#Junkie (GearShark #1)

by Cambria Hebert

  Wasn’t that what college was about?

  Becoming an adult? Growing up?

  ‘Course, if I had to go by the fact I spent half the morning fishing a rubber ducky out of the toilet, I guess the answer to that question would be a resounding no.

  The closer I got to graduation, the less responsibility I wanted.

  It wasn’t that I didn’t want to graduate. I did. If I had to write one more freaking term paper or do one more group project, I was going to scream, but still…

  Part of me was hesitant to move on.

  Maybe that was why I still hadn’t put my support behind a candidate for Omega president. Or maybe I was just waiting to see which candidate would do something to show me he was the right guy for the job.

  I might be tired, but I wasn’t so tired I would hand this house over to someone like Zach. He’d almost been the downfall of this entire organization. Cleaning up the tarnish he put on the Omega name had taken over a year.

  I wanted a president who was going to make sure Alpha Omega continued with the momentum of good standing I was helping it gain.

  The “formal dining” room of the historic place we lived in on campus was at the front of the house, separated from the large entryway by two wide glass French doors.

  While it was set up as a dining room with a huge cherry wood table lined with chairs and a gaudy chandelier suspended above the table, no one ever ate in here.

  We used this room for house meetings. The walls above the wainscoting were dark green and lined with framed photos of all the members who came before us. At the front of the room there was a large double window that overlooked the lawn and street in front of the house. The formal plaid curtains were never drawn because, like I said, we only came in here for house meetings.

  I waited at the head of the table inside the room at a podium that had been there since the day I moved in. Brothers were filling the room fairly rapidly, as the meeting was supposed to start in just a few minutes. As they came in, they took one of the chairs lining the huge table.

  The two brothers running for Omega president were sitting beside me. Both had shown up early. It wasn’t mandatory they do so, but out of general respect and as a show of commitment to the frat, they did anyway.

  Both candidates were sophomores here at Alpha University, which I thought was a good year to run because it meant they’d been in the fraternity for a year (and in this case, closing in on two years), so they knew what to expect here at the house and on campus. But they were still young enough at the university to be in presidency for more than a couple semesters.

  Their young age would actually offer some stability to the fraternity because they would be here a while to run things.

  We did have a freshman ask to run, but I shot him down. Even though I liked him, he wasn’t experienced enough.

  Surprisingly, none of the upper classmen wanted in. I understood, though. They were comfortable with their roles already. They were starting to turn their attention to what they would be doing once they graduated and they weren’t as focused on the house.

  The election for the new president was next month, in early spring. It would give me time to do a handover of the house, help the new guy get used to his new role, etc. Then after that, I’d be graduating.

  No more classes.

  No more frat.

  No more football.

  I think I’d miss football most of all. I’d never admit it in this house, but the Wolves felt more like brothers to me than anyone in this frat.

  Playing my last game not too long ago had been poignant. The end of something I truly loved. That was when I really started to get lost.

  Well, then and the night I got the drunkest I’d ever been. Drew thought I didn’t have any memory of that night.

  I let him believe that.

  “Everyone’s here,” Jack whispered in my ear.

  I glanced up and was surprised to see all the chairs around the table full. Just to be sure it was actually time to call order, I checked the clock on my cell.

  Everyone was laughing and talking, but when I stepped up to the podium, a hush fell over the room. It was an odd sort of feeling to have so many eyes on you at once.

  “I know this meeting was probably an inconvenience for a lot of you, considering I called it at the last minute.” I spoke to everyone.

  “Pain in the ass,” one of the guys at my end of the table said but disguised it (very poorly) as a cough.

  I grinned. “That, too.”

  Once everyone quieted down, I went on. “I’m sure you all know by now the night before last, one of our brothers, Jonathan, was taken to the ER and had his stomach pumped. He was treated for alcohol poisoning and released into the care of his parents. He’s doing fine and will be back at the house next week.”

  Lots of people looked relieved, and I knew the same look was mirrored on my face. This frat could not afford any bad headlines.

  “Because his… uh, accident, didn’t occur at one of our parties, we aren’t being scrutinized, but that doesn’t mean the dean isn’t watching us. He is.”

  Everyone made a bunch of grumbling noises, and I nodded.

  “So tonight’s meeting is a reminder to be responsible about drinking, especially tonight at the brothers’ party. We cannot and will not have any more brothers being taken to the hospital.”

  The brothers’ party was basically a house party for fraternity members only. We had them once a month to help keep the bonds of brotherhood alive within the walls of the house.

  I’m not sure what it said about me that I didn’t really feel that much brotherhood with the guys in this room. My brothers didn’t live in this house. Romeo and Braeden were my brothers and fellow former Wolves. The three of us started playing for the college the same semester and we’d played together up until last year when they both got drafted (separately) to the NFL.

  When Romeo asked me to move in with everyone at their house across town, I’d wanted to say yes. But I couldn’t. I had a commitment to this house.

  Plus, there was Drew…

  He was family. Definitely.

  But I couldn’t bring myself to think of him the way I did Romeo and B. And because of that, it was probably a good thing I wasn’t able to move in over there.

