He reached out and brushed away an errant tear and my eyes drifted shut at the soft touch.
“The things I said to you at Delta were unforgiveable, but I’m going to ask you to forgive me anyway, because this last week has been the worst of my life. I don’t know how I got through the first twenty-one years without you, but now that I know what being with you is like, I can’t be without you.”
“I’ve missed you, too,” I admitted, because, yeah, I was totally caving.
“My brothers are the only people who have ever loved me in my life, so I didn’t know what it looked like coming from you. I didn’t trust my heart, but rather listened to the skeptical part of my brain, and did a disservice to us both.”
Yup, I was full-on crying now.
“If you’ll give me another shot, I promise to never make assumptions, never eavesdrop on conversations and believe the worst. I’ll talk to you, about everything … about so much you’ll beg me to stop being so open, but I won’t listen. I’ll allow myself to experience your love, and I’ll show you mine in return. Because, although I may be a novice, I’m a quick learner, and I swear I’ll love you better than anyone has before me, or ever will after.”
“Ridge,” I managed, my voice shaking.
“Can you ever forgive me?” he asked, his face full of fear.
I’d never seen Ridge afraid of anything, and it was his vulnerability that did it.
“Yes, I can,” I began, taking a deep breath to steady myself before adding, “But, you really hurt me, Ridge. And, although I know it’s unrealistic to think we won’t hurt each other, I need to know you’re not going to go rogue like that again. Talk to me … that’s all I ask.”
“I promise.”
“Okay … I forgive you, and, Ridge, I love you, too, even when you’re an idiot.”
Ridge pulled me into his arms and hugged me tightly.
“What about when I’m a dick?” he asked against my hair.
“Even then.”
“What about…”
“Don’t push it,” I said with a laugh, reaching up to pull him down for a kiss.
It started slow, sweet, a little desperate, and quickly became heated. We expressed how much we missed each other through our lips, the touch of his hand on my lower back, the squeeze from mine on his perfectly formed ass.
“Well, that escalated quickly,” Wes said from behind us, causing us to break the kiss.
I dropped my head against Ridge’s chest and laughed.
“Hey, does this mean we can open the presents now?” Mina asked.
I shifted to see both of them standing at the end of the hall, watching us with smiling faces.
“You never opened them?” Ridge asked.
I looked up at him and shook my head. “I wasn’t ready,” I admitted.
“Are you ready now?” Mina asked hopefully.
“Sure, let’s do it,” I said, taking Ridge’s hand in mine as we followed Wes and Mina into our apartment.
As soon as we were all in the kitchen, Mina picked up a bag and thrust it at me.
“Here, this one’s the heaviest,” she said.
I reached in, wishing I’d opened these before, because I was a bit embarrassed opening them in front of Ridge and Wes. I’d never been the kid who liked to be the center of attention and open all of her birthday presents at her party.
“Oh my God, you didn’t,” I exclaimed, embarrassment forgotten as I pulled out a framed signed Thirty Seconds to Mars C.D. and album cover. “Where did you find this?”
“I’ll never tell,” Ridge said with a grin, obviously pleased at my excitement.
“Now I need to know what’s in the rest,” Mina said, shoving presents at me.
Other than the flowers, Ridge hadn’t given me any of the traditional presents I’d expected. There was no jewelry or candy, instead I had a new softball glove, a cookbook with a Philly cheesesteak on the cover, an old Wayne’s World DVD, some scrunchies, and…
“What’s this?” I asked, holding up a piece of paper.
“It’s the logon and password to your new Spotify account. I made you a playlist.”
“Like … a mixtape?” I asked, reaching for my phone so I could sign out and log in to the new account.
Ridge was quiet as I scrolled down the playlist.
When I was done, I leaned into him and placed my hand over his heart.
“For someone who claims not to know about love, you sure know how to make a girl swoon. It’s perfect.”
“I figured I can keep adding to it, whenever I hear something that reminds me of you. You should have over a million songs, before it’s all said and done.”
“I’m gonna love you so hard,” I promised.
“I’ll hold you to it.”
Epilogue
“We’re so glad you all came to help us celebrate tonight. These guys have been working hard and tirelessly to fulfill all of the duties as pledge and become full-fledged members. And, now, I’m happy to introduce you to the newest Deltas…”
We were once again at Delta house, this time to be there for Wes as he joined Ridge as a Delta brother.
“Do you think Brody will want to pledge next year?” I asked Ridge, who was in his usual spot, perched on a wall in the living room.
He looked so handsome with his blue button down making his eyes pop, and sporting a new closely shaven beard. If anything, the beard made him look manlier, and sexier, and it felt wonderful when he was between my thighs.
