Tempting Him by Isabel Lucero

1

Spring break—theweek off from school where students let loose and enjoy not having to worry about assignments, projects, or anything education related. Everyone dips out and spends most of their time getting drunk, whether that be locally, or flocking to major beaches to get drunk there.

For me, I’m sticking close by, but that doesn’t mean I won’t be fully enjoying myself. Quite a few people don’t travel for the break, leaving me with plenty of options. Unfortunately for me, most of my closest friends are all in relationships, so I’ve lost several wingmen, but I’m recognized as the guy who knows pretty much everybody, so I don’t doubt I’ll find someone to hang out with.

As soon as I’m finished with my last class of the day and heading toward my car, my phone rings with a call from my dad.

“Hey, Dad,” I answer.

“Hey. How’s everything going?”

“Can’t complain. I’m done for the day and ready for spring break. What’s up with you and Mom?”

“We’re good,” he says. “I want to talk to you about something.”

I roll my eyes, grateful he can’t see me. Based on his tone, I know this is going to be something I’m probably not ready to hear.

“What is it?”

“Well, I know you’ve been enjoying your college years, which I can appreciate. You’ve done well in school, you’ve succeeded in athletics, and I know your fraternity is important to you. However, based on all the photos your sister’s shown me from your Facebooks and Instaphotos, it’s obvious you’re partying a lot. Why do you kids feel the need to post pictures of you drinking? Anyway,” he says, clearing his throat. “It’s time to get ready for life after college. Son, you graduate in just a few short months. A job at a restaurant is not going to prepare you for what you’re studying to become. I’ve set up an internship for you.”

Ignoring the fact that he got Instagram’s name wrong, not wanting to answer why we post drunken photos, and making a mental note to ask my sister why she’d even show him in the first place, I focus on the last thing he said. “What? An internship where?”

“My company has expanded and they’ve actually set up a new location not far from you. Your old man’s got a connection, and I was able to get you a spot working with the man who can teach you the most about marketing.”

“Really? Wow, that’s awesome.”

“It’s going to be hard work. You’ll lose out on a lot of free time, but at least sports are done for the year.”

“When does it start?” I ask, worried I’m about to miss out on spring break.

“Next Monday.”

“Nice. Thanks, Dad.”

“Thank me by succeeding. Don’t mess this up. The boss is pretty stern, and doesn’t tolerate any goofing off.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll be on my best behavior.”

He harrumphs. “Good.”

“Why is Janae snitching on me, though?” I ask with a laugh, talking about my fifteen-year-old sister.

Dad chuckles. “That’s what younger siblings do.”

I stay on the phone with my dad for another fifteen minutes before we end the call and I start my drive back to the frat house.

I talk to my parents at least once a week, but sometimes it’s been pushed to once every two weeks. I stay pretty busy, and they work a lot, but my sister, Janae, will text me fairly often and I’m sure she tells them I’m alive and well. While also letting them know about all my partying. Brat. I’ll have to remember to text her about this later.

While Dad is right, my part-time job as a host and waiter at a restaurant isn’t going to teach me much about a career in marketing, I will miss the laid back atmosphere and being able to talk to everyone who comes in. My extroverted self enjoys socializing. Hopefully there will be some cool people in the internship program with me who I can talk to. I don’t want to be stuck alone with this uptight boss.

My friend, Ivy Montego, texts me as I’m entering my room. She graduated last year, but we’ve stayed fairly close. She was basically a friend with benefits for a while, but we’ve moved on to just being friends.

Ivy: Hey! Spring break plans?

Me: You know we’ll have a party or two at the frat. Other than that, whatever I can get myself into.

Ivy: Well, I have an invite for you. My friend/boss is having a bachelorette/bachelor party at Three Sheets on Saturday.

Me: Three Sheets? Gross.

Ivy: Oh stop. It’s not that bad.

Me: So the bride and groom are partying together? Aren’t they supposed to be separate?

Ivy: We don’t have to stick to the old traditions, you know? Everyone will be partying together and it’ll be fun. Come on!

Me: Fine. Luckily, my friend works there, so if anything, I’ll just annoy him all night.

Ivy: You’ll have fun. There’s a lot of cute and single guys and girls coming. ;)

Me: Well, say no more.

Ivy: Ha! I’ll talk to you later.

* * *

Later that night,the frat house is booming with people and music. We organized a beach themed party for the first day of spring break for everyone who stayed behind and didn’t go to an actual beach, so almost everyone is in their bathing suits. We have a beach backdrop on one wall that people take photos in front of, and a small plastic kiddie pool that’s filled with ice and drinks.

Our cups are shaped like beach balls and pineapples, and there’s inflatable palm trees in almost every corner. And we’re not gonna mention the ridiculous straw hats that Liam wanted to have.

Renzo and Ronan approach me, wearing nearly identical, bright orange board shorts.

“Do people in relationships have to dress like twins, or what?”

Zo smacks me in the arm. “It was a complete accident.”

“I bought mine first,” Ronan says.

“Mine are a little less orange,” Zo chimes in. “And you don’t have room to talk. Are you really wearing shorts with roosters on them?”

“They’re my cock shorts.”

Ronan barks out a laugh.

Dom and Trevor saunter up—Trev wearing a teal pair of swim trunks with banana bunches on them, and Dominic sporting bright blue shorts with black palm trees across them.

“Bananas?” I ask.

Trev rolls his eyes. “Dom said my plain black ones weren’t good enough.”

“They had a hole near the crotch,” Dom exclaims. “I wasn’t about to have your cock playing peek-a-boo.”

Trevor laughs.

“But bananas?” Renzo questions, an eyebrow arched.

“The store didn’t have much left in my size,” Trev answers. “And also, fuck off.”

Everyone laughs before heading to the kitchen for drinks, where Dex and Violet find us several minutes later.

“So, my dad got me an internship,” I announce. “Starting next Monday.”

“Where?” Dex asks, his arm slung around Vi’s shoulders.

“I guess the company he works for expanded and has an office here now.”

“You’re wanting to become a marketer, right?,” Ronan asks. “Your dad does that too?”

“Yeah, I wanna get into marketing. My dad is a communication specialist but he said he got me in with the guy who can teach me the most. I’m assuming some sort of brand manager.”

“Well, that’s convenient,” Dom says.

“I know. It’s like a form of nepotism. Don’t judge me, but an internship will help me when it’s time to graduate. Maybe I can secure a job at the end of this.”

“Well, at least you didn’t have to work during spring break,” Renzo offers. “I’ll be back in the doctor’s office this week.”

Dom takes a sip. “I only have today and Sunday off. It’s about time you join the workforce.”

I flip him off. “Please, your boyfriend doesn’t even work.”

Trevor narrows his eyes at me. “No need to throw me under the bus. It’s not my fault my grandparents died and left me money.”

Dex, the richest one of all of us, takes a gulp of his beer. “I know, I know. I’m a privileged shit, but I will be working with my dad once I graduate.”

“Not that you have to,” Ronan says. “If I was the son of a billionaire, I’d travel the world for at least five years.”

Dex shakes his head and the topic of work, money, and our future as adults is put on hold, and we allow ourselves to enjoy the short time we have to be slightly irresponsible and relish in tonight.

Most of our lives are spent working to be able to live. We work to pay bills and eat, and maybe afford small luxuries. Childhood isn’t nearly long enough, but I suppose I’ve had my fair share of fun. Well, after this week.