24. Will
WILL
I’ve just finished sending off my application to the final internship on the list Professor Moreno gave me when my phone buzzes with a message.
Can you please meet me at Alpha Sigma Psi house tonight?
My heart leaps into my throat the second I see that the message is from Priestley.
He’s asking to meet me. He’s saying please? Wait, why is it at a frat house?
Can you come over here? We need to talk.
I know. I want you to meet my fraternity brothers.
Can you come?
I hesitate before typing out a reply.
Sure. What time?
I’ve never stepped foot anywhere near a frat house before.
It’s a wake-up call when the Uber lets me out near Greek Row.
A bunch of people are milling around on the lawn of Priestley’s old house.
I get the sinking feeling that this is a costume party, especially when I walk up to the door and am stopped by a couple of freshmen kids in stormtrooper costumes.
“This is an invite-only party,” one of them says.
“I was invited.”
“Who by?” These kids are enjoying their authority way too much.
“By the president.”
“Nate?”
Who’s Nate? Is that the Nathan that Priestley’s always talking about?
“No, the old one.”
“Let him in.” I recognize Priestley’s voice right away and it sends a tingle down my spine.
The stormtroopers turn their heads, one of them leaning into the other and whisper shouting, “Shit, that’s Priestley Rosenthal.”
The stormtroopers step aside and I see Priestley standing there in a shirt, blazer and smart pants. The expression on his face is soft and vulnerable.
“Hi,” he says.
“Hey.”
I follow him into the house, noting the opulence of the chandeliers and huge ass rooms.
He leads me through to the back of the house where some people are hanging around in the kitchen.
“Will, this is Nathan—sorry, I mean, Nate.”
Nate’s one of those preppy guys with a floppy haircut and a boy-next-door smile. I’m guessing he doesn’t always wear a Yoda onesie. He shakes my hand and tells me it’s nice to meet me.
“Nice Yoda costume,” I say.
“Thanks!” He beams. “It’s for Ben—the birthday boy. He should be around here somewhere.”
Nate grabs a guy walking past and pulls him in tight to his side. “This is my boyfriend, Evan. Evan, this is Will O’Reilly.”
Nate grins when he says my name. What has Priestley been saying about me?
I shake Evan’s hand. I have no clue what his costume is supposed to be. Some sort of Jedi, I think? He kind of looks like he’d bite my head off if I asked, so I keep my mouth shut.
“This is Archer and Miles,” Priestley points out a couple more guys and they stare at me like I’m an alien. Is this the first time Priestley’s brought a non-frat friend here?
“Let’s go outside,” Priestley says, leading me gently by the elbow. “It’s quieter out there.”
The garden is big and neatly mown. A shabby wooden building in the corner the only thing marring the landscape.
Priestley looks nervous before saying, “Thank you for coming tonight.”
“What’s going on?” I ask. All I really want to do is put my hand on his face and check in on him, but I don’t have a fucking clue what’s going on between us.
“I was worried when I didn’t hear from you.
” I swallow, needing to know that he didn’t screw me over, begging whoever’s in charge of the universe that this isn’t what’s happening here. “How did things go with your dad?”
“I’m sure you know by now,” he says, lowering his head. “Father gave me the internship over you, even though you won it fair and square.”
My heart races in my ears. “I know.”
“Who told you?”
“Professor Moreno.”
“She probably hates me again,” he huffs.
“I’m sure she knows it’s not your fault, right?” My stomach twists, waiting for him to confirm that he didn’t orchestrate this. He wouldn’t throw me under the bus, not now. “You didn’t know your dad was going to do that.” Right?
“Of course I didn’t.”
My whole body sighs with relief.
“But, Will, it’s time for me to start taking accountability. I’ve been a fool for thinking I’ve never been given an unfair advantage. Just because I work hard, doesn’t mean—”
“Priestley.” I put my hands on his shoulders and try to stop him from spiraling, but his face drops as soon as I say his name.
“You’re not calling me Rosie anymore.”
“I thought you hated that.”
He raises his gaze to meet mine. He looks almost shy. I can’t help but stroke his cheek with my thumb.
“Talk to me, Rosie,” I say.
A smile ghosts his lips.
“Why are you so sad?”
He looks up at me through his dark lashes. “Because I love you and you hate me.”
My breath catches.
“What did you just say?”
He squirms, but stays where he is, forcing himself to hold my gaze.
“I said, I love you, but you—”
Before he can say the next bit, I lower my head until our faces are close enough for me to press my lips to his. He sighs into my mouth, like he’s been waiting an age for this to happen.
He grips my shirt tight while I kiss him, slow and deep, enjoying the little whimper he lets out when my tongue starts massaging his. I force myself to pull away and look in his eyes.
