The Pledge

by Laura Ward

  “Is Pickles making you feel bad about hanging out with the Xi U guys? He can be such a girl, sometimes.” Julie crossed her arms over her chest and tapped her foot, waiting for my answer.

  “No, it’s not because of Doug. I seriously spaced out that we were supposed to wear the shirts today. I know you find this hard to believe, but I was focused on my classes.”

  “Lex is a terrible influence on you.” Julie shook her head sadly. Once Alexis decided she wanted to go to medical school, she declared her major in Chemistry. The amount of work involved with that major forced her to buckle down. She and I were still roommates, now sharing bunk beds on the third floor of the house. Jules was right across the hall, but Alexis spent far more time studying than she did partying with us.

  “I’m not letting anyone tell me what to do. Not Lex and not Doug.” I tossed the lettuce onto my plate and then added strips of grilled chicken. “I’m just trying to balance my time between classes and Tri-Gam stuff.” I poured dressing liberally over my salad, giving the bacon bits the stink eye and tossing on a few croutons instead. “Look, Doug isn’t happy that we’re partying with other guys, but he’s partying with other girls. He’ll deal.”

  Jules leaned in close to my ear. “Totally different. All of the Xi U guys are hot. Of course Pickles is going to be jealous.” Julie clutched her plate to her chest.

  “He has nothing to be jealous about. It’s not like I’m trying to replace him.”

  Julie stepped back, frowning. “And why not? Have you two ever been on a date? Have you ever done anything other than hook up after a night at the bars or a Greek event? You’re like fuck buddies…but with no fucking.”

  I tilted my head to the side in thought. “Nope, never been on a date.” I straightened and sucked in a breath. “Look, Jules, I know my relationship with Doug is…odd. Doug’s safe. He’s dependable. Like my favorite pair of yoga pants. They might not be the most fashionable, but they’re the comfortable, easy choice.” What I thought, but didn’t admit, was that with Doug, my heart was never at risk like it had been with Alec. I’d taken enough risks since I started college and wasn’t ready for anything deeper than what I had with Doug.

  Julie raised both eyebrows at me. “You do realize you just talked about your boyfriend like he was a pair of pants, right?”

  Before I could come up with a good response, Julie screeched, and I jumped while attempting to steady my plate of salad perfection.

  “What the fuck?” Julie’s finger shook as she pointed to a sign hanging over the hot lunch portion of the table.

  “Uh-oh. I think we’re being punished. Who pissed Lisa off?” Our new chef, Lisa, was hired because the sisterhood had pitched a fit when the previous chef consistently made us carbohydrate-heavy, calorie-bloated meals like spaghetti, fried chicken, and mashed potatoes. Apparently, my sisters thought that high calorie meals in a sorority house was like an act of war against our waistlines. My stomach growled at the memory of chicken Alfredo. I missed that old chef.

  “Somebody broke a rule.” Jen stood next to me, wiping her paint-splattered hands on a paper towel. “Last night a bunch of girls came home wasted. A couple of them trashed the place with their carryout, but my little sis over here is probably the reason we’re sanctioned right now.”

  Julie’s mouth dropped open, and she glared at Jen. “What are you talking about?”

  “Didn’t you manage to pull a bunch of food from the padlocked fridge last night by squeezing your tiny arm through the opening?” Jen laughed at the wide-eyed look of shock on Julie’s face.

  “My dues pay for that food. Who does she think she’s messing with?” Julie fumed and stomped her foot. “I’m starving, but I have to save my calories for tonight. I had a plan, and she’s messing with it.” She blew out a breath, and I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing.

  “Everything will be okay, Jules. Take a deep breath and let me get you some soup.” I guided Julie to a seat and put my salad down next to her. Ladling her tomato soup into a bowl, I re-read the sign and chuckled. It was a sorority girl’s nightmare. Hanging up in large letters on a yellow sheet of construction paper were the words:

  No Fat Free Cheese For You

  ***

  “Drink a beer. Drink a beer. If you can’t drink a beer like a Tri-Gam can, then why do you have that beer in your hand? Drink a beer. Drink a beer.” My sisters and I chanted our serenade together.

