Tau Kappa Delta

Tyler grinned as he pushed Ben’s face into the mud with his foot and the rest of the guys wear laughing their ass off. After a few seconds he figured Ben had had enough. He didn’t want to suffocate him. He took his foot off Ben, grabbed his arm and hauled him up. Tyler couldn’t but laugh when Ben spat out a mouthful of mud and wiped the sludge from his nose and eyes as he coughed.

“Sorry bud but you lost,” Tyler laughed as he clapped him on the back nearly knocking Ben back into the mud.

“Okay you guys,” Dan said as the group broke up, “Everyone stand over by that orange cone.”

The mud covered pledges and Tyler stood together as one of the TKD brothers hosed them down. The icy water stung and all the hopefuls were hopping around while the frat brothers laughed. Once the mud was mostly gone the water was shut off and Dan told everyone to towel off and get dressed.

“You men have probably worked up an appetite so we’re gonna grill some burgers,” Dan announced to cheers. “So just relax for a bit because after that comes the arm wrestling competition.”

The naked and dripping guys were quickly toweling off and getting dressed; everyone except Ben who had forgotten to bring a towel. Tyler had dried off and slipped his shorts back on when he looked over at Ben shivering and trying to shake the water off him.

“What are you doing?” Tyler asked.

“Forgot towel,” Ben said through chattering teeth. “Man you’re hopeless,” Tyler sighed as he flung his towel at Ben. “Thanks,” Ben gasped.

“Just dump it in my hamper when you’re through,” Tyler said heading back towards the house. “I’m gonna grab a hot shower.”

Ben tried to dry off but Tyler’s towel was pretty damp already. Still it was better than nothing and Ben appreciated it. But he was confused. He thought Tyler volunteered to wrestle him so he wouldn’t get hurt but Tyler had pounded him. Ben was sure he was going to be covered in bruises tomorrow. He got as dry as he could and quickly got dressed. The other guys were either chatting around the grill or relaxing inside. No one was paying attention to him. He headed inside and went up to the third floor where Tyler’s room was but the door was closed. Ben knocked but Tyler didn’t answer. He didn’t want to go in uninvited so he just waited outside.

After about 5 minutes he knocked again. “Tyler?” Ben called.

“Here,” Tyler said from behind him and Ben turned to see Tyler coming down the hall with a towel wrapped around his waist. He’d just finished his shower. He opened his door and strode past Ben.

“Close the door,” Tyler ordered. Ben stepped inside, closed the door and then went over and dropped the damp towel into the hamper near Tyler’s dresser.

“Thanks for the towel,” Ben said. He turned to see Tyler had unwound the towel from his waist and was rubbing his hair dry. Ben was slightly embarrassed since Tyler was naked but Tyler didn’t seem shy about it. “Ummm, I’ll be downstairs then,” Ben said edging towards the door.

“Stay,” Tyler ordered. Satisfied with his hair he tossed the towel at Ben. “Toss that and grab me a pair of underwear out of that drawer,” Tyler said pointing at the dresser behind Ben. Ben didn’t know what to do apart from obey Tyler so he opened the drawer and grabbed a pair of boxers from the top and then walked over to hand them to Tyler who slipped them on to Ben’s relief. Tyler sat down on the edge of his bed while Ben stood in front of him.

“You’re way behind again,” Tyler said.

“I know,” Ben said with a small shrug. “I couldn’t win at wrestling.”

“Ha,” Tyler scoffed. “I know that. I just meant everything else. There’s only so much I can do to help you dude.”

“Yeah, I understand,” Ben said. “At first I thought that’s why you picked me to wrestle against. I thought you were doing it do I wouldn’t get hurt.”

Tyler nodded, “Yeah that’s why I did it.”

“But you didn’t take it easy on me!” Ben said in surprise.

Tyler laughed, “You’re fucking kidding me right? Of course I took it easy on you.” “Sure doesn’t feel like it,” Ben said sullenly rubbing his bruised arm.

“Dude, those guys aren’t morons,” Tyler explained. “I couldn’t just pretend so yeah of course I beat on ya a little but consider yourself lucky it was me. Any of those other guys would have ripped you in half.”

“Oh,” Ben said. “Well then thanks I guess.”

“You oughta be grateful,” Tyler growled. “I hurt my shoulder picking you up like that.”

“Oh? Really?” Ben asked. He never pictured Tyler getting hurt.

“Yeah,” Tyler said. “I’m used to kicking the shit out of guys not pressing them overhead so you’re welcome.”

