Asking Ethan to be my boyfriend right after he was forced to scream he's gay in front of the whole frat was a fucking terrible idea. I'll admit it—I got too impulsive. Again.
The party got awkward as hell after that. My brothers swarmed me, asking if I was gay. Not just them—everyone there, with their judgy looks and shitty comments. Even the brunette I was this close to hooking up with bailed. Guess she wasn't into being with someone who just pulled a stunt like that.
But what stung most wasn't that. It was Ethan's rejection. I saw it coming, given the circumstances, but I've never been rejected in my life. Never. And, as much as I hate to admit it, that hit my ego. Hard.
I've always been like this—a reckless mess. I switched majors without a second thought when I realized I hated what I was studying, without even talking to my mom. I went head-to-head with my dad without considering the fallout. I started this whole fake-gay act for the scholarship without a solid plan. And last night, trying to make it real, I fucked it up again.
I didn't know what to say to everyone hounding me. I just mumbled, "It's complicated," and slipped away. Maybe this is a mistake. Maybe I'm making a mountain out of a molehill. But there's no turning back now. My plan's in motion, and rumors about me are probably already spreading across campus. I'm Noah Whitman—I don't fly under the radar. My phone's been blowing up with texts from girls I've hooked up with, asking what the hell happened, how I could just "switch" like that. I don't blame them. My reputation for delivering orgasms isn't exactly subtle.
I know videos from last night are out there. It's 2025—everything you do ends up online. I haven't had the guts to check, but I'm sure they're circulating, my face and my dumbass proposal front and center.
If I want this to work, I need Ethan Bennett. That pledge with those damn pretty green eyes is my best and only shot at pulling off this scheme. The problem now is convincing him, and it's not gonna be easy.
I spent the morning trying to get Morgan to tell me where to find him, but he's not at the frat house. I think he got called to the dean's office over last night's shitshow. Being Alpha Centauri's president comes with risks. I considered texting Joe or Chris, but Chris is too busy wallowing over Sarah to deal with my problems. Though, if you think about it, we should thank Ethan. Sarah getting exposed as a cheater was the best thing that could've happened to Chris.
I was about to give up when Joe sent me a text. It's vague—just an eye emoji and a location: The Coffee House at Tresidder. I know Joe, and I know he picked up on my interest in Ethan. I've always had a thing for girls with pretty eyes, I'll admit, and those green eyes are something else. Putting two and two together, I know exactly where Ethan is.
I don't think twice. I grab my backpack and haul ass to the café. This has to work.
****
Getting out of the frat house was a fucking nightmare. Everyone was swarming me, asking about last night, and all I could manage was a lame, "We'll talk later." If Ethan agrees to be my "boyfriend" for this scheme, I'll have to parade him around in front of all those idiots. I'm not sure I'm ready for that.
After dodging the chaos, I made it to Tresidder Memorial Union, where I ran into Joe leaving The Coffee House with one of Ethan's friends—Jackson, I think I heard. I locked eyes with Joe and tried to say something, but he just winked and nodded toward the café he'd just walked out of, then kept trailing Jackson. Who the hell knows what those two are up to? Not my problem right now.
Anyway, when I step into the café and the bell jingles, there he is. Ethan Bennett, right in front of me, looking beat. He's got on a white shirt, black pants, a beige apron, and a backward cap with strands of hair falling over his forehead. And, of course, those green eyes that pop. I've always had a thing for expressive eyes, like the girls I usually hook up with. He's seriously my best shot for this ruse.
I don't know what to say, so I blurt out the first thing that comes to mind: "One macchiato."
He turns and shoots me a glare that could kill. "We're closed. Come back another day," he says, his voice so cold it chills me for a second. "Or better yet, when I'm not here."
"Oh, come on, you're the only one here, and you're already wearing the apron," I say, trying to sound casual as I lean on the counter. "Can't you make an exception for me?"
"No, I can't," he snaps, crossing his arms, though he's trying to hide how pissed he is.
"Wanna see how good it tastes straight from your hands," I say, flashing the smile that always works on girls.
Ethan's voice spikes, shouting my last name with pure fury: "Whitman!"
"Alright, alright, I'm sorry, Bennett," I say, trying to sound friendly, though I know he's about to blow. "I shouldn't have yelled that at you last night, not with everything going on. But it's all sorted now, right? You're back in the frat, aren't you?"
He glares at me with a rage I can practically feel, like he's one step away from decking me. "That's none of your damn business. Get out, seriously," he says, his voice sharp.
"I'm sensing some negative vibes around you," I say, quirking a smile. "Everything okay at home?"
"Go fuck yourself," he shoots back, even angrier. "How the hell did you know where I work?"
"All it takes is the power of love," I say, sarcastic, keeping my cool and that grin that usually gets me out of trouble. Too bad it's not working this time.