But, I digress…
“I think so,” Ridge said, his hand moving down to cup my ass. “Honestly, I’ll just be happy he’s here, no matter whether he decides to rush or not. It’ll be great to see him more.”
“Is Wes still planning to move into the house?”
“Yeah, I was thinking of telling him he could have my room,” he replied.
“Really? Like you’ll share?” I asked, having a hard time picturing Ridge with a roommate, even if it was his brother.
It would definitely put a wrench in our alone time if he did … oh well, we’d just spend more nights at my place.
“No,” Ridge laughed. “I was thinking of moving out altogether, maybe getting a place with my girlfriend.”
My mouth dropped open as I looked up at him. “What? You want to move in together?”
My stomach was a flutter with nerves and something else … excitement maybe?
“If you’ll say yes, absolutely. I was thinking we could get a little house off campus, or maybe a condo. I don’t know yet, but if you’re game I’ll start looking tomorrow.”
“A house or a condo?”
I knew I was repeating everything he said, but I couldn’t help it, I was completely surprised.
Ridge chuckled and brought his hand up to cup my cheek.
“A house, condo, apartment, treehouse … it really doesn’t matter to me, as long as you’re there with me.”
Oh, boy.
“Okay, but it has to be something affordable, so that I can pitch in. You’re not going to be my sugar daddy,” I insisted.
“We’re going to find somewhere safe, in a good neighborhood, no matter the cost,” Ridge argued, and I was about to put my foot down when he said, “That part is non-negotiable. I won’t move you somewhere unless I’m sure you’ll be safe. But, we can work it out where you pay utilities, or groceries. I know you want to contribute, but, babe, you do. It’s not just about money.”
“I know that,” I said, and I did … still, “I don’t want it to seem like I’m taking advantage.”
“To whom?” Ridge asked. “Because, you and I know you’re not, and no one else fucking matters, so…”
I smiled, because, he was right. No one who mattered would even worry about who was paying our rent. Not my family, or his brothers. But, I couldn’t help but worry about his parents and what they thought, even if he didn’t.
But, since they hadn’t even contacted him in the time I’d known him, I needed to trust his judgement an
d not take their opinions into consideration.
It made me sad, but it also made me love him that much more.
Because … he deserved it. We both did.
Ridge’s Playlist
Happier by Ed Sheeran
Be Alright by Dean Lewis
Come As You Are by Nirvana
The Kill by Thirty Seconds to Mars
Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen
All of Me by John Legend
Eastside by Halsey, Khalid, and Benny Blanco
Sucker by Jonas
When the Party’s Over by Billie Eilish
* * *
Want to learn more about Ridge’s sisters? Check out the Three Sisters Catering Trilogy. Starting with A Pinch of Salt.
* * *
Curious about how Karrie’s parents got together? Read their story in Indelible.
Frat House Confessions: Wes
Prologue
* * *
“So, how does this work?” I asked Papi, Delta’s Treasurer and resident advice giver.
“Well, some of the guys like to play up the priest angle, while others come in and lay on my couch like I’m a damn therapist. Personally, I’d rather you just lay out your issue and we’ll move forward from there,” Papi replied, glancing at me briefly before focusing on the arm curls he was currently doing. “Although, with you, little Ridge, I’m pretty sure I already know the issue.”
I masked my expression, not wanting to show my displeasure at the nickname little Ridge for fear he’d kick me out and not help me.
Papi, real name Hector, had originally planned to become a priest, hence his in-room confessional. Rumor had it that once he got old enough to realize everything he’d be missing out on by joining the priesthood, he’d devastated his parents by becoming the polar opposite.
I could attest that the ladies did go crazy over the tall, dark, and super yoked senior.
“Yeah, you do… everyone does, that’s the problem. I’ve become the butt of everyone’s jokes at Delta. I want to make it right and prove last year was a fluke, that I belong here, just like everyone else.”
It was hard, being the younger brother of the Delta President, and the guy who’d been duped by an undercover school journalist during rush.
I’d thought Trixie was my friend. We’d met in class and she’d agreed to help me out with this makeover challenge, if I agreed to teach her how to pick up chicks. That should have been my first clue. Trixie was funny, smart, and edgy in a way I’d never be, plus, she probably had more game in her little finger than I had in my whole body.
Still, it was nice to feel needed, so I’d stupidly believed what she said and we’d struck up a deal. Little did I know, it had all been bullshit. The entire time I thought we were friends, she’d been writing an expose on the competition, Delta, and Crush, the misogynistic asshole who used to be our VP.
After she and I had one the competition, she’d come clean with me, and I’d immediately told Ridge. After talking to our then President, we’d gone to talk to her and asked her to keep the Delta name out of it.