  I discussed some more house business since I had everyone’s attention and then opened the floor for anyone to speak or bring up questions and concerns.

  One of the guys at the end of the table, White, pushed his chair back and stood. “Elections for house president are in the coming weeks. Everyone in this room is wondering who you’re supporting for your successor.”

  All eyes turned to me.

  On the spot.

  That’s exactly how I felt in that moment. My support would go a long, long way in determining the results of this election. Especially since I was well liked. Especially since I got Zach kicked the hell out of this place and worked like a dog to fix the bad name he got us all.

  It could even be said the man I gave the nod to would win.

  “I know you all are wondering about that.” I hedged. “Truth is both these guys are good choices.” I motioned to Jack who sat on my right and then to Conner (Con for short) to my left.

  “That’s not an answer!” Colley yelled out.

  Everyone laughed.

  I smiled fast, then sighed. “Yeah, yeah,” I muttered. “You guys will know as soon as I do,” I said, then banged the gavel that always sat on the podium. “Let the brothers’ party begin!”

  No one needed to be told twice they could go and get a beer. I waited where I was while all the guys stampeded out of the room toward the keg and stereo system.

  I wasn’t feeling much like partying tonight, but I’d fake it.

  I’d gotten real good at faking things.

  “You know you’re going to have to back one of us at some point,” Con said, not looking at me, but out over the room.

  Jack was still standing on my other side. He turned
toward us with interest when Con spoke.

  “The way I see it,” I began, addressing them both, “the longer I wait to weigh in, the more even the election will be. You both will have the same opportunity to win over the house without my influence.”

  “I can respect that.” Con nodded. “At least then the elected prez will know he won because he earned it and not just because you said so.”

  I nodded.

  “If you’ll excuse me…” Con continued. “I have some campaigning to do.”

  The room was almost completely empty now, so I started forward, thinking of making a beeline to the keg.

  “You underestimate the power you have in this house.” Jack’s words stopped me.

  I swung around to look at him. He was wearing a pair of dark jeans and a polo shirt with the house insignia on it. His dark hair was short on the sides, but the top was slightly longer and styled over to the side.

  Drew’s hair looked similar when he styled it, which wasn’t often. Usually, he just ran his hands through it and called it a day.

  “What do you mean?” I asked.

  “You brought this house back from the brink of Zach’s disaster. I barely knew the guy, but his rep is still very well known, the things he did—”

  “I’m well aware of the shit he pulled.” I cut him off, my voice terse. I wasn’t about to relive any of what he’d done to anyone. Most of all Drew’s sister. What she’d gone through at the hands of that psycho…

  Jack understood clearly I had no desire to talk about him, and he nodded. “We all trust you, Trent. You’ve been a good president. I know you’ve got to be tired. Not only have you pioneered the rebranding of this frat, but you’ve played football and gone to classes. And you still somehow have time to do some racing.”

  “I’m not a racer.” I disagreed.

  Jack half smiled. “Maybe not, but you hang with one.”

  The image of Drew grinning at me from behind the wheel of his Fastback sort of commandeered my thoughts. I didn’t somehow have time for racing with Drew.

  I made time.

  “Anyway, all I’m saying is pushing the house in one direction or another might be a good thing. It might give you a better feel for how the house will be once you’re no longer in charge.”

  He had a point. A good one. Throwing my support behind one of the candidates would give me a different perspective on how that man would be in a position of power and also how the house would respond toward following him.

  “You’re hoping I support you,” I said, blunt.

  “Of course,” Jack said. “I think I’ve made it clear I want the presidency.”

  “What if I support Con and not you?”

  Jack shrugged. “I hope you don’t. But if you do, I’ll respect it because I know you’re going to do what you think is best for this house.”

  He looked in my eyes, holding himself with pride.

  I believed him.

  I pondered his words a little more as I socialized with some of my brothers and drank a beer. I also watched Jack and Con with the other guys in the house. You could tell a lot about a man by the way he treated the other people around him.

  Especially when there was alcohol involved.

  Sometimes it brought out the truth in ways nothing else could.

  I was only halfway into my first beer when one of the guys motioned for me over near the entryway. The music was loud, so when I made it to his side, he just pointed to the front door.

  Great. It was probably freaking campus security responding to a noise complaint.

  I pulled open the door enough to stick my head out, making sure to keep my cup out of sight, expecting to see grim-faced men in uniform.

  There was only one man.

  And there wasn’t a single thing about his face I would ever consider grim.

  “Drew?” I said, surprised.

  He was dressed in a pair of destructed faded jeans and a slim-fit black hoodie with a grey design all across the left shoulder and into the chest area. It almost looked like his shirt had a badass tattoo.

  His hair was actually styled into a messier version of Jack’s, and the dimple in his cheek was on full display.

  “What’s up, frat boy?” he greeted me, his smile doubling.

  I hated when he called me that. He knew it and that’s why he was smiling so hard.

  I slipped out the door onto the front porch. Out here the music was a lot more muffled, thankfully. At least now I wouldn’t have to worry about a noise violation.

