Page 62 of Puck Shots
“We should let the boy get back, Lyn,” Dad says, and Mom pulls me into a tight hug.
“We’ll be at the hotel if you need us, and our flight leaves at ten tomorrow,” she says, her grip around me tightening.
“The cab is here,” Dad says, and I give him one last squeeze before we head our separate ways. Sitting in the back of the cab on my way back to the frat, I check my watch, and a rush of cold sweeps over me. The vote would be long over by now. I check my phone, no messages from Eli. Fuck. If it was good news, he’d have messaged me, right?
My high flips to an immediate low. I scrub my palms on the fronts of my jeans, but they’re still clammy as fuck. I should just call him, but then if he’s not made it, I have to hold my shit together in the cab until I’m home. The brothers surely have seen enough in him to vote him through. He killed the knowledge quiz, has totally stepped up helping the guys whenever they ask, even times they didn’t. I rub the spot on my wrist where the lightning bolt has faded, hoping that by tracing over the lines with my finger, it will bring the same calm it does before a game, but nothing steadies my racing heart or thoughts the entire way. When the cab pulls up at the front of the frat house, I spot him right away sitting on the steps, head resting in his hands.
No fucking way.
20
Eli
I’ve never been great with crowds, and less great when the attention is all on me, so after being voted into the KOK house and finishing the rituals of admission, their term, not mine. I decided to step out and grab some air while the other successful pledges take center stage at their welcome party. The cool night air fills my lungs with each steadying breath, and as my heart slows to its regular resting rate, I lower my head on my knees and just sit in the sound of it all.
I did it. I really did it. I somehow managed to not totally screw this up. Except was it really me that did anything? I know Cosmo had more to do with me getting in than even he is letting on, and I mean more than helping me study for the frat quizzes and giving me pointers about how to get the guys on side. How many favors did he have to call in to get me through the door?
“Eli,” his voice pushes through the hum of the noise behind me, and I look up.
Cosmo’s eyes are wide, his mouth slightly open in disbelief.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, rushing to him. “Was it the dinner?”
“Didn’t you make it?” he asks, and I almost laugh.
“That’s what you’re worried about?”
“I’ll tell them to change their minds,” he says, moving past me, a fire in his eyes I usually only see when he’s playing hockey. I reach for his arm and pull him back to me.
“You don’t have t—”
“I do, they have to see they made a mistake,” he says, voice pleading.
“But they didn’t.”
He cups my face, the warmth of his palms spreading through me. I was surprised how soft his hands actually were when he first touched me and haven’t been able to get enough of that feeling since. He kisses me, staying close when he says, “They did if they didn’t see how awesome you are.”
I laugh, my hands grip the sides of his jacket, and I pull him harder against me, kissing him again before explaining.
“You’re not listening. They did let me in. They voted yes.”
His eyes widen slightly, lips turning up at the corners in a brilliant smile.
“You’re a KOK?” he asks as his hands move to grip my arms.
“I will never probably get used to saying it, but yes. I’m a…KOK.”
“You’re a KOK,” he cheers again, looping his arms all the way around my back and spinning me in place. It’s like flying while being hugged by the warmest bear in the world, and I love it.
***
“Where do you want this?” Cosmo asks, holding up my chess set.
“On the bedside table, thanks.”
“So how do you like your upgrade?”
“I don’t think sharing a room with two other guys is really that much of an upgrade. How did you score the attic when you were a pledge just like me last year?”
