“It’s not exactly like we could meet on campus or anywhere in Bliss. Those people are such vicious gossips, and good girls like me must guard our reputations.”
Matt laughed.
Not for the first time did he wonder how William not only survived—but thrived—at MCU. He also wondered, again, not for the first time, what it was exactly about this pale, skinny, effeminate kid with a big head that entranced him.
“You have a nice laugh,” William said.
“Thanks.” Matt relaxed. He ate more of his burger.
“I hear mixed things about you on campus,” William said. “Bit of an exhibitionist in the bathroom, standing naked while waiting for the shower. And, what’s the deal with that Dallas Cheerleaders poster?”
Matt had started to take another bite. Instead, he put the burger down. “Are you spying on me?”
“Never, dahling.” William batted his doe eyes innocently. “If anyone is being spied upon, that would be me. You really aren’t very subtle during chapel, you know.”
Matt crossed his arms, almost hugging himself. Anger seeped into his veins, much as the sweat had soaked into his jeans. He wasn’t going to be gas-lighted into thinking that William was the victim here. There were things he wouldn’t do to finally get laid.
William speared another fry. “I told you we had to check you out before inviting you to join our little fraternity. You can pout or you can answer my questions. Pouting won’t impress our members. Now, about that exhibitionism?”
Matt stifled a smirk, took a drink of soda to hide it. Exhibitionism? That was ironic coming from a guy who only needed a scarf around his head and over-sized sunglasses to complete hisHollywood-starlet look.
“I’m not trying to get anyone’s attention,” Matt said. “Just the opposite. In my world, wearing a towel or bathrobe to a communal shower room is the odd behavior. Being naked is normal.”
William sighed longingly.
“It’s such a pity that my own soccer career was cut short before I could enjoy such pleasures.”
“Injury?” Matt asked.
“Something like that. I think they caught me pulling a muscle.”
Matt laughed. “Play your cards right, and I might sneak you into the locker room some evening for some, um, exercise.”
“What an interesting proposition for someone with a Dallas Cheerleaders poster hanging in his room,” William said. “Tell me, are you just trying to deflect suspicion? Or are you confused about which team you’re on? ‘Cuz our fraternity doesn’t cater to confused guys.”
“I’m gay,” Matt said, “which you somehow figured out at the student mixer. The poster’s just a stupid—what’s the word? Talisman?—to protect me from homophobes. Apparently, though, I need a better lock on my door to protect me from your spooks.”
William rolled his eyes. “Simmer down, Suzette. No one broke into your room. Resident Advisors have master keys to all the rooms. They regularly snoop for porn and alcohol. Never keep a journal, by the way. And before you ask: your Resident Advisor is not in our fraternity. He just has a big mouth.”
Matt sighed, slightly mollified. The anger leeched out of him.
William pointed to Matt’s unfinished food, told him to keep eating, that he would need his strength soon enough.
Matt hoped so. He wanted to get out of that jock, get down to fucking. He wolfed a bite. “Next question.”
“You haven’t even touched your fries!” William said. “You want to know why I really come here? The fries. Best in the state.”
“Next question.” Matt stuffed some fries in his mouth, had to admit they were good.
“Okay. You haven’t made any friends. Even your teammates think you’re aloof, like you’re waiting for a better option to materialize. Is that what we are to you? Plan B?”
Matt shrugged. “MCU wasn’t my first choice. I can’t imagine that it was for anyone in your fraternity. Was it yours?”
William broke eye contact. Stared into the distance. Blinked several times before answering. “No, but I’ve accepted my fate. I’m making the best of my situation.”
“I am, too,” Matt said. “Making the best of my situation, that is. I’m trying to get into your secret fraternity and also into your pants. Neither one is ‘Plan B.’”
William laughed.
