Page 104 of Break Points and Face Offs

Can you come over here? We need to talk.

I know. I want you to meet my fraternity brothers.

Can you come?

I hesitate before typing out a reply.

Sure. What time?

I’ve never stepped foot anywhere near a frat house before. It’s a wake-up call when the Uber lets me out near Greek Row. A bunch of people are milling around on the lawn of Priestley’s old house. I get the sinking feeling that this is a costume party, especially when I walk up to the door and am stopped by a couple of freshmen kids in stormtrooper costumes.

“This is an invite-only party,” one of them says.

“I was invited.”

“Who by?” These kids are enjoying their authority way too much.

“By the president.”

“Nate?”

Who’s Nate? Is that the Nathan that Priestley’s always talking about?

“No, the old one.”

“Let him in.” I recognize Priestley’s voice right away and it sends a tingle down my spine.

The stormtroopers turn their heads, one of them leaning into the other and whisper shouting, “Shit, that’s Priestley Rosenthal.”

The stormtroopers step aside and I see Priestley standing there in a shirt, blazer and smart pants. The expression on his face is soft and vulnerable.

“Hi,” he says.

“Hey.”

I follow him into the house, noting the opulence of the chandeliers and huge ass rooms.

He leads me through to the back of the house where some people are hanging around in the kitchen.

“Will, this is Nathan—sorry, I mean, Nate.”

Nate’s one of those preppy guys with a floppy haircut and a boy-next-door smile. I’m guessing he doesn’t always wear a Yoda onesie. He shakes my hand and tells me it’s nice to meet me.

“Nice Yoda costume,” I say.

“Thanks!” He beams. “It’s for Ben—the birthday boy. He should be around here somewhere.”

Nate grabs a guy walking past and pulls him in tight to his side. “This is my boyfriend, Evan. Evan, this is Will O’Reilly.”

Nate grins when he says my name. What has Priestley been saying about me?

I shake Evan’s hand. I have no clue what his costume is supposed to be. Some sort of Jedi, I think? He kind of looks like he’d bite my head off if I asked, so I keep my mouth shut.

“This is Archer and Miles,” Priestley points out a couple more guys and they stare at me like I’m an alien. Is this the first time Priestley’s brought a non-frat friend here?

“Let’s go outside,” Priestley says, leading me gently by the elbow. “It’s quieter out there.”

The garden is big and neatly mown. A shabby wooden building in the corner the only thing marring the landscape.