That Promise: A Small Town, Friends-to-Lovers Romance (That Boy® (Chase & Devaney) Book 2)
That Promise: Chapter 4

Last night, I had to narrow my choices from ten to six. And like yesterday, we’ll get to spend a little longer at each house. If we get six invites, we will be going from nine until dinner at seven with just an hour for lunch.

Jadyn suggested that I should make my own decisions and not be swayed by other girls rushing. And Alyssa and I discussed early in the process that it didn’t matter where we ended up; we’d be roommates and friends regardless.

When she shows me her six invites though, I do replace it interesting how much they vary from mine.

“We only share one,” she says to me. “I figured we would have more overlap.”

“Me, too,” I tell her. “What are you looking for in a group?”

“Well, I definitely want all the girls to be pretty. The prettier they are, the hotter guys I’ll meet, right?”

Alyssa is a pretty girl. She’s a brunette with curves in all the right places. Based on the photos she showed me, I think she was a lot like me, just in a smaller school. Captain of her cheer squad. Homecoming queen. She was in a few more activities than me and had a slightly lower GPA, but on paper, we’re pretty similar.

“That, or you will have a lot of gorgeous competition,” I tease.

“Oh my God, I never thought of it that way.” Her eyes get big, and I realize she is taking me seriously.

“I’m just joking,” I tell her.

“And how are you choosing?”

“Honestly, I have no idea. I’m trying not to think too hard about it and go with my gut. Where I feel most comfortable.”

“Well, if that were the case, we’d all be in …” She whispers the name of a sorority. “They need to watch a few makeup tutorials and work out occasionally, if you know what I mean.”

I give her a curt smile, not loving the catty way she sounds while at the same time knowing those very words could have come out of the mouths of any one of my high school friends.

Group text to Jennifer, Auntie Jay, Mom: I got invites to my top sex!!! And, yes, one of them is where I’m a legacy.

Jennifer: Top sex, huh? What really goes on at rush?

Auntie Jay: OMG. LMAO. Top sex. Well, if you have to be the best at something…

Mom: I guess the selection process really has changed since we went through it.

Jennifer: Although that’s what college is all about, right? Lots of education that doesn’t take place in the classroom, if you know what I mean. 😉

Me: I meant, TOP SIX sororities.

Jennifer: LOL. I think we knew that. Hope your visits are great!

I’m getting ready to text Chase next, but before I can, he sends me a screenshot of the group text with our moms. His mom must have sent it to him.

Chase: So, top sex today and then what?

Me: Very funny.

Chase: The comments after are golden. I forwarded it to Damon. I think he’s already shared it with half the school. We’re DYING!

Me: OMG! Please, the fire jokes in the Ozarks were bad enough. Please. Please. Don’t send it to the grandparents.

Chase: Uh …

Me: Do you want to hear about what’s happening today?

Chase: Yes.

Me: Okay. Today, we keep narrowing down our options, so we can spend more time getting to know the sororities we are most interested in. Tonight is going to be the hardest. We have to chose our top two and then stack rank the rest. Tomorrow, we can get a maximum of two invitations.

Chase: Wow, that’s a big jump. And you’ll for sure get one of those two on Bid Day?

Me: Hopefully, yes.

Chase: And what’s your criteria for narrowing?

Me: Are you going to get in trouble? Aren’t you in class?

Chase: I got a pass from Coach. I’m currently sitting in the whirlpool.

Me: Did you get hurt?!

Chase: Not really. It’s just a bruise, but Coach was pissed. A sophomore defensive end decided to tackle his own quarterback during practice.

Me: What an idiot. Where does it hurt?

Chase: Why? You want to kiss it and make it feel better?

Me: I did that more times than I can count when we were kids. What hurts now?

Chase: Oh, trust me, I remember. Probably why I never minded getting scraped up a bit.

Me: Are you flirting with me?

Chase: What do you want my answer to be?

Me: Is it bad if I say that I kind of hope you are?

Chase: Not as far as I’m concerned. Did I mention that I’m naked?

Me: Really?

Chase: No, not really, silly. I was attempting to use one of your brother’s typical lines on you, hoping you’d say something like — Oh, send me a picture.

Me: Chase Mackenzie, you’d better not be sending dick pics to anyone. You know better than that. It could come back to haunt you when you turn pro. Or anytime really.

Chase: Thanks for the talk, Mom.

Me: I have to go to my first visit. Tell me what really hurts. And don’t mention any boy parts.

Chase: Even if that’s what needs kissed?

Me: …

Chase: Bruised my elbow when I hit the ground.

Me: I would kiss that.