Page 105 of Trick or Treat Nurse at My Feet
"That's blackmail," Caleb sputters.
"That's brotherhood," Drew corrects. "We protect our own. Even the grumpy ones who don't know they need protecting yet."
Caleb looks at me, perhaps hoping for an ally but I just shrug my shoulders. "He did the same thing to me freshman year. Resistance is futile."
After a long moment, Caleb's shoulders slump in defeat. "Fine. Whatever. I'll be your damn pledge."
"Excellent!" Drew claps his hands together. "James, get Caleb set up with everything he needs to extract those files. Tyler, come with me for a minute."
Following Drew into the hallway, closing the doorbehind us. "Are you sure about this?" I ask quietly. "He doesn't seem like traditional frat material."
"Neither did you when you first showed up," Drew points out. "And neither is James, or half our brothers. We need more diversity, not less." He glances at the closed door. "Besides, that kid needs someone in his corner, and we need his testimony."
"Fair enough," I concede. "But he's going to be a handful."
Drew grins. "The difficult ones always make the most loyal brothers." He claps me on the shoulder. "How are you holding up?"
"I'm functioning," I reply honestly. "Better now that we have a plan."
"We'll find Ethan," he promises. "Once we have the evidence compiled, he'll have to listen."
Agreeing with a nod feels easier than voicing the desperate hope that he's right. The sooner we can present the truth to Ethan, the sooner this nightmare can end.
While James helps Caleb retrieve the evidence files, Gavin corrals me into the kitchen for a sandwich and a "status check," as he calls it. We sit at the counter, and for a few minutes, he lets me eat in peace before launching into his real agenda.
"So," he begins casually, "can I ask you something personal?"
Eyeing him warily, I pause with my sandwich halfway to my mouth. "That depends on how personal."
"It's about you and Ethan." He fidgets with his water bottle. "You don't have to answer if it's too much."
"Just ask, Gavin."
He lowers his voice, though we're alone in the kitchen. "Did you ever, you know... bottom?"
The sandwich lodges halfway down my throat, triggering a coughing fit. "Jesus, Gavin!"
"Sorry!" he says quickly, looking apologetic. "It's just, I've been wondering about... stuff. For myself." A blush creeps up his neck. "Never mind. Forget I asked."
His confession takes me by surprise. Is Gavin wondering about his own sexuality? That would explain why he's so curious about me and Ethan.
I put my sandwich down as a weary sigh escapes "We tried it," My face feels warm. "But I didn't like it very much. Ethan noticed right away and stopped, asked me to top him instead. He said he prefers that anyway."
Gavin nods thoughtfully. "So does that mean you're not really gay if you don't like... that?"
Laughter spills out despite my attempt to keep my composure. "That's exactly what I asked Ethan! He assured me that lots of gay men don't like bottoming. It's just a preference, like anything else."
"Oh," Gavin looks relieved. "That makes sense."
"Yeah, things with Ethan… it was good. Really good." My smile fades as reality crashes back. "And then he fucking dumped me without letting me explain." I look at Gavin, vulnerability leaking into my voice. "He has to know I'd never cheat on him... right?"
Gavin's expression softens. "He will when we show him the proof. We all looked, and they seem real at first. Anyone would have been devastated seeing them."
"I know," I admit. "I just wish he'd trusted me enough to ask first."
"People do crazy things when they're hurt," Gavin says with surprising wisdom. "But we're going to fix it. James and Caleb are gathering the evidence against Cher and Ryan right now."
As if summoned by our conversation, the doorbell rings. Gavin and I exchange glances before heading to the front door. Drew beats us there, opening it to reveal Cher standing on the porch, her expression a perfect mask of concerned sympathy.
