When I Lied

by Michelle Kemper Brownlow

  “All right, Beta Sig partygoers, tonight’s your lucky night! Tonight is our first, and hopefully annual, Beer Olympics!” Everyone whistled and yelled, even though I was pretty sure no one had any idea what that meant past the fact that they’d have to drink a lot of beer. “We wrote numbers on your hands when you arrived. You need to go to the main room and stand under the sign that matches the number on your hand. That will be your team for the night. I will give you further instructions when the teams are divided. Now, GO!”

  The girls and I turned to each other and laughed. Ally downed the last of her beer and we all took off for our number in the main room.

  The main room was hardwood floors and had a bright white cathedral ceiling with exposed dark wood beams. The walls were cold white plaster and when I got to my area, I leaned against it to lower my body temperature. Between the numerous beers I drank and the stress of the impending Olympic trials, I was flushed and sweaty. I was the first person to stand under the giant number ten taped to the wall, but within seconds four guys and four more girls joined me. We all quickly introduced ourselves as the pledges refilled everyone’s cups.

  “This is the last beer the pledges will be refilling for you all tonight.” Everyone booed as we looked around to see where Jack’s voice came from. Once again he was above us. There was an arch-shaped window high up in the crux of interior wall and that’s where he stood, looking down and smiling at all of us. “Relax, my alcoholic brothers and sisters, each game in the Beer Olympics will somehow involve drinking, so you won’t go thirsty for too long. Now, let’s all have a communal chug! Three, two, one!”

  We all chugged our beers. Well, I did the best I could and poured the rest into the planter of the giant palm tree that was next to me. I needed to keep a handle on the volume of alcohol I let glide down my throat. I was a beer-drinking newbie but was smart enough to know that moderation could be my friend, if I paced myself accordingly.

  “Now, ladies and gents, we have ten events for you to participate in. Your first event will be the same number as your team and you will circulate through the events in number order after that. Group ten, you will go to event number ten and when you’re done, you will head to event number one, and so on. The pledges will be stationed at each event giving you the rules and keeping track of scoring. They are also authorized to throw anyone into the dungeon for cheating.” Jack pointed as best he could from where he stood toward the foyer. Three pledges rolled a single jail cell-looking container next to the front door.

  “This is going to be so cool!” A pretty redhead who introduced herself as Ginger bounced up and down on her toes. I nodded and smiled. I wished someone I knew was on my team—anyone.

  “Each team has been assigned a captain. Captains! Go find your teams!”

  The brothers really went all out for this party. And at that moment I was thankful for all the shitty stuff that happened that day that pushed me to call the girls and invited myself along for the night.

  Jack disappeared from the window and the room filled with the sound of trumpets fanfare. Then a fog machine and blue lights filled the foyer with a hazy, mysterious glow. One of the pledges stood at the single step that delineated the border between the foyer and the main room. He spoke into a wireless mic.

  “Team number one, please welcome Captain Jack.” Jack introduced himself and ran out to the main room in a retro toga getup. MacKenna, who was also on team one, welcomed him with a big, sloppy kiss. It was then that I started to look around the room to see which team the other girls were on.

  Each captain was introduced the same way and ran out dressed in a toga. Everyone went nuts. The room was so loud I couldn’t even tell if the sound of trumpets was still in the background.

  And as fate, or stealthy planning, would have it, Shawn was the captain of Team Four, Emily’s team, and Ryan was captain of Ally’s team, Team Six. Hayden and Jules were on the same team, Team Eight, and Charlie was their captain. As the last team to await our captain, I eyed up my teammates. The guys were big and the girls looked to be older than freshman so I deduced that we could really be a force to be reckoned with in the competition. I chuckled at my own idiocy. I didn’t even know what the prize was.

  “And, last but not least, please welcome Team Ten’s captain, Captain Jason!”

  I looked around at each of my girls who were fist pumping and giving me the thumbs up. What a night this would be.

  Jason high-fived each member of our team and then a flirty grin spread across his face when he got to me. He leaned in close and whispered, “Funny how this all worked out, huh?”

