Page 97

I reach out to the handle and expect it to be locked, but it turns with a click, and I pull open the door. Imagine the shock on my face when I see a set of stairs in front of me that leads up to a whole part of the house I had no idea existed.
Slowly, I make my way up to the stairs, as the door behind me closes. Lights dimly illuminate the steps, but it’s enough for me to ascend to the next floor.
For a moment, my heart starts to race, and I really start to regret snooping around. I mean, I’m sure there is a reason this is closed off, but also no one locked it. So maybe they don’t care if I head up here. Yet, something in me tells me to turn around.
I shake the feeling of dread in my stomach and convince myself to keep going. When I reach the top, I stop, and my mouth drops open.
It’s like a whole different world up here compared to everything below me. Downstairs is chaotic, party central; it’s a college dorm compared to this room.
In here, there is order and sophistication. There is an ornate giant wooden table in the center of the room with the frat’s letters engraved in it. The chairs that surround the table are that of what royalty would sit on. Each chair is a shellback throne chair, elegantly decorated with Rococo-style motifs and finished in gold. Each sumptuously padded and covered in a black leather.
Around the room are high-back couches, or loveseats if you will, that have a wingback design and leather upholstery. The walls are decked out in a Victorian-style wallpaper with built-in wooden bookcases and portraits galore hanging off the walls.
Slowly, I start making myself around the room, my eyes searching the pictures. Some look like they have been around for decades. These must be photos of the members of the brotherhood or whatever each year.
I wander over to the table and reach over to feel the carving in the middle of it. The frat’s letters are beautifully carved to represent Sigma Xi Delta. The detail on this table, the pristine condition, it’s gorgeous.
As I look up, my eye catches on a picture in front of me. I smile as I recognize the three at the center of it. Xayden, Dekker, and Seven look as stoic as ever. The last few days have shown me a much more relaxed side of them. Playful, really.
I start to move down the wall, peering at members before them. I quietly laugh at the clothing choices and hairstyles from back in the day. But then my eyes hit a photo and I recognize two faces in it.
Aaron, Xayden’s father, and my dad.
My father is in this picture.
What the actual fuck?
My dad never mentioned he was in a fraternity, nor did my mom. And of all places, here? He went to school here? He had always told me he graduated from UNLV.
Is this why Aaron wanted me to go here? My eyes narrow.
None of this makes sense. I snap a photo of the picture so that I can bring it to the attention of the guys. But then I notice something else. Under the names listed I see Aaron’s name but then the one next to his isn’t my dad’s name. This says David Grey. No, that has to be a mistake.
I look at the picture again, trying to see if there is any way that’s wrong, but the names are in order of where they are standing. My father is next to Aaron. But the name is listed as David Grey.
What the hell?
For a moment, I am frozen in place. How is my father, Thomas Dawson… David Grey? There has to be a mistake.The guys. I turn and run out of the room and down the stairs. I need to talk to the guys about this.
When I reach the bottom of the stairs, I shut the door behind me and run into Seven’s room. Placing my hand over my heart, I try to steady my breaths. I need to come at this calmly. Well, as calm as I can.
Reaching into my back pocket, I pull out my phone and see that I have a message. I unlock my phone and click on my message app.
Unknown:
Enjoy this video of your “boyfriends”. Real nice guys. Imagine what they are saying about you right now.
*Video attached*
For a moment I just stare at the text. I have no idea who this is from, but they seem to know me and the guys. The video attachment stares at me in the face, begging me to click it and play it. So, I do.
The video shows Mel’s Diner, the place Addy took me to after the shitty night with Dekker. The person in the video zooms into the diner and I see me. Xayden is sitting next to me.
This is the day that Addy took me there. The day Xayden was a complete asshole to me.
When was he not an asshole?
Good point, me.