.

I feel betrayed and used, so confused I think I can’t trust them or myself. My anger seethes through me as I power walk through campus, desperate to keep my tears at bay. A few people stare at me with concern, and I avoid their gazes.

Dark makeup runs down my face and streaks my cheeks. Pain stabs at my heart, driving a knife into my chest. I walk into Penn Hall and climb the stairs to my dorm room. When I reach my floor, I hunch forward to catch my breath.

How could I be so stupid?

Why did I fall for their tricks?

When I’m with Trent, I feel safe, and my guard slowly lowers around him. I was looking forward to our date, and now I have no idea where we stand. My feelings for Trent are stronger than I thought possible. I haven’t felt this way since high school. But still, what the hell just happened?

I rush down the hallway and into my room, thankful my roommate isn’t around to ask questions. The tears fall when I slam my door shut. Sinking to the mattress, I cry like I haven’t in years, my emotions flooding me.

My cell phone rings. I sob even louder when I see Trent’s name on the caller ID. A picture of us from this weekend’s party is displayed on the screen. Streaks of white and black makeup cover his handsome face, the sexy smirk I adore tugging at his mouth.

I hit ignore and drop the phone on the mattress.

F or the first time in a week, I spot the twins together. Tucker and Trent are on the opposite side of the street with their friends. Trent has called and texted, begging for another chance, but I need time to process everything.

Jordan tugs on my arm. “We can take another way to the chapter house.”

“What’s this meeting about?”

“Abby wants to discuss the details for The Player Auction. We have a lot to do before Thanksgiving break.”

“More hot glue guns and rhinestones.” I roll my eyes. “Oh, joy. I can’t wait.”

Jordan laughs. “We don’t do it that often.”

I smirk. “Be serious. Abby has us decorating shirts, hats, or some piece of clothing at least once a week for events. I don’t understand why we need so much bling on our clothes.”

“It’s fun.” Jordan pushes her short hair behind her ears and smiles. “Doing things together helps us to bond as sisters. It’s not about the activity but about us coming together to achieve a common goal.”

I almost feel stupid when she puts it that way.

“What are you going to do about the twins?”

“Way to change the subject,” I shoot back.

She shrugs. “Hey, you’ve got to deal with them at some point.”

“Trent will eventually give up and go away.”

“I wouldn’t count on it.” Jordan sighs. “He seems pretty determined to win you over.”

“I thought I was ready to date after I broke up with Corey…”

“I can’t believe they did this to you,” Jordan snaps. “I could kill them for putting you in this position.”

I adjust the bag on my shoulder and cross the street alongside Jordan, headed toward Greek Row. “They didn’t know.”

“The twins have done this to other girls. I’m sure you won’t be the last. Don’t blame yourself, Jem.”

“I don’t.” I try to force a smile but fail. “I can’t wait to go home for the holiday. I need to get away from this place.”

She grabs my hand, massaging my skin to soothe me. “Don’t let one terrible experience sour your experience on campus.”

“I won’t.”

“I can see it now. You’ll go home, see Corey, and feel like you made the wrong choice when you left him. Then you’ll leave school to marry him.”

“No way. Not even close.” I blow out a deep breath. “I need an escape. A reset to take my mind off things.”

“As long as you don’t jump back into something with Corey. Give yourself time before you make another big decision.”

“Corey wanted kids and a wife. I’m not ready for that. You have nothing to worry about, sis.”

She opens the door to the chapter house for me. “Put all your boy drama behind you for the night so we can have fun.”

My cell phone buzzes in my pocket as I enter the house. It’s Trent again. I type a quick message, giving him a response he might not like, and shove the phone into my pocket.