Page 48 of Frat Around and Find Out

“Does this look stupid?” Ryan adjusts his bow tie in the mirror.

“I don’t think it’s the tie making you look stupid.”

“Ouch,” Ryan says. “I can tell you meant that one.”

I shake my head. “Sorry, man. I’m just annoyed about being in a rush.”

It’s not his fault, but part of me can’t help putting theblame on him for depriving me of time with Lance. And really, as much as I want to raise money for a good cause, I’d prefer to get back to that sooner rather than later.

If only we’d started this shit any other night.

Of course, life always has a way of being as inconvenient as goddamn possible.

I hate this awkwardness between Lance and me in the dressing room, both of us finishing up getting ready, not making eye contact, and I’m wondering if he also feels like if wedidmake eye contact, then suddenly Ryan will say,Oh my God, you guys were making out in your room, weren’t you?

Just act fucking cool, I tell myself.

Somehow, we manage to keep it together before the door opens and in walk Troy Locklear and Atlas McCallister, both having graduated from Peach State last year. Atlas is the one who organizes this event, and Alpha Theta Mu alum Troy Locklear is his partner. Well, partner and stepbrother, which is like a whole deal in and of itself, but stepbrothers-turned-boyfriends is an Alpha Theta Mu thing. See Colin and Ash for more info.

“Hey, guys,” Atlas says. “Just a quick heads-up about how it’ll go down. Troy will introduce each of you. He’s put together something with the info you filled out online. When the bidding takes place, you can flaunt it a bit. Try to keep your shirts on and keep it PG, but no harm in being playful with the audience.”

“Though, if you can raise money by taking your shirt off,” Troy says, “by all means.”

Atlas gives his man a playful glare as the room erupts in laughter.

Lance manages to finish getting dressed as they prep us some more, and then they lead us out. As we follow them tothe main stage, I wind up near Lance, not by coincidence, but because I’ve been inching my way closer and closer to him, even as I’ve tried to tell myself it’d be smart to keep my distance.

We crack at the same time, and his gaze meets mine, his lips curling into a smirk.

I hate that we have to get through this when all I want to do is attack that face again, but I take a breath, steadying myself.

“Okay, guys,” Troy says as he opens a door that leads backstage, “just wait in the wings until I call you out. And once the bidding ends, you’ll stay onstage with the rest of the guys until we get to the end.” He turns to Atlas. “Wish me luck, A.”

“As if you need any,” Atlas says before Troy plants a kiss on his man. It looks like he intended it to be a peck, but Atlas hooks his arm around him, keeping him close, his tongue slipping into his mouth.

It’s the sort of kiss that makes everyone quiet before Atlas pulls back and slaps Troy’s ass. “Get out there and sell some beef.”

Troy beams before heading out to the podium. His opening speech is dynamic, playful, his charisma on full display as he cracks a few jokes that get the audience laughing. While the bidding’s taking place for the first few guys, Lance and I glance at one another again, and he winks. There’s this confidence to him now, like he can read my interest so easily, unlike before when he was cautious and apprehensive.

I like this side of him.

As his gaze settles on my lips, he licks his own.

“Stop that,” I say sternly, my tone taking him by surprise as his eyes widen. “I need to behave.”

I’m playing with fire by talking like this so close to mySigma Alpha buddies, but maybe that’s part of the thrill.

“And next up, we have none other than the president of Sigma Alpha,” Troy announces from the podium.

“Looks like you’re up, Mr. Prez,” Ryan says, coming up from behind me. “Get out there and make Sigma Alpha proud.”

Lance rolls his eyes, simulating vomiting as I head out onto the stage.

Troy finishes his intro, and the whole thing is a bit wild—the bright lights, the sorority girls and frat guys losing it in the audience, and I can hardly think straight as numbers start getting called until I’m taken by a girl from Phi Kappa Lambda for two hundred dollars.

I join the other auctioned guys on the opposite side of the podium, watching as Keegan and then Ryan are given away next. They join me, and then a few more guys, before Troy says, “And last but certainly not least…”

Definitely not least.

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