“Oh sorry,” Ben said. “Thanks Tyler.”

“Now I’ve just to figure out how to get you some more points,” Tyler mused.

“Yeah,” Ben said. “I don’t think I can beat any of those guys arm wrestling.”

“No shit,” Tyler smirked. “You’ll be lucky if they don’t snap your forearm like a toothpick.”

Ben paled. “What do I do?”

“Well, for now just make yourself useful and go down stairs and grab me a burger,” Tyler said.

“Oh, sure. Anything else?” Ben asked grateful for a chance to be helpful.

“Grab me a Coke and some chips too,” Tyler said.

Ben headed downstairs and out back where the burgers were sizzling. He had a wait a couple of minutes before he could grab one for Tyler and one for himself. While he waited he looked at the other guys and realized Tyler wasn’t kidding when he said they probably would have ripped him in half. Despite the bruises he was grateful they’d come from Tyler who’d held back. He knew Tyler could have also broken him in two if he’d really have wanted to. Tyler had just been giving the other guys a show when he tossed Ben around.

When the burgers were ready he loaded up two plates, grabbed a couple of sodas and some chips and then he headed back upstairs. Tyler was sitting as his desk surfing the net. He pounced on the burger when Ben handed it to him.

“Close the door so we can talk in private,” Tyler said with a mouth full of burger.

“Sure,” said Ben as he set his plate on the desk next to Tyler’s. He went and closed the door.

“Oh, and grab my phone from that table,” Tyler said. Ben unplugged the phone from where it was charging and then handed it to Tyler.

“Anything else you need,” he asked.

“You could rub my shoulder,” Tyler said as he munched on his food. “It still hurts.”

“Oh, uh sure… I guess,” said Ben. He stood behind Tyler’s chair and slowly massaged his shoulders while Tyler ate.

“A little harder,” Tyler ordered, “try and knead the muscle.” Ben tried but his hands weren’t really strong enough to do much to Tyler’s broad shoulders. Tyler seemed to find it relaxing though and he seemed deep in thought as ate. Ben realized how hungry he was since he had anything since the tacos earlier today. Tyler finished his burger and took another slug of his soda. And then Ben watched in surprise as Tyler picked up the other burger and took a big bite of it. Ben couldn’t help himself and let out a small sigh which Tyler noticed.

“What? Oh was that one for you?” Tyler asked.

“Um, well yeah,” Ben said. “But I can go get another one.”

Tyler laughed, “Not likely. Food disappears fast around here.” Tyler pulled what remained of the burger apart and handed half to Ben. “Here.”

“That’s okay,” Ben protested.

“Just fucking eat it,” Tyler ordered. Ben didn’t want to argue so he took it.

“Thanks,” Ben said. It was only about three bites worth but it did taste good. When Tyler noticed Ben had finished he said, “Since you’re done, keep working on my shoulder.” Ben sighed inwardly but he knew it was his fault that Tyler had hurt his shoulder. He figured it was the least he could do. After about 10 minutes though his arms were getting tired so he stopped and asked, “Does your shoulder feel better now?”

“Yeah thanks,” Tyler said to Ben’s relief. “That’s good.”

“No problem,” Ben said. “Whatever I can do to help.”

“In that case do you mind massaging my foot too?” Tyler asked.

“Well,” Ben said hesitantly, “I don’t think… I mean I’d feel kind of strange.”

“Ben, you’ve kissed my feet and licked my filthy soles,” Tyler reminded him. “I think rubbing my foot is pretty tame don’t you think?”

“Yeah but…” Ben protested.

“Dude, I’m sitting here trying to come up with a way to help you. Would you rather I just let one of the gorillas crack your wrist when they arm wrestle you?”

“I’m… I’m sorry,” Ben said. “I appreciate it. I really do.”

In response, Tyler simply pointed at the floor in front of his feet. Ben sat down on the floor and Tyler promptly planted his bare right foot in Tyler’s lap. And Ben began massaging it while Tyler relaxed. After about 5 minutes, Tyler said, “That felt good. Thanks,” as he pulled his foot away from Ben.

“You’re welcome,” Ben said glad it was over.

“Now do this one,” Tyler said as he plopped his left foot in Tyler’s lap. Ben sighed and continued.

After a bit, there was a knock at the door. Tyler pulled his left foot back and motioned Ben to stand up. Once Ben was standing, Tyler called, “Yeah?”

Dan poked his head in the door. He seemed surprised to see Ben there gave him a cold stare before turning his attention to Tyler. “Five minutes.”

