Let Life Happen

By Jaqueline Snowe

NEW ADULT, ENEMIES TO LOVERS ROMANCE

The campus flirt and the bartender with a chip on her shoulder should result in disaster…right?

Jenna Smithson and Aiden Chad agree to disagree on just about everything—except for their mutual annoyance of each other. They both agree on that. A whole lot. Jenna works at a campus bar and knows exactly the kind of guy Aiden is, and Aiden… well he can charm just about anyone. Except her.

So when they get paired up for a project, it’s a forced truce. They both have too much to lose and getting the grade is more important than their dislike for each other. Her sassy attitude is the perfect match for his confidence and humor and both like having the last word. No matter what.

But long nights, a friendship they neither expected, and a slow transition from enemies to something more has two people question everything.    

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bryant Street Publishing
• Release date: Jul 26, 2022
• ISBN: 9781094446011

Jaqueline Snowe

Jaqueline Snowe lives in Arizona where the ‘dry heat’ really isn’t that bad. She enjoys making lists with colorful Post-it notes and sipping coffee all day. She has been a custodian, a waitress, a landscaper, a coach and a teacher. Her life revolves around binge-watching Netflix, her two dogs who don’t realize they aren’t humans and her wonderful baseball-loving husband.

Book preview

1

The Customer’s Always Right

Jenna

Jenna! I need you to take care of that table that just sat down.

I looked up from the glasses I just cleaned to see a group of guys sitting down at one of the corner tables. If my boss and friend weren’t pregnant right now, I’d tell Cynthia to screw off. She knew I preferred being behind the bar, and I only took orders in dire situations. This was not dire. At the moment, there were three other servers who could very well do it. Did I complain, though? No. I did it. Because I fucking loved Cynthia.

Dammit, Cynthia, you know I can’t say no to you now that you got that belly showing. I looked back at the testosterone-fueled group and sucked in a sigh of frustration. And they’re frat guys. My goddamn favorite. You owe me, woman.

Play nice, Jenna. Just smile, bring them their drinks, and you can start closing up. There must be an event or something soon, because it isn’t busy today. Cyn smiled sweetly.

It’s the start of a new school year. There’s probably some Quad Day bullshit. Actually, I’m sure that’s it. One of my roomies is working for it. She nodded. I masked my face to attempt to hide my disdain. I rolled my eyes and sucked it up. Well, I guess I’ll be right back.

I grabbed one of the pens from my hair and headed toward the table, eyeing the obnoxious bro tanks four of them were wearing. At least one of them was dressed in a normal outfit. Not that I was one to judge... Hell yeah, I was judging.

Shaking my head, I plastered on a fake smile. Hey, guys, how’s it going?

No one looked up from their menus. Assholes.

We’ll take a shotski, five pitchers of beer, and ten shots of fireball, one of them, wearing cut-off jorts, demanded. I fucking loved when people did that.

I bit the inside of my cheek to prevent my sarcastic comment from escaping. All right, thanks for answering, but what would you like in the pitchers? We have multiple beers on tap.

What beers? Any new ones? blond surfer dude asked with a lazy smile, making eye contact. Points for him. He must be the friendliest of the group.

I grabbed one menu from the table and flipped it over. I pointed to the top section, labeled Beers on Draught. They’re listed right there.

Name them for us. Please. The deep voice caught my attention.

I looked up from Jorts’s shoulder to make eye contact with none other than Aiden Chad, Sigma’s president and our school’s ultimate player. I narrowed my eyes at him, and without missing a beat or even peeking at the menu, I listed all ten of them.

Jorts looked up with a confused expression on his face. His brows furrowed in concern as he took in my scowl and pursed lips. Instead of actually answering, Jorts’s eyes slowly appraised my body, taking in my low shirt, jeans, and Chucks.

Hey, eyes up here. So what’s it going to be?

At my comment, Jorts looked ashamed of his actions and mumbled an apology. Aiden chuckled softly under his breath, and I looked up with raised eyebrows. They apparently didn’t comprehend I still needed an answer.

