Page 35 of #PhiThetaForever

I bust out laughing and kiss him back. "You've got a permanent rain check for every time this happens to us."

He sits back and wipes his hands down his face before standing up. "Right, because only the Lord knows how often my sister is going to interrupt us over the next 20 to 30 years." He rolls his eyes but then winks at Darcy. As I sit up, Justus catches my eye, his eyebrows going up and his head tilting to the side. I bite my lip and shrug my shoulders, which makes him smile. Now that I think he's officially dating Declan's sister, it should get super interesting around here. Especially given how different Justus and Darcy are. I can't wait though. I think Darcy has met her match in that one.

Declan comes back, shrugging his jacket on and leans down to his me again . . . several times. "I love you. Am I coming back here tonight?"

"Yes," I say a little more eager than I should, which makes him smile even more.

Justus kisses Darcy's cheek quickly before turning to open the door and let Declan go through. Once the door closes behind them, Darcy and I stare at each other a moment. "So, you and Justus, huh?"

Darcy rolls her eyes and growls playfully. "How is it I'm dating the hottest guy ever who's a bigger prude than my brother?"

"Oh my gosh," I say before we both fall into a fit of laughter.

This is definitely going to be too much fun.

37 Declan

I'm surprised how good the coffee at the church is. Though Justus and I stopped at the local coffee hang out on the way here, so this is now my third cup.

There's eight people here, myself and Justus included. He and I sit at the top end of the table, next to the head seat that I'm assuming the Pastor is going to sit in. I haven't seen Sam since that day I stopped in here begging for help. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous as hell. Especially about having to talk about everything in front of a group of people. As much as I encourage Lena to do therapy last year, I didn't realize how terrifying it was to be in the hot seat—the one with the actual problem.

"Relax, Declan. This group has been meeting together since last year. Same people, for a while year. No one is going to bite you." Justus claps me on the shoulder and give it a reassuring squeeze.

Taking a deep breath, I try to relax. He's right. This isn't going to bad, everyone is here for the same reason, and it's a support group. Everyone is here to support each other. Sam walks in, greeting the other around the table as he walks toward the front. He's not dressed in the normal Sunday-Pastor-Garb, but a pair of tattered jeans and a Call of Duty T-shirt. I don't know why, but the casual look makes me feel a little more at ease.

"Good to see you, Justus,"he says warmly as Justus stands and they trade a brotherly hug. When Justus sits back down, he leans over holding his hands out to me. "Declan, I'm really glad you came." After the firm handshake, he sits down in his chair. "Alright, everyone. Let's get the meeting started. First, I'd like to introduce you to Declan Harp. Declan came to me last week and after we spoke, I strongly suggested him coming to the group."

Everyone says some form of greeting with nice smile directed at me and for a moment, it makes me extremely self concious. Justus pats me on the back and gives me an encouraging nod.

"Thanks," I say to the table, taking another deep breath.

"Okay, cell phones off, as usual. Part of recovery is giving it your undivided attention, so lets remember that for the hour or so we're in here every week, we turn off the cells and focus on discussion and support."

I pull out my cell phone as several others do the same and shut it down. Hopefully, Lena won't text. I don't want her to worry. A wave of panic hits me though as I sit my cell on the table. What if she texts and I don't answer and she thinks something has happened? Or she wonders if I changed my mind? I've only just started to gain her trust again and I don't want to ruin that or set it back.

"Declan, Lena knows your cell will be off."

My head snaps up to Justus's face. "What?"

He chuckles. "I didn't want her to worry, so I told her about us turning them off for the meeting. She knows you won't be available while you're here."

"How'd you know I was even worried about it?"

Justus laughs harder. "Bro, I've been with you a lot over the past week. I know what your face looks like when you start worrying about her."

I can't help but chuckle. "Yeah. I don't want her to think anything bad. She barely trust me as it is."

"Tell us about what lost her trust in the first place, Declan?" Sam sits back in his chair with a gentle smile on his face.

My heart beats faster and I close my eyes and sigh for a moment. A small hand touches my shoulder, and my eyes open and look to the other side of me where a petite, red-haired girl, probably a little older than me sits. "Take a deep breath. No one here is going to judge you. We've all done things we're not proud of. That's why were in this group."

I let out a sigh and nod at her before looking down at my lap. "I pledge Sigma Nu this year. The President sold me on all the opportunities that I could have being part of them. Ya, know, like the connections for after college."

"Powerful connections, success, money . . . he promised all the things you never thought about for your future, right?" Sam nods as he urges me to continue.

"Well, yeah. I mean, when I came to college, I knew the base line of my future. Since I met my girlfriend, I've always know she was it. Regardless of everything else that happened for the rest of my life, she's always been the center of it. My most important dream is loving her for as long as God lets me."

Several people around the table smile and nod, especially the few girls there. Justus smirks at me and I chuckle, playfully nudging his arm.