  “Yeah. Funny how you have the marker.” He pulled the marker from his pocket and tapped the tip of my nose with it and winked.

  The games were mostly timed relays and I was impressed with the pledges’ attentiveness to their scoring system. At the end the top three teams got medals—bronze, silver and gold. It was odd; those weren’t really anything to get excited over but I was determined Team Ten was going to win that gold.

  We got through a ping-pong ball toss and a shotgun-style chugging event. Then we had to fill an ice cube tray with beer and empty it using only a coffee stirrer-type straw.

  When we got to our fourth event, I was definitely feeling the beer coursing through my veins. And the drunker I got, the hotter Jason became. And he was movie-star material to begin with. I could sense the belt on my inhibitions loosening a tad with each drink but I wasn’t going to let this night turn into one like I had with Charlie. Luckily our fourth event was more of a timed game than it was about drinking.

  “Team Ten, in this game you will stand in a single-file line.” The pledge that led the game had a nametag that told us his given name for the evening was “Asswipe,” which was one of the nicer nametags I’d seen so far.

  “When I blow my whistle, the first person in the line is going to run straight ahead to the table while holding a cup of beer on their head. When you get to the table, you may set your beer down. Then you must put on every article of clothing in the laundry basket, put your beer back on your head and carry the empty laundry basket back to the next person in your line. That person must carefully take those clothes off of you while you hold that full cup on your head. When all the clothes are back in the laundry basket, player number two heads to the table with the beer on his or her head and the basket of clothes, dresses and runs back with the empty basket to be disrobed by the next person. Any questions?”

  “Yeah, what’s the deal with the beer, then?” A kid we’d come to know as Chris slurred his words a little.

  “Oh, yeah, right. The last person in line has to drink the remaining beer in the cup for me to stop the timer. Are you ready?”

  We all cheered and the timer started. Chris headed to the basket to get dressed up. And being that Jason was the last in line, I wasn’t worried about having to drink anything else for a little while. I watched the relay and laughed as the guys tried to lace up a corset and the girls struggled with tying a tie.

  “Hurry, Kate,” Ginger barked as she crossed the line in front of me dressed in everything from the basket. I tore at her outfit and made sure not to miss a thing then ran with the cup on my head and the basket on my hip to the other end. I painstakingly put on leggings, the corset, a huge button-down dress shirt and tie, a tutu, high heels, a wide-brim hat, sunglasses, leather coat and hot-pink feather boa before turning to head back to my team.

  “Don’t forget your beer, Kate.” Jason yelled from the front of the line. I was confused for a second and then realized he’d traded places with Avi, a small Indian guy who looked like he was twelve.

  He wants to undress me. Well, this could be fun in an innocent-naughty sort of way.

  I grabbed my beer and jogged back as best I could in heels with the empty basket and my beer. I dropped the basket at Jason’s feet and looked him square in the eye. He was a good five or six inches taller than me but had ducked down to pull the glasses off my face. Our team had been competing at b
reakneck speed but the next minute and a half between Jason and me slowed to a crawl.

  Jason threw the glasses and the hat in the basket. His eyes were locked on mine as he unwrapped the boa from around my neck and began to undo the tie. His fingers brushed my neck more than once and I shivered each time.

  “You cold?” He smirked.

  “A little,” I lied.

  He unbuttoned the dress shirt then slid his hands under it at my shoulders. He pushed the shirt and leather jacket off but he let his hands trail down my bare arms until he got to my waist. He spun me around so he could unlace the corset. It fell around my feet and he spun me again. His eyes locked on mine as he pressed his fingers into my sides and wiggled them underneath the waistband of both the leggings and the tutu. He dragged both down over my legs all the while staring right at me. My lips parted and my heart raced. It was the sexiest thing I’d ever done and the fact that there were people all around us just made it that much more titillating.

