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.”