Page 91 of Lords of the Campus

Levi's eyes soften as he looks at me. “Yeah, you should know, Lyric… You're not just Eli's mom to us, you're our everything.”

Tears well up in my eyes as their words sink in, the weight of my fears lifting. I squeeze Zane's hand, a small smile breaking through. “Thank you, guys. I needed to hear that.”

As we finish dinner and clean up, my heart feels lighter. Later, after putting Eli to bed and spending time making gentle love to each other, they bring up my worries again.

“Why is it you think we don’t want to be with you?” Archer asks, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. He’s curled up in front of me, with Levi’s warmth pressing into me from behind. “Is it stress from finals or is something else going on?”

I sigh. “Maybe finals are stressing me out, but I guess I worry that if I don’t have you guys, I don’t know what I have.”

Levi’s lips twitch upward, glancing at his brothers. “Should we tell her?” he asks.

My forehead creases. “Tell me what?”

“We should probably tell her,” Zane agrees.

“Tell me what?” I ask again, agitation growing. “What’s going on?”

“We should definitely tell her,” Archer says, nudging my face toward him. “The Panhellenic Gala is on Friday.”

“What does that have to do with anything?” I ask, my face a mix of confusion and curiosity.

“We want to take you,” Zane says, reaching out to take my hands in his. “Actually, we’d likeyouto take us,” he amends.

“Me take you?” Now I’m more confused than ever.

“We nominated you for Fraternity Sister of the Year,” Archer says, smoothing his hand over my cheek.

“That’s sweet,” I say, remembering how they mentioned that in the disciplinary hearing. “So I’m one of the nominees?”

Archer and his brothers exchange amused looks. “Actually, Lyric, you’re the winner,” he reveals, making my heart stutter to a stop.

“What? How?” I ask, confused again.

“All the work you did with volunteering for us, helping with the car wash, the toy drive and the bake sale over Spring Break. Not to mention how you stepped up and helped organize all those girls to come forward and bring complaints against the members of Sigma Theta who assaulted them. You won.”

“That’s incredible,” I say, warmth flooding my heart. “I don’t get what that has to do with what I said, though.”

Levi leans down and kisses the top of my head. “Baby, the nominees were put to a vote. You were voted as Sister of the Year by a landslide. So many people were impressed by all you did and you have way more supporters and admirers than you realize.”

My heart feels so full that it might burst in my chest. “You’re serious?” I ask, my voice going squeaky. “I can’t believe it! You’re not joking?”

“No jokes, no pranks,” Archer assures me. “You made a huge impact on the school. You deserve this win. Even if you didn’t have us, you’d have tons of people who would befriend you in a heartbeat, who would stand by your side after all you did for them. You’re not alone anymore, baby.”

I reach out and hug them tightly, tears falling down my cheeks. “I’m so happy. Things have changed so much for me. I wouldn’t have gotten there if it wasn’t for your support. Thank you guys.”

“So, what do you say?” Levi murmurs against my neck. “Will you take us to the Panhellenic Gala, Songbird?”

I giggle, warmth blooming inside me. “Yes!” I say, pulling Archer and Zane in for quick kisses before twisting to kiss Levi as well. “Absolutely. I can’t wait to tell Valencia.”

She and I had become closer after working together to take down the Sigmas. It was nice having a friend. She had even introduced me to some of her other sorority sisters. We had a study group for chemistry every Thursday evening.

Finals come and go, and then evening of the Panhellenic Gala is finally upon us, excitement palpable. Annie is at the frat house to watch Eli for the night while the boys and I get ready, buzzing with anticipation.

I slip into my dress—a sleek, floor-length gown in a deep ocean blue that complements my eyes and fits like a glove. As I adjust the straps and smooth the fabric, I can't help but feel a flutter of nerves and excitement.

When I step out of Levi’s bedroom, the boys' reactions are immediate and unanimous. Archer's jaw drops, Zane's eyes widen and Levi lets out a low whistle.

“Wow, Lyric,” Archer says, his voice filled with awe. “You look gorgeous, baby.”

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