Aiden’s intense gray eyes worked their way down my face to my body. This felt different than just being checked out. Was Aiden Chad fucking hot? Hands down. Model worthy. So hot I wasn’t unaffected by his stare, but thanks to his douchiness—a word I'd used more in the past year than I ever would again—I shut down my lady parts to him.

He rubbed his jaw and smirked at my expression, but the moment was lost when Jorts blurted out, Lagunitas. I didn’t wait a second longer before walking back toward the bar.

Cyn, I need a shotski started for them. Get Joel to do it. Where is that tattooed punk anyway?

Cyn was sitting on one of the barstools, counting cash, looking like a badass. I owed her a lot and felt an overwhelming sense of pride for my friend and boss for simply kicking ass at life. I’d known her most of my life, and she’d saved my butt multiple times.

She paused her counting and looked up at me. Some sorority meeting’s going on in the beer garden, so naturally, he’s out there.

Ah, that explains it. Sorry to let my feelings come out, but pregnancy looks good on you. Gage is a lucky man.

Her eyes widened, but she smiled. That’s practically an I love you. Thanks, J. Love you, too. I’m going to assume you really meant that and weren’t just trying to find a way out of the baby shower. No matter how hard you try, you will be there.

I cringed a little because I’d been planning a way out of it. Even though that wasn’t my intention at the time, she knew me too well.

Joel chose that moment to saunter in with a wicked gleam in his eyes, and he swatted me with his rag. What up, bitches? J-Dog got himself a date tonight. Can I get a fist bump?

I immediately went for a fist bump, but then, at the last second, gave him the slide. Always such a dog.

Aw, she’s jealous. You see that, Cynthia? Just say the word, Jenna, and I’m all yours. He threw his arm around me and planted a kiss on my head. If he wasn’t one of my best friends, I would’ve decked him.

In your dreams, J-Dog. Help me with these drinks, would ya?

He poured the pitchers while I laid out ten shot glasses. I grabbed the bottle of whiskey and twirled it before pouring all the shots in one try. Hells yeah, I said to myself, because inside every bartender was a little desire to be like the girls in Coyote Ugly.

"You are just so dreamy," Joel said in a sarcastic manner that matched my own. He leaned on the counter and pretended to applaud my show. I flipped him off without Cyn seeing, but somehow she knew.

Be nice, Jenna. She already had the perfect motherly tone down. She treated Joel and me like her own children for years, and we would both admit we needed a motherly figure.

I grabbed a tray to set up the drinks. I felt someone watching me, and I found gray eyes doing just that. Aiden’s eyes had a steely look to them. Like he was an authority figure in his past life. I scowled at the smirk forming on his face. He probably thought I was checking him out. He sure as hell didn’t need an ego boost.

Aiden Chad is looking at you, Joel whispered over my shoulder. He nudged me with his hip to get me to look up at him. I rolled my eyes at his baffled expression.

Am I supposed to be excited about this? I responded, which caused Joel to throw his head back and laugh. What? Yeah. He’s hot. But damn, I have standards.

Joel put his hand up to my forehead and scrunched his nose. Are you feeling okay? I’m pretty sure this Arizona heat is getting to you. Man candy himself isn’t up to your standards?

Joel, come on. You’ve known me for years now. Players like you and him are great as friends, but you know I stay away from them. They aren’t my type. Ugh! Why are we having this conversation? I have better shit to do.

I picked up the tray of shots and held two of the pitchers in one hand. Some people were good with numbers, others with tools or artsy shit. I was fucking great at balancing trays of drinks and holding two pitchers in one hand.

Here you go, guys. I’ll be right back with the rest. I quickly came back with their other drinks, and Aiden handed me his card. Would you like me to open a tab or close you out?

We’ll start a tab, please.

I grabbed the card from him, but he held on to it. We were in a weird tug-of-war match. He let go after what felt like an hour.

Have you worked here long? He tilted his head in confusion.

Yeah, about four years. Normally, I’m behind the bar. I twirled the pen in my hand, wanting the conversation to end. That was the one thing I hated about being a waitress over a bartender; you had to wait until the right moment to leave a table. At least behind the bar, there was always something to do during a conversation.

