Chapter Three

The main problem with living in a fraternity – besides the mess and the horny boys – was the lack of real food or drink. All they really had was beer and pizza takeaway menus. Which, I imagined in a house of ten boys, was all they really needed to get by.

However, I settled for ordering a pizza and then promised to go food shopping in the morning – but would keep that food in my room, because if I put in the bacteria riddled fridge then it would all disappear within a few minutes.

Once the pizza was ordered, I had a look around the house. The lounge was large with a TV mounted on the wall, above a black fire place, and a large mahogany table in the centre. I imagined it would be nice if it weren't littered with red solo cups, empty cans, and discarded pizza boxes.

I then wondered into the dining room, to find a large wooden table with chairs. It stood underneath a large crystal chandelier – which had a neon pink bra handing off it. "I think that belonged to my date yesterday" a voice chimed from behind me.

"Classy I'm sure" I smirked, turning to face my brother. I couldn't help but smile at him, I really had missed him. I was close to both my brothers, and living without them for the previous three years had been hard on both me and my father.

Sure I saw them at the major holidays, and Deminick visited when he didn't have a case or a girlfriend. But I had missed actually living with them, and just idly spending time with them. "I always date classy girls" Selson chuckled.

"Dating? Is that what you're calling one night stands now?"

"Funny. I'll have you know I recently got out of a long term relationship".

"Oh really? How long term?"

"About a week". He gave me a bright, charming, smile as I just laughed at him. "Come on, Alory Bear, let me introduce you to everyone". He threw his arm over my shoulders, and I leant into him, as he led me out the room.

At the bottom of the stairs, there was a large golden gong with the Beta Beta symbol on it. Selson made his hand into a fist, and pounded the gong. The metallic ring sounded around the large room, followed by the sound of thumping feet.

Selson led me through the dining room, and into a room I hadn't managed to explore before. It looked like another lounge, with a plush red couch in the back and picture of the fraternity generations all over the walls. It was the only room untouched by the party – it must get locked when events take place.

There were small black swivel seats all around the room, and two white chairs. Selson led me over to one of the white seats, and sat me down. He stood behind me, hands of my shoulders. I stayed quiet, as the ten members of Beta Beta entered.

Corey was the last one through the door, shutting it behind him, before taking a seat on the other white chairs. I then realised that the white seats were for the leaders. Selson was in charge, and Corey was his second in command, so to speak.

"Right everyone, this is my baby sister, Alora. You all know the rules about sleeping with a brother's family, and that goes for Alora. She will be staying with us for the next month, and you better show her the respect she deserves or you'll have me to answer to".

"And me" Corey smiled, his large muscled arms crossing over his larger chest.

"For the next month Alora will be part of the brotherhood, I expect everyone to watch her back just as she will watch ours. She'll be staying in Jude's room, and Jude will be staying with Corey. So, for the next month, if I find anyone in Jude's room I will assume you are trying to put the moves on my baby sister, and I will beat the shit out of you".

"As will I" Corey piped up. "If Selson will give permission for anyone to date their sister, it's me".

"I'm pretty sure I don't need Selson's permission to date anyone. And even if I did, it wouldn't be you man-whore" I snorted unattractively. Sniggers ran through the boys, as Corey smiled like I had just complemented him.

Corey turned to Selson, "I think I'm in love with her".

"You have problems" I told him, and Selson boomed a laugh. He held his hand out to me, and I high fived him with a smirk.

"Anyway, like I was saying. No one can go in Jude's room while Alora is staying there" Selson summarised with a chuckle. "Right without further ado, brothers still is Alora. Alora these are your brothers for the next month".

Selson went through each member of the fraternity by name, and I managed to store each name in my head. At that time anyway, whether I would remember them the following morning was a different matter. However, Corey had given all the boys nicknames – which were easy to remember.

Jacob – the 'runner' one, with swept back blonde hair and bright blue eyes.

Troy – the 'black' one, who was devilishly attractive with eyes darker than mine.

