Page 30 of #PhiThetaForever

I fist bump him and stand, pulling Jackson in a bear hug. "Thank you."

He nods as he lets me go and Justus gives me a hug just as hard. "Listen, we've got three games left for the season. Stay with me, and I'll get you through them and keep Bo off you're back, okay?"

"Thanks, Justus."

"Well, that's what Phi Theta is all about," he says winking at me.

I'm confused and I think my face shows it because Jackson is grinning and nodding and Justus is just standing there.

"I mean, if you want to join a fraternity that doesn't have a pledging phase, promotes a healthy relationship with God, and that doesn't all around suck. Choice is yours, Declan."

Wow. I really didn't think after everything I'd screwed up this year, they'd want me anywhere near their fraternity. "I'd like that. A lot."

"Good." Justus takes out his phone, smiles as he sends a text, and then waves the phone in the air slightly. "Your girlfriend is on her way to class. You should probably head there too. Remember what we said. Give her space and time, and don't get pissed if she bugs out."

I roll my eyes as I grab my bag off the table. "Y'all do realize that Lena and I have been through a lot of stuff in the year we've been together, right?"

Jackson grabs my shoulder and makes me turn to look at him. "Seriously, Declan. This is different. She still has a screen shot on her phone of you lip-locked with some naked girl. That's her reminder to how far this went. When she deletes that photo, that's when you know she's ready to forgive you."

I sober up from our playful banter quickly, my stomach dropping, and a wave of nausea hitting me that has nothing to do with drinking or drugs. I wish Lena didn't have that stupid screen shot. I've never regretted anything in my life until this, and I don't know how to win her back if she's got a physical reminder of why she should tell me to f-off.

Walking to class, I reminding myself of what the guys said. But the moment my eyes find Lena sitting at the front of the room, shoulder showing with her over-sized sweater, I have to physically make myself not run up there, grab her, and kiss her until she doesn't hate me.

Slow, Declan. You've got a lot to prove. I know that man I really am, and Lena fell in love with that guy. If I can prove he isn't gone, I can get her back. Okay. I take breaths as I walk to the same row she's in. Stopping behind the chair next to her, where I'd usually sit, she instinctively looks up, and then does a double take, her eyes going wide, tears instantly pooling in the bottom.

"Do you mind if I sit here?"

Her mouth drops open a little and a tear slides down her cheek, breaking my heart. She doesn't move when I reach out to wipe the moisture away, but her cheeks redden a little. I want to smirk but I don't. After a moment she closes her mouth and wipes under her eyes. "Of course." Her voice is hoarse and breaks a little, but I pull out the chair and sit down.

She does her best not to look at me throughout the class, and I know it takes effort. I'm putting in just as much to not reach over and lay my hand on her leg under this table. I've missed her so much.

When the teacher dismisses class, I turn a little in my seat toward her. For the first time in a long time, I'm nervous to speak to my own girlfriend. I can't remember when that happened before. She slides all but her English textbook in her bag. Lena's coursebooks are monsters, so she always has to carrying one and her bag weighs like 40 pounds with everything else in it. She glances at me our of the corner of her eye, closes them and sighs.

"Yeah?"

I swallow the lump in my throat. "I—uh, was wondering if you'd let me walk you to English."

Slowly, she turns her head toward me, her gaze hard as steel. When her eyes meet mine though, something changes. Her eyes flitter in her sockets, scanning every inch of my face, softening with each moment. Lena takes another deep breath and releases it. "Sure."

She stands and I do the same holding my hand out in front of me. Glancing from my hand to my face, she tilts her head to the side. I can't stop the chuckle that makes its way past my lips. I reach out and take her bag from her shoulder, slinging it one my shoulder with my own bag. Turning to the side, I sweep my hand in front of me for her to go first. My nerves lit on fire as she walks past with her textbook clutched to her chest, biting her bottom lip with a smirk on her face.

Lena might be super pissed at me . . . but my girlfriend is still under that anger somewhere.

Walking behind her, I remind myself not to kiss her when I drop her off.

Slow, steady, and trust in God . . . and Jackson and Justus' advice.

32 Lena

By the time I walk in our dorm room it's 4:15pm and all I want is sleep. No dinner, no friend time, even though I have missed Darcy, nothing. I just want sleep.

Dropping my bag on the table, I grab a bottle of water out of the fridge and turn around just as Darcy and Candice come racing out of the bathroom, already in their pajamas. I stop moving, holding the bottle an inch from my mouth and just stare at them. "Did I miss something?"

Darcy jogs over and jumps on my back almost making me spill my water. Bent at the waist, I try to keep my balance as Candice laughs and take my drink, setting it on the table. Darcy rocks around on my back, almost making me walk into the frame of her bed. "Pajama movie night with pizza!"

Candice laughs harder and finally Darcy jumps off my back and I can stand up straight. "What in the hell are you talking about?"

Darcy faux gasps and covers her mouth. She spreads her fingers enough to speak through them. "Candice! Lena used bad words!"