by Ali Parker
I wanted to talk to her about all of it, but by the way she avoided me, I knew she wasn’t on the same page. Was this love? Was I willing to risk it all for her?
I shook my head. The idea was so foreign to me. Besides, she had at least two more years of college after I graduated. I had to think of my life outside of AKA and UT Dallas and getting a job to pay back every cent of what my parents gave up to send me to school. Almost failing and losing my scholarship opened my eyes. Figuring out my next steps had to take precedence over everything else.
My phone went off, and I glanced over at it.
Bret.
I rolled my eyes. All week he acted even more arrogrant than normal, almost as if he were laughing at an inside joke at my expense. I tried to put him out of my mind, but I had a feeling that something wasn’t right. I steered clear of him for most of the week, not returning home until later in the day. Spending time at the library, I hoped to run into Lily studying, but I never did. I wondered if she somehow knew that was my plan.
“Come down,” Bret’s text said. “The ceremony is about 2 start. U need to be here as prez.”
I gritted my teeth. I considered ignoring the text until I heard the deafening cheers from two floors down.
Bret was right. I lifted the crown from the desk. At least after I started off the meltdown, I could come back up here for the rest of the night. This was Bret’s favorite party of the season I doubted he’d notice my absence.
I placed the crown atop my head and plastered a smile on my face. Keeping up appearances was key until I made a decision. If Bret got even a whiff of me wanting to resign, he would jump on the opportunity and never let it go. Dealing with that for a semester wasn’t what I needed right now.
Heading down the main stairwell, I expected everyone’s eyes to be on me. My speech would be short and sweet, more of a send-off. No one wanted to hear a long speech or poem as previous presidents did. The guys wanted to get on with the main event.
Instead, everyone focused on something else in the living room.
It didn’t take long for me to understand their distraction.
All of the furniture was removed from the room, making it appear bigger. A makeshift stage was against the back wall. It was where the main event would take place.
Did they start without me? That wasn’t part of the plan. I wouldn’t have minded but why did he call me down here? I hoped he didn’t plan on pushing another girl at me.
There was a girl. But not who I expected. When I saw her, I immediately knew what Bret was up to. A weight settled in my stomach, and my hands gripped the banister as if the thin piece of wood was my lifeline.
Bret was on the stage with a girl. Not just any girl. My girl.
He had his arm around Lily. And for the briefest moment, his eyes met mine. A wicked smile crossed his face.
“Welcome everyone,” Bret said. “For those who don’t know her, I want to introduce our guest of honor. She helped our president in so many ways this semester and tonight she’s here so we can all show our appreciation to her.”
My throat tightened as Freddy stepped onto the stage holding a long metal pole. Strung on the end was a large bunch of fake mistletoe.
Whoops and cheers clamored up from the crowd.
Lily searched the crowd, her eyebrows knitting together. She had no idea what she was in for. Somehow Bret made her come there without telling her what really happened at the Mistletoe Meltdown. If he did, she would have never come.
Through the cheers, I couldn’t hear what Lily was saying to Bret. He pointed his finger toward the ceiling.
She looked up at the mistletoe and then back to Bret. Without warning he wrapped his arm around her and pulled her against him, crushing her mouth against his.
Heat coursed through my body. I barreled down the stairs to stop his little game. I saw red as I pushed through the crowd toward Lily.
Bret let Lily go and twisted her around to face the line of brothers who impatiently waited for their turn. They were sorely mistaken.
Brian was up next, and he flexed his muscles at the crowd, making them cheer more. I drove my elbows into everyone that was in my way, focusing on Lily. She looked even more fragile than she did when I first met her at Freaky Friday. She had no idea what was coming to her when Freddy moved the pole to position the mistletoe between her and Brian.
Once I reached the stage, I leaped up just as Brian grabbed Lily’s arm.
Brian leaned toward her, his eyes closing as I shoved him as hard as I could. I barely noticed him falling to the ground as I grabbed Lily and pulled her against me.
“Alex,” she said breathlessly. Her eyes were wild.
The brothers whooped and cheered again, thinking I was taking my turn with her.
My stomach churned as I ignored them and said to Lily, “What the fuck are you doing?”
Chapter 18
Lily
Alex’s fingers dug into my skin. Bret’s kiss still seared my lips. Goosebumps rippled across my skin as I realized why Bret invited me there. I was such a fool to believe that ass. It seemed like every time I came to this place, nothing good resulted from it.
“Kiss her!” someone shouted from the crowd.
As much as I enjoyed kissing Alex, this wasn’t what I signed up for. Bret violated me so bad that my teeth started to chatter. I couldn’t imagine what would have happened if Alex didn’t intervene.
He had no intention of kissing me in front of his brothers. With that thought, I leaned toward him, silently accepting his protection.
“We were next!” a few of the other brothers called from the side of the stage.
That’s when the cheering turned to boos.
I gripped Alex’s shirt as the crowd turned on him.
