Still Jaded (Jaded #2)(19)

Again, I caught a spark of surprise in her shrewd eyes. Most girlfriends would never ask outright if someone was angling for their boyfriend. I wasn't most girlfriends. Let's be honest: Corrigan was a big fish at school, but Bryce was becoming a big fish on a global stage. The real catch wasn't Corrigan, at least not for this girl.

"Are you asking me if I want your lover?"

"He's a lot more than my lover, but you know that. So lay out all your cards."

"Fine," Cadence smiled. It seemed genuine. "I want Bryce, but I don't want him for the sorority. I want him for myself, but I'm not stupid. I am aware of how devoted he is to you. He worships the ground you walk on, but the moment that you turn your back to him, I will be there. My arms will be wide open." She didn't even blink. "I'm showing you respect by being honest. Something tells me you're used to having other women interested in your lover."

She used that word again. I gritted my teeth because it was an insult to who Bryce was in my life.

Cadence continued as she sleeked back her ponytail again. "Don't worry, I have no intention of trying to cause dissension between you two, but once it's there I won't hold back. Like I said before, Bryce is my prize. Corrigan and his house really are what the sisters want. They want you to pledge as a sister because then Corrigan and his house will always do socials with us. Contrary to some beliefs, parties really do wonders for making connections. Everyone has a rich and powerful daddy behind them, if you know what I mean."

Sadly, I did. "Corrigan doesn't have a rich and powerful daddy. His parents are so normal; they'd almost be boring if they weren't so perfect. No one's gonna get connections that way."

Cadence laughed. "Corrigan doesn't need a rich and powerful daddy. He's going to be just fine all by himself. This world isn't new to me, and I know a self-starter when I see one. His act is all party and good times, but his real self is all about business."

My eyebrows lifted. "Does Corrigan know this?"

"He's getting it. Slowly." Then her eyes skimmed me up and down.

I didn't like that look. Hell no. I wasn't lower class to her superior blue blood. "If you've got something to sweeten the deal, you better spit it out because I'm getting tired of this conversation. You want a piece of my life. I'm sick of it."

"Relax," Cadence soothed. "I do have something that you might want. I can give you friends."

"I don't need friends." I could barely handle the ones I did have.

"I can give your friends more friends."

I opened my mouth to snub her once more, but Grace popped into my head. I closed my mouth.

Cadence nodded. "I don't mean to be cruel, but your little friend needs all the help she can get. She's not high on the totem pole. We can help her. We can teach her things that you and I both know you don't want to teach her."

"Teach her? You better not be talking about blow jobs."

She chuckled and shook her head. "I'm talking about social skills. I'm talking about how to act at a party and how not to get walked on by everyone. You know how to do it, but you're not the one to help her develop those skills. We can do that for you. We already do it with the new pledges each year. We take the ones who have the most potential and mold them into our perfect sisters."

My eyes went flat. "Grace isn't one to be molded into any perfect housewife wannabe."

"She won't be. We'll develop her to her fullest potential. She'll still have the kind heart that you like about her. Trust me. Plus, things won't get sticky between your two besties and your one girl bestie. Word is that there's always been tension between your boys and any girl you befriend."

She was telling me this? I surveyed the sorority bitch one more time. She talked a good game and admitted her true intentions. I could've figured them out anyway, already had, but still…Grace would be helped out. "Fine. Grace becomes a sister and you get to party with Corrigan's house? That's the deal?"

"You have to be a sister too."

She had so much to learn. I snorted. "No way. You don't want me in your house."

She seemed wary now. "Why not?"

"Because if you piss me off, I'll come into your house. I will take your friends. I will take your house. And I will take the life that you wanted." I shook my head. "You don't want me to do that. Trust me."

She narrowed her eyes. "You don't have the ability to do that."

"I do, honey. I sleep with an international soccer star. My best friend already runs our campus and I know a few movie stars. How do you think I got their loyalty? Now, who do you know?"

Her lips went flat as her jaw clenched. "Fine, but you have to be at some of our activities."

"I'll go to a few of your parties." She looked to argue and I shrugged. "Or no deal. That's all you're getting from me."

The fight went out of her, and her hand shot out. "Fine. Done."

We shook hands, though it felt like a deal with the devil.

"So…" Cadence smoothed out her sweater and skirt.

My eyebrows arched. What else was she vying for?

"Your party tonight," she started. "Some sisters are going to approach you. They'll still want you in our house."