The Pledge

by Laura Ward

  “My mom’s the same, and I’m the youngest of five. She totally broke down last year when she dropped me off.” Caz’s eyes remained rooted on the TV as he ate frosting out of a can.

  “You’re a sophomore?”

  Caz nodded, swallowing.

  “Why did you choose to stay in the dorms?” I was already looking forward to transferring into upperclassman housing on the other side of campus. I had wanted to get an off-campus apartment, but my father said the stigma of the freshman dorms would be good for me. Teach me humility.

  “Why would I move? This dorm is prime real estate, man. It’s close to the gym, and the dining hall is just one quad over.”

  I couldn’t argue with that. I looked around the room. Caz had already finished unpacking, but some of the things he had laying around were unusual. “What’s this?” I pointed to the strange wooden structure that was pushed up against the end of his bed.

  “Parallettes.” Caz grinned as if he knew a secret. “You can borrow it if you want.”

  “What’s it for?” It looked like two wooden towel bars had been attached to one another.

  Caz got up from his bed and pulled the apparatus into the middle of the room. He gripped the bars with his hands and then kicked his feet up over his head, holding a perfect handstand.

  “Holy shit, dude! How’d you learn to do that?” I’d seen a lot of party tricks, but this was one I definitely wanted to learn.

  He dropped his feet back to the floor with a shit-eating grin plastered on his face, and ran his hand through his hair, making it stand up all over the place. “A lot of practice.”

  “You must be a pro at keg stands.” I sat up to get a better look at the parallettes.

  Caz laughed. “Nah, Brah. No kegs for me. I’m part of the Acroletes. We have a no-drinking policy.”

  “The Acroletes?” I reached over to grab the lacrosse ball sitting in the pile of junk on my desk. Reclining back on my bed, I tossed it in the air, catching it in my fist.

  “Yup. Best club on campus. Come with me to practice, and I’ll show you around.” Caz reached for the wooden contraption again and then slowly pressed his body into another handstand. This time, he made it look like he was moving in slow motion.

  Shit. That was cool.

  “I have lacrosse training every afternoon. Can’t miss it.”

  “Lacrosse is in the spring.” He talked normally as if it was natural to hold a conversation while upside down.

  I kept my eyes on the ball as I tossed it in the air again. “Yeah, but I have year-round commitments because of my scholarship.”

  “Come after your training.” Caz was still holding his handstand and dipped down into an inverted pushup before pressing back up again.

  “Maybe.” The idea of doing something that hadn’t been pre-ordained by my father was tempting. I hadn’t risked temptation like that in a long time.

  Caz pressed back down and stood. Then he walked over to his bed and picked up the can of frosting and took another spoonful.

  I laughed. “Dude. I can’t believe you’re eating that.”

  “Sorry, man.” Caz leaned over to open his mini-fridge. “How rude of me. You want one?” At least eight cans of icing and a six pack of Mountain Dew lined the shelves.

  “Christ. That’s a lot of fucking sugar in one place. I’m getting diabetes just looking at that.”

  Caz shrugged. “More for me.” He snapped the lid back on the can and shoved it into the mini-fridge. “First night of college, roomie. I don’t feel like spending it in this cell, how about you?”

  I looked around at my unmade bed and unpacked boxes. “I’m ready to get out of here. What do you want to do?”

  Caz grabbed his phone off the desk and swiped his finger across the screen. “Ever seen American Ninja?”

  “Yeah, a few times.” I got up from my bed and stretched my arms over my head.

  The maniacal grin on Caz’s face was a sure sign that whatever he was planning was trouble.

  “Ever tried any of that shit?” He slipped his phone into his back pocket.

  “Thought about it, but never had the chance.”

  Caz slapped his hands together and rubbed his palms against one another. “An unspoiled, adrenaline virgin.” He chuckled. “It’s gonna be fun popping your cherry.”

  My head snapped up and I looked him right in the eyes as I shook my head. “Don’t repeat that.”

  Caz opened the door to our room and stepped into the hallway before yelling, “Let it be known that I am claiming Alec Hart’s V-card tonight!”

