The Circle of Friends

IX - A Challenge and a Decision-1

IX - A Challenge and a Decision

Once classes began the following week, Jason was able to keep his longing for Lori out of his thoughts and concentrate on football and school. He and Chris were also working on pledging a fraternity. The dorm rooms were the worst and too small for two people without tripping all over one another. Chris wanted to get closer to the parties, as the football team certainly knew how to throw a wild bash. Jason just wanted his own room and a chance to bond with some of the young men with whom he would be playing ball this season.

They went to a party at the frat house the following Saturday night. It was impossible to blend into the crowd, as the residents knew they were freshmen. Jason felt as if his every move was being scrutinized. Marcus, the fraternity president, was still looking over the new recruits. He would be the one to make the final decision and also determine what would be done in terms of hazing. Usually a challenge was set before each pledge, and each one was different. Marcus would be deciding upon the tasks with the help of John, the vice-president.

Jason felt wary of Marcus, but he liked John. A junior linebacker from Savannah, he was the size of a bear. Jason knew he would eventually be pulverized by players even larger than John and was taking notes early. On the field, John was very intimidating. Elsewhere, Jason found him congenial and friendly, and John seemed willing to help the young quarterback. Hopefully this would work to his advantage when it came time for the fraternity challenges.

There were a number of girls at the party. Chris voiced his delight at the prospect of having his choice of women every Saturday night. However, Jason felt this might be a problem. One girl in particular kept hitting on him. She was showing off as much skin as possible without exposing herself completely and relishing the attention this brought. Once she became engrossed with Jason, it became a struggle to ignore her advances.

He decided not to tell Lori about the girls at the party. She worried enough without hearing what really went on at the fraternity. He suspected Lori had already caught the attention of many young men at Florida. She probably did not even realize it, either. The thought of some boy taking advantage of Lori enraged Jason. Fortunately she was not interested in parties, as she would be an easy target for anyone determined to get her into bed.

Once she set up her computer, Lori e-mailed him every day. Her bubbly personality came across even on the Internet and Jason looked forward to reading her notes. Sometimes he would reply, just to keep the flow of hope coming, but he always called Lori. If Chris was in the room, he would go outside for privacy. Jason did not want Lori to feel completely alone in Gainesville.

After the game on Saturday, Jason and Chris were handed envelopes in the locker room. Each had a specific time in which to be opened and they were given strict orders to wait until then. Jason’s said seven o’clock that night. He stuffed it in his bag and finished dressing. As he was leaving, he glanced at Marcus. The senior grinned wickedly, his stare piercing Jason’s eyes. Nonchalantly, Jason continued walking. He understood the meaning of envelope’s contents and refused to let Marcus rattle his nerves.

Chris never returned to their dorm room and Jason assumed he had already opened his envelope. He got a quick bite to eat, all the while staring at the letter on his desk. To kill some time, he went online and sent messages concerning today’s game to Matt and Lori. Matt had been good about keeping up with his e-mail and they sent messages to one another on a regular basis. Adjusting to playing college ball as well, Matt did not enjoy being at the bottom once again.

When the clock finally read seven, Jason tore into his envelope. Inside lay a second, smaller letter with what felt like a credit card inside. On the outside was an address, along with the time of seven-thirty. Jason looked up the address online and discovered it to be a hotel.

Grabbing his keys, he went downstairs and to his car. It took less than fifteen minutes to reach the hotel and he pulled into a vacant parking spot. Jason still had almost ten minutes to wait and he started to become concerned. The card inside the second envelope felt suspiciously like a room key.

When time came to open the second envelope, Jason discovered it was indeed a hotel room key. A sticky note on the card said room 210. Reluctantly, he got out of the car and walked into the lobby. A sign pointed the direction of the elevators and he rode to the second floor alone. He found the room and stood there for a moment, key in hand. With a sigh of resignation, he slid the card into the slot and the door unlocked.

Jason slowly opened the door and stepped inside. There were no lights illuminating the room and the curtain was drawn. He glanced at the empty bathroom and allowed the door to close. Once inside, his eyes began to adjust and he realized there were several candles placed on the dresser. Eyes on the flickering candles, Jason stepped into the main room.

“At least you’re on time,” came a sultry voice from the other side of the room.

Jason was startled to realize he was not alone. A girl sat on the bed, apparently waiting for him. Slowly she arose, revealing only a see-through black robe draped over her naked body. Jason instantly recognized her from the party.

“What is this?” he asked suspiciously.

She walked over to him and draped her arms around his neck. “Why, I’m your challenge. If you please me, I’ll give Marcus a good report.”

“Wait a minute,” said Jason. “You mean, I’m supposed to go to have s*x with you?”

“That would certainly please me!” she replied, running her fingers through his hair.

“I have to sleep with you to get in the fraternity?” he asked, panic rising in his chest.

“Yes,” she answered, closing her eyes and pulling Jason forward to kiss him.