“I do not hate you. Nowhere near,” I tell him.
He nods hesitantly.
My heart pounds as I look at him, my hands either side of his face, my thumb stroking his cheek.
“Baby,” I say, feeling my chest expand. “I love you, too.”
His lips crash into mine with such intensity our teeth clash. I laugh through the kiss but doesn’t stop kissing me.
I’m pressing him against the wall, my hands under his shirt, when someone comes outside. “Oh, shit,” they say. By the time I turn around, they’re gone.
“Who was that?” I ask.
Prestley’s looking at me like he’s drunk. “Who was what?”
I laugh, pressing my lips against his neck. “Shall we go back to the party? I haven’t even met this Ben guy yet and I’ve crashed his birthday.”
Priestley groans. “In a minute. I’d rather stay out here with you for a while.”
He grabs my face and pulls me in for another kiss.
“So bossy,” I manage before he crushes his lips against mine so hard I can barely breathe.
By the time I manage to drag Priestley back to the party, people are slow-dancing in the living room to a Lana Del Rey song.
“That’s Ben.” Priestley points to a dark-haired guy dancing with his arms around a tall guy in an elaborate Yoda costume.
Nate comes to stand beside us.
“Who’s dancing with Ben?” Priestley asks.
“That’s Elias.”
“And you’re just going to let him go back to someone who broke his heart?”
I smile. Priestley’s protective side is hot.
“They sorted it out,” Nate says. “Couples have fights. It’s all about how you deal with them that matters.”
He gives us a pointed look and I feel my collar get suddenly tight.
Priestley opens his mouth to say something, but Nate interrupts him. “Ben’s an adult. He doesn’t need us babying him.”
Priestley shuts his mouth again. “I suppose you’re right,” he says with a sigh.
We watch Ben dance with Yoda for a while before it gets weird. He does look happy—really happy. Like no one exists to him right now except that super tall guy in a ridiculous costume. I think about dragging Priestley out to dance, too, when he spots someone and his face changes.
“Come with me,” he says, dragging me by the arm through to the hallway.
“Hey, Jamie.”
A timid-looking guy in glasses turns at the sound of Priestley’s voice.
“Hey, I didn’t know you were coming tonight.” Jamie’s glance keeps flickering nervously to a lanky blond guy standing next to him.
“Nice to see you again, Travis,” Priestley says.
“You too, sir.”
I hold in a laugh at the ‘sir.’ Priestley turns to me.
“Jamie, I want you to meet Will.”
Jamie holds his hand out and I shake it. “Nice to meet you, Will.”
“Jamie, can I talk to you in private for a moment, please?” Priestley says.
My heart races. Is he gonna tell his brother about us?
Jamie nods, glancing at his friend.
“I’m good,” Travis says.
“Maybe you can keep me company?” I suggest.
We watch Priestley and Jamie walk into the kitchen together before disappearing outside.
PRIESTLEY
Now the moment is actually here, I hesitate.
“What’s wrong?” Jamie asks. “You’ve been acting weird for ages now.”
“Will is my boyfriend.”
He blinks at me behind his glasses.
“Say something.”
“Oh.”
“Jamie?”
“What do you want me to say? I’m sorry. I didn’t even know you were gay. You’re so private.”
“Well, I want that to change. I want us to have a relationship, a real brotherly relationship. One where we can tell each other things, trust each other.”
His face softens. “I want that, too.”
Everything in me leaps for joy. “Good.”
A wry smile touches his lips. “He’s hot.”
“Hey, keep your eyes off.”
He laughs.
“Jamie, about Father …”
He lowers his head.
“I promise I’ll protect you. I won’t let him take this out on you. I’ve tried for so long to hide it, for you, but—”
His head snaps up. “You hid this because of me?”
“You kind of beat me to the punch by coming out like that.”
“I’m sorry. I had no idea.”
“You don’t have to apologize. I should have been brave a long time ago. I just thought I could be everything Father wants me to be.”
I put a cautious hand on his shoulder. This time, he doesn’t flinch. “I realized I’ve been doing things all wrong recently.”
“How’d you realize that?”
My chest feels all gooey. “Will.”
He gives me a dopey smile.
I clear my throat, looking Jamie in the eye. “I’m not going to work for Father this summer.”
“Why not?” he frowns.
“I don’t want to. And I didn’t earn it.”
He shakes his head. I’m not sure if he doesn’t understand or if he’s worried about the fall-out.
“I’m sorry if this affects you, I promise I won’t let Father take it out on you, I—”
“Priestley, it’s okay. I don’t want my brother to be miserable because of me.”
I’m about to test the waters for a hug when he steps closer and puts his arms around me.
“Baby brother,” I murmur into his hair.