Bret walked up to Alex and got in his face. They were nose to nose as if Bret could somehow convince Alex that he was going to let this happen to me. If he thought that, then he had another thing coming.
Bret grabbed Alex’s shoulder and steered him away from me.
The mistletoe moved in my direction again, and I grabbed the pole, shoving it back toward Freddy. I remembered him from the first night I came to AKA. No one was going to force themselves on me again.
Bret’s words carried over the ruckus, and I heard him plain as day. “She’s just a dumb freshman piece of ass. It was so easy to get her to come here. She’s a slut, plain and simple. You need to get your head in the game Alex, and get over her.”
A breath caught in my throat. My instincts about Bret were right. How could I have been so stupid to come here and think that he had a real surprise for me for helping Alex? Heat moved behind my eyes and the need to flee overwhelmed me. I doubted I’d get anywhere without Alex so I stood still, hoping that he would help me out of there.
Alex’s face twisted. I’d never seen him so angry before.
As if I was living the moment in slow motion, Alex’s fist drew back and shot forward, landing directly on Bret’s face. Blood exploded from Bret’s nose. Crimson poured down his face as Alex grabbed my hand and helped me off the stage.
There weren’t any more cheers or boos. The crowd went completely silent as no one knew what to do.
My heels shuffled over the hardwood as I tried to keep up with Alex. The brothers and guests moved aside for us as we headed for the front door.
Bret’s pained moans filled my ears, and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride for what Alex did for me.
Alex was silent all the way back to the quad, which was all right with me. There were no words to describe what happened at AKA. Though as his silence grew, so did my embarrassment about the situation. If he hadn’t shown up when he did, what would have happened to me? Would the guys have forced themselves on me? It seemed likely, and the thought made my entire body tremble.
My legs started to go numb, and I couldn’t keep walking without fear of them falling out from under me.
I pulled my hand away from Alex’s and stopped at one of the benc
hes. I sat down and hugged my arms across my chest.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“No,” I said sharply. “I’m not okay. Thanks for helping, but I can manage. I just need to sit for a minute.”
“You’re not going anywhere alone. I’m making sure you get to your room.”
I glanced up at him. “Why? Are you afraid I’ll go running back to the party like the slut I am?”
Alex winced and shook his head. “No. I know you’re not a slut, Lily. You were a virgin when we had sex.”
I dropped my head into my hands. He knew?
He sat next to me and took my hands away from my face, forcing me to look at him. I used every ounce of strength to hold back my tears.
“You’re a sweet and beautiful girl,” he said, tucking my hair behind my ears. I leaned into his touch. “I’m sure Bret told you whatever he had to to get you to come to the party.”
“He said they wanted to thank me for helping you.” Some thanks that was. “I’m such an idiot.”
“You aren’t,” he said. “Bret is a dick.”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Alex threw a punch at his best friend for me. And he still thought I was beautiful, even after all this happened.
I drew in a shaky breath and squeezed his hand. He risked everything for me, his reputation and his position in the frat. What better time to lay all the cards on the table?
“Will you walk me inside?” I asked.
“Of course,” he said, helping me up from the bench. My legs were stronger, but instead of aching, they were like jelly. Was I really going to do this?
Amber was out with a group of her friends that night. I was so happy that she hadn’t begged me to come to the party. After what happened at the previous parties, she told me that she was “over them”. After telling her what happened earlier, I hoped she’d be over them for good.
I invited Alex into my room and brought him over to my bed. My stomach swooped, and my insides warmed. It was strange having him in my private space.
We sat down, and I took his strong hands in mine. “Alex, I have to tell you something.”
“What is it?” he asked, his gaze darting across my face. “Did Bret hurt you?”
I shook my head. “I like you. Which is why I thought that it was best to avoid you.”
He scooted closer to me. “Wouldn’t you want to be near someone who you liked?”
“I know your reputation as a fraternity president. You’re popular, and all the girls want you. I didn’t want my heart broken.”
He licked his lips and slowly shook his head. “So you broke my heart instead?”
“What?”
“I feel the same way about you, Lily. Which is why I’ve been so persistent that we spend time together. I’ve never met anyone like you. And I think I’ve fallen for you.”
I choked on my words, unsure of what to say. Taking him up to my room, I intended on telling him how I felt and him turning me down. He’d tell me he was being polite in taking me home and that was it. I never expected him to fall for me too.
There wasn't much left to say. So instead, I leaned closer and pressed my mouth against his.
Chapter 19
Alex
Telling Lily everything I felt for her lifted a heavy weight from my shoulders. I’d mistook it for the pressure from my parents and passing Cost Accounting, but it was Lily who I was nervous about. Putting my feelings out there wasn’t like me, and for some reason, it felt great.