  I grabbed for his shoulders when he lifted my right foot to slip off my shoe and pull the leggings the rest of the way off. Then he repeated it with my other leg, both times having to adjust the length of my tight dress since I’d worn the leggings on the outside of my dress. His shoulders were strong, but I already knew that from the festival. And everywhere his hands touched me burned hot, especially as he revealed the skin of my bare legs.

  He gathered up all the items into a huge ball and stood as he tossed them in the basket.

  “I hope I didn’t overstep my boundaries.” He winked.

  “Not at all. But that’s the closest you’ll ever come to undressing me, Captain.” I winked back.

  “That sounds like a challenge I’m willing to entertain.” And off he ran to the other end of the room to dress in the same clothes he’d just taken off me. I don’t think he thought his swapping places with Avi all the way through because the look on his face when he got halfway back to our line was one of sheer dread. Avi was going to have to undress Jason.

  Seeing the look on his face, Ginger started a chant and we all joined in. “Go, Avi! Go, Avi!” Both guys were beet red by the time Avi had stripped Jason, chugged the beer and the pledge stopped the timer.

  “Nice work, Team Ten. You’re onto your next event. Good luck!” We left Asswipe’s station and headed to what looked like a flip-cup relay, and I realized that was where the drinking would continue.

  We finished all the relays and Jack informed us he would have the results once the pledges tallied up the points. I needed some fresh air. I headed toward the covered porch area off the main room when I felt someone’s hand gently graze my lower back.

  “You okay, Kate?” Big blue eyes looked down at me and I recognized that flirty grin.

  “I’m fine, Jason. I’m just not much of a drinker. Just need a little fresh air.” He held the door to the porch open for me.

  “You want some company?” He tilted his head.

  “I’d love some.” I smiled and walked over to the far stone wall that wasn’t covered with a roof. The sky was clear, the air was cool and a billion stars looked down on us and winked.

  “It’s beautiful out tonight.” Jason sat next to me on the wall and he leaned his head back and took a deep breath. I didn’t respond. I didn’t feel the need to. There was something comfortable about him. His hand brushed against mine when he put his hands down on the cold stone. I didn’t move away. I closed my eyes and breathed in slowly through my nose to stave off the nausea that loomed.

  “So, where are you from, Kate?” He bumped into me with his shoulder.

  “Virginia Beach. You?” I couldn’t help but smile when I looked at Jason. He was just so beautiful.

  “Arlington. What’s your major?” He cocked his head to the side and waited for my answer.

  “Psychology. Yours?”

  “Criminal justice. But, I’m done giving you the questions to ask. You’ve got to come up with one on your own.” He poked me hard in the shoulder with his finger.

  “Ow! That actually hurt!” I laughed. “Do you like beating up on girls?”

  “That’s your question?”

  I nodded.

  “Well, no, actually. I have five sisters and they’ve taught me over and over again how to treat a lady. You have nothing to worry about. The only time I get physical with a girl is…well, not on the porch of my fraternity house.”

  “Good to know.” I blushed but was pretty sure he couldn’t see it under the soft light of the solar lamps along the edge of the stone wall.

  “Next question?” He motioned with his hand to keep the inquisition in motion.

  “Um, let’s see. What’s your favorite thing to do that doesn’t have to do with television, video games or drinking?”

  He raised one eyebrow.

  I shook my head and added to my question, “…or sex.”

  He laughed. “I like to take long walks on the beach.”

  “Well, if you’re ever in Virginia Beach, look me up.” Jason was really easy to flirt with and I was pretty sure if Oliver wasn’t in the picture, I’d really be interested in Jason.

  “I’d love to, Kate.”

  I smiled and slowly turned my face toward him. We shared a moment before there was an eruption of voices that came from inside. We both jumped up off the wall and walked into the main room.

  Ten

  “We have the results from our Beer Olympics. Are you all excited to see who’ll be getting a medal?”

  The crowd yelled and cheered. I looked around for Ally, MacKenna, Hayden, Jules and Emily but couldn’t see them. It was odd to me that I’d been so comfortable throughout the night without any of my girls. It was refreshing to know I could make it on my own and not need the presence of familiar people to be comfortable. Avi, Ginger, Matthew, Jason, Heather, Sarah, Jennie, Dan, Chris and Andra made for great teammates. We didn’t need to know each other prior to cheering one another on. I felt accepted and supported in my drinking escapades and I liked that about my fellow co-eds.

