Page 25 of #PhiThetaForever

"Well, hello, beautiful," Bo says, grinning into the camera, his eyes bloodshot. "Damn, you look good."

"Where's Declan, Bo? And why do you have his phone?"

"Well, princess, remember that little discussion we had a while back? In the parking lot at school? I just wanted to show you that I was right." Suddenly, the camera view flips, and a naked chick lying on a kitchen table takes up the screen. Guys and girls are cheering all around the room, and the girl has a shot glass held between her lips. "Just watch."

I lean in toward my phone and cuss under my breath, covering my mouth with my free hand when Declan enters the camera, climbing up to kneel between the naked chick's legs. He's not wearing a shirt, and the belt buckle to his jeans hangs open. The bystanders cheer louder, and tears stream down my face as Declan leans down and licks from right above her privates, all the way up her body to her mouth. He leans over her and uses his lips to take the shot glass and then flings his head back and drinks the liquid. He holds himself over her on one arm and removes the glass from his mouth with the other, a huge grin on his face. Bile rises in my throat, and I know I'm going to get sick. The girl grabs Declan by the back of the head and kisses him, and instead of pushing her away, he tangles his hand in her hair and starts making out with her.

I don't know why, but I hurry and take a screenshot of them kissing before hanging up the call and slamming my phone on the table. I force myself out of my chair and turn to run to my room, slamming right into Justus's chest. His arms go around me, and I bury my face in his chest and sob. Everything hurts like I've been shot all over again. It's the same feeling. A stinging pain that starts in my chest and radiates out. My knees give, and I don't even try to hold myself up or stop the tears from coming.

Justus slides down to the kitchen floor with me and holds me tighter, never letting his grip around me ease, not even for a moment. I want to believe that Justus is right, but if this is a test for Declan, then I think it's a test he's going to have to face without me.

Lord, forgive me, please. But I can't do this anymore.

"Shhhhh, Lena. I got you. I got you, girl." Justus kisses the side of my head, and I continue to cry.

Thanksgiving is becoming the holiday from hell for me.

27 Declan

My room is totally dark, and my head is pounding like a million little midgets are jumping on a trampoline inside it. I groan and roll over, the coldness of the pillow helping to ease the nausea from the hangover. Last night comes back in flashes, but most of it is just fuzzy. At some point, I came to my room and locked the door. Probably the only good decision I made. I lift my head and see my phone on the shelf of the headboard.

It's one in the afternoon. What am I going to tell Lena? I can't lie to her. We promised no more drugs and no more lies. I open the phone, hoping she's at least called or texted something. But there's nothing. It's Thanksgiving Day, and I know she's probably with Jas and their families, but I need to hear her voice. I'll tell her what happened tomorrow, but I just need to hear her voice right now.

Dialing her number, I put the phone to my ear. It rings twice and then clicks over to voicemail. What the hell? I redial her number. Same thing happens. It rings twice and goes to voicemail. That means she's refusing the call. I can't remember Lena ever bitch-buttoning me. I need to pull myself together. This whole semester has been a mess. I never used to be like this. I don't think I've cussed this much in my entire life, let alone all the stupid things I've done on top of that.

I open my text messages.

Me: Hey, baby. Just wanted to say Happy Thanksgiving, and I love you.

I stare at the phone, expecting her to text back instantly like she always does. Five minutes go by, and nothing. Then ten. Finally, I lay back and set the phone on my chest. Maybe she's upset that I'm not there. I came here and did the pledge night like Bo wanted. I'm going to see if he is okay with me leaving. I have enough money to take a cab to the airport and catch the first flight to Virginia. I could be there before tonight.

I pick up my phone and try to call her again. She sends me to voicemail. I send her another text.

Me: I'm going to catch a flight out there today. I can be there by tonight.

Lena: Don't.

What? What does she mean, don't?

Me: Lena . . . what's wrong, baby?

Lena: Declan, I'm with my family. I'm not doing this with you on a holiday.

Me: Doing what? What is going on?

The next thing that pops up on my phone is a picture message. My blood runs cold as I stare at what is obviously a screenshot of me kissing the sorority girl from last night. When did that even happen? And how the hell did Lean get a picture of it.

Me: Baby, let me explain.

Lena: No. I'm done with you explaining things like this. Trying to make me think it's not a big deal. Well, my boyfriend licking and making out with some naked chick is a BIG deal. Do not come here. I don't want to see you. And I don't want to hear from you right now. I can't do this anymore, Declan. God help me. I love you. But I'm done living like this.

My heart pounds against my chest as I read her words several times. She doesn't mean that. She and I have been through hell. I can fix this. I know I can. Maybe if I just go to Virginia and talk to her face to face, she'll listen to me. She has to. I know I keep messing up, and I don't mean to. She has to understand that this is for us. It's always been for us. The opportunities that come with this can change our lives.

I slam my phone on the nightstand and go to the bathroom. The shower helps clear my head, and all I can think about as I get washed and dried is how I'm going to fix this. I lost Lena once last year, and when I was in the hospital after my accident, she said she'd never leave again. I know that she has every right to, but I can't lose her. I won't lose her.

As I'm stuffing my close in my bag, my cell phone starts vibrating. Snatching it off the bed, I answer without looking. "Lena?"

"Declan, it's Justus."