Ethan – the 'funny' one, with a mischievous smile and bright blue eyes.

Keegan – the 'Scottish' one, with a shock of red hair and freckles.

Dustin – the 'baby' one, with spiky brown hair and green eyes.

Diego – the 'hairy' one, with a full grown beard and large eyes.

Miles – the 'nerdy' one, with thick wire cells on a very attractive face.

Jude – the 'sporty' one, who I had already met.

"And obviously you know your brother, the 'Leader' one" Corey continued, offering me a bright smile, as he finished explained.

"And what about you? Which one are you?" I asked, already having a pretty good idea what the answer was.

"The 'Sexy' one" he grinned.

I rolled my eyes, "of course". Just as I said that, the bell on the front door rang. The boys all exchanged looks of confusion. "Oh, I ordered pizza" I stated. The boys all grinned happily.

"Seriously, Selson, I'm actually going to marry your sister" Corey said.

"Seriously, Corey, you're not" Selson grumbled, slinging his arm around me again. We all headed out, and Selson paid for the pizza. I had ordered two, only expected it to be Selson and I. But we cut it up small, and everyone got at least one slice.

"So Alora" Corey flirted, sitting next to me on the couch. "You're single right?"

"Leave her alone, Corey" my brother warned, from the other side of the room.

"I'm allowed to be her friend, Selson, that's not against the rules" he snapped back, before offering me a bright smile. "So, anyway, like I was saying. I'm very single and you're very single, so we can--"

"Corey!"

"--be friends" he finished. "I was going to say 'be friends', Selson. Your sister is allowed friends you know". He winked at me, and I just carried on eating my pizza as if he weren't there.

I was used to men like Corey. I was fairly attractive yes, but with my Native looks, I got attention from a lot of men who thought it was 'cool' to date me. It was like they thought I had two vaginas or something. I wasn't any different because I was Native, but it was the main reason by typical high school white boys flirted with me.

I had no problems knocking them back, and telling them – in a very colourful manner – that I was no different just because of my skin colour, my culture or my beliefs. It wasn't like I was better in bed, just because I was Native, or I was a better girlfriend because of it. But there were always those boys who thought it was 'exciting' or 'different'. Girls too, they were always falling over my brothers for the same reasons.

When we'd finished eating the pizza, the boys all went their separate ways – all saying goodnight to me individually. I was shocked with how much like a really family they were. They were all very different, but they did act like brothers.

"I'm off to bed. I have to catch up with The Walking Dead before I go to bed" Corey smiled, hoping up from the couch. "See you in the morning Sels". He clasped my brother's shoulder as he walked past, before stopping next to me and leaning down close. "You know where my room is if you get cold and need a cuddle buddy".

"Go to bed Corey" Selson rolled his eyes. Corey returned the eye roll, before shooting me a cheeky grin, and disappearing up the stairs. I couldn't help but laugh – Corey and Selson were like an old married couple. They were very amusing together.

When all the boys were gone, Selson nodded me over to the other couch. I moved next to him, and he pulled me into his side. I pulled my knees up to my chest, and cuddled into my older brother. He pressed a kiss to the top of my head.

"I've missed you, Selson. It's been quiet just me and Dad" I commented.

"I can imagine. And with both me and Deminick gone, I'm sure all Dad's worry goes straight to you. Even more than it was".

"You have no idea. And especially since everything that happened with Parker..." I trailed off awkwardly.

"You ready to talk about that yet?" he asked. Knowing that all conversations about my ex-boyfriend would be met with a brick wall a few months back.

"There isn't anything to talk about. It's done, he's locked up. I just...I just want to forget about the entire thing" I shrugged, voice crackling with emotions. I swallowed my feelings deeply – not wanting to dwell on the pass.

"I'm glad you're here with me, Alory Bear. Summer Break maybe over, but it's always summer in LA. And I'm going to make sure you have the best summer of your life while you're hear. And Parker Owen will be a distance memory" Selson grinned, pressing another kiss to the top of my head.