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Colin sits at Ash’s side, arm draped around his boyfriend. He’s still got another week before he has to be back at law school, and he’s taking advantage of every moment.
Ty approaches the podium we set up earlier in the day so he could talk to the guys. I stand right behind him, feeling the tension practically radiating off him, which has me on edge too.
“Okay, okay, everyone.” Marty pushes to his feet from the chair beside Ash. “The meeting is in session. That means even you, Sigma Asshats, must pipe down.”
This earns some rebellious noise, but everyone quiets soon enough, allowing Ty to begin. “Thank you, Marty, for the unsolicited help. Um…I know everyone wants an update on the state of Sigma Alpha, and we’ve been coordinating with the insurance company to find a solution to housing while they work on repairs. That said, the solution we came up with isn’t ideal, but it’s all they could offer us. There are three places we can relocate to so that everyone has a place to stay. Insurance will cover the expense, fortunately. But—”
“Three locations?” Dax asks. “As in, they’re gonna separate us?”
This is the bad news.
Ty tenses his jaw, and I step closer, resting my hand on his back. He takes a breath before continuing. “I did everything I could, and the insurance did their best to accommodate, but there’s just not enough room for twenty guys in any one location. They can get a temporary lease at Wilfred Complex, and the Highland in town is offering up space, and—”
“Those aren’t even near each other,” Keegan points out.
“Yeah,” Ty agrees, “and the other hotel is Wayford Hall.”
“How are we gonna have parties?” another Sigma Alpha asks.
I can see that my fellow Alpha Theta Mus are uncomfortable, but I’m hoping they’ll realize why we called them here too, and that they’ll sympathize with our rival frat.
“It’s not ideal,” Ty says. “And the problem is the damage is extensive enough that we’re looking at having to deal with this through a good chunk of the semester, if not through the spring.”
“This is my senior year,” Ryan says, obviously rattled by the news, and surely speaking for more than just himself. “These are my guys.”
“Lance and I have discussed a possible alternative, but it would involve both Sigma Alpha and Alpha Theta Mu agreeing to it. Lance will take it from here.”
He gives me space at the podium, and I step up for my part.
I always get a little nervous when I have to get up in front of everyone like this, especially when it’s not just my own house, but I remember the day I pledged to be president of the frat—it’s not a responsibility I’ve ever taken lightly, so I power through. “It’s been tough with everyone on top of each other like this. It’ll be messy if we do it through the semester, but to keep Sigma Alpha together, I’ve offered to take a vote with Alpha Theta Mu to see if we’re willing to share our space.” I can read the apprehension on some of the guys’ expressions. “It’s not what any of you signed up for. And that’s why Ty and I agreed we won’t do this unless we have a unanimous vote and everyone’s happy with this. But before we take a vote, I want everyone to keep in mind how we would feel if ours was the house that burned down, and we were the ones who were gonna be separated, especially for the seniors.”
“It doesn’t have to be all bad either,” Ty chimes in. “Could mean bigger and better parties. More hands to tend to responsibilities around the house.”
“I think we can go ahead and take a vote,” Ash says.
“Yeah,” Marty agrees. “Alpha Theta Mus who want to help Sigma Alpha out, show of hands?”
I notice my crew—Ash’s, Marty’s, and Payton’s hands—pop up, followed shortly by the rest of the house. A lump forms in my throat. I’m choked up seeing what a cool crew we have here at our house, the sort of thing that makes me proud to be Alpha Theta Mu.
Ty sidles up beside me, and I see the admiration in his expression. “Regardless of what Sigma Alpha decides, thank you for that. We’ve always been rival houses, and we still want to kick your asses, but it means a lot that you would invite us into your space. Now let’s find out if my Sigma Alphas are cool with this solution.”
“Oh, we’re cool,” Ryan says.
“What are you, the spokesperson for the frat?” Jaxon asks.
“You not cool?”
“I’m fine with it, but we need to take a vote.”
“Come on,” Ryan says to the guys, pushing to his feet. “Show of hands? Who’s in? Let’s see those palms high.”
All their hands pop up in an instant, and Ty and I sneak a look at each other.
“Is that all we needed to talk about?” Ash asks.
“Well, yeah,” Ty says, our guys having showed us that all our stress had been for nothing.
“Then I think there’s one thing left to do,” Colin adds. “You obviously must have a huge-ass party to celebrate Sigma Alpha staying here.”