Page 36 of Frat Around and Find Out (Peach State Fratbros #1)
Lance
“Y ou need anything before we head out?” Mom asks for what must be the fifth time since I woke up maybe fifteen minutes ago.
I’ve been in and out all day. I had a tube down my throat for a few hours, and during that time, Ty got me a journal and a pen to communicate with him, hospital staff, Mom and Dad, and our friends.
Some of the guys are still lingering in the waiting room, here for support.
So on top of being tired from all that went down last night and whatever I’ve been pumped with while here, it’s been exhausting knowing everyone’s running around, worried about me.
And yet, I’m so grateful I get to see everyone again.
“I’m good,” I assure them, my voice still hoarse from when the nurse took out the tube.
Ty, who’s sitting beside the bed, tightens his hold on my hand, which he’s been holding since before I woke up.
There are some serious bags under his eyes, and he still has some soot on his face from the fire last night.
I can’t imagine he’s gotten much sleep since we got out of Sigma Alpha.
Every time I’ve woken up, he’s been right here at my side, ready to get me anything I need.
Being in that smoke, struggling to breathe, my eyes burning, there was a moment when I thought I might never see him again.
Or my parents. That I would leave them all even more grief-stricken, adding to so much existing pain.
It’s the sort of thought that reminds me how special they all are to me.
Really reminds me of what’s important in my life.
“Please don’t talk too much,” Dad says.
“They said I can talk a little, just need to take it easy. Now go. You said you haven’t eaten since you got here.”
“The guys could grab you something to eat,” Ty tells them.
As helpful as he’s been, I wish he hadn’t offered. I love my parents, but despite how wonderful they’ve been and how nice it’s been to see them again, it’d be even nicer to have a moment alone with him.
“No, no,” Dad tells him. “Trust me, they’ve been helpful enough. So helpful that I think we could both use a minute to ourselves.”
“I agree,” Mom says, and I smile. It must’ve been overwhelming for my parents, though my guys would’ve just wanted to make sure their president’s parents were comfortable.
“We’ll be right back, though,” Mom promises, like she’s feeling guilty for leaving, despite them being here most of the night and morning.
“I’m fine,” I insist.
“You’re right, you’re right.” Dad turns to Ty. “Thank you for being here.”
“It’s my honor, really,” Ty assures them.
Mom and Dad give me some big hugs, and we exchange I-love-yous.
After they head out, Ty asks, “How you feeling?”
“I’m glad they’re getting lunch. Love them, but their worrying is stressing me out.”
“They’re not the only ones worried about you.”
I know. I’ve seen his concern. That’s one of the reasons I wanted to be alone with him. Because while I’ve had so much support, he’s been dealing with that on his own.
“How do you feel?” I press.
His gaze drifts. “It’s been rough, but better now that the docs said you’ll be fine.”
“And I will be.” I feel a tickle in my throat and cough. “Despite how I sound,” I joke, which earns a smile. When I groan, he tightens his grip on my hand.
His phone buzzes, and he checks with his free hand. “It’s Ash and Colin.”
Last update was that the vet checked Frat Cat and he was fine.
Still sick with his infection, though. There was some talk about Colin and Ash returning to be here for us, but I made sure Ty let them know they needed to go on their trip.
Frat Cat and I are fine, and we’ll be even better by the time they return.
“They said they almost booked a flight back but then changed their minds. Unless something happens here.”
“Fair,” I say as he messages them back.
“Also, there are pics on Instagram of the damage to the house.” Ty shows me images of what Sigma Alpha looks like now. The fire must’ve progressed fast because the side with Dax’s room is now an open space with charred pieces of wooden frames.
There’s a sadness in Ty’s eyes. It’s there every time the topic of Sigma Alpha comes up.
I can’t even imagine if this had happened to Alpha Theta Mu. It sucks that he has to deal with this. Still, as terrible as what happened to Sigma Alpha is, I’m just glad everyone made it out safe.
That I got to see Mom and Dad and my friends again.
That the last time I kissed Ty won’t be the last .
And that he’s right here next to me, where he belongs.
His gaze returns to me, and he studies my expression.
“I’m sorry,” I say.
His brow creases. “Sorry?”
“Not about saving Frat Cat, obviously, but I didn’t mean to put everyone through all this.”
“The fire put everyone through this, not you.”
He rests his phone on his thigh and cups my cheek, running his thumb over my flesh. “You didn’t do anything wrong. And I don’t want you thinking anything different. You were…perfect.”