I don’t think I’ve seen you here before. We come here a lot. His eyes were still regarding me up and down, but not in a creepy way. I actually didn’t like the way my body broke out in goose bumps at the attention.

I know. I’ve seen you around, but generally, you have girls stuck on your face, so that’s probably why you don’t recognize me.

Jorts, Surfer Dude, the guy with the beard who I dubbed Bear, and the guy wearing a sweatband all looked up at me and chuckled. Aiden sucked in a breath and ran his tongue over his bottom lip before smiling at me. Jealous?

Not even a little bit. Just calling it like I see it. Bartenders know and see more than you think.

His teeth, pearly white and perfect, bit down on his lip for a second before he replied, Good to know. So, feisty one, what’s your name?

It’s Jenna, but your charm ain’t going to work on me, so I’m going to stop this conversation here. I bring your drinks. You pay for drinks. That’s as much interaction as you and I are going to have.

Bear, the guy with the bushy hipster beard and all, handed me a shot. This is highly entertaining. You totally just curbed the king. You deserve a drink after that. Here, have a shot.

Aw, how sweet. Thanks. I grabbed one and clinked the glass with his, and I threw it back. Not the first nor the last time I had a shot on the job. Perks of being a bartender. Anything else I can get you boys?

No, we’re straight. Thanks, Jorts replied.

"Anything for you, Your Highness?" I couldn’t help but bait Aiden after hearing one of his frat buddies refer to him as a king. Once again, the word douche flew around my brain.

His eyes still hadn’t left my face. They appeared to be a darker charcoal, and I thought I saw a flicker of interest. Great. Not my intention.

Yeah, but what I want isn’t on the menu, he replied with an arrogant smirk on his face.

I burst out laughing. Holy shit. That was terrible. I shook my head and walked back toward the bar, still laughing.

What’s so funny? Did you try flirting again? Cyn asked, a smile forming on her lips.

No. Do you know who Aiden Chad is?

I may be older than you kids, married, and pregnant, but yes, I do own a bar on College Avenue. I know who he is. He’s hot. Why?

Yeah, he’s uncontrollably hot, but not the point. That table you had me take, well, that’s him and his frat buddies. The line that douche just used on me was the most ridiculous fucking thing I’ve ever— I stopped midsentence as I saw him walking up right behind me. Yes?

A normal-mannered person would apologize and at least appear embarrassed at being caught, but never once did I mention I was normal. Or mannered. If anything, I was pissed he probably heard me say he was hot. I refused to compliment that man-whore.

Uncontrollably hot? Care to expand on that? His dimples showed on both sides of his face. His hand was on his hip and part of his abs was exposed. His extremely tanned, ripped midriff.

Suddenly, my mouth became dry.

No way in hell am I going to expand on that, but we can talk about the douche comment. Do you need something? Once again, I bit down on the side of my mouth to prevent myself from saying anything regrettable.

He leaned in closer, and by instinct, I crossed my arms, drawing his attention to my cleavage. Did I have nice tits? Yes. Did I like frat guys ogling them? Nope. Not at all.

His eyes narrowed, and he took a deep breath before mirroring my stance. Do you have a problem with me?

His question surprised me, but I appreciated the upfront attitude. I preferred to live life without lies or bullshit. Honesty was always the best policy. With you personally? No.

Good to know.

We going to have a heart to heart right now? I asked.

Uh, no, just wondering about the tone. His voice held nothing but curiosity and interest.

I’m sure someone like you isn’t used to a woman not falling at your feet. This must be traumatic for you. I quipped, not unfriendly, but definitely not kind.

I like your attitude. It’s refreshing. His eyes crinkled in a smile.

Yeah, I get that a lot. I’m a peach. Not meaning to sound rude, again, but did you need something?

He laughed and shook his head in amusement. Can we get a couple orders of fries?

Sure thing.

I punched in the order and continued to clean the bar area, ignoring the pointed stare Cyn was giving me.

Are we going to talk about what just happened? She arched a knowing brow.

Nope. Just like that, I deflected any conversations that involved the weird interaction I just had with the most sought-after guy on campus.

