Page 36 of Fight or Flight
When the room is quiet, Nico launches into his prepared speech, and I can feel my attention slipping away with each passing minute as he repeats the rules we’ve already had drilled into our heads dozens of times over the years.
“And starting this weekend, there’s going to be a curfew?—”
This time, the outcry at his statement is loud and angry, but Nico just holds up his hands to silence everyone.
“Again,” he says when it’s finally quiet again. “I know that’s not something anyone wants to hear, but we have to implement some temporary measures while we handle some issues behind the scenes, and that includes the protocols for having non-members in either of the houses.”
I glance at Paxton, who’s staring at Nico in disbelief, and my gaze unconsciously wanders over to where Jace and his cousins are sitting.
They all look as surprised as everyone else in the room, but unlike most of the other guys, none of them seem all that upset by the news.
“Starting Friday, only house-sanctioned events will be allowed, and guests are no longer allowed outside of the common areas on the main floor or your private room,” Nico continues when it’s quiet again. “Overnight guests will only be allowed if they’re pre-approved, and there will be a general midnight curfew for all guests unless they have prior approval to stay. Same-day requests will not be considered except in extenuating circumstances. And just to be clear, wanting to get your dick wet is not an extenuating circumstance.”
Several protests ring out as an indistinct murmur fills the room.
“We don’t give a shit if any of you come home for the night,” Jordan says loudly, and the noise in the room instantly quiets. It’s not that the guys don’t have any more complaints; they just know that pissing off the leaders, especially Jordan, will just lead to a longer meeting and a collective punishment that no one will enjoy.
“But,” he continues, “outsiders will not be tolerated on the grounds of either house after curfew, and there will be severe punishments for anyone who breaks the rules. Got it?”
No one says anything, but most guys nod to show that they understand.
“And the final announcement has to do with the house leadership next year,” Jordan says.
I sit up a little straighter in my chair and force myself to pay attention. I don’t give two shits about the leadership race or elections, but the promise that this is the end of the meeting is enough to make me care about whatever he’s about to say.
“Starting this year, there will be no more elections,” he says bluntly. “Leaders will be chosen by a council of alumni and senior members and will be thoroughly vetted before they’re confirmed.”
“What the fuck is going on?” Paxton whispers, leaning closer so I can hear him over the din of voices around us.
“No clue,” I whisper back. “But this is weird.”
“So weird,” he agrees.
Jordan waits a few seconds, then gives us all a look that says we’d better shut the fuck up before we really piss him off, effectively silencing us.
“And instead of waiting until after the break to announce it,” he continues. “We’re doing it now.” He holds up his hand,stopping the murmurs before they can really start. “Your leaders next year are going to be Killian, Jace, Jax, and Shane.”
“Dude,” Dan elbows me in the side hard as the room explodes with exclamations.
Wait, Shane? Like me, Shane?
“Congrats,” Paxton says, shooting me a forced smile.
I try to smile back, but it probably looks more like a grimace. Paxton was planning on running, and he had already asked me to help him with his campaign.
Awesome, now the closest thing I have to a best friend is going to be salty with me because I was picked for a job I never wanted in the first place.
I’m still trying to process everything when Jordan ends the meeting, and everyone starts talking at once.
“Congrats!” several people say as a crowd gathers around my chair.
I mumble my thanks as the reality of the situation hits like an anvil to the face.
Not only am I going to have to deal with the responsibility of being one of the frat leaders next year, I’m going to have to share that responsibility with Jace.
It’s no surprise that Killian and the twins were chosen, but why me? I’m not a leader, and I’m not a joiner. I do the bare minimum of what’s expected of me, and I have zero interest in having any sort of active role in the frat.
There are dozens of way more qualified people who not only want the role, but would excel at it. Why would they give it to me?