Jason turned his head and her lips found his neck instead. The sensation awoke his senses and desire rose within his body. Overcome with the urge to satisfy his physical needs, Jason’s mind began rationalizing the decision. Lori would never know of his indiscretion. Jason would be accepted into the fraternity and life would continue. However, a sliver of doubt tugged at his conscious.

“I have a girlfriend,” he admitted. “She can’t ever know about us.”

She just laughed, her tone colored with spite. “I don’t care if she does!”

Her cryptic response angered Jason. Any temptation he felt instantly vanished.

“Well, I do care!” he growled, shoving her away and breaking the grasp around his neck. “And you’re not worth it!”

“What?” she cried indignantly, placing her hands on her hips. “Are you telling me no?”

Jason tossed the room key on the dresser and turned to leave. “I’m telling you no way!” he said as he yanked open the door.

She voiced another angry protest that was cut off by the closing door. Fearful she would follow him into the hallway, Jason beat a hasty retreat to the elevators. He managed to get out of the hotel without further incident. Jumping into his car, he jammed his keys into the ignition. Gripping the steering wheel, Jason angrily stared out the front window.

That was probably his only chance to join the fraternity. Chris would have slept with her in a heartbeat. Matt would not have even hesitated. Had he been single, Jason could have easily jumped into bed with the young woman. But the thought of betraying Lori’s trust so quickly and for so little sickened Jason. How Marcus had known to make this girl his challenge was beyond Jason. He had never even mentioned Lori to Marcus. John had known, though.

Angrily, Jason started the engine and pulled out of the parking lot. Irritated with John, he felt equally annoyed with the lost opportunity. He really wanted to be in that fraternity. As he rolled up to a red light, he glanced at the passenger seat. Jason could picture Lori sitting beside him, her love for him reflected in her blue eyes and smiling face. He sighed and shook his head. Sleeping with that girl would have been wrong, regardless of the reward.

He had just reached campus when his cell phone rang. Jason reluctantly answered and discovered it was John.

“Come on by the house,” said John, his deep voice rich with laughter.

Biting his tongue, for there were a thousand ugly things he wanted to say, Jason answered civilly. “Fine.”

It was dark by the time he pulled up to the frat house. No wild party was in evidence tonight, but several players were hanging out on the front porch. Silently they watched as Jason walked up the steps and went into the house. As he entered, those gathered on the couch glanced up at the young quarterback. Three young men were playing pool in the other room, and they paused their game to observe. Jason stood there for a moment, unsure what he should do next.

John suddenly appeared in the main hallway and gestured him forward. Still annoyed, Jason followed him past the staircase and into the back hallway. They walked to the last room on the right and John stood aside, gesturing for Jason to enter. Stepping into the largest bedroom in the house, Jason realized it was Marcus’s room. The senior sat in front of his computer and he turned to face Jason. Crossing his arms, Marcus slowly rocked in his executive chair, obviously enjoying the moment.

“Angie called,” he said casually. “Said you left the room without even kissing her.”

“That’s right,” said Jason, straightening his shoulders. He refused to let Marcus intimidate him.

“So tell me why,” enticed Marcus.

Jason toyed with several responses before settling on the truth. “Because I have a girlfriend and I decided it just wasn’t worth it,” he answered.

Behind him, John laughed. “Told you he had morals,” he said to Marcus.

Marcus nodded, his eyes intense. “That takes commitment. I understand she goes to the University of Florida, too.”

Jason simply stood there, unsure how to respond to the senior quarterback.

“Do you know what it takes to lead?” Marcus suddenly inquired. “It takes commitment, honor and the willingness to work harder than anyone else. You’ve got to be tough and lead by example. These guys need to know that they can believe in their quarterback and trust him completely. If you don’t have total confidence in yourself and your players, then it all falls apart.”

Marcus hesitated, watching Jason closely. “Most of these guys will never go on to play pro ball. Some because of a lack of talent and some just because they won’t put forth the effort and play up to their potential. The coaches aren’t the only ones watching for genuine talent with attitude to match. As team captain, it’s my job to make sure my potential successors are qualified. That was the reason for your challenge tonight. It was a study in character.”

“What do you mean?” asked Jason, perplexed. Had he done the right thing after all?

“The average guy would have nailed Angie without a second thought,” he said. “But John assured me you have the potential to handle difficult situations and do what’s right. He also told me about your girlfriend,” Marcus said slyly, leaning forward, “and bet me twenty bucks you’d not screw around on her!”

“Which you now owe me, by the way!” added John.

Holding up his hand, Marcus grinned at the linebacker. “You’ll get it! So, Jason, you plan on leading the Seminoles to a championship bowl game?”

“Yes, I do,” he answered boldly.

“And where will you be in four to five years?”

“Starting quarterback for a professional team,” he said, the barest trace of a smile on his lips.

Laughing, Marcus arose and offered his hand to Jason. “Move your stuff in tomorrow. John will show you the empty rooms and let you have first pick!”