“Nothing.”Ben has a crush on Nate.
My heart sinks. Ben may be my competition, but I wouldn’t wish unrequited love on anyone.
Joelle’s still looking at me so I change the subject.
“What are you doing here, anyway?”
“What do you mean?”
I look her up and down in her Doc Martens and baggy jeans while she gives me a challenging stare.
I was always taught that honesty is the best policy, so I just say what I’m thinking. “You don’t look like you’re in a sorority.”
“Fuck you,” she says without venom. “My cousin Annabeth is the Zeta Tau big wig. I’m only here to get my momma off my back about being more ‘social’ or whatever.”
“Ah.”
“Happy now?”
“Very,” I deadpan.
Nate’s been keeping an eye on me during my interaction with Joelle, his face getting redder by the second. He leans in to say something to his boyfriend before weaving his way through the crowd. If he’s angry with me because he thinks I’m flirting with Joelle, then Nate has a very loose definition of flirting.
“Elias, can I talk to you please?” He’s talking like he’s gritting his teeth.
“Is he in trouble?” Joelle asks.
I like her.
“Of course not.” Nate puts on a big smile. I’m sure most women would go weak-kneed at the sight of it. It’s quite disarming. It doesn’t work on Joelle.
“He’s not trying to hit on me,” she says. “I have a boyfriend who could snap him like a twig. And I’m pretty sure there was no Rohypnol in that drink he gave me.”
I step on her toe to shut her up. Not too hard. Call it a reflex from having a little sister who is always trying to get me into trouble.
“Oh, here’s my man now. See you later, Elias.”
Joelle scoots around Nate and meets a giant in the middle for the room. He scoops her up and kisses her.
“See,” I tell Nate, nodding at them. “I wasn’t hitting on her.”
Nate opens his mouth to say something.
I could have more fun with him, but it seems cruel at this point. Plus, he looks like he’s trying so hard to be authoritative. “Anyway.” I shrug. “I’m gay. So, you don’t have to worry.”
His mouth stays open for a second before he speaks. “Oh, well … that’s cool?—”
“I know that. Aren’tyougay?”
“Bi … but, right, yeah, we’re inclusive—on the team, but also in the fraternity.”
“I don’t want to join your fraternity.”
His cheeks get red again. “I wasn’t asking you to. It’s actually quite a long and difficult process, you have to rush, then we have to decide if you’re a good fit and extend a bid….”
I could have stopped him a while ago, but this time I was enjoying myself too much, watching him get worked up.
“Nate, I was joking. I know it’s a special club you have to be invited into. And I’m sure lots of people are honored to join.”