She’d agreed, but the story had still run the next week and Crush had been kicked out of Delta.
I hadn’t spoken with her since.
Papi placed the weights on the floor and turned his attention to me. He watched me quietly, and if I hadn’t seen him do the same countless times when he was thinking, I’d have been freaked out by the directness of his stare.
Papi intimidated the shit out of me. But then, most of the high ranked Delta’s did.
After a few moments, he snapped his fingers and said, “The way I see it, you have two options.”
I leaned forward, resting my forearms on my knees and said eagerly, “I’m listening.”
“Either, you can bring her around, show her how wrong she was about the guys and the frat, and let the guys get to know her, too. Let them see why you trusted her, and have her come clean, tell them you had no idea what she was about.”
I really didn’t think she would go for that, so I asked, “What’s the other option?”
“A little quid pro quo… make her fall in love with you, hard, then dump her.”
I blinked, cause that sounded pretty harsh. I didn’t say that though, lord knew the Papi already thought I was a pussy… instead I shook my head and said, “I’m pretty sure she’s still dating someone, a girl. I mean, she is bi, but I don’t think she’s the kind of guy she’d go for.”
“So, become that guy, Wes. She’ll never see you coming.”
I pursed my lips, not really sure if either option would work.
Papi stood up, grabbed a towel and wiped it over his head and face.
“If you want the guys to stop harassing you, and be seen as someone other than little Ridge, the guy who let a reporter into our midst, these are your best options. As with any penance, it’s up to you to follow through and do the work. Now, I’m gonna hit the showers.”
I got to my feet.
“Thanks, Papi, I’ll take what you said into consideration.”
“Wes,” he called when I was almost to the door.
I turned back and he said, “Who you are, how you’re perceived, and how your college experience plays out is completely up to you. You’re in charge of your own destiny. You can do this, bro, I have faith in you.”
“Thanks, Papi,” I replied and walked out, shutting the door behind me.
I didn’t think I could get her to come hang out at Delta, not after reading that article. It was pretty obvious she hated frats and thought any guy in one was a complete asshole. Plus, I didn’t see the guys welcoming her with open arms. Still, that seemed more plausible than getting her to fall in love with me.
Shit, I thought, feeling bummed that Papi’s advice hadn’t been some magical cure that fixed everything.
I guess I had some more thinking to do, and Papi was right about one thing, the only person who could fix this mess I’d landed in, was me.
* * *
Available Now!
About the Author
Bethany Lopez is a USA Today Bestselling author of more than thirty books and has been published since 2011. She's a lover of all things romance, which she incorporates into the books she writes, no matter the genre.
When she isn't reading or writing, she loves spending time with family and traveling whenever possible.
Bethany can usually be found with a cup of coffee or glass of wine at hand, and will never turn down a cupcake!
To learn more about upcoming events and releases, sign up for my newsletter.
www.bethanylopezauthor.com
[email protected]
* * *
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Also by Bethany Lopez
Contemporary Romance:
A Time for Love Series
Prequel - 1 Night
8 Weeks
21 Days
42 Hours
15 Minutes
10 Years
3 Seconds
7 Months
For Eternity - Novella
Night & Day - Novella
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The Lewis Cousins Series
Too Tempting
Too Complicated
Too Distracting
Too Enchanting
Too Dangerous
* * *
Three Sisters Catering Trilogy
A Pinch of Salt
A Touch of Cinnamon
A Splash of Vanilla
* * *
Frat House Confessions
Frat House Confessions: Ridge
Frat House Confessions: Wes
Frat House Confessions: Brody
* * *
Romantic Comedy/Suspense:
Cupcakes Series
Always Room for Cupcakes
Cupcake Overload
Lei’d with Cupcakes
Cupcake Explosion
> Lei’d in Paradise - Novella
* * *
Women’s Fiction:
More than Exist
Unwoven Ties - Newsletter Exclusive
* * *
Short Stories:
Contemporary:
Christmas Come Early
Harem Night
Reunion Fling
An Inconvenient Dare
* * *
Fantasy:
Leap of Faith
Beau and the Beastess
* * *
Cookbook:
Love & Recipes
Love & Cupcakes
* * *
Children’s:
Katie and the North Star
* * *
Young Adult:
Stories about Melissa – series
Ta Ta for Now!
xoxoxo
Ciao
TTYL
With Love
Adios
* * *
Young Adult Fantasy:
Nissa: a contemporary fairy tale
* * *
New Adult:
Friends & Lovers Trilogy
Make it Last
I Choose You
Trust in Me
* * *
Indelible
Frat House Confessions--Ridge Page 15