  “Welcome ladies!” Damian Yoffee’s voice boomed out as we finished cheering.

  We walked into the Xi U’s house for another night of social bonding. When Julie explained what tonight’s party was, Alexis burst out laughing and outright refused to attend. As I left our room to walk over to the party, she was curled up in bed happily studying.

  “Your drinking buddy for this evening is wearing a name tag with your name on it,” Damian informed us. “Brothers will be around to secure your handcuffs. Rest assured we do have keys. You and your drinking buddy will only be hooked together for the around-the-world portion of our party. You’ll travel together from room to room, where a different themed shot will be served in each place. Everybody have fun!” Damian opened up a box of seriously legit looking handcuffs and beckoned us forward.

  Was I really going to be handcuffed to a guy all night? Again, I thought Julie had been joking. I should know better by now. My palms began to sweat as I looked around the room. I should have stayed home like Alexis. Maybe the gods of partying would look down on me with favor, and I’d get a nice quiet guy as my partner.

  “It’s party time!” A tall guy with a curly mop of hair jumped on a coffee table and pulled his shirt off over his head. His physique wasn’t awful...but I wouldn’t call it mouthwatering either. I stood on my tiptoes to get a better look. Nope not even a single pack in that torso. Just a whole lotta beer belly that he wasn’t shy about sharing with everyone.

  “I hope I don’t get him,” I whispered to Julie, who nodded back with wide eyes.

  “Jules! You ready to rock and roll? Let’s head to the kamikaze room first.” Damian walked up with Julie’s name on his tag.

  “Bring it on,” Julie told him, flashing him one of her flirtiest smiles. Damian snapped a handcuff around her wrist and then on his own. He headed toward the first room, and Julie looked over her shoulder mouthing Good luck to me as she headed off.

  “Ah, fuck! When I took off my shirt I lost my drinking buddy’s name. I know it started with a T. Teri, Tara? No that wasn’t it...” The tall guy on the table spoke loudly and looked around.

  My stomach dropped, and I pressed my lips together. No Bueno.

  “Was it Taren?” Jen asked with a giggle.

  “Totally! Taren, baby! Where you be?” Beer Belly yelled.

  Jen pointed at me, and I glared at her. “Sisters for life? I thought you had my back!” I spit out.

  She shook her head and wagged a finger at me. “Maybe next time you’ll join my dance group when I need you.” Still chortling with laughter, Jen took off with her handcuff buddy.

  I felt myself being lifted into a bear hug against a naked chest. “Taren! I’m Ed Tuckerman.”

  I extended my hand to shake his, but Ed only grinned bigger and snapped on my cuff, linking us together. He dragged me to the stairs, where we edged past a large group of people to hike to the third floor.

  The room we entered first was lit by a black light, making strange things shine on each person. Teeth, eyeballs, even lint on clothing—everything white glowed. Music pulsed through the room, so loud it hurt my ears. Ed handed me a shooter, and I clinked my glass against his. I gulped it down, and the burning sensation in my throat caused me to cough. Ed slapped my back with enthusiasm.

  Choking, I wiped my eyes. “What was that?” I screamed in Ed’s ear to be heard over the music.

  “Purple Jesus.” Ed beamed. “That shit will make you have a come to Jesus moment. Or if over-served, a come to the white porcelain god moment.”

  Ed was funny. That would
make tonight much easier. Laughing, I asked, “So Ed, what’s your major?” Wow. What an original and interesting question, Taren. As I chastised myself, Ed groaned.

  “Nobody calls me Ed, babe. I kind of go by my last name.”

  A fraternity guy who went by his last name? Real original. Seriously, what was wrong with first names?

  Tuckerman guided me to our next stop, pointing to a room filled with red lights. “This one’s Prairie Fire. Watch out, it’ll put a little hair on your chest.”

  “What’s in it?” I grimaced, my stomach still burning from the purple concoction.

  “Tequila and tabasco sauce. Try it. I dare you.” He winked.

  As we entered the room, two of his brothers wearing cowboy hats raised their glasses in salute. “Fuckerman! You’re here!”

  Fuckerman? Figures.

