Dateless (Squad Goals Book 3), page 1
Dateless
Squad Goals
Book 3
Willow Thomas
Copyright © 2024 by Willow Thomas
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.
Designations used by companies to distinguish their products are often claimed as trademarks. All brand names and product names used in this book and on its cover are trade names, service marks, trademarks and registered trademarks of their respective owners. The publishers and the book are not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book. None of the companies referenced within the book have endorsed the book.
Cover Design: Breathless Lit
Editing: Breathless Lit
Created with Vellum
For Lark Taylor
My twin
Grumpy/sunshine will always be our trope.
Contents
1. Luke
2. Corey
3. Luke
4. Corey
5. Luke
6. Corey
7. Luke
8. Corey
9. Luke
10. Corey
11. Luke
12. Corey
13. Luke
14. Corey
15. Luke
16. Corey
17. Luke
18. Corey
Epilogue
Also by Willow Thomas
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Chapter 1
Luke
If I don’t open my eyes, it’s not morning and I don’t have to get up and go visit the scary Kappa frat house. Logic.
Unfortunately, Perry shouts through my door and shatters that tentative illusion. “Luke, if you’re not up and downstairs in five minutes, I’m dragging you out of bed. You can’t ignore Corey Howe, you beautiful dumbass.”
I sigh and finally open my eyes and stare at my ceiling. It’s covered in glow stars that don’t look as happy in the cold light of day as they do at night time. They’re the same ones that I had in the bedroom I shared with Benny and Tyler growing up.
I miss my brothers. Idaho to California is a long and expensive road trip. With Tyler and I in college and Benny working full time as a stripper, we don’t get to see each other very often.
At least we have our bi-weekly video chats.
Who needs parents when you have friends and brothers?
Even if your friends are making you face up to the consequences of your own actions. At least they aren’t making me do it alone.
If I could go back in time and erase last night, I would.
Being stood up by a frat guy is nothing major. I didn’t even like him that much. I just really wanted to lose my virginity, and he seemed okay…ish. Clearly, he wasn’t because he didn’t turn up. Then when I decided to hang out with my rideshare driver, who also delivers food, who answers the door naked with another guy? My date. Getting stood up so your date could hook up with someone else was my final straw.
So many bad fucking dates and zero ass penetration.
I know I’m not owed sex by any of these guys. I just sort of assumed it would have happened by now.
Kappa Sigma Kappa.
The president, Corey Howe, is terrifying. He destroyed a guy for knocking his wing mirror off—literally. The guy transferred out of state after it happened.
I made toilet paper rain down on his front lawn. It was a sea of white. Of course, he caught me and brought me home, where he told me in no uncertain terms that I had to go to the frat house to work out my punishment.
Fuck my life.
I’ll have to clean up the house, which is fair. I should have done that last night. What if he makes me transfer? I don’t want to leave Flora Vista. California is where I’m meant to be. As much as I miss my brothers, my life is here. After college, I’m going to stay close and get a teaching job.
What if he makes me lose my scholarship?
Oh my god, is what I did criminal damage?
Am I a felon now? I don’t want to lose my virginity in prison.
“Okay, that’s it,“ Perry says, bursting through the door with Bradley trailing behind him. “I can guarantee you’ve entered the overthinking portion of your morning routine and that isn’t going to help today. Well, any day, but especially this fine Sunday. Bradley is here to pick you up and bring you downstairs.”
Perry stands there, arms crossed, as Bradley picks me up in a fireman's hold.
“What is it about me that people think this is the way I want to be manhandled?” I sigh, thinking back to last night and how this is exactly how Corey carried me home.
No offense to Bradley, but it was kind of sexy when Corey did it. Watching his ass and thighs as he walked was out of this world hot. Jerking one out over my own personal judge, jury, and executioner was a terrible idea. When I see him, my dick is going to get hard. Oh my god, this is going to be a mess.
“He’s doing it again, Perry,” Bradley says as we walk down the stairs.
Perry sighs from behind me. “Of course he is. Bring him into the kitchen, and we can feed him at the breakfast island.”
This is getting ridiculous.
“You know I’m a grown ass adult, right?” Bradley sets me down on a stool and pats my head. “Stop that. I’m not a puppy.”
“You sure acted like one last night. I bet the Kappa house looked like an Andrex commercial,” Perry snorts.
“I thought we were friends? What is this? Stress Luke out more and send him into the lion’s den?” I huff in annoyance.
Bradley wraps me in a hug from behind. “You poor little lamb. We are here to make sure you don’t get eaten by Corey.”
The memory of his smirk flashes through my mind. I wouldn’t mind him eating certain parts of me.
