Page 21 of Fake Dates and Home Plates (Way Off Base #1)
Chapter Twenty
Theo
I’m eating lunch with my teammates in the student building when my phone rings. The caller ID has me jumping from my seat, trying to find an area that’s somewhat quiet.
“Hello?” I answer when I’ve tucked myself into a corner near one of the restaurants.
“Barlowe,” Finn says. “You got a minute?”
“Yeah.” I lean against the wall. “What’s up?”
“I checked in on the fraternity you asked about. The game isn’t just a rumor. It’s part of their initiation this year,” he confirms what I already suspected.
My free hand drags down my face. What scumbags.
“And are any of the girls in on it?” I ask, wondering if, despite the game being messed up, at least the participants are aware.
“See, that’s the thing.” His voice sharpens. “Some of those points? They weren’t earned consensually.”
The words land like a hit straight to my chest. My shoulders stiffen in concern. “What do you mean?”
“I mean exactly what it sounds like. Guys have bragged about scoring when the girl was too drunk to know what was happening or pressuring her into it because they were close to being cut.” His voice hardens. “It’s fucked up.”
I drag a hand over my face. Silence stretches between us, filled with the sound of Finn’s harsh breathing.
Not too long ago, Finn had his best friend tell her story on his podcast, back when he was an anonymous host. Her past was something that physically hurt to listen to, so much so that they ended one of her episodes abruptly because he was too upset to keep going. Not because of her. For her .
I can only imagine how he must be handling a situation like this.
Reining in the anger I feel, I mutter, “If that’s true, it’s more than messed up. It’s criminal.”
“Exactly.” His voice lowers, almost conspiratorial. “This isn’t just frat-boy hazing. It’s predatory. And it’s still happening.”
For a second, all I can hear is my own pulse in my ears. I think about Henley—about how much time she spent around Dakota and the rest of these guys. What if she was in the wrong place at the wrong time?
I force my voice steady. “If you’re right, the whole damn house needs to go up in flames.”
On the other end, Finn exhales, like he’s been waiting for me to say it. “Glad you agree. I’ll be in touch.”
The line clicks dead a second later.
Fuck, fuck, fuck.My stomach churns, the lunch I just ate threatening to come back up.
I shove my phone into my pocket and lean my head back against the cool tile wall. Inhaling, I remind myself to calm down. This isn’t something I need to bring attention to, not yet. If anyone tips them off, they will ensure we can’t find any evidence.
I can’t storm into that house and light a match, no matter how much I want to. I can’t even go to the dean without something more solid than Finn’s assumptions.
Especially if Finn has a plan. I don’t want to fuck it up.
And Henley…
She wants to take the fraternity down too, but how is she going to react to this? With her final meet coming up, this isn’t something she needs to worry about.
The voices of students filter in from the atrium, a thousand normal conversations buzzing around me, but it all feels distant.
By the time I push away from the corner and head back toward my table, I’ve forced my face into something neutral. My teammates glance up at me when I slide into my seat.
“Everything okay?” Bash asks, concern on his face.
I shrug, unsure if telling them about this would be a smart move. Until there’s something solid we can use, involving them is risky.
These are my teammates, though. They have my back, and I have theirs. Plus, they’ve heard just as much as I have about the Delta Alpha fraternity.
“Trying to get some more information on Henley’s ex,” I tell them, keeping my tone casual. “As much as I’d love just to beat his ass and call it a day, I want to ruin his life more.”
Ezra rubs his hands together menacingly, eyes lighting up. “Now this is the type of lunch conversation I’m interested in. I could tie him to the back of my bike and drag him through campus.”
Bash and I look at each other before looking back at our teammate.
“Maybe we wait on that one,” Bash says, sarcasm dripping from his tone.
That’s not the worst idea ever, though. I add it to my mental list.
Lukas clears his throat. “What are you thinking, Theo?”
“Physical violence isn’t enough. Besides, it’s likely to end my career just as fast as his.” I poke at the remains of my food, jaw tight. “Neither the school nor the professional leagues wouldn’t be too understanding if I got arrested.”
Ezra hums softly, unimpressed. “We’ve heard the rumors about the brat frat.”
Some people call Delta Alpha the “brat frat” because most of the members are spoiled little shits living off their daddies’ money.
I shake my head. “Everyone needs to stay away from them. I mean it.”
Three sets of eyes narrow on me, questions written all over their faces, but I don’t go into detail. Not yet.
Instead, I sit there, forcing myself to listen as Ezra rattles off more colorful ways to harm a person. He’s pretty creative, and for a minute, I wonder if he has any experience with the level of violence he’s suggesting.
Or if he just watches a lot of movies.
Maybe he’s into reading or true crime like me.
It’s a good distraction, keeping me grounded to the moment instead of running straight for the fraternity house. I use all my frustration and rage to fuel me to stay here, listening to these guys I love like brothers chat.
Because if I make a move too soon, those bastards will probably walk free.
And that? That is not an option.