Katt’s stomach dropped. Todd Jacoby? Katt hadn’t seen him since Todd and his family moved out of town when he and Katt were freshmen in high school. Even then, they weren’t friends. Not anymore.
Anxiety began to set in as his last memories of Todd—and the fort—resurfaced.
“Do you know him?” Franco asked.
“Uh…” Katt swallowed. “No.”
“Well, whatever the reason, he wants you in the brotherhood. Usually, you have to attend rush, receive a bid, and then become a pledge for a few weeks before you’re officially accepted. But Todd is willing to skip all that in your case.”
Why? Todd had stopped being Katt’s friend before freshmen year even started. Soon after he ended the friendship, his family moved away. Katt hadn’t heard from him since. He was surprised Todd even remembered him. And even if he did—why would he want to reconnect, all things considered?
“Does he get to make that decision alone?” Katt asked. “I mean, doesn’t he have to… consult others?”
Franco shrugged. “We trust his decisions. If he wants you, then there must be a good reason.”
“I can’t think of one,” Katt mumbled.
Standing, Franco chuckled. “Just meet with him. He’s pretty cool. I’m sure he’ll explain himself.”
“Yeah.” Katt returned to the bed and sat down, his nerves tying knots in his stomach. He’d always wondered what he would say if he saw Todd again: would either of them acknowledge what happened in the fort? Would Todd even remember? Katt considered refusing to meet with him, doubling down on his earlier words that this wasn’t his thing.
But he didn’t refuse.
He would talk to Todd.
If only to satisfy his own curiosity.
3
The twins led Katt across the rec room as the other boys introduced themselves. Gideon watched him closely, still getting thatoffsense about him, yet unable to pinpoint the source.
“He’s cute.” Garrett approached Gideon. “Howcuriousdo you think he is?”
“Not sure.” Gideon rubbed his chin. “There’s something about him that I can’t quite put my finger on.”
“What do you mean?”
“He seems nervous.”
“They all are,” Garrett said, then chuckled. “Well, except Samson.” He nodded at the large man observing the twins. “But Sean and Dylan.”
“I know. But…” Gideon shook his head. “Not that kind of nervous. Something else.”
“Well, if he’s hiding something,” Garrett said. “It probably won’t stay hidden long.” He smiled. “Especially with the twins on the job.”
Gideon laughed. “Yeah, I can always count on them to… dig deep.”
“Fuck.” Garrett grinned. “That’s for sure. They’veexcavatedall of us.”
“Good Lord,” Gideon chuckled.
“Am I wrong?” Garrett grinned.
“No, you are not.” Gideon laughed, clearing his throat.
“Do you think he’ll go all the way?”
Gideon gazed at Katt thoughtfully. “I don’t know,” he murmured. “I sense moreresistancein him than in the other curious boys.”