All righty, then. I turned to Cynthia. We need the keg for 312 changed. Joel just finished it.

On it.

2

Don’t Hate the Player; Hate the Game.

Aiden

I walked back to the table and couldn’t help but look back at the dark-haired bartender who fucking despised me. It was messed up how her attitude turned me on. She made me want to pull out all the stops to see if I could fluster her. She admitted her attraction, and that was step one.

"Dude, she’s hot and feisty. I can’t believe we haven’t seen her in here before. Kam drank directly from the pitcher without any shame. Until he spilled some on his jean shorts. Fuck. Now it looks like I pissed myself."

It’s happened before. I chuckled at the memory of our first frat party freshman year. Kam did ten beer bongs in an hour, passed out in a bush, and woke up the next morning with piss-stained pants. I, on the other hand, woke up in the bed of a girl two years older than me. I won that round, hands down.

Fuck off, man. I need some napkins. He got up, and I couldn’t help but glance at Jenna from across the bar.

I hated to admit I hadn’t seen her in here before. She had a kind of sexiness that was unforgettable. She was completely fucking opposite of who I normally went after. Something about her puzzled me. Maybe it was because her assessment of me was true, which bothered me. Was I a player? Yeah, but I’d never once lied to a girl. They knew the score: friends with benefits, one-night stands, but never relationships.

Did you order the kegs for tonight’s party yet? Jon asked Nate while browsing something on his phone.

Nah, I’m about to. How many you wanting, Aiden? This is the party before the pre-rush party.

Let’s say four, two domestic and two Blue Moon. We already have a shit ton of cups. We just need ice and liquor. I had learned a lot the year before: always run out of beer instead of having leftovers. Someone will always have more.

I’ll go get the ice right after this. I’ll walk there and just steal a cart, Zeke chimed in, and I shook my head at him.

"No, don’t steal the cart. Take Nate and some of the rushes. We’re not getting fined, again, for stealing a goddamn cart."

Yes, boss.

I loved my brothers, but I swear if I wasn’t there, they’d most likely be arrested. I’d known them all since freshman year, but Jon and I had been friends since junior high. He was our frat’s treasurer, and we were part of the reason our frat hadn’t been in trouble this year. I considered that a success.

Kam leaned against the bar with a stack of napkins, talking to Jenna. Her hair was long, dark, and messy. It was such a natural look that it threw me off guard. Her green eyes and olive skin made her seem exotic. Kam said something funny, apparently, and she put a hand on his forearm as she threw her head back, laughing. It was an honest to God belly laugh, and I found that sexy as hell. The girls I liked to get naked with were fake. Their laughs, their orgasms, their makeup. I didn’t care, though. They weren’t there for real conversation.

I shook my head and brought myself back to the conversation at hand. The welcome back party was huge, and it was essential we kicked ass to get all the recruits we could. Our rivals, the Alphas, were starting to piss me off by stealing all our ideas. Zeke, will you call to double-check the DJ after this? Also, Jon, we need to stock up on toilet paper for the ladies’ room. Remember last year’s rush party? It was a fucking hot mess.

Good call, bro. I forgot about that. See, no matter what they say, you’re always looking out for the ladies. He smirked at me.

Aren’t I always?

I felt my phone going off and saw I had some texts from a couple girls. Being the president of a frat really had no downside. I answered a couple of them and hopefully had multiple prospective lays for the night. Once again, I acknowledged I was an asshole, but at least I was honest with myself.

Kam came back with a smug smile on his face.

What’s so funny, dude? Jon asked.

Ah, nothing. Just refreshing to see a hot girl not fawn all over Aiden. No offense. But you get more ass than most guys we know, and she gives me hope.

The rest of the guys snickered behind their drinks, waiting to see how I responded.

Jon couldn’t hold it in and laughed. Sorry. It’s true. I’m enjoying it.

Fuck off. I smiled, knowing they were right. It was amusing.

As if she knew we were talking about her, she walked over carrying a couple orders of fries. I couldn’t help but watch the way her hips swayed in her tight jeans. I openly checked her out again, but she refused to acknowledge it.