When she kissed me, I knew she felt the same. I wasn’t sure why the both of us denied it for so long. I knew our feelings were more the moment I stepped into her grandmother’s house. Why had I waited so long to confirm our feelings? It would have made the past few weeks easier, but it also gave us both insight into the best and worst of us. And I wouldn’t have traded that for the world.
I grabbed onto her waist and slung her over onto my lap. Scooting closer to the wall, I balanced her over me. I drew her down, hoping to convey my feelings for her with my feverish kisses. Every night before I went to bed, I thought of Lily naked on my sheets. Now, I wasn’t about to let her go for anything.
I ripped off my shirt and lifted hers over her head. Her hair fell over her face, and I brushed it aside before kissing her again.
Her hips ground into mine making me mad with lust. I pulled down the straps of her bra and cupped them in my hands. They were the perfect fit.
The first time we had sex, I got a little carried away too quickly. I was unable to contain myself around her with that cute outfit, and my feelings had taken over my body. Now, I wanted to take it slow and make this moment something memorable for the both of us. I wasn’t screwing around anymore. That was a part of my past. Lily was my future, whether she knew it or not, I’d make her feel it.
I slowly undressed her, taking my time, kissing every inch of her skin. She reacted to my touch, and I memorized every little sound she made when I touched her. I wanted to please her as much as she pleased me. Her eagerness was a definite turn on, and I knew even though she was inexperienced, she wasn’t at all afraid to express how she felt when I touched her.
When I couldn’t bear it any longer, I stood up and took off my clothes. I grabbed the condom from my pocket and pulled it over myself before laying back down with her. It wasn’t something I always had with me, but since our first encounter, I never met up with Lily without one. I supposed it was forward to expect her and me to come together again, but I made it my mission to get with her mentally and physically. I wanted to protect her too, so that involved a little foil protection as well.
I scooped her up in my arms. Her arms draped over my shoulders, balancing herself on my lap. I buried myself inside of her, and she dropped her head back. I captured the nape of her neck under my kisses and held her against me.
She rocked her hips, slowly at first but soon enough she built up speed. I knew the position would give her an amazing orgasm and I wanted to show her how great sex could be. She had a lot to learn, and I wanted to be her tutor for a change. Her reactions made me build to the climax quicker than I anticipated. And since she was so eager, we both came together this time, the waves of pleasure crashing over us, rippling through our bodies.
“I never knew it could feel like that,” she said, pressing her forehead against my shoulder.
I held her close to me, not wanting to let her go just yet. We’d never been so close before, and I needed to gather some strength from her to ask the question that weighed on my mind for some time.
When we finally broke apart, we snuggled face to face on her bed our limbs tangled together. I didn’t bother with blankets since a crazy amount of heat radiated off our bodies.
I took her hands in mine and drew them up to my lips, kissing each one of them.
Her eyes crinkled in the corners as she smiled.
I couldn’t foresee her reaction, but I didn’t want to delay it much further. My nerves got the best of me around her, solidifying my feelings. She made me want to be someone better, someone that could deserve her.
She twisted around and pressed her body against mine. She rubbed her ass against my crotch, and I started to become aroused once more.
I inhaled the scent of her hair, feeling more content than I ever did in my entire life. I stroked her hair and pressed my lips against her head. This is where I wanted to be. My decision was made, and I didn’t know why I hadn’t made it sooner.
“Lily?”
“Hm?”
“I want to ask you something.”
She twisted her neck, so she faced me again.
I traced the line of her jaw with my finger. “Will you be my girlfriend?”
A slow smile spread across her lips. She turned around completely and kissed me. “Yes.”
I let out a breath, wanting to be completely honest and open with her from here on out. “I’m going to quit the fraternity and concentrate on graduating with high marks.”
“Sounds like a plan.�
�� She sounded more relieved than I felt. It wouldn’t have been fair to her for me to continue. Bret would be the stereotypical president that the fraternity wanted. There was no reason for me to party all the time and seek out girls when I had the one I wanted at arm's length.
“I want you in my life more than as a tutor,” I said, wanting to be clear on my intention. “I want us to build a life together.”
“Alex,” she said. “That’s exactly what I want as well.”
I pulled her close and kissed her, feeling the weight of my decision lift away from the perfect union we created together.
Chapter 20
Lily
Frank Sinatra’s “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” played over the speakers in the lobby of Grandma’s new home. Alex and I walked hand in hand to the front desk to request entry to see her.
We went up to her room, a place we knew quite well. Even though it wasn’t close to the campus, Alex and I helped her move into her new apartment and had visited every weekend since. She said she’d wait until after the New Year, to save me from having Christmas elsewhere, but I realized that this was her life now and I made my own with Alex. If she wanted to move then I wouldn’t put up any more of a fight.
Alex kissed me on the nose before I knocked on her door. A sliver of pleasure coiled around my stomach as I leaned into him.
The door opened, and Alex and I said, “Merry Christmas!” I displayed her gift in my hands. I brought her a snow globe from a local shop near campus to remind her of me.