Page 23 of #PhiThetaForever

"Yeah, we're fine. But he's pledging a fraternity, and they have this get-a-way over the holiday at the President's family's cabin or something. But anyway, my friend Justus is going to come with me instead. He doesn't go home for the holidays, and he's like the last person left on campus, so I invited him so that he wouldn't be here alone."

My dad chuckles. "That's sweet, Lena. You always did want to make sure no one around you was sad. I'll meet you both at the airport, and don't miss the damn flight."

"Love you, dad."

"Love you too, kiddo."

Hanging up the phone, I practically skip to my room to start getting my stuff ready. Justus is going to love it. Anything is better than staying here on campus, though I'm seriously curious as to why he stays. Justus never talks about his family, which makes me a little sad. I've thought about asking a few times, but I feel like it's not my place.

Forty-five minutes later, I'm dressed in jeans and one of Declan's hoodies, which is three times bigger than me and grab my two bags to head to the lounge. Justus is already there with a large duffel bag and his satchel. Guys always pack light. He smiles as I walk over to him, holding his hand out. I glance down and realize he has coffee.

"Oh my gosh, you're amazing." The vanilla caramel steam wafts through the small opening in the lid and makes my mouth water.

"Nope. Just figured if I needed one, you probably needed one too."

We grab our bags and head outside. I planned to call an Uber, but Justus walks right over to a truck parked at the curb. When he sets his bag in the bed and turns to look at me, I'm confused. "What?" He shakes his head and comes back over to pick up both of my bags. "I own a truck, Lena. I just never use it because I rarely leave campus."

"Oh."

"Yeah. Now, get in the truck." He smiles as he opens the passenger side door. The wind picks up, and I all but run and jump into the cab to get away from the chill. I should've asked my dad what the weather was like back home. If it's winter as usual in Decleburg, then there's probably snow on the ground. Glancing at Justus, I'm glad he wore jeans and a hoodie as well. It's going to be way colder on the East Coast.

"Tunes, or is it too early?" Justus doesn't glance at me, instead keeping his eyes on the road.

"Tunes."

Reaching over, he clicks on the stereo and the morning news report fills the cab. Justus pulls a pair of sunglasses off the dash, sliding them over his eyes. I'm happy and content, not dreading going home since I'm not alone now. I wish Declan was here. The three of us would have a blast, but it's just five days.

Nothing serious can happen in five days.

25 Declan

Waking up after passing out from being stoned is way different than the crash from doing lines. We smoked the entire ride here, which is fine, but I'm pretty sure all of us crashed out as soon as Bo showed us room assignments. The bed I'm in is warm and super comfortable. The plush, feather-down blanket makes me wish Lena was here. Glancing at my phone, I can't believe how late it is. Sheesh, I've been sleeping for like ten hours. Despite the fact it's eleven at night, I'm starving and need a shower.

I get up and locate my bags on a small bench against the wall. Glancing around, I can't believe how huge this room is. The bed is literally in the middle of the room. Behind the bed is a walkthrough area the faces a wall of floor-to-ceiling glass doors that lead out onto what looks like a private balcony. There's a spa-style bathroom to one side and a fireplace on the opposite wall. Everything is redwood and fur. How much money does Bo's family have?

I mean, my family has money. But this is something else. Something way else. Lena wouldn't know what to do with all this. She still gets a little uncomfortable at my parents' home and vacations and stuff with us. This is the kind of life she deserves, though—the best of everything. With my connections through Sigma Nu, especially if I decide to go Pro, I could give her this. I could give her this and more if she wants it. As I strip and step into the shower, I'm lost in thoughts of all the things I will be able to do for Lena and the family we'll have one day . . . if things with Sigma Nu go right.

The best image comes to my mind. A large houseboat, and Lena standing at the railing in leggings and one of her oversized sweaters, wearing fur boots, her hair braided to the side but escaped pieces of hair blowing in the water coming off the Sound. It's winter and chilly, but she doesn't seem to mind. A diamond wedding set glistens on her finger, and I'm walking up behind her. Before I get to her, though, a child, maybe three or four, comes running across the deck of the boat wearing a pair of footie pajamas. Lena leans down to scoop him up into her arms, plants kisses and raspberries all over his little cheeks.

I chuckle to myself and shake my head, leaning forward to let the hot water rush over my head and back. That's the future I want—our boat, our family, my wife. Sigma Nu can help me get there faster than anyone. And I'm going to work my ass off to give Lena the life she deserves. I finish washing and get out, wrapping a towel around my waist. Rummaging through my suitcase to get clothes, music bumps through the closed door, and I shake my head again. Leave it to Bo to wait until damn near midnight to start partying.

I have a feeling my days and nights are going to get all types of mixed up over the next five days.

After getting dressed, I head down the long hallway. It looks like I'm the last bedroom out of the ten there is. That's fine by me. At least I can get away from everyone if I need to. Walking into the living room, the music is loud, and I'm surprised to see fifteen or so of the sorority sisters here as well. Scanning the room, I spot Bo on the couch with one girl kissing on his neck and the other massaging his dick through his jeans while he has his hand up her dress.

I close my eyes and pinch the bridge of my nose. There's no service on my cell phone, and we're hours away from campus. Why can't Bo just do normal pledge stuff like the other fraternities do? Like, make us steal Washington State's mascot or something. This porn star, drug dealer secret life thing is getting ridiculous. I open my eyes again and realize Bo is staring at me with a smirk on his face. He leans over and whispers to each girl in turn, and they move to let him up.

"D-man, nice of you to join the party. Come one, first pledge activity of the night." Bo puts his arm around my shoulder and leads me through the bodies dancing and doing other things to the kitchen.

Stopping just inside the kitchen, my eyes go wide with disbelief. One of the sorority sisters is lying on the kitchen table, no clothes on, pinching her own breasts as Seth does a line of coke from between her breasts.

"What in the fuck, Bo?" I turn my head and look at him.

A devilish glint moves into his eyes as he holds up a rolled-up dollar bill. "I'm over this pussy boy act that you do around your girl. Either get with the program or get the fuck out of my fraternity, Declan."

I look from him to the girl on the table, Seth setting up another line along her skin. She looks like a trailer park cat in heat. When I look back at Bo, his lips are pressed together, and there's no hint of humor or joking in his eyes. For a moment, a flash of my daydream from the shower flashes through my mind and steeling myself again the torrid of emotions, I force myself to remember that this fraternity is for mine and Lena's future.

I take the bill from Bo and walk over to the table. Standing next to the girl, she moans and runs her hand down the front of my jeans.