  “Stop while you’re ahead,” I warned. I shoved my feet into my shoes and walked out the door to join him in the hallway. “I know your real name.” Caz looked at me like I’d just shoved a knife between his shoulder blades. I raised my eyebrow in challenge.

  “Damn. That’s a fucked up threat.”

  “We’re still going, though, right?”

  He laughed. “Like I would miss the chance to hear you scream like a little bitch.”

  ***

  We stood in the woods, decked out in harnesses and carabiners. I stared at the series of cables and obstacles that connected the trees like a demented spider web. The sky was dark, but ropes of lights were strung in the trees, illuminating the intimidating course. I watched as a guy quickly climbed several stories in the air on a wooden ladder that was attached to a tree. He unhooked the pulley from his belt and fastened it over the zip line before tossing himself off the launching pad. His body plummeted down the cable until his feet touched a platform in another tree.

  I couldn’t wait to burn off some frustration.

  Sandy Spring Adventure Park was a ropes and zip line course about half an hour from campus. Caz’s friends Jon, Maureen, and Amanda came with us. I didn’t know places like this existed, but I was itching to get started. The training session on how to use the equipment had already taken too fucking long.

  I heard a whooping yell, and looked up as a girl used a rope to swing down from a tree. She landed in a cargo net that was suspended at least two stories off the ground.

  “You look terrified,” Caz said. “You do realize there are girls here. Don’t act like a little ass hat and back out.”

  I turned to grin at him. “You worried I’m going to show you up?”

  “Twenty bucks says you get stuck on those.” Caz pointed to a series of mini trapezes that were hung between two trees. “And you’ll need a guide to come rescue you.”

  I hooked my thumbs into my harness and glanced at the tree next to us. Colorful rock climbing holds were nailed to the side of it leading up to a platform. “Twenty bucks says I can get up to that platform faster than you.”

  Caz looked at me like I was insane and laughed. “Easy money, roomie. I hope you brought cash with you.” He pulled his phone out and opened the stopwatch feature before waving Amanda over. “You can time us,” he told her.

  Amanda had a hot little body and a smile to match. She was wearing a skin-tight tank top and yoga pants that left nothing to the imagination. I was digging the way the harness fit snugly around her upper thighs and hugged her ass.

  She licked her lips and looked at me. “I want in on this bet.”

  “Buy in is twenty,” Caz told her, pointing his finger in her face. “You on my side?” He puffed out his chest. “Or Hart’s?” He jerked his thumb over toward me.

  Amanda’s gaze raked over me as a smile teased along her lips. When her eyes reached mine, I winked.

  “I think Alec can give you a run for your money, Caz,” Amanda said, keeping her gaze fixed on me. “I’m in. If you win, I’ll give you the money. If Alec wins,” she twirled the end of her ponytail around her finger and bit her bottom lip, “I’ll make it worth his while in other ways.”

  I didn’t have to guess what she meant and I was ready to cash in on whatever she was offering.

  “Jesus, Amanda. Why don’t you just hump his leg and get it over with?” Jon took the phone out of her hand while shak
ing his head. “I got twenty bucks on Caz. Sorry, Hart. He’s a sure thing.”

  “And so is Amanda!” Caz slung his arm over her shoulder. She shoved his chest and squealed in protest, but it was half-hearted. In the end, she laughed as he pulled her into a friendly headlock.

  “What about you, Maureen?” Jon asked.

  Maureen was built like a body builder. She wore a serious expression that made it clear she wasn’t interested in flirting or bets. She pushed past Caz and clipped her carabiner onto the safety cable of the first obstacle. “I’m here to climb, not stroke your egos.” She slid her fingers over one of the holds and tucked her toes into another one.

  “I’ve got something you can stroke.” Caz grabbed his crotch.

  Maureen rolled her eyes and flipped him the bird. Soon she was shimmying up the side of the tree without hesitation. Less than a minute later she pulled herself up onto the platform. She leaned over the edge. “Are you gonna talk or you gonna climb, boys?”

  “Well, Hart? You ready?” Caz nodded toward the tree.