The way he says that, so sincerely, looking me dead in the eyes, takes me by surprise. He’s been acting differently since the fire. Although, I guess it shouldn’t surprise me because I’m different too.
It reminds me of those thoughts flashing through my head in the smoke. The things I wished I’d told him. How much I care for him. How strongly I feel it.
All the things I want to share with him now that we’re alone, but a sound catches my attention before the door flies open and Ryan barges in, Ty practically jumping out of his seat from the shock. “Fucking hell, Ry.”
His Sigma Alpha bro heads in with Marty right behind him. “Hey, buddy, how you holding up?” Ryan asks as he plops down in a chair beside Ty.
I study him for a moment. “When did you get pants?”
“I’ve always been wearing pants,” Ryan says, glancing around as if concerned about my mental well-being. “You didn’t think Marty and I would be returning to the hospital in just those loincloths from last night, did you? Dude, what are they pumping you up with?”
Marty, standing behind him, rolls his eyes .
“Did you need me to answer that still?” Ty asks.
“The guys grabbed some pants for us,” Marty explains.
I open the notebook Ty gave me, pull the pen from the spiral binding, and scribble onto the page, showing the words to Ty: Kill Ryan. Thank you.
“What did he say?” Ryan asks.
I display the text for Ryan, and Ty shrugs. “Sorry, man. Just following orders.”
Ryan slaps at his chest like he’s been shot. “And by my best friend, for one of those Alpha Theta Mu assholes.”
“What did you call my boyfriend?” Ty asks, but he doesn’t sound like he’s kidding.
“He just told you to kill me.”
“It’s taking you a damn long time to do it too,” Marty gripes, and I can tell by his tone Ryan’s gotten on his nerves since they’ve been here. But I also figure everyone’s tired since they must’ve been here on and off since late last night, and it’s already the afternoon.
Ty hooks his arm around Ryan’s neck, pretending he’s about to snap it. “Last words?”
“Can I use them to plead?” Ryan asks, which makes me laugh. “I have news.”
Marty confirms this with a nod, and I jot down in the notebook: He can live .
“Worked this time,” Ty says with a groan. “But I wouldn’t push my luck if I were you. What you got? Better be good.”
Ryan says, “Now, this is all unofficial…”
“He means it’s rumors,” Marty clarifies.
“You know what I meant. Anyway, I used to hook up with this girl over at Kappa Mu, and she was wild . The first time was just fun, but she wanted to pull out some toys pretty fast after, and then suddenly it’s restraints and safe words. I’m down for a good time, but this was above my pay grade.”
“Weird context for that expression,” Marty observes.
“I thought I was a horny fuck, but this girl wouldn’t let me leave her place until I was drained. Like, I didn’t think it was possible to go again, and then she’d pull one more out of me.”
“Uh…Ryan,” Ty interjects, “you aren’t here to tell us about your sexual adventures with some sorority girl, right?”
“Oh, no.” He flinches, as if only now remembering his point. “She’s fucking around with guys in Omega Psi, and she says one of theirs just turned himself in for starting the fire.”
“Turned himself in?” Ty asks. “To the police?”
“No, to the Russian Mafia. Of course to the police. She said the Omega Psis found a way to access a master key, which gave them entry to plenty of rooms so they could pull a prank involving glitter bombs.”
“We definitely need to up security,” Ty says, “but looks like we’ll have a while to get that sorted.”
“Apparently, this guy added fireworks—some bullet cracklers—to give us a jump. Word is, the firefighters were freaking out when they did a walk-through after and the cracklers were setting off in the rooms. At first they thought there might be bombs in the frat, so they were relieved to just find themselves covered in purple and gold glitter. Probably won’t be once they realize how long it takes to get that stuff out. ”
“I’m pretty sure they’ll still be relieved to be alive,” Marty says, echoing my thoughts.
Ryan ignores this. “I imagine when the guy found out how bad it went, he felt guilty. Said the glitter bombs were set up to go off with motion sensors, but one must’ve gone off by itself and sparked the fire.”
“Do you know the name of the guy?” I ask.
“Miles Banner or something. ”
“Miles Tanner ,” Ty corrects.
Ty and I look at each other. Miles had also pulled that painting stunt against Zeta Tau, which he’d been reprimanded for. He seemed like a nice guy, someone who wouldn’t have intended for anyone to get hurt, but the reality is, his fun prank could have had tragic consequences.
“That’s probably it,” Ryan says. “It’s in my phone.”
“Fuck,” I mutter.
Ty’s face flushes red. He pushes to his feet and starts for the door. “Where’s the little shit at now?”