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“He turned himself in to the police,” Marty says. “He’s got legal troubles and likely getting suspended, if not expelled. He’s gonna pay enough for this.”
“Lance could have died last night!” Ty barks, and Ryan is on his feet in no time.
“Come on, man,” Ryan entreats. “Lance needs you right here.”
This seems to snap Ty out of it as he turns back to me and takes a breath. “You’re right.”
“Miles seems like a good guy,” I finally manage. “And it was brave to turn himself in, accept responsibility.”
Now that Ty’s thinking rather than reacting, I can tell he hears me. But I sympathize because if the situation were reversed and Ty the one in this bed, I’m not sure I’d be so understanding.
“Doesn’t change that what he did was stupid and dangerous,” Ty says, “which is exactly what we were talking about at the emergency meeting earlier this semester. If they think therewon’t be consequences for this, they’ve got another thing coming. It’s just like we said. Their frats don’t take safety into consideration, and they clearly don’t do a good enough job stressing it. Fuck, I hope that guy knows Lance is hurt. I hope he knows he could have killed people last night.”
“Ty, please sit down,” I say.
He doesn’t hesitate, like he’s following a directive. I take his hand, which is cold and rigid, but as I grip, he relaxes, taking in what seems like a first decent breath.
“Sorry. I’m stressing you out,” he says.
“It’s fine. It’s a lot.”
He kisses me, rubs our cheeks together before resting his forehead against mine, like he just needs to be close to remember I’m still here. That we’re safe, and that’s what matters.
“So what are the Sigma Alphas doing?” I ask. “Where is everyone?”
“Here,” Ryan says.
“What?”
“Everyone’shere,” Marty confirms. “All the Alpha Theta Mus and the Sigma Alphas.”
“Did you guys think we were not gonna be by our presidents’ sides at a time like this?” Ryan asks.
“Angie’s here too,” Marty adds. “I wish you could be out there to see all the guys losing their minds trying to impress her.”
“I saw you chatting her up too. For like ten minutes,” Ryan observes.
“Shut up. I was trying to keep everyone else from bugging her,” Marty insists, but as his friend, I can tell by the red in his cheeks that’s not entirely honest. He likes her. A lot.
“I didn’t want to overwhelm you with knowing they wereall out there,” Ty tells me.
Earlier, it probably would have been, but now it feels nice to know they came.
Doesn’t surprise me, though. Despite our differences, it’s clear we have frats with some amazing guys.
“And,” Ty adds, “we still have to figure out where we’re gonna be staying now that we don’t have a house to go back to.”
“Yeah,” Ryan says. “The cops told us they have to finish processing the scene before we can recover our things. Also, we need to sort out the insurance.”
“Let me know if you guys need help with any of the paperwork,” Marty says. “Believe it or not, I’m really good at hounding insurance companies.”
“No one would not believe that, Marty,” Ty says. “But we appreciate it.”
As much in a fog as I’ve been since the fire, one thing is crystal clear. “I already know where the Sigma Alphas will be staying. At Alpha Theta Mu.”
Ty and Ryan both look shocked.
“There’s not enough room,” Ty points out.