  Grinning down at me, he hollered, “Buckle up, baby. Fuckerman’s going to take you for a ride.”

  Spending the night handcuffed to Fuckerman would be very interesting, to say the least. Aunt Claire would be proud.

  ***

  Kira waved her hands in front of her as her voice became higher in pitch. “So then she gets out of bed, walks over to her desk, takes out the chair, pulls down her pants, sits down, and pees.” Laughter echoed through the dining room, and Julie buried her face in her hands. “She even tried to flush the chair!” Kira, Julie’s roommate, stood on a dining room chair, regaling all of us with stories about just how drunk Julie was last night.

  “Are you feeling okay?” Alexis rubbed Julie’s arm and then reached for a bagel. The unwritten rule in our house was that carbs were to be avoided at all costs. Except for Sunday mornings.

  “I feel like death,” Julie moaned, resting her head on her folded arms.

  “Can I get everybody’s attention?” Kate stood on her chair. “I posted the list in the hallway for assignments for Good Buddies.” A few stifled groans filled the air, and Kate glared at the entire room. “We voted, girls. We picked this as our charity. I, for one, think it shows people that we’re growing. Last year’s pie eating contest to raise money for testicular cancer was weak. Asking the guys to eat pie, wearing only their boxers, was way too transparent. C’mon! Good Buddies is a great group. I think you’ll all enjoy it.” Kate jumped down and smiled when she met my eye.

  “I’m looking forward to meeting my non-drinking, non-handcuffed buddy.” I grinned at Alexis, pouring myself a large glass of juice.

  Julie looked up and sighed, resting her chin on her hand. “I’m nervous. It’s a year-long commitment. Plus, these are adults with disabilities. What will we even talk about?”

  I shook my head, swallowing my orange juice. “Don’t worry, Jules. Kate told me all about the program. The person we’re partnered with usually doesn’t get much social interaction. They work or attend programs on campus. They just need a friend.”

  “I’m excited to meet Stacy.” Alexis took a bite of her bagel and chewed slowly. “I’m feeling like I need a wake-up call. You know, a reminder of life outside of college.”

  I pulled a garlic bagel apart and spread on veggie cream cheese. “I feel like I need to do something unselfish for a change.”

  Julie lifted her head and grinned slyly. “I’m sure Pickles feels everything you do for him is very unselfish of you.” Rolling my eyes, I took a big bite and smiled at her, cream cheese still stuck to my lips. I then pursed my lips and blew her a kiss, making sure she got a good whiff of every bit of garlic.

  “That smells so...disgusting...I’m gonna...” Julie slapped her hand over her mouth and took off for the bathroom.

  Alexis met my eyes, and I pressed my lips together, holding my breath. She slapped her hand over her mouth, and we tried, for a whole two seconds, not to laugh.

  Chapter Fourteen

  ALEC

  If I had any sense at all, I’d suck it up and study in my room. The only piece of furniture I had in there was a bed, but the discomfort of studying without a desk might be worth earning myself some peace and quiet to work.

  I glanced over at Caz, who was sprawled out on the couch reading a comic book. He was distracted for now, but he wouldn’t stay that way long. Studying in my room didn’t mean he wouldn’t come in anyway. Might as well go for comfort.

  I collapsed into the chair at the table and then powered on my laptop—the one thing I’d managed to keep after my father kicked me to the curb. Recovering from a compound fracture took nearly nine months. Recovering from my father’s rejection? I was still recuperating. Being disowned wasn’t a speedy healing process.

  “Don’t you ever relax?” Caz asked me. His silence lasted thirty seconds longer than I’d expected it to.

  “Don’t you ever study?” I opened up the file that contained the notes from my Biology class and then dug through my backpack until I found my textbook.

  “My grades are impeccable, and my question still stands. Don’t you ever relax?”

  I shrugged. “No time. I’ve only got three hours between the end of practice and the beginning of my shift. This is the only time I have to study.” Frustration crawled up my spine, settling in my shoulders. None of my friends could understand the constant pressure I felt. Their tuition, room, board, books...hell even their fun was all paid for by their parents. I used to know what that was like, throwing around twenty dollar bets like it was chump change. Not anymore. Now I only bet when I knew I could win.