Here are your fries, gentlemen. Anything else?

Wanna come to our party tonight? I didn’t think twice about the invitation, regardless of how it made me come across.

She smirked and bit her lip before shaking her head no. Ah, no thanks. Jorts already asked me to stop by, but a bunch of drunk guys and desperate girls really isn’t my scene.

Kam looked up, confused at her nickname for him, but without pausing to think, I responded, You work at a college bar. How is that not your scene?

Kam interrupted before she could reply, but I saw the heat in her eyes, and it wasn’t a passionate kind. I pissed her off with that comment. Hell yeah. This was fun.

Did you just call me Jorts?

Her narrowed eyes were still on me, a snarl forming on her lips, but she took a breath before turning toward Kam. Uh, it’s a habit. I make up nicknames for people I’m serving so I know who to bring what. It’s a bartending trick. You were wearing jean shorts, so naturally... She waved her hand in a flowing motion, assuming we understood her train of thought.

What’s mine? Nate asked curiously.

Yeah, I’m curious, too, Jon added.

Are you sure you all want to know? She gave a nervous smile before answering. All right, you were Surfer. She pointed her stare at Nate.

I can live with that. It’s because of my charm and tanned skin.

Actually, no, it’s because of your hair. Surfer blond and shaggy. She shrugged with a smile. Damn that smile.

Right on, Nate replied, throwing up a hand sign. He was such a loser. I am from Cali.

Jenna giggled, and the sound irritated me. She turned to Jon and motioned toward his beard and said, Bear. She pointed to Zeke’s popped collar and said, Really? A popped collar and sweatband. That’s not in anymore.

I noticed she didn’t look at me, and I ran my hand through my hair out of habit. What about mine?

You know yours, she sneered.

What, uncontrollably good-looking? I baited her, excited at the exchange.

No. Douche. Man-whore. Pick one. Her green eyes heated before she turned around.

She walked away, and I was left with four of my friends all smiling at her in awe.

We got shit to do. Let’s eat and get a move on, I barked.

I like her, Zeke said.

A chorus of me-toos went around the table, and once again, they all were gawking at me as if this were the highlight of their day. Was it often a woman openly disliked me from the start? No, but I’d had my fair share of slaps from one-night stands.

Knock it off with those fucking smirks. She’s apparently immune to my charm. Chug up. We need to get a start on tonight.

They didn’t say another word, and shortly after, we headed out.

My phone rang, and I saw it was my dad. I motioned for the guys to go on without me. I didn’t need to deal with his lecture, but I knew if I didn’t answer, he would continue calling. Dad. What’s up?

Have you thought about the internship I offered you yet? I can’t keep my partners waiting when we have a whole list of people wanting this. You need to accept it. His tone held no room for affection—business all the time.

Dammit, Dad, you know I don’t want to take it. I’m not even sure I want to continue with law.

Son, we’re not having this conversation again. This isn’t an option. I need you to get your head out of your ass and come to my office. The frat is good for networking, but it’s time for you to grow the hell up.

Do you even listen to what I’m saying? I don’t want to be a fucking lawyer. My patience was gone.

If you want to continue your education and presidency at Sigma, you will. Bye. He hung up on me.

Fucking shit. I smacked the brick wall in the alley. I fucking hated my dad. I kicked some of the pebbles on the ground and let the Phoenix heat burn out some of my anger. Goddamn it!

Oh, uh, sorry to interrupt. You left your tab open and, uh, your card.

I whipped around and saw Jenna standing there holding my credit card. Her eyes showed concern and a little bit of fear.

You okay? she questioned with a hesitant look.

Fucking peachy. Can’t you tell? Why I wanted to make her miserable, too, I had no idea, but her smug face and accurate judgment pissed me off more.

She stood there unsure of what to say, and I didn’t blame her. I saw an expression of pity cross her face, and that fueled my anger.

Needing a release in any form I could manage, I took a step closer. Don’t fucking look at me with pity. I’m just some douchebag who fucks anything that walks. Wanna have a turn on my dick? You look like a nice lay even though you really aren’t my type. I prefer girls who don’t talk.