“You’re so weird now,” he says. “I don’t hate it, I just have to get used to it.”
I snort. “Okay, good to know.”
By the time we head back into the party, Ben is gone.
“I didn’t get to wish him a happy birthday.”
“I think his boyfriend wanted to wish him a happy birthday in private—if you know what I mean.” Archer winks.
“Yes, I get the gist, thank you.”
I spot Will chatting to Travis where we left them.
“Travis seems like a nice guy,” I say.
Jamie turns bright red. “He’s just a friend.”
“You sure?”
“He’s straight, so yes.”
I give his shoulder a sympathetic squeeze. “You know Nate was ‘straight’ when I first met him.”
Jamie looks at me with big eyes before glancing over to where Nate’s making out with Evan in the kitchen.
I catch Will’s eye and he flashes me a smile.
“I’d better get going. Are you going to be okay?”
Jamie nods. “I’m fine, stop worrying.”
It feels good to be able to claim Will and leave with him.
We walk in silence for a while down Greek Row. I let myself take it all in. The familiar houses on either side of the road. The sound of parties raging behind the tall brick walls. A car alarm blaring somewhere. “Do you miss it?” Will asks.
“Greek life?”
“Yeah, all of it.”
“Yes and no. I think it’s good for me to have a fresh start.”
Will takes my hand and intertwines his fingers with mine.
“Are we together now?” I ask, my mouth dry.
“That ball’s always been in your court.”
“Why?”
Will shrugs. “It’s a bigger deal to you, with your family and everything.”
“What will your family think of us?”
He smiles. “I think they’ll love it.”
“Just as long as you’re happy, right?”
He stops, pulling me up short. “Priestley, I’m sorry your parents didn’t give you that. But it looks like you’ve got a chance to make it right with your brother.”
“I know.”
“And you can have as much of my family as you want. The more, the merrier.”
I step close enough to press my lips to his. Greedily inhaling his familiar scent and the warmth of his big, strong body.
All this talk of his family makes me think about that conversation I had with his mom. How worried she was about him.
“I don’t want you to work so hard,” I murmur against his mouth. “You don’t have to take care of everybody.”
He steps away and looks down at his shoes.
“My parents went bankrupt paying for my ma’s treatment.”
“Oh.”
“They had to remortgage the house and everything.”
“Didn’t she have health insurance? What about your dad? Isn’t he a local hero?”
“You know that’s not how the world works, Priestley. Of course they had health insurance. It wasn’t enough. She almost died. She was sick for two years. We were desperate. Experimental treatments, surgery, chemo. You name it, we tried it. It worked. But it cost everything they had.”
“Will, I’m so sorry.”
He strokes my hair. For once, I feel like my response to something vulnerable and emotional was the correct one—the natural one.
“Thanks, baby. But do you see why I have to help them out? Why I need this degree, a good internship?”
“Shit. Why didn’t you tell me this before?”
“Because what would it have changed? Even if you stepped aside and let me win—which I didn’t want you to do by the way—I still wouldn’t have won the internship. That internship was never meant for anyone but you.”
I feel my face get hot and drop my gaze to my shoes.
“Hey,” Will lifts my chin until I’m looking at him. “You didn’t know. And you have earned a lot of what you’ve got in life.”
I scoff.
“You have. Don’t discard everything you’ve achieved because you might have had a helping hand here and there. You’re still smart as fuck, you still work harder than most people I know.”
“Not harder than your parents.”
“No, probably not.” He pulls me in until my face is pressed against his chest.
“I want to help,” I say against his shirt.
“You don’t have to.”
“I know I don’t have to,” I tell him. “I want to. I don’t want you to have to do this alone.”
He holds me, stroking my back. I think it might be comforting him just as much as it’s comforting me.
“Rosie?” he says after a while.
I don’t even try to hide how giddy it makes me.
“Hm?”
“Do you think I could get you to rethink the dibs policy?”
“What?” I break free from the embrace enough to look up at him.
“That first day we met, at the library.”
“I remember it.” I cringe, thinking about how much of a grade-A dick I was to him.
“You said you don’t operate under the dibs policy.”
“That’s right.”
“Well, could you rethink that position, maybe? So I can call dibs on something?”
I try to tamper the stupid grin threatening to split my face. The swoopy feeling anticipating what he’s going to say.
“I’ve heard about how possessive hockey players can be. Want me to wear your jersey and write your name on all my notebooks?”
“That’s rude, Rosie. You’re making assumptions again. I was just gonna ask you to let me borrow the next book you steal on the first day of class.”
“Oh.”
He ruffles my hair before pulling me in close. His sexy, masculine smell overtaking me.
“And I wanted to call dibs on you.”