Page 52 of Dirty Little Secret
Willow
One week down,one to go. Finn’s been staying here most nights and even bought himself a new toothbrush to keep here. Max, busy with fixing all the issues he was ‘gifted’ from the last president of his fraternity, has been practically living at the frat house. Finn’s been spending most of his days helping him get shit in order. The physical labor has drained him, and I know he’s ready for Max’s tirade to come to an end.
Even Julian was complaining to Finn via text last night. For him to reach out to Finn for any reason is unusual. But to complain about Max means it must be bad.
Apparently, they threw some crazy parties this past year and the house took a beating for it. They’ve replaced drywall and painted in most of the main areas of the house. Replaced both toilets in the downstairs bathrooms and the carpet in the den. This week’s agenda consists of replacing parts of the deck and staining it along with yard maintenance. After that, Finn says it’ll only be little things they can do over the summer months.
Buying new furniture. Having someone fix the felt on the pool table.
I get why Max wants the house to look nice. It’s a direct reflection of who he is and the fraternity as a whole. Rush week was bad last year, only six pledges in the entire class compared to when Max rushed there was more than double that. He wants to make our dad proud, but also, he wants to leave behind his own legacy when he graduates next year.
And he will. Max will be an active president. He’ll make sure the pledges are treated fairly and feel welcome. He’s bringing back the big brother program and leading the charge. I’m proud of him, but I also think he’s going a million miles a minute to keep from dealing with what’s really on his mind.
I should know. I’ve been avoiding him, so I don’t have to deal with what’s on mine.
Him finding out about my relationship with Finn.
On the bright side, Kendall’s mood seems to be picking up. She was really excited to start her summer job as a camp counselor this morning. I’ve never seen her so pumped at eight in the morning before. She bounced out of her bedroom, almost running into Finn as he was leaving, made both of us a cup of coffee, even though I was planning on going back to bed, and did the dishes before she left for her orientation.
I cleaned the bathroom and then took a long soak in the tub. I was so caught up reading on my phone the water was ice cold, my toes wrinkled, by the time I finally stepped out. My phone chimes as I’m pulling my T-shirt over my head. I know Finn and Kendall are busy still, so I’m a little surprised.
ALEXIS: Are we still on for Movie Monday?
ME: Hell yes!
Piper and Alexis had to cancel last week. Both of them had tests to study for. Not that I minded. Finn kept me company.
ALEXIS: Good. I need a break. My eyes are starting to cross from all the reading.
ME: Feel free to come over whenever you get out of class. I’m cleaning the apartment a little and doing laundry, so I’ll be home.
ALEXIS: If I bring tequila can I do some laundry, too?
ME: Of course.
ALEXIS: You might see me sooner than you think. Piper will be back from class in an hour.
ME: Sounds good. See you then.
I’m not sure how they do it. I need my summers to relax. The last thing I want to do is stress myself out with classes. I was going to take two this summer just so I could have a lighter load in the fall but I’m so glad I dropped them. Unfortunately, that means I have a lot of spare time on my hands. I didn’t want to get a job because I wasn’t sure how much time I’d be able to dedicate to it but now I’m starting to wonder if it might be beneficial to look for something. Even part time.
The extra cash would be nice, that’s for sure. My savings account isn’t growing, and even though I know I have enough to get me through until I graduate, a little buffer wouldn’t hurt. Plus, it would give me something to do with my days.
Alexis and Piper walk in the door, each carrying a basket of laundry, shortly before Kendall. Alexis brought the tequila, Piper brought the fixings for nachos, and I had Kendall stop for strawberry margarita mix on her way home. It’s going to be a Mexi-inspired movie night.
Nachos, margaritas, andSelenabecause who doesn’t love to try and dance like J-Lo in that movie? She’s amazing.
Which is exactly what we do. The coffee table is pushed against the wall and all four of us, margaritas in hand, shake our hips, dancing and singing. It’s a good thing no one is around to see it because none of us are that coordinated. Piper can carry a tune, Alexis has a few nice moves, and Kendall can make anything look good, but me? I look like an inflatable doll, flailing around. Arms stiff, body lurching.
Slow dancing, sure I can handle that. Moving my body, gyrating to a beat … nope.
Which is why I don’t try. Because who wants to embarrass themselves on purpose? Not this girl. Even if I have fun when I attempt to dance. Even if I feel free as I throw my hands in the air and swing my hips.
“Your phone,” Kendall says, tossing it to me.
Unprepared, with one hand wrapped around my margarita glass, I juggle it before falls to the ground at Piper’s feet. She picks it up and hands it over, but not before looking down at my screen that is lit up with an incoming call.
“Um, Lo?” she asks.