  I stepped back and motioned for him to go ahead. “You’re the veteran. You go first. I’ll let you enjoy success before I crush your time.”

  Caz huffed out a laugh. “You’re awfully cocky for a virgin, my friend. I’m going to have to teach you how to respect your elders.” He clipped into the safety cable and placed his hands and feet in the ready position. “Count me down, Jon.”

  “Three...Two...One...Go!” Jon shouted.

  If I had blinked, I would have missed the first half of Caz’s ascent. He scaled the tree as if he was born to climb. Maureen was quick, but Caz was faster—much faster than I’d expected. Each foot placement and handhold was confident and purposeful. He was like a goddamn squirrel.

  “Seventeen seconds.” Jon whistled before turning to me. “Think you can beat that, Hart?”

  My smile was confident. “I got twenty bucks that says I can.” I stood at the bottom of the tree mapping out my route before I clipped into the safety cable. My blood was surging through my veins, and my heart beat wildly. I’d always thrived on challenge. I was addicted to the sweet thrill of competition. That’s what I loved most about lacrosse—the battle. This wasn’t any different.

  “Go!” Jon said.

  I pushed off the ground, my arm muscles straining as I pulled myself up the side of the tree. Caz and Maureen had made it look easy, but Amanda’s cheers were proof that I was holding my own.

  “Eleven...Twelve...” Jon counted from below.

  I was a little over halfway up, but if I wanted to win, I needed to hurry. Skipping over the closest grip, I reached for one higher up knowing I could use my arm strength to make up some time. My fingers curled around the edge of the plastic and I pushed off with my legs. My foot slipped and I ended up dangling by one arm, swinging around until my back hit the tree.

  My breath caught in my throat as I glanced down at the ground twenty feet below. If I fell from this height, I could kiss my lacrosse scholarship goodbye. I knew the safety cable wouldn’t let me fall, but knowing that and trusting it were two different things.

  “Thirteen...”

  “Hurry.” Amanda had her hands cupped around her mouth. “You can still win.”

  She had no idea I’d been envisioning fractured bones and broken dreams. Sweat trickled down my neck as I swung myself around to face the tree. I reached up with my other arm and grabbed a handhold. I gritted my teeth as I yanked myself up the remaining part of the climb and over the edge of the platform.

  When I finally pulled myself to a standing position, Caz was smiling. He held his fist out and I bumped it with mine as I breathed heavily.

  “That was pretty awesome, dude, but you owe me twenty bucks.”

  “Double or nothing next obstacle?” I bounced on my feet, energy and life surging through my body.

  He grinned. “You’re on.” Flipping his pulley over the zip line in front of him, he threw himself off the platform. He flew down the cable, howling like an animal.

  I looked down to see Amanda climbing onto the platform behind me. I reached down to help her stand, and she sucked on her bottom lip before smiling.

  “Sorry you lost,” she said. “But it was still a worthy climb for a first timer. I think that deserves a little something.” She ran her finger along my chest.

  “Is that so?” I grinned back, my hand resting on her hip as we stood close to each other on the small platform. “What did you have in mind?”

  Amanda reached up and wrapped her hand around my neck, pulling my face down to hers. When our lips touched, her tongue was immediately in my mouth. Christ. She certainly wasn’t shy. I gripped the cable above me to steady myself as I kissed her back. With my other hand, I grabbed the harness at her waist and pulled her against me. She moaned into my mouth and I was so turned on I wanted to press her up against the tree and devour her.

  I should lose more often.

  “There’s no kissing on the obstacle course!” Caz yelled.

  I pulled back from Amanda and looked across the way to my roommate. “Jealous?”

  “Let’s go, Hart. You’re not getting out of this by sucking face, you pansy ass. It’s trapeze time. I’m ready to make another twenty,” he yelled back.

  I smiled at Amanda as I unhooked the pulley from my harness and attached it to the zip line cable. “Thanks for the reward.”

  “That wasn’t a reward.” Amanda tucked her tongue in her cheek. “That was a preview.”

  Fuck. Yes.

