Financial documents were officially notated. The documents were sensitive information, but I had to see what the company sees on a regular basis in order to properly lead as CEO. My notebook would be filled before the end of the month. Budget reports outlined projected expenses and revenues for upcoming projects. Investment portfolios informed leadership on investment opportunities.

My brain was soup.

But at least I looked pretty despite everything getting worse. To clean your room, you must mess it up in order to clean it up. I kept that in the back of my mind as I mentally firmed myself as Kelly applied my armor for the night. A full face of makeup and a dress that screamed I am Fallon Montgomery.

“So, you like him?” Kelly asked while she focused on my eyeliner.

“Pass.”

“Oh girl,” she laughed. “It’s going to get so much worse for you if you act like this after a hookup. But sure. I’ll finish getting you ready for this shit show of a party.”

Let’s get this shit storm started.

The primary party was being held at a neighboring fraternity. The after party was at Sloane’s sorority house. What would happen at either party was anyone’s guess.

The boys must have paid an arm and a leg to get their place decorated because no man could decorate to that caliber. From the outside, the party screamed Halloween in a low key away. The darker colors and themed decor made it clear that everyone was ready for fall and itching to go all out ghoul. Pumpkins manifested everywhere, darker colors adorned the decor, and attendees wore masks and costumes.

“I didn’t think Halloween started this early with anyone but us.” We stood at the edge of the driveway, and I didn’t feel like I wanted to go in.

Halloween might be actually scary this time.

“It’s September now. Anything after July is free game.” She nudged me forward as a drunk person in a sheet danced by holding a bottle of something.

I pouted at her. “My brain hasn’t even registered that it’s September. We should have dressed up.”

“We’re hot!”

“We could have been a couple of naughty nuns.” I winked.

“Ha! Very sacrilegious. Let’s drink and dance and hope no one bothers you until it’s time to move on to the next venue.”

We followed the stream of people inside and to whoever was serving drinks and snacks. There were a few familiar faces, but I never clocked them as the top families. Unless...that was saved only for the afterparty.

The snack tables were full and that was my first stop. I needed something other than sex pizza to sustain me for the rest of the night. Especially if people were going to be throwing drinks into our hands left and right.

Avoiding seeing people was also my goal.

“Come on, you can’t hide in here forever.”