  “Thanks for that,” I cracked. “If you hadn’t just opened your mouth and said something stupid, I wouldn’t have known it was you.” I reached out toward his styled hair and made a sound. “Dayy-uum, is that gel? Hairspray? You’re looking awful purty tonight.”

  “Eat me.” He knocked my hand away.

  I bet you’d taste good.

  I practically choked on the thought. What the fuck? I glanced down at the beer like maybe it was somehow responsible for my random and disturbing thoughts.

  “What are you doing here?” I asked.

  “I interrupt some sacred frat thing?” He answered my question with his own.

  “No,” I replied, frowning a little. The way he said that almost seemed like he was mad. “Why?”

  “Because we’re standing outside.” He glanced around. “And because the first time I knocked, the dude who answered wouldn’t let me in. Slammed the door in my face.”

  I grunted. “Its brothers’ night. Exclusive party for Omega members only.”

  Drew nodded and stuck his hands into the front pocket of the hoodie. “I’m headed out of town tonight. Thought I’d… ah, stop in and say bye.”

  I felt like I’d just taken a hit on the field and it was the moment after when I lay there stunned, waiting for my lungs to relax so I could draw in a breath. “You’re leaving?” I said, making myself talk before I was totally ready. As a result, the words were a little rushed and strained.

  I had no idea he was thinking of leaving. He never so much as mentioned the possibility of going anywhere. This weird sense of loneliness filled my chest. It was a feeling I didn’t like.

  “Just for the weekend. I’ll be back Sunday night.”

  And just like that, my body was my own again. I was no longer seized by these feelings I didn’t want to acknowledge or didn’t understand.

  “I have a meeting with Ron Gamble.” Drew went on, excitement sparking his blue eyes.

  “No shit!” I exclaimed and lurched forward, the beer in my cup sloshing over the rim and making a splattering sound on the concrete. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “He just called today. Guess that word Romeo put in added to the way I’ve been driving lately got his attention.”

  “Dude, that’s fucking awesome.”

  He flashed a smile. I saw the nerves behind it but also the hopeful anticipation. “I’m driving down tonight and meeting with him first thing in the morning.”

  “You’re on your way now?”

  Drew nodded and jangled the keys in his hand. “Soon as I leave here.”

  “You gonna be okay to drive all that way?” I couldn’t keep the concern out of my tone.

  He made a rude sound. “It’s a few hours across the state. It’s not like I’m going to California.”

  I nodded reluctantly.

  “I thought maybe you’d want to come with?” he suggested.

  Something in the air shifted. And it wasn’t the weather. A new dynamic entered the space around us. I couldn’t decide if it was from me being unable to conceal my worry about him traveling alone or because of the way he almost shyly asked if I wanted to come with him.

  Why was it awkward between us all of a sudden?

  I wanted to go.

  Badly.

  “Brothers’ night is an ironclad tradition.” I gestured to the house.

  Was that disappointment in his eyes?

  “Right. Well, I’ll call ya after the meeting. Tell you what he says
.” Drew turned and jogged down the steps onto the sidewalk. I glanced up at his Fastback parked nearby. Right on the grass.

  Dude had no respect. It made me grin like an idiot.

  “Hey,” I called out to him.

  He turned around, walking backward toward the car. “Yeah?”

  “Give me five to throw some shit in a bag.”

  He stopped walking. “What about the frat?”

  “Some things are more important.”

  The wind blew just as I spoke. It pushed at my clothes and against the back of my neck with its icy fingers.

  But it wasn’t the wind that pushed away the sudden awkwardness between Drew and me.

  It was my words.

  “You sure? If you got shit to do…” Drew said, as if to test the new air around us.

  “Five minutes,” I replied.

  His dimple appeared again.

  I liked his dimple.

  Inside, I set my cup on the table beside the front door and rushed up the stairs, into my room. Since I was the president, I didn’t have to share, which was a definite perk. The room wasn’t big, but it would be bigger if there wasn’t a huge bed crammed in here. I’d rather have the bed space over the floor space, though. I was too big to sleep on a full size or even a queen size.

  My duffle was beneath the bed, and I tossed it on the mattress and started throwing some clothes in. I added my phone charger and my shower bag, then zipped it closed. On my way out the door, I snagged my Alpha U hoodie off the dresser and a black baseball hat.

  Out in the hall, I almost collided with Conner in the hall. “Whoa,” I said, drawing up short. “Sorry, Con. I almost took you out.”

  “Going somewhere?” he asked, taking in my bag.

  “Yeah, last-minute road trip. I’ll be back Sunday.”

  “It’s brothers’ night.” His voice took on a surprised note.

  “I know, but this is important.” I didn’t elaborate because it wasn’t his business.

  “More important than your brothers?” He pressed.

  Actually? Yes.

  I felt the muscle in my jaw jump. Was he questioning my loyalty to this house?

  Fuck. That.

  “I’ll be back Sunday,” I said, short, and then shouldered past him. I didn’t have to explain myself to him. I was the president. Not him.