  Caz sat up. “Why don’t you ask your dad to help out?”

  I grunted. “Not likely.”

  When I lost my scholarship, my father was furious. When I changed my major last spring, he damn near had a heart attack, and he still wasn’t over it. He thought refusing to pay for tuition and my living expenses would bring me to my senses, but it only made me see things more clearly. For the first time in my life, I was doing what I wanted...and I was doing it on my own.

  Caz closed his comic book and tossed it onto the coffee table. “It’s been a year, dude. All you have to do is swallow your pride and ask.”

  “It’s not that easy.” I shifted in my chair, trying to get comfortable. “He blames Acroletes for taking away my future. Unless I quit the team and jump back on his Senator Hart campaign, he’s not interested.” I gave up worrying about what my father thought a long time ago. Now that I had a taste of freedom, it was unlikely he and I would ever find common ground again.

  Caz got up from the couch and wandered into the kitchen. The fridge opened and closed. He then sat in one of the other chairs at the table, digging his spoon deep into a brand new can of icing. “Do you like working at Shell Shocked?”

  I shrugged. “It’s good money.” I kept my attention on my textbook as I read the passage again for the third time. I was never going to get anything done if Caz hung around.

  “Yeah, but aren’t you afraid what Coach might say?” He tapped his spoon on the edge of the can until I looked up from my homework.

  I sighed. “What do you mean?”

  Caz glared at me. “You’re a smart guy. Do you think he’s going to be okay with you working at a bar? You signed a pledge to not drink.”

  “I don’t drink, and I’m not a bartender. I work security.” I leaned back and crossed my arms, frowning. “He can’t be mad about that. I have to make money somehow, and Shell Shocked pays well.”

  Caz took another spoonful of icing and ate it in one bite. “You signed a drug-free pledge and you’re a bouncer at a bar. You’re playing with fire.”

  “I don’t have a choice.” I hated that Caz was voicing the arguments I’d already had with myself. Did he think I wanted to work at a bar?

  “You always have a choice. You don’t have to work there. That decision is all yours.” Caz was uncharacteristically serious. “Be careful you’re making the right one.”

  “I couldn’t keep working three jobs and surviving on three hours of sleep a night. I need to make money. Something had to change.”

  “I understand.” Caz snapped the lid back o
n his icing and stood so that he was looking down at me. “I just hope Coach does too when he finds out.”

  ***

  “Hart, you’re going to be working the floor tonight while Jacobs works the door.” Jimmy took a long drag from his cigarette and then flicked it with his thumb, scattering ash all over the floor.

  Jimmy was the owner of Shell Shocked and he only ever called us by our last names. I was pretty sure it was because he had no clue what our first names were.

  “We’ve got a local band playing tonight so the place is going to be packed,” he warned me. “Let me know if you think you’ll need an extra set of eyes on the floor with you.”

  “I will.”

  He slapped me on the back and then returned to his office where he’d probably stay for the rest of the night. Jimmy didn’t show his face unless a fight broke out.

  I leaned against the edge of the bar and watched the band set up. I’d only been working at The Shell, as most students called it, for a few weeks, but it was always the same routine. The place was dead until nine when the band started to play. Then all hell broke loose.

  I was surprised Jimmy hired me, being that I was only nineteen, but he took one look at my size and offered me the job. When he told me how much money I could make, I accepted.

  To kill time before the place got busy, I brought a few cases of liquor up from the basement and stacked them behind the bar.

  “Thanks, hon.” Jill winked at me before running her cloth along the bar to wipe it down.

  “Let me know if you need anything else.” I walked around to the other side of the bar and stood at the end, watching as people started trickling in.

  The drummer tapped his sticks together, and the first riffs of music bounced off the walls drawing people away from the tables to dance. Soon the place was a wall-to-wall press of bodies, and the dance floor was a throbbing mass of groping hands, spilled beer, and clumsy dance moves.

  Circling the darkened perimeter of the room, my eyes were drawn to every loud outburst. I lingered near a rowdy group of fraternity boys. They were regulars who were known for causing trouble.