  Without a thought to what I was about to do, I gripped the pulley and launched my body off the platform. I hurtled down the cable, suspended thirty feet in the air, the wind tearing at my clothes. My heart was crashing against my rib cage, as adrenaline surged through me.

  I had no fear.

  I felt alive.

  For the first time in my life, I was free.

  Chapter Three

  TAREN

  Music blared out of each and every house on the row, their conflicting beats confusing my alcohol-muddled brain. Confused or not, my anticipation was on overdrive. The houses on Fraternity Row sat in a horseshoe. People stumbled in and out of the front doors. Strobe lights flashed from inside one house, while spotlights blazed on the front of another.

  I looked down at the picture of the flyer I’d taken with my phone and pointed to the next house in line. “That one!” I shouted.

  Julie clutched my right hand, and I held Alexis’ hand in my left. Butterflies danced a mosh pit in my stomach. I was so scared and excited and nervous and ready—ready to break free and let loose. I took a deep breath and led my friends up the wooden stairs and through the open door. Inside I was hit by the overwhelming stench of beer. We squeezed by the worn leather couches. The walls were decorated with huge, glass-encased, composite pictures of the brothers of Delta Epsilon. Row after row, picture after picture, they all looked the same—handsome, smiling guys in blue blazers and matching ties. Only the hairstyles gave any indication of what year the pictures were taken.

  We edged past a folding table and the wannabe DJ who was busy taking song requests from a line of scantily dressed, giggling girls. Julie tried to pull us into the middle of the room where a group was dancing, but I shook my head no. I had no ability to dance, whatsoever.

  “Catch!” A clean-cut guy wearing a polo, collar popped up, yelled as a ping-pong ball headed right for Alexis.

  “Got it!” Her reflexes were fast and she snagged the ball out of the air before it hit her. The guy who yelled out the warning waved us over and we walked to the other side of the room, where he stood next to another folding table that was set up with cups.

  “Know how to play?” The preppy polo dude smiled at Alexis and nodded toward the cups.

  “I’ve seen it done before.” Alexis walked to the edge of the table and bounced a ping-pong ball across the table. The ball landed right into one of the beer-filled red Solos. The guy at that end of the table muttered a curse and chugged the beer, mu
ch of it sliding down his shirt on the process. Preppy polo cheered and wrapped an arm around Alexis’ shoulders.

  “I’m Asher. You’ve got to be my partner.” He squeezed her closer and I noticed her body stiffen.

  “No…I can’t…I’m with friends…Bye,” Alexis stammered, shrugging out of Asher’s grip.

  Tweeeeettttt!

  “Oh snap. Here comes whistle boy,” Julie said two notches too loud in my ear, and I turned in time to bump right into whistling Doug.

  “You came! Denton girl came!” Doug picked me up and twirled me around before placing me back on my feet. “Let’s get you ladies something to drink!”

  Doug ushered us over to a large black trashcan filed with ice and beer. Another pearl of wisdom from Aunt Claire hit me. If you remember anything I’ve taught you, remember this. Never drink anything that is served from a garbage can.

  The height of gentility, Doug pulled out three cans, popped the tabs, and handed each of us a National Bohemian. I studied the can and giggled. I was going to break Claire’s rule my first night out. Then again, she did tell me to get into trouble.

  “Natty Boh?” Julie took a sip. “Eh. Even after all that rum, this shit still tastes like piss water.” She wrinkled her nose as she chugged her beer. “But it’s free, and it’s beer. So thank you whistle dude.”

  Doug saluted her and then tilted his head back and downed his entire beer in one shot. He belched and crushed the can on his forehead.

  Julie rolled her eyes. “I think he just crushed his last remaining brain cells with that brilliant move. Time to get our groove on girls.” She grabbed our hands to lead us to the dance floor.

  “Wait! Denton, don’t go!” Doug begged. I turned back around to see him on his knees, shuffling toward me with his hands pressed together in a gesture of prayer. “I wanted to get to know you better.” I smiled, hoping that would keep my jaw from dropping open. This was a first. I looked between Julie and Alexis and threw caution to the wind. “You guys dance. No regrets, right?