Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 87439 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 437(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87439 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 437(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
That the last time I kissed Ty won’t be the last.
And that he’s right here next to me, where he belongs.
His gaze returns to me, and he studies my expression.
“I’m sorry,” I say.
His brow creases. “Sorry?”
“Not about saving Frat Cat, obviously, but I didn’t mean to put everyone through all this.”
“The fire put everyone through this, not you.”
He rests his phone on his thigh and cups my cheek, running his thumb over my flesh. “You didn’t do anything wrong. And I don’t want you thinking anything different. You were…perfect.”
The way he says that, so sincerely, looking me dead in the eyes, takes me by surprise. He’s been acting differently since the fire. Although, I guess it shouldn’t surprise me because I’m different too.
It reminds me of those thoughts flashing through my head in the smoke. The things I wished I’d told him. How much I care for him. How strongly I feel it.
All the things I want to share with him now that we’re alone, but a sound catches my attention before the door flies open and Ryan barges in, Ty practically jumping out of his seat from the shock. “Fucking hell, Ry.”
His Sigma Alpha bro heads in with Marty right behind him. “Hey, buddy, how you holding up?” Ryan asks as he plops down in a chair beside Ty.
I study him for a moment. “When did you get pants?”
“I’ve always been wearing pants,” Ryan says, glancing around as if concerned about my mental well-being. “You didn’t think Marty and I would be returning to the hospital in just those loincloths from last night, did you? Dude, what are they pumping you up with?”
Marty, standing behind him, rolls his eyes.
“Did you need me to answer that still?” Ty asks.
“The guys grabbed some pants for us,” Marty explains.
I open the notebook Ty gave me, pull the pen from the spiral binding, and scribble onto the page, showing the words to Ty: Kill Ryan. Thank you.
“What did he say?” Ryan asks.
I display the text for Ryan, and Ty shrugs. “Sorry, man. Just following orders.”
Ryan slaps at his chest like he’s been shot. “And by my best friend, for one of those Alpha Theta Mu assholes.”
“What did you call my boyfriend?” Ty asks, but he doesn’t sound like he’s kidding.
“He just told you to kill me.”
“It’s taking you a damn long time to do it too,” Marty gripes, and I can tell by his tone Ryan’s gotten on his nerves since they’ve been here. But I also figure everyone’s tired since they must’ve been here on and off since late last night, and it’s already the afternoon.
Ty hooks his arm around Ryan’s neck, pretending he’s about to snap it. “Last words?”
“Can I use them to plead?” Ryan asks, which makes me laugh. “I have news.”
Marty confirms this with a nod, and I jot down in the notebook: He can live.
“Worked this time,” Ty says with a groan. “But I wouldn’t push my luck if I were you. What you got? Better be good.”
Ryan says, “Now, this is all unofficial…”
“He means it’s rumors,” Marty clarifies.
“You know what I meant. Anyway, I used to hook up with this girl over at Kappa Mu, and she was wild. The first time was just fun, but she wanted to pull out some toys pretty fast after, and then suddenly it’s restraints and safe words. I’m down for a good time, but this was above my pay grade.”
“Weird context for that expression,” Marty observes.
“I thought I was a horny fuck, but this girl wouldn’t let me leave her place until I was drained. Like, I didn’t think it was possible to go again, and then she’d pull one more out of me.”
“Uh…Ryan,” Ty interjects, “you aren’t here to tell us about your sexual adventures with some sorority girl, right?”
“Oh, no.” He flinches, as if only now remembering his point. “She’s fucking around with guys in Omega Psi, and she says one of theirs just turned himself in for starting the fire.”
“Turned himself in?” Ty asks. “To the police?”
“No, to the Russian Mafia. Of course to the police. She said the Omega Psis found a way to access a master key, which gave them entry to plenty of rooms so they could pull a prank involving glitter bombs.”
“We definitely need to up security,” Ty says, “but looks like we’ll have a while to get that sorted.”
“Apparently, this guy added fireworks—some bullet cracklers—to give us a jump. Word is, the firefighters were freaking out when they did a walk-through after and the cracklers were setting off in the rooms. At first they thought there might be bombs in the frat, so they were relieved to just find themselves covered in purple and gold glitter. Probably won’t be once they realize how long it takes to get that stuff out.”
“I’m pretty sure they’ll still be relieved to be alive,” Marty says, echoing my thoughts.