“Luke, what are you thinking right now?” Perry says sharply. “It better not be what I think it is.”
Perry thinks he can read me so well.
“You better not be thinking dirty thoughts about Corey Howe.”
Well, that’s fucking annoying.
“I wasn’t. I was thinking about how cleaning up dozens of unrolled toilet paper is going to suck. I was really hoping for a Mama Russo meal and to maybe perv over Gio’s hockey playing cousin.” I am such a great liar. It’s all about the details. Lots of them.
“Mhm, sure,” Perry rolls his eyes. Rude. “Look, I can’t come with you because I have to go and see my sister today, but you are going to go over there, apologize, clean the mess up, and then come straight back home. Got it?”
I know Perry means well, but honestly, it really is like having a third big brother sometimes. One that thinks of me as a little kid. Most of the time I like his brotherly ways, but it’s really irritating right now. Probably because I know I was an idiot for getting myself into this situation.
“Got it.”
“Good, now eat some breakfast and go face the music,” he says, kissing my hair. “I’ve got to go.”
“Sure thing, dad. You are going to make a great parent one day.”
I can’t help but snort at the look of horror on his face.
“Luke Cyril Green, don’t you dare put that out into the world? There will be no babies in my fucking future.”
“Whatever. I said what I said. And my middle name still isn’t Cyril.”
He flips me the bird, kisses Bradley on the cheek, and slams the door behind him, leaving Bradley looking at me like I’m a puzzle to solve.
“Why haven’t you and Perry ever had sex?” He asks as he pours me my favorite cinnamon crunch cereal.
“Same reason, me and you haven’t had sex. I don’t want a pity fuck. I want the man I’m having sex with to want me and not just want to help get me over a hump. You know?”
This is something I put a lot of thought into last year. I want to have sex and get that first time out of the way, but I don’t want it to be a chore. Plus, my teammates might all be hot as hell, but I’m not actually hot for any of them.
“Yeah, that makes sense,” he eyes my untouched bowl. “Hurry up and eat, then I’ll walk you over there. Corey Howe isn’t going to get any more pleasant the longer you keep him waiting.”
I hate that he has a point.
Twenty minutes later, Bradley is practically dragging me up the road. “I don’t know why I need an escort.” I huff.
“Because you are in a snarky mood,” Bradley smiles. “It’s going to be fine. You can come and hang out at my frat house afterward if you want?”
I am always forgetting Bradley is in a frat. Probably because he lives in the cheer house, and I rarely go to parties. I think I’ve been to two this whole year. Such a party animal
“Thanks man, but my brothers are calling tonight. Tyler’s boyfriend, Zeke, bought a new pub quiz book.”
I can’t wait. I love a game night, and it’s the one thing my brothers and I all have in common. Other than the fact we’re all gay as fuck.
“What the fuck?”Bradley mumbles, frowning at the scene before us.
We’ve come to a stop at the Kappa house an d it’s tidy. There isn’t a piece of toilet paper in sight. It looks like a picturesque, All-American family house.
“Did you manifest this?” Bradley turns to me, face full of awe.
“Maybe I did? Should we go?” I barely have the last word out, and the front door is thrown open.
“Hey Bradley,” a tall guy calls out. “Is the little dude Luke?”
“Hey, I’m not little.” Who the fuck does he think he is? “5”6 is perfectly average, thank you.”
He snorts. “Sure thing, Mr. Perfectly Average. Are you planning on keeping Corey waiting?”
“Mr Perfectly Average? Are you paraphrasing Taylor Swift to me?” I bite out as I stomp my way into the house. The first thing I notice is the smell. Jasmine. Benny used to light jasmine candles, and it always made me feel happy and safe.
The door slams behind me, and the Swiftie is standing there alone, grinning at me like a Disney Channel villain.
“Where is Bradley?” I ask, looking around with a sinking feeling.
“Your boyfriend isn’t needed for this,” a voice says from behind me. I don’t need to turn around to know who it is. I can still remember that rough growl from last night.
Don’t think about his ass.
I do turn around.
Corey Howe.
He is my opposite in every way. Tall, broad, put together, and sleek. The man oozes control and sex appeal.
“What is this?” I definitely do not squeak.
“This? It’s a conversation about how you’re going to pay me back for last night.”
I may be a virgin, but it looks like I am about to be fucked.
Chapter 2
Corey
The cute little cheerleader swallows like I’m about to devour him whole.
Good.
Looks like that reputation is working out well for me.
The rumors are ridiculous, but if believing a few stupid lies keeps people away from me, then I’m all for it.
Someone who can only be Bradley Palmer bangs on the door. Seth answers it, and Bradley saunters in.
“Dude, do you really need all the theatrics?”