Ethan takes a step toward me, and I swear he looks like he's about to lunge. "Okay, okay, sorry," I say quickly, raising my hands. "Just trying to get a smile out of you, man. Be a little friendly, come on."
"Friendly with you?" he says, pointing at me, incredulous. "After everything you've done, from that fucking hazing to that bullshit last night, when you shouted that crap right after I said I was gay. You want me to be friendly?"
"I get it, okay?" I say, trying to calm him down. "Maybe it wasn't the time or place, but, Bennett… the proposal was serious."
He looks at me, confused, those green eyes widening, and damn, they're a problem. Pretty eyes are my fucking weakness—expressive ones that hook me. Always happens with girls, and now with this guy I need for my plan.
"What the hell are you playing at, Whitman?" he says, his voice icy. "Is this some stupid bet you made with the frat? Trick the first gay guy who joins?"
"Why would you think that?" I snap, annoyed. "When would I even have time for that? You shouted you were gay, and I… got impulsive, alright? The party was a mess: the pledges, the girls, you making out with Sarah, Joe sucking face with Julie, your friend—"
"What?" Ethan looks shocked. "Joe and Julie were kissing?"
"Yeah, I saw them before I left to… never mind," I say, shrugging. "You mad I was hitting on your friend?"
He sighs, visibly frustrated. "I don't care, okay? Just leave me alone."
"Look, just—" I try to keep going, but a female voice cuts me off.
"We're closed, kid," she says.
I turn and see a woman in the same uniform as Ethan, minus the apron. She's hot, with dark skin and piercing eyes that make me think things I probably shouldn't. If she were ten years younger, I wouldn't hesitate to do things you don't say in front of kids.
"You heard her," she says, crossing her arms. "Get out."
"Hey, I…" I try to say.
"Out," she repeats, pointing to the door with authority.
I glance at Ethan, and I swear I catch him stifling a smirk at how she's putting me in my place. No way I'm winning this one.
I drop my head and walk out. You got lucky this time, Ethan Bennett. But you're not getting away from me that easily.
****
That asshole Bennett had the balls to reject me twice. What the actual fuck? I can't believe it. It's the first time anyone's ever rejected me, and worse, the first time someone's done it twice. This is fucking insane. My ego's bleeding out.
I always thought if I asked a guy out, he'd throw himself at me—obviously not what I want, but still. It pisses me off that he said no. I'm Noah Whitman. Nobody says no to me. And this pledge, this fucking novato, did it twice. Two goddamn times.
On top of that, I've got to deal with the stares burning into me every time I cross campus. Everyone's whispering, pointing, and talking about the shit I pulled at the party. I haven't even been able to focus in this Molecular Genetics class. Seriously, all I can think about is Bennett rejecting me. Fuck, why does it bug me so much? He's the one who should be pissed, after the hazing and the party fiasco. But no, I'm the one fuming.
I barely register when the professor says class is over. As I grab my books, someone interrupts me from behind.
"Hey, handsome," Amber says, flashing a smile that could melt anyone. And trust me, it's melting me, though certain parts of me are getting a little tense.
"Hey," I say, looking at her, a smile slipping out despite myself. Amber's the kind of girl who makes you forget your life's a mess for a second.
"So, how's it going? You doing okay for real?" she asks, trying to sound casual, though I can tell she's fishing.
"Could be better, I guess," I say, shrugging. "But don't worry, I'll handle it. Though now I've got two problems, and one's named Sarah."
"Oh, yeah, Sarah…" I say, running a hand through my hair, flashing back to the party disaster. "Honestly, I don't know what you could do about her."
"Yeah, probably not," she says, a spark in her eyes. "But I'll figure something out. So, anything you want to tell me?"
"Nah… I…" I trail off, thrown by her question.
"Noah… are you gay?" she asks, her curiosity hitting me like a dagger.
Shit. Now I feel the full weight of this lie. I don't even know where to start, so I blurt out the only thing that comes to mind: "It's complicated."
"I see," she says, raising an eyebrow. "So last night was… what? A desperate attempt to fit in with the guys?"
"What?" I say, totally lost.
"Noah, you don't need to pretend to be something you're not just to vibe with your friends. We can still be friends, you know," she says, with a smile that hurts more than it helps.
Fuck. This is worse than I thought.
"Though it's a shame," she continues, her tone playful but gutting me. "I was this close to saying yes to you. You've got that irresistible spark. Oh well… I'm glad you came out. Good luck with that. And good luck with Ethan."
I watch her walk away, frozen in the middle of the classroom. So now the girl I'm crazy about thinks I'm gay. This is just fucking fantastic. Chalk up another one, Ethan.
Now I'm sure I've got no choice but to double down on this stupidity. That damn scholarship better be worth it.