Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 98909 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 495(@200wpm)___ 396(@250wpm)___ 330(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98909 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 495(@200wpm)___ 396(@250wpm)___ 330(@300wpm)
SinnerThree: Yeah, I know. I saw you flee, remember?
LobsterShorts: Wasn’t fleeing. Judd wanted to go out. Pajama party thing at Beta Kappa.
SinnerThree: You’re going to a sorority party? Seriously?
LobsterShorts: Sorry. I did suggest to them that we should stop at Cinnibar. Jako texted us to come. But Judd’s…how do I say this tactfully…displeased by the election results.
Meaning, he refuses to support my reign by celebrating with me and the rest of the guys. Not that I’m celebrating. I’m sitting on the edge of my bed, sulking.
SinnerThree: I’m displeased too. That wasn’t cool.
I don’t get a reply this time, even after five minutes tick by. I imagine Keaton and his boys are surrounded by a slew of tipsy, PJs-clad sorority girls right now, so I force myself to jog over to the bar.
Cinnibar’s is the most upscale bar on campus. The other two are primarily visited by the football crowd (hard pass) or the crew team (snoot alert), but Cinnibar offers a chill crowd and a laidback atmosphere. In fact, we’re the only frat members in the place tonight.
For the next hour, I drink with my frat brothers, awkwardly accepting the praise, happily accepting the free drinks. Even some of the guys I’m not close with, like Paxton Grier and Edwards, are being nice to me, though in Paxton’s case it’s because he’s trying to convince me to set him up with one of my “stripper friends.” I’m trying to dodge his incessant pleading when I get a message from LobsterShorts.
“Hold that thought,” I tell Paxton, all the while praying he just drops it. Which is looking likely, because I barely blink and he’s lumbering off toward a trio of cute brunettes.
LobsterShorts: I’m sorry you’re pissed, ok? But it wasn’t pity, or some evil scheme on my part. I never wanted the job. My dad wanted it for me.
His confession chips away at some of my bitterness. LobsterShorts—I mean, Keaton—mentioned on numerous occasions that he has a difficult relationship with his father.
Maybe his dad did push him into running for president. I mean, that gift card stunt Mr. Hayworth pulled last week reeked of desperation.
LobsterShorts: And yes, the free room thing cemented my decision to bail, but trust me, bailing has been on my mind since the race started. If anything, knowing you’re strapped for cash was the excuse I needed to back out.
Sighing, I type, Fine. I believe you. But you could’ve warned me you were gonna do that.
LobsterShorts: Didn’t know I was going to do it until I did it. Anyway. Congrats.
SinnerThree: Thanks.
I put the phone away and accept the fresh pint glass Ahmad places in my hand. I’m on beer number three, but my tolerance is high so I barely feel buzzed.
Fuck. I won the election. It’s finally sinking in now that my anger as dissolved. I don’t have to pay rent next year, and the weight that suddenly lifts off my chest has me sagging forward in relief. Christ. This is going to help. A lot.
“Your first order of business is clear,” Ahmad is saying. Unlike me, his tolerance is shit, and he’s visibly inebriated. Bright red cheeks and extreme clumsiness.
“Is it?” I laugh.
“Yup! Another dinner party,” he declares. “That food, dude! Soooooooo good!”
Jako snickers from the other side of the booth. “Wait, you want another dinner party for the dinner? Not the girls?”
“They can come too, I guess. But only if they bring the cheese balls.”
We all howl in laughter. But my amusement is cut short when my phone buzzes again.
LobsterShorts: This party blows. How’s the bar?
I frown at the screen. Why is he messaging? He’s at a party. His hands should either be holding a drink or a hot chick, not his phone.
SinnerThree: It’s awesome. Feeling nice and buzzed. And how could a sorority PJ party blow? Aren’t they all in hot lingerie?
LobsterShorts: They are. But…I dunno. I can’t hit on any of these women, Sinner. It feels wrong. Like I’m trying to replace Annika.
I find it interesting that he still calls me Sinner. I guess he’s also having trouble merging my two identities. Sinner and Luke Bailey. LobsterShorts and Keaton Hayworth. There are four people in this equation when there should only be two.
SinnerThree: She dumped you, dude. You need to deal with that fact and move on.
LobsterShorts: I will. But who says I have to deal and move on tonight?
SinnerThree: Good point. With that said, a rebound never hurt anyone. I’ve heard it makes people feel better.
LobsterShorts: Nah. I told you, it feels wrong to hook up with one of these girls. Especially a sorority girl. I’d be thinking about Annika the whole time.
LobsterShorts: No women for me tonight.
SinnerThree: How about men?
Motherfucker.
Why did I send that? It sounds—no, it is—flirtatious. And I shouldn’t be flirting with this guy. I’m still kicking myself for kissing him last night. That was a stupid move.