AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Usually, whatever punishment he’d get would apply to his whole pledge class. People tend to behave when others are paying for their attitude.” Aiden’s tone suggests this is a normal, harmless way to enforce their will, and since I’m pretty sure the military does something similar, he probably believes that. But this isn’t the military, it’s just a stupid club people join so they feel like they belong. Why haze the people who are supposed to be your friends?
“You could still join, if you wanted. I could get you into this year’s pledge class.” Aiden bites the corner of his lip. “It’d be really cool to have you in the house.”
“Thanks, but between classes and practice, once I can get back to it, I don’t think I’ll have the time.”
“Practice for what?”
Oh right. The few times I’ve seen Aiden, we haven’t exactly done much talking.
“Lacrosse. I play on the club team.”
His brown eyes have a slight twinkle to them as he seems to take inventory of me. “Ah, now I get why you prefer that to football.”
“You remember that?” I feel somewhat guilty that I’d forgotten I made that comment until just now.
“Only because we might be the only two people who aren’t obsessed with it.”
“Why are you here, then? If you don’t like the game, I mean.”
Aiden seems to blush before answering, although that could be just the cold. “Most of the fraternity comes to the games to support Bennet. Why are you here?”
“My roommate, Cruz. He plays tight end.”
“There’s a lot of hype about him. Bennet says he’s pretty good, especially for a freshman.”
“They do seem to say his name a lot.” I chew on my lip to stop myself from saying anything further, like how every time they mention what great hands he has, for catching the ball, I think of something else they’re good at.
“Well, his stats put him as one of the best rookies in college football.”
“Seriously?” A puff of air escapes my lips. “Wait, how do you even know that?”
“How do you not? He’s sort of the talk of the campus.”
The answer to that is obvious to me. Despite wanting a fresh start here, I’m too distrustful to make friends with just anyone. I tend to sit back and observe before deciding whether someone seems worthy of the effort, and because of that I haven’t really picked up on campus gossip. I only talked to Aiden in the beginning because I was feeling especially annoyed at life, which made me reckless. Plus, I was horny.
I got lucky that he’s a decent guy. And gay. It’s too bad he doesn’t get me as excited as my unavailable roommate, who’s apparently all the rage.
“I’m not what you’d call a big conversationalist.” I try to make it sound like I’m quiet, not wary of pretty much everyone.
“So, you’re the guy who sits in the back of the class and stares at his phone until the professor comes in?” He’s smiling to show he’s joking, but he’s totally got me pegged.
“To be fair, pretty much everyone is looking at their phone until class starts.”
“This is why you should rush. You’ll meet tons of new people, so you won’t have to be the quiet guy in the back of the room.”
“Wouldn’t the other guys be upset if I show up late?” I don’t particularly care if they would be or not since I have no intention of joining, I just can’t think of a better way to decline without saying no.
“Eh.” Aiden shrugs his shoulders.
“In that case, no thanks. I wouldn’t want any special treatment. And I really do want to see how things go with classes and lacrosse first.”
“Stop over after the game, then. We’re having a party.”
“It must be a day ending in ‘Y,’” I say with a wry chuckle.
“Hey, just cause you’ve only been there for parties doesn’t mean that’s all we do.” He leans close enough to give my arm another little nudge. “But yeah, we always have one after home games. You should bring your roommate. I don’t think I’ve seen him there yet.”
“I don’t think he’s much of a partier.” Actually, I’m pretty sure he’s less concerned with parties than the girls who might be there, and the idea that he’ll get put on the spot. Not that he’s admitted as much, it’s just a feeling I get since he’s more than happy to grab a bite to eat or just play pool in the common room after a game.
