Jordan POV

Finals week was hell. He never was the best student, but he worked hard to keep his average grades. Since he had no girl, all he had was time to study.

"Bro, how do you continue to get straight As?"

He and Manny were at the frat house studying with Brian and Taj. He could barely concentrate there, he preferred studying alone in quiet, but he also wanted to hang with his fraternity brothers. Brian and Taj were naturally smart and didn't have to do much to make good grades. He and Manny studied like crazy.

"Can't let up on what you want," Brian said to him.

Whatever with what he was saying. Brian wanted to be a doctor or something, he needed to get good grades. He was already doing what he wanted to do with his life. Make more videos and build his empire. Getting straight As did not matter at that point. In fact, getting a degree did not matter.

That was not going to stop him from finishing college. He wanted to make enough money so he could help his mother out, even his little brothers. Maybe pay for their college.

"Jordy, you don't have to be a boy genius like Bri over here," Taj stated. "Just don't flunk out."

"No worries about that." He closed his book in front of him, already distracted at this point so why pretend to study? "We need a bigger frat house."

Taj chuckled at him. "Why do you say that?"

"Because you're staying now, Taj. Graduate school. Manny and I were going to get a place, but why don't we all just get a place? It doesn't have to be here, obviously, it's too small. Let's get a bigger place we can all stay together."

Taj grinned, through Brian a look, who was deep into his computer. Brian only shrugged.

"Manny, what do you think?" Taj asked.

"I'm down with whatever."

Jordan did not want to stop just on them finding another house to rent for the year. They needed something more.

"How about this, guys, why are we renting a house? Why can't we own a house like the MAXs. They have their Alumni help with the mortgage, and whoever lives in the house keeps it up. Long as we make sure at least two members live in the house each year."

"Interesting," was all Taj could say.

"No, seriously. When the brothers come to town for graduation this weekend, let's bring it up to them. We can vote or whatever, but we need the Alumni's help in securing a nonprofit organization that can purchase a house. I have no idea-"

"I can ask Jossie," Taj said. "She was one of the Founders of Max to help buy their house. Jordan, I think it's a great idea. Good looking out neo."

He was so proud he came up with this idea. Something the brothers should have thought of before instead of throwing their money at renting a house they were outgrowing. Between all the props and plaques and UE memorabilia they earned over the years, they were running out of storage space. In a house, they could have a secure place to permanently keep their things.

The next day he and Taj went to Jossie about the idea and to ask for her help.

She smiled. "Why have you guys never done this before?"

"Sometimes it takes new young eyes to see things clearly," Taj said, patting Jordan on the back. "All his idea."

"You came to the right person. Went through this with MAX as well as I know what the white Greek organizations on campus have done. MAX is the only Black Greek Org with a house, and we don't mind sharing that honor."

"Maybe some of the Divine Nine will see what us little org can do and want something for themselves as well." After all, the bigger the organization, the bigger the money, right?

"The way their national headquarters sets things up for them it's close to impossible for them to own property. MAX was not set up that way. Each undergraduate chapter works as its own entity, with the Founders more or less governing the organization. We're still young, and maybe that is something we need, a Headquarters."

"Why not right here where you guys were founded," Jordan said.

Jossie nodded. "We are kind of the mecca. We are growing."

"EU headquarters is where we were founded, Springfield, Illinois. Maybe we need to get their support as well."

He was so excited about the aspect of the fraternity owning a house He momentarily forgot about his finals and dug in researching what was offered in the area. Because Bloomington-Normal was a college town with not only Illinois State University in the area but other colleges, several houses fit their needs,

He knew they needed something close to campus within somewhat walking distance. The current house Taj and Brian rented was close and walkable, but he wanted something where if they threw wild parties, campus police would not be knocking at their door. Also wanted it close enough when they through parties, students could walk to and from the house with no problem.

They could host their Brother's Keepers meeting there and not have to do so on campus. That meant they needed a house with at least one large room. And several bathrooms. He would love at least four bedrooms, but that was not a necessity.

The one house that fit all the fraternity needs was in Uptown Normal, right past the Circle. Far enough from the main campus, but access to everything, including the restaurants, bus depot, Amtrak train station, and hotels for when Alumni preferred to crash there versus stay at the house.

It was a huge house, maybe even too big. Six bedrooms, four bathrooms, a large living room, a dining room, a large kitchen, and a basement that would be the best place for parties. The basement could hold its meetings as well. There was a two-car garage plus a driveway for more cars to park.

It was perfect.

Except they needed a large down payment and the house needed minor repairs. It was old.

He took the tour with Taj, they videoed and took pictures, got estimates on the repairs, and would bring it up to the brothers.

There was no second choice option, he wanted that house.

All four of them would still be there next year, plus whenever they brought in new guys, there was plenty of room for them there. For now, he would be moving into the current house, and if they could not get the new house, he would extend the lease there and stay the summer.

Life was good.

Then after his last final, he ran into Marketta. Damn, she was still so fly. Always put together and looking so good. Did she know she was so beautiful?

"Hey," he said when she tried to ignore and pass him by. Why did he feel like he was having deja vu with her? This never happened to them before. He was heartbroken over the breakup, she seemed okay.

"Hey, Jordan."

At least she was speaking to him now. "How are you? How did your finals go."

"I hope good." She let out a sigh. "I need my GPA to stay intact."

"You have a 3.5, you're good."

"Doesn't beat my sister's 4.0. I'm always in her shadow."

"No, you're not." He took her hand. "Want to go and have lunch and talk?"

She moved her hand away. "Jordan, we can be friends and talk, but let's not make it more than that. I can't trust you. Nothing will change about that."

He hated that she felt that way. How was he going to change how she felt?

"Okay, Marketta, I can respect how you feel. Long as you're still talking to me and we can be friends. Maybe over the summer we can call and chat with each other."

"Sure." She smiled at him and he was a goner.

He would forever love Marketta, he knew that. She was the one that got away, and it was nothing he did. Then again, maybe he did.

He was wrong for keeping Manny's secret. Marketta and Laila were more than sisters, they were best friends, super close, and had each other's back. The mistake he made was thinking one's feelings would not affect the other.

"Maybe I will see you this summer?" That was a lot to ask with her going back to St. Louis and him staying in town. "Or maybe just Facetime each other."

"Yeah, I'll need you on my good side next year."

"Huh? For what?"

"Pledging." She moved a bit close to him and whispered. "I want to pledge MAX next year."

He smiled at that as she walked off. Her being a MAX would give them a chance to spend more time together. And it would give him a chance to win her back.

Maybe next year would be a great year after all.

A/N: Jordan is a good guy that deserves some happiness. If only I was writing a sequel to this 🤔. No worries, the guys will appear in the next of the ladies' books.