Seth just shrugs. “It’s Sunday, and I’m bored.”
Luke hasn’t taken his eyes off of me the whole time. “Your front yard is as good as new, so does that mean I can go?”
I roll my eyes. Of course, he’s just another entitled sports brat who thinks consequences are for other people to deal with.
“Why would you think you can leave before we’ve even spoken?” I bite out, making him flinch. I ignore the voice in my head that tells me I need to reassure him. “Follow me.”
He hesitates for a split second before he’s trotting after me as I make my way down the hall and to my study. Having a study makes me sound as old as my dad, but as the president of Kappa Sigma Kappa, I get one. Makes sense with all the shitty admin I have to do.
“Bradley, you need to wait here,” Seth calls out. I look over my shoulder and see Bradley following us.
“This is between me and Luke. You can wait with Seth,” I tell him with a scowl. He looks down at Luke, who gives him a nervous smile.
“I’ll be okay, Bradley,” he whispers. He won’t, but whatever keeps the Gamma out of my office, I guess.
My office looks like the rest of the house: dark wood and bottle green. I think it’s meant to look intimidating and like old money. It mainly gives me a headache from how fucking dark it is.
“Take a seat,” I nod to the couch in the corner. This is also the room where my frat brothers come to tell me their problems or to ask for advice. And sometimes to just hang out. People on campus may think I’m the antichrist, but these guys know I’m not that bad.
He sits down, and I properly take him in. Cute, little cheerleader, fits him to a tee. He has a mop of rusty colored curls, and even if I didn’t know he was a flier on the cheer squad, I would have guessed with his slight frame. With his pouty lips and bold green eyes, he almost looks like someone I would be attracted to.
“I am really sorry about last night. I never meant to teepee your house. I really did think it was the Psi house. I swear.”
And then he opens his mouth and that almost attraction washes away.
“You think I should give you a pass because you vandalized the wrong house? A guy stands you up, and you feel so entitled to his time that you try to damage the home he shares with blameless people?”
“What? No…I…I mean,” he splutters.
“Look, I don’t give a shit what you meant to do. The fact is, you teepeed our home, and I can either call campus security, or we can work out your punishment privately. Your choice.”
“You. I want you,” he winces. “I mean, I want to work it out with you. I’m on a scholarship, and I can’t lose it.”
“Mommy and Daddy won’t pick up the bill?” I taunt him. “Actually, I don’t care. Show me your schedule.”
He looks like he wants to say something for a split second but then thinks better of it and pulls his phone from his pocket. He unlocks it and hands it to me.
That is weirdly trusting.
I look at the perfectly color-coded calendar. It’s one of the most attractive things I’ve ever seen.
“Cheerleading practice, football games, classes. Standard. What is B&T VC on Tuesdays and Saturdays?” I ask.
“They’re my brothers, Benny and Tyler. They live in Idaho, so we video chat twice a week.” He steels himself like he expects me to make a shitty comment.
“Fine, we’ll work around that.” His eyes widened in surprise. “You can be our very own handyman for two evenings a week, one morning, and four hours on Sunday.”
“What the fuck?” he splutters. “For how long?”
“Until I decide that you’re done.”
“That isn’t fair!”
“What’s not fair is vandalizing someone’s home because they didn’t want to be a notch on your bedpost.”
He throws his hands in the air. “That isn’t what happened. You know what? Fine, I’ll do your jobs, but the second one of your frat boys is homophobic; I’m out.”
“Yeah, that’s not going to happen, little cheerleader.”
Seeing his eyes harden does something to me. I get the feeling he isn’t used to not getting his way very often. It’s going to be satisfying as fuck putting him in his place.
“Be here at six tomorrow evening. The woodwork needs a good clean.” I say, handing him back his phone. “You can leave now.”
He stomps out of the room, leaving my door open, and a moment later, I hear the front door slam.
Sadly, I’m not left alone for long.
“Man, he was pissed. What did you say to him?” Seth says, coming in and throwing himself into the seat Luke just vacated.
“That he’s going to be doing odd jobs around the house,” I say with a shrug before pinning Seth with a scare. “I give him the jobs, though, okay? I don’t want anyone fucking with him.”
Seth rolls his eyes. “No one would. Even if you didn’t tell them too.”
Seth has a point there.
This used to be an “old boy’s club” type of frat where money talks and people can do whatever. That hasn’t been the case for nearly twenty years, but we still have the reputation. I’m pretty sure the dated decor and my attitude doesn’t help matters.
Now, when pledges rush, we make sure they know this is a safe space for people. I’m not having anyone feel shitty under my watch.
Which is something the little cheerleader is going to find out the hard way.
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?
