My amazing sorority sisters swarm Becs, hovering and cooing as they drag her into the living room and plop her down in the middle of the couch. An ice cream sundae magics its way into her hands, sprinkles and hot fudge included. We don’t fuck around with our emotional eating in this house.

Movie night is replaced with Becs’ live theater. For an hour, she regales my sisters with tales of Devin, the overbearing asshole. I don’t correct her or try to defend him, even when she makes him sound worse than any evil villain ever created. Right now, it’s clear she needs to vent and feel supported without judgment. I bet that’s why she came to me instead of Rob and Mandy.

I know Devin loves her more than anything, and while he may be a dick sometimes—okay, most of the time—he would do anything to keep her safe…including make her miserable. When she’s calmed down and eaten her body weight in ice cream, I’ll try to explain that to her.

My phone rings in my fuzzy pocket and every eye in the room shoots to me with judgment, like we were in a dark movie theater instead of my noisy living room. I pull it out and bite my lip when I see Devin’s name flashing across the screen.

I hold it up to all the girls. “Speak of the asshole.”

Becs’ face scrunches up like she just bit into a lemon.

“Did you tell him where you were going?” I ask her.

She shakes her head. “I just stormed out and slammed the door behind me,” she snips with her nose in the air.

“You go, girl!” Michelle cheers from the corner of the couch.

Not helpful, Michelle.

“He’s not my dad. It’s none of his business where I am.”

I step toward the kitchen. “I’m going to answer it real quick.”

A collective gasp sucks the air out of the room. Jesus, sorority girls can be so damn dramatic.

I weigh my words carefully, making sure I don’t become public enemy number one. “I’m just going to tell him you’re safe. I’m sure he’s worried.”

Becs crosses her arms and scowls at me. Damn, she is so much like her brother. I’m careful to keep the smile off my lips.

“If I don’t answer, you know he’s just going to come over and bust the door down to make sure you’re okay.”

“Fine,” Becs sighs with an eye-roll.

I dart into the kitchen, but the call has already gone to voicemail. I click over and listen real quick.

“Jessie. Devin. Had a fight with Becs. She ran out. I can’t find her. Call me.”