Page 41 of Kings of the Campus

I close the door, slumping against it as my body goes limp, tears slipping down my cheeks. My mind races back to the test, to the two pink lines, to the reality that’s now unavoidable.

I’m pregnant. And one of them—Devin, Jace, or Alec—is the father.

My mind is in a whirlwind. I feel sick again, nausea rising inside me and forcing me to my feet, racing for the trash can as I heave into it, releasing the contents of my stomach for the third time today.

I can’t do this. There’s no way I can have a freakingbaby. I’m a college student, studying journalism. That’s not exactly the most lucrative career, and I have very little support.

My parents were older when they had me. My mother died of cancer when I was in high school, and my father is elderly now. I was the only child of only children and I’m more or less alone in the world.

Deciding that I’m not going to figure this out in one night, I fall into an uneasy sleep.

The next day, I head to Dr. Ava’s office, hoping for some guidance. The cold winter air does little to distract me from the turmoil I’m feeling.

I knock softly and enter, finding her behind her desk, her black suit looking impeccably crisp.

“Good morning, Tessa,” she says, looking up with a warm smile. “What brings you here today?”

“Good morning, Dr. Ava,” I reply, trying to steady my voice. “I need to talk. Is this a good time?”

“Of course,” she gestures to the chair. “Please, have a seat.”

I sit down, struggling to find the right words. “So I recently found out that I’m pregnant. I’ve felt completely overwhelmed. Am I even going to be able to finish my studies? I’m only a couple semesters from graduation but this is just so overwhelming,” I admit.

“That sounds tough,” Dr. Ava says, nodding and reaching out to give my hand a sympathetic squeeze. “What do you want to do?”

“I don’t know. If I keep the baby, I want to continue in school, but I’m worried about managing everything.”

Dr. Ava leans forward slightly. “Just take everything one step at a time, Tessa. You’re the smartest, most determined student I’ve worked with in a long time. You can do whatever you put your mind to, I know that. There are plenty of resources on campus and I’m always here if you need help.”

My shoulders sag in relief. Dr. Ava is the closest thing to a maternal figure I have in my life and if she thinks I’m capable, then I know I can do it. Even if I’m not sure of what I’m doing for now, I feel much better after talking to her.

As I leave, another thought occurs to me—the feud between me and the Sigmas could become a big problem if I don’t nip things in the bud right now.

I’m just going to have to start avoiding them from now on. That’s all they’ve wanted, right? For me to stay out of their way? Well, looks like they’re getting their wish.

I start walking toward the library to do some studying when I notice Alec in the corner of my eye. He doesn’t see me yet, so I decide to head in the opposite direction.

But luck doesn’t seem to be on my side because I glance back to see that he’s spotted me, and he’s started to follow me.

Shit. What does he want now?

25

DEVIN

Iwake up the next day, my stomach a bundle of nerves. I arranged to meet with the dean this morning but I still have no idea what this all might be about.

I’ve braced myself for the worst news, fully expecting some kind of retaliation from Tessa against us, maybe even finding out that we’ve lost our charter.

I walk into the dean’s office, trying not to throw up, and take a seat outside, waiting for his assistant to wave me in.

Dean Harrison stands at the doorway, a smile on his face. “Mr. Cash, come in,” he says, his tone calm. “Please, have a seat.”

I sit down, trying to steady my nerves. “What’s this about, Dean Harrison? Is there a problem?”

The dean shakes his head, still smiling. “No, not at all. I brought you in because I wanted to talk to you, Mr. Cash. You’re the fraternity risk management chair, correct?”

I nod, wondering where he’s going with this.