"Stuff," Tyler repeats, looking between us with raised eyebrows. "Right."
"LGBTQIA+ terminology," I supply, because apparently my mouth works independently now. "He's learning about queer culture."
"For anthropological purposes," Gavin adds quickly.
"Anthropological," Ethan echoes, sharing a look with Tyler that speaks volumes. "Fascinating."
"Are we throwing or talking?" Drew asks, already picking up an axe. "Because I came to destroy targets, not watch Gavin die of embarrassment."
The group dynamic shifts everything. Where before it was charged and intimate, now it's loud and chaotic. They settle intolanes, immediately making it competitive because, of course, they do.
I shrink back, overwhelmed by the sudden invasion. This is why I don't do frat things. Too many big personalities, too much noise, too much?—
"Hey." Gavin appears at my elbow. "You okay?"
"Fine."
"You're doing that thing where you try to become invisible."
"I don't?—"
"You really do." He hands me an axe. "C'mon. Let's show these assholes how it's done."
"I've thrown exactly six times."
"And you're already better than Rex." He raises his voice. "Rex! Doc's gonna school you!"
"Gavin, no?—"
But Rex is already bounding over, all Red Bull energy. "Oh, you're on! Loser buys shots!"
"I don't want to?—"
"You got this," Gavin murmurs, close to my ear. "Remember what I taught you."
As if I could forget, every place he’s touched still burns.
I throw. Hit the middle ring. Rex whoops and takes his turn, missing entirely.
"How are you worse than the beginner?" Jaren laughs.
"Shut up! The lighting's weird in this lane!"
"The lighting's the same everywhere, dumbass."
And somehow I'm pulled into their orbit. Jaren's genuinely sweet, asking about my major and seeming actually interested in my research. Drew's more reserved but funny in a dry way. Rex is... Rex. He seems chaotic but harmless.
"So you're pre-med?" Jaren asks while I line up another throw.
"Trying to be. MCAT retakes are this spring."
"Brutal. My sister just went through that." He makes a sympathetic face. "She said it was worse than childbirth."
Rex calls over, "Your sister's never given birth."
"She's very dramatic." Jaren's smile tells me all I need to know about him. He's a nice guy who loves his sister.
I laugh as my axe flies straight; another middle ring.