Tyler nodded, “Okay, I’ll be down in a minute. I want to talk to you guys before we get started.” Dan left and Tyler turned to Ben and said, “Steer clear of Dan.”

“Why?” Ben asked.

“He doesn’t like you,” Tyler said bluntly. “And you’re in the way of his boy Collin.”

“Collin?” Ben asked.

“The guy who won the wrestling contest,” Tyler explained. “Dan is captain of the wrestling team and Collin is on the team. Dan wants Collin to get in the frat.”

“Oh,” Ben said. “But why doesn’t he like me?”

Tyler shrugged. “You’re not a jock and he doesn’t want you to get in the way of Collin getting in. Now come on. Let’s go downstairs. I’ve got an idea.”

Ben followed Tyler downstairs where the guys were gathering. Ben stood awkwardly among the pledges who were warming for the arm wrestling contest. Tyler went over and huddled with the other brothers and had a whispered conversation. Ben noticed there seemed to be some sort of argument and Dan especially was arguing with Tyler. That went on for a few moments and then everyone seemed to give in to Tyler though Dan didn’t look happy about it. The group of brothers broke apart and one of them trotted off to the kitchen and came back shortly with several Ziploc bags and a marker. Ben watched as most of the brothers wrote their names on a bag and then headed upstairs.

Meanwhile, Dan addressed the crowd. “Settle down guys, we’re gonna get started here in a second.” When the guys had quieted, Dan continued, “There’s been a slight change of plan. Since you just wrestled we’re gonna skip the arm wrestling and try something… different.” Dan didn’t seem as enthusiastic as he was earlier. The brothers came back downstairs. Paul carried a box.

“This contest is called ‘Nose and Toes’,” Paul announced with a smirk as he sat the box on the table. He reached in and pulled out a ziplock bag with a name on it.

“Your TKD superiors have graciously gone through their dirty laundry and found the smelliest socks they could and placed them in these bags. Each bag is labeled with the name of the brother who provided the lovely aroma inside.” Several of the brothers laughed but the pledges were mostly silent and wary at this turn of events.

“You’ve probably already figured out how this works but for the slow, let me explain. You will each be blindfolded. A random bag will be pulled from the box. You will then get the privilege of inhaling your selected sock scent and you better pay attention because your job is to match the sock to the foot of the brother who owns it based on smell alone.”

Ben suddenly noticed that the frat members were barefoot. He also noticed that pledges seemed disgusted or angry. He knew this change of contest was Tyler’s doing and he glanced at where Tyler was standing barefoot among the others. He gave Ben a slight smile and nodded.

“Since this challenge ‘stinks’,” Paul joked, “It comes with a significant reward. Each pledge who even completes the challenge will get 50 points. Anyone who can successfully match the sock to the jock gets 200 points.” That caught everyone’s attention. Even after the wrestling scores were factored in, the highest score was 195. Ben suddenly realized that Tyler had orchestrated this to put Ben back in the running but he wished there had been some other way. Ben didn’t want to smell a bunch of stinky jock feet. Even though this wasn’t a physical contest Ben wasn’t sure he could do it. His sense of smell wasn’t better than anyone else’s.

“Is there a penalty if we don’t do it?” one pledge asked.

Paul, Dan, Tyler and Jake had a quick whispered conversation and then Paul replied, “No, there’s no penalty. Anyone can opt out.” Four of the pledges dropped out immediately and another one first said he would do it and then back out after thinking about it some more. That left just four including Ben and they stood at one end of the room while the barefoot brothers lined up. A pledge named Brendan was first up. Paul blindfolded him and then reached into the box and pulled out a bag labeled ‘Ian’ and handed it to Brendan.

“Take a whiff of that,” Paul said. Brendan fumbled to get the bag open and then took a tentative sniff. His nose wrinkled in disgust as he jerked his head away.

“Uh huh,” Paul said, “You’ve got to breathe deep if you’re going to beat the feet!” Reluctantly, Brendan smelled the bag again. Then Paul said, “Now get down and take a sniff of each brother’s feet and let us know if you find jock for the sock.”

Brendan got down on all fours and groped his way to the first brother’s feet. He bent down but not too close but apparently that was enough. He shook his head and moved on to the next pair of feet. He got as far as the fourth brother whose feet apparently smelled bad enough to push Brendan over the edge. He yanked off the blindfold, stood up and said, “I’m out.”

Paul shrugged and said, “Okay, who’s next?”