Her nostrils flared for one second before I felt her hand across my face. Get the hell off the property. You’re an asshole.

I grabbed the card from her and took off. Ten minutes later, sweating my balls off, I regretted my words. I was a dick and deserved the slap. Every time I talked to my dad, I became filled with such indescribable anger. Yes, my parents got a nasty divorce when I was younger, and I hadn’t seen my mom in ten years. I didn’t want to follow in my old man’s footsteps. I didn’t want to join his fucking law firm. But for him to threaten my presidency in the house, which I downright earned, pissed me off. He was an alumnus, but that crossed the line.

My phone rang, and I saw Jon’s face pop up. I pinched the bridge of my nose to calm down before answering. He would know immediately if I didn’t get a grip. What’s up, dude?

You okay? That one question was all he needed to ask. After over ten years of friendship, he knew the rocky relationship my father and I had. Well, shit, that my brother and I had, too. My family was all sorts of fucked up.

I will be after I get fucking drunk. Everything go okay? They following orders?

Yeah, they are, and we’re staying within our budget. It’s nice when shit works out, eh?

Good. I need this to work out. I agreed.

My question is, though, we doing jungle juice or nah?

Might as well. Get it started, but not in the fucking tub. That shit was disgusting. I cringed at the memory.

On it. Lighten up, Aiden. Tonight’s going to be fucking awesome.

3

Players Gonna Play; Assholes Gonna Be Assholes.

Jenna

I shoved in my headphones and put on my helmet before riding my moped back to my apartment. My hand stung and my heart still raced from the confrontation with Aiden. Not the good kind of racing, the kind that made me want to punch something.

Hey, bitches, I’m home. I threw my helmet on our coffee table and dropped my keys in our key basket. Kennedy attempted to make our apartment more organized and forced Maya and me to start using the basket. I hated it.

How was work? Make any good tips? Maya sat drinking an iced coffee, clearly wasting time on social media.

I did fairly okay, but boy, do I have a story for you. I’m pissed.

Oh, sounds juicy. Does it involve some hot guy? Maya shut her computer and turned all her attention on me. In our lifetime friendship, she’d proven over and over again that boy gossip was the best gossip. She was a hopeless romantic at heart, where I was a cynic and tried my best to avoid feelings, let alone love.

It involves Aiden Chad. I grabbed a bottle of water and told her the entirety of the story. And then after he said that, I smacked him in the face. I haven’t smacked anyone in the face since...

Since seventh grade when Bradly told me I was too ugly to be a girl. You did punch that one girl in high school, though. Maya finished my sentence and stared at me for a full minute before continuing. I can’t believe it. He’s a god around here, and every story I’ve ever heard is about how amazing he is in bed and that he’s so charming and great... until your time is up.

Not that I needed another reason to not like frat guys, but this is just the cherry on top. Damn. The worst part is since he left without his card, I had to close the tab, and I didn’t even get a tip!

Maya laughed and looked nervous. Okay, well, I was going to have a hard enough time trying to convince you to do this regardless, so this kind of ruins my plans for the night.

What do you mean? I thought she, Kennedy, and I were going to explore one of the cool new bars downtown.

Well, see, Kennedy texted that Garret invited us to this huge party tonight. It’s supposed to be epic, and there’s a huge beer pong tournament, and it’s our first night of sophomore year.

My stomach dropped, and I was pretty sure I knew where this was going. And this party is at the Sigma house, right?

She looked down and attempted to give me a small smile. Yup.

Dammit. I knew it was stupid, my aversion to frat guys. Well, honestly, it was all Greek organizations. They rarely did anything good with their power. Why not start an awesome charity or volunteer? But people who used Daddy’s money without knowing hard work were not the kind of people I liked to associate with.

Kennedy chose that moment to walk into the room and happily dropped her keys in the basket, which made me roll my eyes. Kennedy, just because Garret invited us—

"No. Shut your mouth, Jenna Smithson. I’m calling the RAC. You are going. No arguments or attitude. You will let us dress you, but you can do your own hair."

