3. Luke

Chapter 3

Luke

“Obnoxious, know-it-all, big-headed, dickface,” I vent as I’m walking home with Bradley. “How fucking dare he make so many wrong assumptions? Who does he think he is?”

“Corey Howe.”

“Thanks for that. So helpful.” I say, stomping up the cheerleader porch stairs.

“Dude, don’t take it out on me. I’m not the one who teepeed the wrong frat house.” He walks past me and heads indoors up to his bedroom.

And now I’ve upset one of the most chill people in existence.

Fuck.

Why do I keep making the wrong decisions everywhere I turn?

Willing myself not to cry, I head to the empty kitchen. Apologizing will help all around. I’m going to bake some cookies for Bradley and for the Kappa guys, and then maybe when I go over to the frat tomorrow, Corey will hear me out. Or at least be a little more reasonable.

He’s got some weird assumptions going on, and if I can just show him that I’m not a dick, maybe he’ll be a bit more chill. The punishment so doesn’t fit the crime.

With all of the rumors swirling around about Corey, it’s a long shot.

Something niggles at the back of my brain.

He was mad that I was the entitled one who thought I was owed sex. I snort at the ridiculousness of that. Me, the broke, parentless, dateless, virgin. He is completely wrong.

But I can see why he thinks that.

It’s going to be okay, though. I will make chocolate cookies, say sorry to Bradley, get advice from my brothers, and then explain everything to Corey.

It will all be fine.

“You should have sex with Bradley!” Benny says, clapping his hands on the screen. “Then he’ll forgive you.”

Tyler, sitting next to him at the table in the apartment he shares with the other guys on his college hockey team, rolls his eyes.

“Were you even listening? Bradley and Luke are good. He made the cookies as an apology.”

“Thank y-,” I start to say.

“Luke should have sex with Corey.” Tyler finishes, looking proud of himself.

My brothers are idiots.

“I’m not sleeping with someone just to say sorry. That is not how I’m going to have sex for the first time.” I run my hands through my curls. “I deserve the punishment. I just don’t think it should be so vast. And anyway, Corey Howe is out of my league.”

“Did he say that? I will fuck him up. What’s his address? I’m going to send him the biggest glitter bomb in existence. I know a guy.” Benny pulls out his phone and starts muttering something about red flags.

“Benny, don’t you dare. He didn’t say anything. It’s just a fact. Corey looks like a Greek god, all big and broad, blond and commanding. He oozes sex appeal and confidence. I’m not sure he’s in anyone’s league.”

Tyler smirks at me. “You want to get fucked by frat boy Zeus’ lightning rod?”

I can only splutter while Benny and Tyler laugh.

“Shut up, butthead.”

It’s a good thing I want to be a kindergarten teacher because I already speak like a student.

“How are Chase and Zeke?” I ask. Both of my brothers get a gooey look on their faces. Mentioning their boyfriends is the perfect distraction. I also think they are both awesome, so it’s a win/win.

After they’ve regaled me with stories of what they’ve been up to, we hang up with promises to video chat again on Wednesday.

I miss them so much. There is also a small, tiny part of me that is so fucking jealous that they get to spend time together. When Benny was in trouble, I understood that it made sense for him to go to Tyler for help, but it still hurt a little that I wasn’t picked. I love hearing all the things they are doing. I just wish I was there, too. Especially as Christmas is coming up and I want to spend the holidays with my brothers. I know I’ll have a lovely time at Mama Russo’s, but it’s not quite the same.

I need to push those thoughts to the back of my mind and think about the good things I have going on here.

Cheerleading competitions are coming up in the new year, and I love performing. There is just something about being thrown into the air and having to have complete trust in your base, that is so freeing.

Cheering at football games is so much fun, but I think I love competitions the most because we’re cheering for ourselves—for me and my cheermates. There is so much power in that.

My phone buzzes, pulling me from my thoughts.

Cheer Queers

Perry: Why has no one text me to tell me what happened with Luke and Corey Howe?

Lexi: Corey Howe? The guy who got the swim coach fired because he blew smoke in Corey’s direction? That Corey Howe?

Perry: Yup.

Lexi: Luke needs to stay away from him. Let Mama Russo set you up on a date.

Bradley: lol they’re not dating. Luke teepeed Corey’s house and is now his bitch for the rest of the school year.

Me: He didn’t say until the end of the school year.

Lexi: His bitch?!?!?!?!?!

Bradley: Luke has to do odd jobs around the frat house.

Perry: Luke, how long did he say you have to do this for?

Me: Um…he didn’t give me an end date. He just said until he was satisfied.

Nate: That is shady.

Lexi: What the fuck?!

Perry: I am going to glitter bomb his house.

Me: Have you been chatting with Benny?

Bradley: It’s going to be fine. Luke made him cookies.

Perry: …

Lexi: Did you check he doesn’t have allergies?

Bradley: lol if you make him go into anaphylactic shock, you’ll be in a retirement home and still be his bitch.

Nate: Dude, stop calling him a bitch. It’s phobic.

Bradley: But I’m queer.

Nate: Internalized phobic? I don’t know, it’s just gross.

Bradley: Sorry man, you’ll be his little Robin. And he can be Batman.

Me: Nah, I’m his little cheerleader.

Me: I mean, he calls me little cheerleader. Not his. He doesn’t call me his.

Perry: Luke

Me: It’s been a long day. I’m going to sleep now. Love you.

I put my phone on do not disturb and thank my lucky stars that Perry isn’t going to be home for ages. I change into my pajamas and slide under my sheets.

His little cheerleader.

The man hates me. Literally thinks I’m an entitled asshole. There is no way I’m going to be his anything.