  “It was a close race.” Jack’s voice hit the speakers and once again he stood above all us in the arched window at the top of the room. “We had some great competitors. Some are still in the bathroom, um, clearing their systems. And, as you can see”—he waved his arm toward the jail cell in the foyer—“some were directed straight to jail. But overall, this was a great first-time event. Are you ready to hear who the winners are?”

  Once again, the crowd erupted into deafening cheers—nothing that resembled a “yes” but there was no doubt that’s exactly what it meant.

  “The Bronze medal goes to…drumroll, please…” Everyone stomped their feet on the hardwood and gave the man what he asked for. “Captain Shawn and Team Four!”

  The crowd cheered and I saw Emily and Shawn jump up and down and hug.

  “The Silver medal goes to…” This time Jack didn’t even need to say it, we gave him a drumroll. “…Captain Charlie and Team Eight!”

  The crowd went crazy and amid the torrent of bodies I could see the blond heads of Hayden and Jules. I yelled their names but I was certain they couldn’t hear me.

  “And, without further ado, The Gold medal goes to…” Everyone stomped the drumroll. “Captain John and Team Seven!”

  Team Seven lost their minds. I didn’t know anyone on that team; there were some familiar faces but no one I could put a name to. Loud dance music flowed into the room and everyone started to dance in one big simultaneous beat. It was a sexy song, with a throaty-sounding melody. I couldn’t put a name to it.

  “I had fun with you, Kate. I’m glad you were on my team.” Jason leaned down from behind me and spoke just loud enough for me to hear but not too loud.

  “Wait! Craig! Stop the music! I have more awards!” Jack motioned to the DJ to shut the music down. He shook his head and waited for Craig to turn everything off.

  “I’m glad you cheated and put us on the same team.” I smiled up at him and Jason threw his head back and laughed loudly. H
e put his hands on my shoulders and squeezed as we waited for Jack to finish his awards ceremony. I enjoyed Jason’s playfulness. There was something so innocent about it. It made me comfortable.

  “We have two Honorable Mentions to give away. Our first Honorable Mention goes to a team that showed promise but lost a couple members at the Bobbing for Beer event. Congratulations to Captain Ryan and Team Six! Nice job sticking it out for as long as you could!”

  I looked across the room and saw Ryan and Ally do a little celebratory dance. I was proud of her for not getting freaked out just because she didn’t know the rules ahead of time. I was proud of both of us for taking a step outside our comfort zones.

  “And our final award of the night goes to two people who worked well together within their team. This Honorable Mention, which we’ve now dubbed the ‘Take It Off Award,’ goes to Jason Drexl and Kate Green. Apparently there was one word for their turn at the Dress Up event…H-O-T HOT!”

  I felt the heat rise to my face immediately. Jason spun me around, wrapped his arms around my waist and picked me up. I smacked him in the chest and wiggled to get down.

  “You’re an ass! You did that on purpose! Put me down!” My hands didn’t even fit around half of his biceps.

  “Stop right there, little lady!” There was something endearing about the way Jason said it that made me a little less angry at him. “Kate! Calm down! I didn’t do anything but take your clothes off.”

  My stomach rolled over itself.

  “Jason! Stop!” I smacked him hard again and when I saw how hard he was laughing, I lost it, too. He let my body slide partway down his until we were face to face.

  “I’m sorry, Kate. I couldn’t resist. But, honestly…” He leaned in, his soft cheek touching mine and sending shivers through me. Then he whispered, “I was in my own little world during our turn at that game.” He let me slide down his body a little further until my feet hit the floor.

  “What the hell kind of show did you two put on at the Dress Up event?” MacKenna knew all the guys at the house pretty well. She’d been dating Jack since they were freshmen. I tried to pick up on her feelings toward the situation to check them against my sense that Jason was harmless.