Collin the wrestler stepped up and hesitantly put on the blindfold. Paul pulled another bag from the box. The socks inside might once have been white but now just seemed gray and yellowed. The label said ‘Dave’. Apparently they smelled as bad as they looked because Collin just tossed the bag and quit. That was enough for the one remaining guy besides Ben who bailed when he saw Collin fail.

“That just leaves you Thirteen,” Paul grinned. “You ready?” Ben looked down the row of barefoot frat brothers who were eyeing him. He noticed Dan who was third in line was glaring at him. Tyler stood right next to Dan and gave Ben a confident nod.

“Yeah,” Ben said to Paul as he put on the blindfold. Paul reached into the box and pulled out the bag labeled Tyler and handed it to Ben who opened it and was immediately hit by the scent of sweaty sock. It smelled bad but not terrible. He took another whiff trying to fix the scent in his mind. For a second he thought it smelled like one of his own dirty socks but then he understood that it was so familiar because it smelled like Tyler’s feet. Having spent over 15 hours the previous night kissing Tyler’s feet he knew that smell. Ben knew that it couldn’t just be coincidence and that Tyler must have arranged for his socks

to get picked for Ben so that Ben could win the challenge and get the points. He knew Tyler was fifth in line. Ben’s heart jumped as he realized all he had to do was pick Tyler and he’d win.

“You memorize that stink?” Paul joked. Ben nodded. “Okay, then got down and get ready.”

As Ben got to his knees, Tyler stepped out of line and went to whisper something in Paul’s ear and then he stepped back and took the first place in line as the other brothers moved down. Paul led Ben to the start of the line and pushed his head down near the first pair of feet which happened to belong to Tyler. Ben could smell the feet in front of him and while he noticed the smelled a bit like Tyler’s the odor was much milder. Tyler’s feet had smelled strongly. Ben moved on to the next pair of feet and while no one laughed out loud and gave anything away, they all grinned at each other since Ben hadn’t identified Tyler’s feet as the sock owner. Ben smelled the next pair of feet but he didn’t spend much time contemplating them because he knew Tyler was fifth in line. Still, he had to look like he was trying.

Ben remembered Dan was fourth in line as he bent over his feet and smelled his eyes watered. Dan’s feet reeked. His face hovered over Dan’s feet for only a second but before he could move away from the obnoxious smell Dan lifted one foot and stuck it right under Ben’s nose. Ben’s head jerked back and laughter erupted. If Ben thought Paul might say something to Dan he was disappointed. He moved on to Tyler’s feet or what he thought were Tyler’s feet and took a whiff. He was just about to say he’d found the owner but something was wrong. He inhaled again. These feet smelled wrong. He was confused. He took another whiff but the smell just wasn’t right. He thought he must have counted wrong. Tyler must be next in line. He moved on but the next pair of smelly feet weren’t Tyler’s either. He never realized how different feet smelled. He’d always thought feet smelled like feet and even though no one could mistake the odor for anything other than feet they were each unique. Some smelled more musty, some smelled more sour, some more cheesy. Tyler’s feet had smelled strongly and sweaty and kind of earthy like popcorn and mushrooms.

Ben kept moving down the line but none of the feet smelled right. He began to worry he’d missed Tyler’s feet but he wasn’t sure how. He got down to the last pair and none had smelled quite right. He wondered if they were tricking him and Tyler had moved out of the line. He’d recognized the strong scent of Tyler’s feet from his dirty sock. He’d kissed Tyler’s feet so much he knew that smell. Hell he’d even licked Tyler’s dirty feet and none of the feet had that strong dirty sock/dirty feet smell. And then it hit Ben. Tyler had just taken a shower. His feet were clean. No wonder they didn’t smell the same as last night. Ben could have kicked himself. He realized the very first pair of feet he’d smelled must have been Tyler’s. They were the only ones which came close. He’d just dismissed them because the odor wasn’t strong enough.

Paul interrupted his thoughts as he called out, “Well Thirteen, you’ve reached the end of the line. Are those feet the right ones?”

“Um… no sir,” Ben said.

“Okay then,” Paul said, “I guess no one won this contest but we will give you 50 points for completing the challenge.”

“I know which ones are right though,” Ben piped up.

That took Paul and the others by surprise. “Umm….can he do that?” Paul asked looking at the other brothers.

“No,” Dan snapped.

“Why not?” Jake asked. “If he can pick the right brother what’s it matter?”

“He was supposed to figure it out when he smelled our feet,” Dan argued. “He can’t smell them all and then pick.”

