Blair shrugged. " Maybe, Jeff." He leaned over and kissed me. "All I know is regardless of how it all comes out, we don't have to hide our love from anyone ever again." And he put his head down on my chest. "And that's the best thing. You were right, Jeff. I feel so relieved."

Without question, it was the longest afternoon I'd ever spent in my life. We stayed in Blair's room until we were sent for by the Brotherhood. When the knock on the door finally came, Marc Kearney's face was solemn. "The Brotherhood is ready for you, now."

We followed him into the Great Room, where the brothers were all seated at the dining tables formed into a large circle. We were led into the center of the circle, and faced the Executive Council. I stole a quick glance around the solemn faces of the Brotherhood, and noticed that Ted wasn't one of them.

"Ted's not here." I whispered to Blair.

Jake cleared his throat. "Brothers Blanchard and Morgan, the Brotherhood has voted on your application to resign from Beta Kappa fraternity." He paused, and I could feel the sweat forming under my arms. "There was much vigorous discussion. But ultimately, the Brotherhood decided that the two of you did violate the honor code." My heart sank. "But the Brotherhood also decided that there were extenuating circumstances that led to this violation, and it is not the Brotherhood's intent to be unjust or unfair. So the Brotherhood has rejected your resignations. You are both, however, placed on a two semester probation for the violation. Another violation, and your membership will be revoked." He slammed his gavel down on the table. "May this matter be closed forever."

I stood there for a moment, not believing what I'd just heard.

And then, every single one of the brothers cheered.

Before we knew it, our brothers had surrounded us, clapping and hugging us.

"Meeting is dismissed!" Jake shouted over the noise.

"Just don't be looking at me in the shower," Jerry Pollard said as he hugged me.

"Don't worry," I teased him back and we both laughed.

When Marc Kearney hugged me, I whispered to him, "Where's Ted?"

"Ted resigned." Marc said with a sigh. "It was-I can't describe it, Jeff. When the vote went in your favor, he tore off his pin, announced he wouldn't be a part of a Brotherhood that would condone such immoral behavior, and stormed out." He shrugged. "Good riddance to bad rubbish, I say."

"Immoral behavior?" I started laughing. "He said that? Has he ever been to a party at this place?"

Marc cracked up.

Finally, Blair and I made it back to his room, joined by a group of brothers. We smoked pot, drank, and laughed and sang the fraternity song.

And finally, around midnight, we were alone together.

"We did it," Blair said, unbuttoning my shirt.

"There's nothing we can't do as long as we do it together." I leaned down and kissed him on the mouth.

"I love you, Jeff."

"I love you, Blair."

And that night, we went to sleep in each others' arms in his bed with the curtains wide open, so anyone who walked by could see us.

We were never going to have to hide ever again.

Just before I fell asleep, I looked over at Blair's closet. I could see a red sweatshirt with the big black and white BK on the front.

Beta Kappa.

Tears of joy filled my eyes, and then I laughed.

I sure have come a long way from Kansas.

And what a great journey it's been.