I sat there, mouth agape, as Kenny just played the Roommate Agreement Card. We were each given five RACs a year to use, no questions asked. Generally, they were used to go on liquor runs, food runs, and a couple rides in the morning to prevent walks of shame, but this seemed too preplanned.

You guys planned this, didn’t you? I looked between the two of them and saw their traitorous smiles.

Yes, they both said without shame, and I laughed. My best friends were crazy. You would think I would’ve known that by now. Apparently not.

Okay, then.

I might’ve sulked in my room for an hour before coming back out, but I decided I was going to turn over a new leaf. Ladies. I have officially decided I’m going to drink as much free booze as I can at the Sigma house. I will dance like a fool. I will enter the beer pong competition and try to win, and lastly, if Aiden Chad says one word to me, I will punch him in the dimples. Are you all in?

Hells yeah! Maya jumped up and grabbed a couple beers from the fridge for us to drink as we got ready. At least my best friends liked the good beer like I did. We didn’t drink piss in this apartment.

Maya turned to me with a look of horror. I told Kennedy about Aiden. I think she might’ve cried a little bit.

No! I didn’t cry. It’s just... he’s so pretty it hurts, and it’s not fair he’s such an asshole. I could punch him for you. I think Garret wants to join their frat. That’s why he’s going tonight, and their potential rushes were told to invite hot girls.

Of course they told them that. At least he thought we were hot girls even though he saw all of us wear braces and sports bras. Maya shrugged.

Garret and Kennedy had been best friends their whole lives, and through their friendship, he became friends with us as well. Maya and I were convinced Kennedy was in love with him, but she would never admit it. That was an intervention we needed to have.

If Garret does, then I expect a lot of free booze, and I’ll only make fun of him once a week. I took a sip out of the bottle, and Kennedy rolled her big blue eyes at me. I always poked fun at Garret. It was a sibling thing, yet she always defended him.

What are you going to wear, Kennedy? Maya asked.

I didn’t even bother asking. After living with them for two years, I knew they’d try at least seven outfits. Each.

I don’t know. It’s so damn hot. I’m thinking a crop top and a black skirt. You?

I wasn’t going to stick around to hear them talk strategy. I yelled at them from down the hall, I’m going to shower the day off of me. Let me know when my outfit is ready.

*****

Maya was dressed in a romper, which only she could pull off in her tall, lanky frame. Kennedy ended up in a short two-piece dress, and they both looked great. They always did. I noticed the outfit on my bed, all laid out for me, and it made me smile. They sure took care of me. Most of my outfits were jeans, Chucks, T-shirts, and tanks. They were bat-shit crazy with girl shit, but when you were raised by a blue-collared grandpa, you missed out on some girl genes.

J! Get your ass ready and come pregame with us, Kennedy yelled at me from down the hall. I rolled my eyes and got ready within ten minutes. They hated how low maintenance I was with naturally curly hair.

Coming. Calm your tits, I said under my breath.

Never! She stood and made her boobs do a weird dance.

You are such a dork, I mumbled.

I know, but you love me.

One would think the temperature would cool down at night in Phoenix, but one would be wrong. It was still hot as hell outside as we walked the short distance from our apartment to the Sigma house. Music was blaring, there was a line around the block, and it looked like a scene from a movie.

Wow. Is this even legal? I muttered under my breath, but Maya and Kennedy had already run up to Garret and his buddies in line. I was heading toward them with a skeptical look on my face when I heard someone call out my name.

I looked around and saw Jorts waving at me from the front of the line. He motioned for me to come up there. Maya and Kennedy were both looking at me like I’d grown an extra head. For someone who’d never set foot in a frat house, I was now getting VIP treatment. I shrugged and went up to him.

Jorts! ¿Qué pasa, Mufasa? Are you the bouncer? I attempted

Reviews for Let Life Happen

[elizabethvahalik · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Predictable in a light hearted way. Great use of drama to showcase communication that stayed true to the characters and didn’t play into dramatic stereotypes.

[Dalila M · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I'm not sure when this was written, I loved it, but it was so cheesy it gave me 2010s vibes

[Audrey Vuozzo · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

So adorable and I loved every minute! Such a cute story!