After I’d cleaned up, it had taken a while to land on my feet. But with the help of friends and my sister, I’d eventually gone back to work and started taking classes again.
The girl who wrote the article, Trixie, eventually apologized and wrote a retraction and new article, which helped a little, but my reputation was pretty much toast.
When Ridge, my old frat brother and now president of Delta, apologized for their knee-jerk reaction to the accusations against me and invited me back to the fraternity, I’d been elated at the thought of getting my old life back, yet nervous of how things would be with my brothers, old and new.
But so far, things had been great.
“And you’re not drinking or anything?” Papi asked.
I held up my one-year chip from AA and said, “Nope.”
“What about women? When’s the last time you got laid, or shit, just hung out with a girl?”
“Not since before.”
That’s how I broke up my life now… before the article and after.
“That’s probably your problem… you need to drown yourself in the love of a good woman.”
He probably had a point, but ever since my last night at Delta, I hadn’t felt like myself. I used to be hella confident, arrogant even, with my pick of the hottest women on campus.
Shit, I’d been the Vice President of Delta, the hottest frat around, and I’d definitely used it to my advantage. I’d used women and they’d used me, and I’d thought I had everything I could ever want.
But things had changed drastically since then… I’d changed drastically. And that life no longer held any appeal.
“I don’t know…” I began.
“I’m not saying hook up with Bella or anyone of her ilk,” Papi said as he moved forward on the bed.
“Dude, your robe,” I said, holding my hand up when I caught a glimpse of his junk.
Papi just grinned and moved the terry cloth to cover himself.
“Here’s what you need to do,” he began, a grin taking over his face. “Forget the Delta groupies and the girls you used to date. You need a woman. A woman who is sensitive. A woman who can handle being with a complicated man. A woman who can satisfy you in ways you’ve never imagined.”
“I don’t think I’m ready for a relationship right now, Papi,” I told him.
“I’m not suggesting that, in fact, just the opposite.”
I furrowed my brow and asked, “Do you mean a prostitute?” I shook my head. “Look, what a woman chooses to do with her body is her business, but not only do I not have the extra cash, it’s just something that’s never appealed to me.”
“Not a prostitute… But you will have to shell out a little money.”
“Quit being mysterious and spit it out,” I said, getting impatient.
Papi always had a tendency for the dramatic.
“Fine,” he said with a wave of his hand. “There’s this club. It’s relatively new and unique to this area. Not a full-fledged sex club… more of a place for people who are looking for companionship and yes, sex, a safe place to meet.”
I sighed and gave him an incredulous look.
“The last thing I need is another vice to get addicted to.”
Papi chuckled and lifted his chin.
“It’s hard to explain, but it’s not what you’re thinking. It’s like a dating app, but in person. You’re not expected to have sex with a bunch of strangers or put on a show or anything. You list out the qualities you’re looking for in a person, what sort of relationship you’re looking for… and it can be casual… and you’ll be matched with a few candidates whose criteria you fit, that also fit yours. Then you both decide if you want to have a meet up in the club, and things progress, or don’t from there.”
“I don’t know, sounds pretty complicated,” I said, wondering what kind of freaky shit Papi had gotten into since I’d been away.
“You came to me for help, and this is it. You have to at least give it a try. If you don’t like it, consider your penance done.”
I looked at my old friend shrugged and said, “Why not. What have I got to lose?”
About the Author
Bethany Lopez is a USA Today Bestselling author of more than thirty books and has been published since 2011. She's a lover of all things romance, which she incorporates into the books she writes, no matter the genre.
When she isn't reading or writing, she loves spending time with family and traveling whenever possible.
Bethany can usually be found with a cup of coffee or glass of wine at hand, and will never turn down a cupcake!
To learn more about upcoming events and releases, sign up for my newsletter.
www.bethanylopezauthor.com
bethanylopezauthor@gmail.com
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Follow her at https://www.bookbub.com/authors/bethany-lopez to get an alert whenever she has a new release, preorder, or discount!
Also by Bethany Lopez
Contemporary Romance:
A Time for Love Series
Prequel - 1 Night
8 Weeks
21 Days
42 Hours
15 Minutes
10 Years
3 Seconds
7 Months
For Eternity - Novella
Night & Day - Novella
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Easy Risk - Kristen Proby’s Boudreaux Universe Novel - Releasing April 27, 2020
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The Lewis Cousins Series
Too Tempting
Too Complicated
Too Distracting
Too Enchanting
Too Dangerous
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Three Sisters Catering Trilogy
A Touch of Cinnamon
A Splash of Vanilla
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Frat House Confessions
Frat House Confessions: Ridge
Frat House Confessions: Wes
Frat House Confessions: Brody
Frat House Confessions: Crush - Releasing Aug 31, 2020
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Romantic Comedy/Suspense:
Delilah Horton Series
Always Room for Cupcakes
Cupcake Overload
Lei’d with Cupcakes
Cupcake Explosion
Cupcakes & Macaroons - Honeymoon Short
Lei’d in Paradise - Novella (Carmen & Bran)
Crazy for Cupcakes - Releasing July 27, 2020
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Women’s Fiction:
More than Exist
Unwoven Ties - Coming Soon!
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Short Stories:
Contemporary:
Christmas Come Early
Harem Night
Reunion Fling
An Inconvenient Dare
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Fantasy:
Leap of Faith
Beau and the Beastess
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Cookbook:
Love & Recipes
Love & Cupcakes
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Children’s:
Katie and the North Star
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Young Adult:
Stories about Melissa – series
Ta Ta for Now!
xoxoxo
Ciao
TTYL
With Love
Adios
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Young Adult Fantasy:
Nissa: a contemporary fairy tale
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New Adult:
Friends & Lovers Trilogy
Make it Last
I Choose You
Trust in Me
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Indelible
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