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“Sigma Alpha’s not that bad.” It’s like I can’t keep the words down, and as I say them, their expressions twist up.
“Um…” Marty says. “Ash, do you think Sigma Alpha learned how to brainwash our bros?”
“I think maybe they have. Lance, you’re the one who’s always ragging on Sigma Alpha. You know we don’t actually hate those guys, right? It’s all in good fun.”
“I don’t know why I said that. I’m kinda tired from being up last night.”
“You left the party early,” Marty notes. “Oh…wait… Oh…” His knowing look suggests he suspects something.
Did he see me head off with Ty? Did he catch something we whispered to one another when we thought no one could hear us?
“Huh? Am I missing something?” Ash asks.
My heart’s racing before Marty says, “Somebody’s been hanging out with Angie an awful lot recently.”
I breathe a sigh of relief as Ash prods, “Lance…”
“What? No. I mean, yes, we’ve hung out, but there’s nothing happening between me and Angie.”
Marty eyes me skeptically. “Dude, why do you have to pretend? Angie’s hot, and you have fun together.”
“I’m not pretending. We’ve only hung out once since that night she stayed at Alpha Theta Mu, and there’s nothing there at all.”
And if they knew whom I was really boning for, they’d really get just how not interested in Angie I am right now.
“Okay, man, I believe you,” Marty says, his tone suggesting he doesn’t even a little bit.
“I think Marty’s projecting here,” Ash chimes in.
“What? No I’m not.”
Marty says that so defensively, even I don’t believe him, and I use the opportunity to redirect the conversation. “You were awfully interested when she was over that first day.”
Marty’s shoulders square off. “Don’t you have some balls to tend to? Isn’t there a rule against talking to friends on the clock or something?”
“What are you gonna do?” Ash asks. “Turn him in?”
“Maybe,” Marty says with a smirk.
“Okay, come on.” Ash rests his hand on Marty’s back. “We’ll get out of your hair. Mart, you can tell me about how you’re crushing on Angie over lunch.”
“I’m not crushing on her!” he insists, and then we say ourgoodbyes and the guys leave.
I’m relieved they didn’t press about my weird mood today. I love my guys, but I don’t want to get into it with them. Not about this.
After my shift, I hop in my car and consider calling Mom or Dad.
I could talk to Dad and tell him about all the feelings that came up during my conversation with Ty. And we could hold space for the grief that remains from the great guy we lost. But instead, I pull up my last DMs with Ty on Insta, from last night after I got back to Alpha Theta Mu.
ME: Thank you again for sharing that. Sorry for having to head out, but hope you enjoy the rest of the party.
TY: I really appreciate your listening. And the other stuff too. ;)
Even with how heavy the night was, I smile at the thought ofother stuffbefore messaging.
ME: Hey there.
I figure he might be at work, but he responds surprisingly quickly.