Page 4 of #PhiThetaForever

I meant what I said, though. I didn't come to college to join a frat and party. I'm here to work my ass off and graduate so that I can be a good husband to Lena later on.

God knows what He's doing with us. And I doubt getting drunk and flunking is part of his plan.

4 Lena

The first three days of classes were easy. Come tomorrow, though, it's going to be full steam ahead, and I'm not 100% sure I'm ready. Yesterday, Declan had a game at Oregon State. I dislike away games, but at least he didn't stay overnight. He and Jackson got back late, but they made it to church this morning. Candice and I weren't supposed to be here this weekend. We were supposed to have a game at Colorado University, but they had some kind of issue, so it's a home game instead.

Jogging onto the field, the roar from the crowd is deafening. I'm co-captain, and our Goalie, Sandra, a senior, is Captain. Being given the co=captain position wasn't even on my radar when I tried out. Still, I'm so blessed and thankful for the opportunity.

Sandra motions for the girls to gather around us in the middle of the field. Prayer is a pre-game ritual, and it's one of the things I love about this team. Even those that aren't Christian gather with us, bow their heads, and as whoever they believe in for guidance and strength before every game.

"Alright, ladies," Sandra says in a controlled voice. "CU is a good team. Play your best, give the results to God, and let's do this. Lena?"

We all place a hand on the girl's shoulder in front of or next to us and bow our heads. "Lord, as we take the field tonight, we ask for your guidance in tonight's game. Give us strength to play our best, and if it's Your will, lead us to a victory. Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of not only another day on this Earth but another day of being so blessed that we get to play a game we love. Amen."

The entire team says, "Amen" in unison, and we stand and jog to thunderous applause to our bench. I scan the crowd and smile, finding Declan and Jackson sitting in the front row, right behind our bench. My eyes shift to Declan's left, and my smile falters. Bo is next to him, and it seems like he and Jackson are surrounded by Sigma Nu members, most of which are on the football team, judging by their jackets.

I don't know what comes over me, but I feel a strange need to show Bo that he doesn't have pull over Declan—that Declan and I are a team. The wall from the field to the seats is only three feet high, and it's surrounded by a sturdy railing. Hopping over the bench, I take off toward the wall at a full run, and people cheer louder as they notice I'm moving toward the crowd. Declan stands and moves a step toward the railing, a confused look on his face.

As soon as I'm close enough, I jump, my feet landing on the edge of the wall. I grab the railing and swing my legs over it, landing right in front of Declan with a huge grin on my face. He opens his mouth to say something, but I grab the front of his jacket and pull him down, kissing him hard in front of a stadium full of people. His arms go tightly around me, and his tongue teases my lips until they open for him.

The screaming and cheers are enough to give a stone statue a headache, but all I can do is smile and wink when Declan finally lets me go. Turning back toward the railing, I vault over it and land back on the field, jogging over to Sandra and Candice. Their both laughing, and high five me. I don't have to turn around to know Declan hasn't taken his eyes off me. I can feel it—his stare like a laser beam to my nerve endings.

I'm almost certain his smile matches mine, but for different reasons. He's smiling because I'm not usually so bold. I'm smiling because I didn't miss the scowl on Bo's face when I turned to come back to the field.

As long as I can keep Bo from getting Declan to pledge, I will feel a whole lot better. For now, though, I need to focus on my team.

Then I can go back and focus on my boyfriend.

5 Declan

"Your girlfriend is wicked good, bro." Justus, the best tight end on the University of Washington football team, reaches over my shoulder and fist bumps me. He doesn't do a lot of stuff with the team outside practice, though, so I'm actually surprised to see him here. "Jackson, yours too. Y'all better be careful before those ladies outshine your asses." He claps Jackson on the shoulder too.

Justus is a nice guy. I ought to introduce Lena to him. She'd probably approve. He's calmer than Bo. Has more in common with Lena and I. Shares our faith and comes from a small town in the mid-west, has seven sisters, and is more dedicated to his studies than anything else. "Justus, wait up."

He stops and turns to wait for me. "You got plans? I'd like to introduce you to Lena if you have time."

A smile slowly slides onto his face. "Of course, brother. I'd be honored." We both chuckle and head back over to Jackson, who's leaning on the railing watching Lena and Candice talk with their Team Captain. The girls played a hell of a game but still only tied. I've never seen Lena dig in so hard. I've also never seen her leg sweep another girl, but that totally happened tonight.

"Ah, football brothers," Bo shouts as Justus and I join them, putting his arms around our shoulders. "I think the hard-fought game by the lady Huskies deserves a fun Sunday Night shindig. What do ya say?"

I glance at Jackson, and his head shakes so slightly I almost wonder if I imagined it. The look on his eyes tells me otherwise. Bo is smiling like something out of The Shining, and I know we should decline. Lena and I have class early as hell tomorrow, and it's going to be a long week. I don't want to be ignorant to Bo, though. He's one of our teammates, and almost all the guys, except us, Justus, and his best friend Jose, are all part of Sigma Nu. Honestly, what could an hour or two do?

"Not for long, Bo. My girl and I got class early tomorrow." Jackson draws my attention with a huge huff and rolling his eyes.

"Excellent, D-man. Justus, you down?"

Justus glances from me to Jackson. "For a bit. Why not."

Bo steps away from us and does a little jump, fist-pumping into the air. "Be at the frat house when you're ready and when your ladies are ready, of course. It's gonna be super fun, bros." Bo walks away and jumps on the back of another football player, screaming, cheering, and causing a scene—as usual. He's loud and obnoxious, but that's just him. I don't think he means anything by it. That's just part of his personality.

Jackson, Justus, and I head to the area outside the girls' locker room to wait. After thirty or so minutes, Candice and Lena come out. They've both showered, and Lena is wearing tight jeans, an even tighter tank top that shows just a sliver of her stomach, and the blue and black cardigan my parents got her last year for her birthday. Her hair is hanging past her waist and is still damp, and she has minimal makeup on.

Thank you, Lord. She is perfect for me.

As she walks toward me, I notice her sliding her promise ring back on. She comes to a stop in front of me, and I stare at her, confused. The smile on her face falters. "What's wrong?"

"You weren't wearing your ring?" I don't mean to sound upset, but I do . . . I am. I've never taken off the cross necklace she gave me in the hospital last year. I wear it under my jersey.