“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.
“Say hi to Drew for me.” His words followed me as I jogged down the stairs.
It pissed me off. Everything about Con just then pissed me off.
Jack was standing just inside the living room with some guys, including a few of the brothers that rushed the same time I did.
They all glanced over and saw me and my bag. I tossed it over to the front door and slid the hat on my head, backward. “Hey,” I said, approaching the men. “I know it’s bro night, but something came up. I gotta head out.”
“Everything okay?” Scott asked.
“Yeah, it’s all good. Just something I need to do.”
“Shit happens,” the guy next to Scott drawled.
“Hells yeah,” I replied and slung an arm across Jack’s shoulders. “So listen up,” I said to the group of guys. I noted a few others close by looked our way.
“Since I’m gonna be gone, if you got a problem or something, see my man Jack here.”
Jack glanced up at me, surprise in his eyes.
“Think you can handle that, Jack?” I asked.
“I know I can,” he replied.
“I think we just got a nod from our prez,” Scott announced.