We pull up in from of the Pi Beta Pi house, and Chance gets out then comes around to help me down. He shuts the door, and Aubrey rolls down her window. “We’ll see you guys in a bit.” She waves before Chance Sr. drives away.
He grabs my hand, and we head inside the house. There are people everywhere. The guys are all dressed similar to Chance, and most of the girls are in dresses so skimpy their vaginas are practically on display.
Trey and the president, Hunter, both hug me as we approach. They all exchange a hug backslap combo. We’re both handed a glass of champagne, and we clink our glasses together.
I swallow some of the bubbly liquid and look up to find three girls huddled in the corner staring daggers at me. Chance must notice the way I stiffen because he looks in their direction and rolls his eyes.
“Don’t worry about them, baby. They’re just jealous because I’ve got the hottest girl.” He kisses my neck and then hugs me tighter to his side.
Hunter’s fiancée comes over to us and immediately threads her arm through mine. “You’re Laken, right? I’m Hannah, it’s so nice to finally meet you.” She notices the girls too. “The bimbo squad doesn’t like me much either. I mean, I’m totally okay with a woman being confident with her body, flaunting what she’s got, but their outfits and attitudes just scream desperate.”
Oh, I like this girl.
Hunter asks all the brothers to head outside for a picture, so we follow sedately behind them while talking about school. She’s a communications major and is from Phoenix. Hannah is also a talker, but that’s okay because she’s sweet.
As the guys all line up for pictures, I can’t help thinking it’s a requirement to be good looking to be a member of this fraternity. Of course, my guy is the hottest of them all.
A vehicle that looks like a trolley pulls up in front of the house. “What’s that?” I ask Hannah.
She leans in. “Hunter’s dad rented the trolley for all the senior brothers and their dates.”
Chance comes over to me and wraps his arm around my waist. I smile up at him, kissing his lips. “I know we haven’t gone to the party yet, but thank you for an already incredible evening.”
His fingers ghost over my cheek. “You’re welcome, baby.”
“Seniors, let’s move. Everyone else, we’ll see you there,” Hunter shouts as he and Hannah lead the way. We get on the trolley, and I’m handed a glass of champagne in a plastic flute.
By the time we get to the Pendry, I’m a little buzzed. Chance helps me off, and we all head inside.
An hour later we’re sitting at a table with Chance and Trey’s parents, Trey, his date Beth, and a couple other couples I haven’t met.
“Do you want anything to drink?” Chance asks me as he stands.
“No, for now I’m good with water.” I better eat dinner before drinking again.
Chance’s dad stands. “I’ll come with you.”
As soon as they disappear, Aubrey slides over to sit next to. “It’s pretty exciting about Chance, isn’t it?”
I school my features, at least I try to, because he hasn’t told me anything.
“Yeah, it’s great.”
“I’m not super excited about my baby boy possibly moving to Oregon, but the possibility of him working for Nike is an incredible opportunity.”
She continues talking, but I’m not hearing a word she says. Chance could be leaving, and he hasn’t said a word to me about it … why? I don’t expect to go with him, but isn’t that something he should’ve told me?
Chance and his dad come back a few minutes later. Aubrey moves back to her seat. “You okay?” he asks. Maybe he can read me, but I’m not going to bring it up tonight. When the waiter passes behind me, I stop him and grab a glass of champagne. “I thought you didn’t want a drink?”
I shrug. “I changed my mind.” So he doesn’t suspect anything, I give him what I hope is a cheeky smile.
Chance leans in and kisses my lips. “I love when you get sassy.”
***
Chance spins me around the dance floor, and I can’t quit smiling. Maybe it’s the champagne, and maybe I’m just good at pushing stuff to the back of my mind.
“Excuse me, everyone.” Chip Jacobs, famous sports announcer and president of the fraternity in 1987, calls for everyone’s attention. “On behalf of Pi Beta Pi, I want to thank you all for coming. Being part of this fraternity was some of the best times in my life. As we celebrate two hundred years of brotherhood and tradition, I’m thankful for each and every one of you. The silent auction is ready to go, so please take a look at the items donated by alumni, local business, and current brothers. The money we raise will go toward fighting illiteracy.”
Everyone claps and then starts making their way to the tables. We hang back with Trey and Hunter. Hannah and Beth went to the bathroom and then went to the tables.
The guys are talking sports, and I glance around the room, finding Chance Sr. and Aubrey looking at some of the items. I touch Chance’s back. “I’m going to go see what’s up for bid. I’ll be right back.”
I walk across the empty dance floor toward Chance’s parents. I’m almost to them when I hear my name and freeze. “I really like Laken and that sweet little girl, but I don’t know if Chance is ready for the responsibility that comes with dating someone who has a child.”
“He’s in love with her,” Chance Sr. says.
“I know. I just worry because this is his first real relationship. Is he ready to be