The brothers argued for a moment. Dan and some of the others didn’t think it was fair. Tyler, Jake and most of the others didn’t have a problem with it. Frustrated that he was going to get overruled, Dan gestured at the other pledges, “Is it fair to them?” That kind of turned the tide. Jake and Tyler still wanted to let Ben just pick which feet he thought were right but now they were in the minority.

Finally Jake turned to Ben where he had remained blindfolded and knelt quietly on the floor the whole time. “Sorry Ben but it only would have counted if you picked the right brother at the time you smelled his feet.”

“Can I just go again?” Ben asked simply. He knew Tyler was first in line. All he had to do was smell Tyler’s feet and pick him.

“Well,” Jake said, “I suppose you could unless someone has a problem with it.” He looked at Dan who didn’t look happy about it but didn’t have a reasonable objection.

“Fine,” Dan said. “If he wants to keep smelling feet then fine but same deal. He has to pick the right brother at the time he smells his feet.”

“You good with that Ben?” Jake asked.

“Yes sir,” Ben said. “I’ll get it right this time.”

“And,” Dan added, “We have to change places. It’s not fair if memorized stuff.”

“Okay,” Jake agreed without asking Ben this time. “Paul lead him back.”

Paul came and guided back to the front of the line as the brother’s changed places. Ben’s plan was shot but he knew he could find Tyler’s feet again.

“Okay,” Paul said reaching into the box, “here’s another smelly sock.”

Ben’s shoulders slumped. He hadn’t counted on that. Sadly he took the bag from Paul and took a long, slow sniff. The smell was strong but not like Tyler’s feet at all. Paul pushed him down towards the first pair of feet and Ben began again. This time he had to smell each brother’s feet very carefully. He wasn’t certain at all like before when he was hunting for Tyler’s feet. He worked his way about halfway through the pack when someone shoved their foot right under his nose again. It was the same nasty pair of feet as before and he suspected it was Dan just because. The guys still laughed and a couple of other guys did it as he moved down the row. The fifteenth pair of feet was Tyler’s. He was sure. Unfortunately those weren’t the ones he was looking for so he moved on. When he got to the eighteenth pair he thought he’d found them. He wasn’t 100% sure but if he moved on and found nothing closer then he’d blow it again.

“These are the ones,” Tyler said as he kneeled up before the brother whose feet he picked.

“Holy shit!” Someone exclaimed. Other shouts followed. “Fuck!” “Dammit!”

Ben pulled off the blindfold. He looked up and saw a frat brother named Sam. Then he looked down and saw the bag he held in his hand was labeled Sam. He’d done it.

“Congratulations,” Jake said. “You just earned 200 points.”

“Actually it’s 250,” Paul said. Dan scowled at Paul who just shot back, “What? He completed the challenge and he picked the right brother. Fair’s fair.”

“Paul’s right,” Jake said cutting off any protest from Dan. With that, Jake walked over to the whiteboard and updated the scores. Ben couldn’t believe it when Jake wrote 250 under his name. He was in the lead. Not only that, he was ahead by 60 points

No one apart from Paul and Jake congratulated him but he didn’t care.

A hand clamped down on Ben’s shoulder. “Nice job dude,” Tyler said. Ben smiled.

“Okay, that’s it for tonight,” Jake announced. “See you guys tomorrow at 10AM for Ultimate Frisbee at the park. And don’t forget to wear your wrist bands.”

“Stick around,” Tyler said. “I want to talk to you.” Ben watched him go off to talk to some of the other brothers. Ben was so euphoric about being in the lead he just sat down on the couch and daydreamed about being a frat member.

Tyler went hunting for Dan and Paul. He found them in the kitchen.

“Dude let’s talk,” Tyler said. Dan didn’t look happy about it but agreed. Tyler led them to a small office off the kitchen and closed the door so they could talk in private. Before he could say anything though, Dan started in on him.

“Why are you helping that geek?” Dan demanded.

“All part of the plan,” Tyler assured him.

“How?” Dan asked. “By giving him all enough points to get him in?”

“That’s not going to happen,” Tyler said.

“I don’t understand what you’re doing,” Paul admitted.

“Look,” Tyler explained. “We need him to quit. I’m working on it.”

“Doesn’t seem like it,” Dan said.

“Trust me,” Tyler smiled. “I’ve got that punk jumping through fucking hoops. We’ve just to keep messing with his head.”

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Thanks for everyone who reached out. Let me know what you think about this chapter.

Question: Do you think I should change the story descriptions according to the chapter or should I keep it as is? Also, how do you think Tyler would look like in real life? You can send me some photos via email. I'd be happy to go over them.