Page 37 of Fight or Flight
The only thing I have going for me is that I’m a founding legacy, and my father is extremely well connected with the other founding alumni.
Did he have anything to do with this? Was this because of his influence?
My dad, grandfather, and great-grandfather were all leaders when they were members, and my dad made no secret that he wanted to see that legacy continue, but that was before the night that changed all our lives for the worst.
“Come on,” Dan grabs my arm and pulls me out of my chair. “We’re going to The Cave to celebrate.”
The crowd around me cheers, and I smile and try to pretend I’m excited by the news as Dan pulls me toward the door.
I don’t want to go to The Cave, and I don’t want to celebrate, but it’s not like I can say no without raising suspicions. Every single one of the guys around me would switch places with me in a heartbeat, and I’d be hard-pressed to explain to any of them that I’d rather perform surgery on myself than be one of the leaders next year.
I’m almost at the door when I feel someone’s eyes on me. Without thinking, I glance across the room and once again lock eyes with Jace.
He’s standing with his cousins, but while they’re talking among themselves, his attention is fixed on me. The corners of his mouth tip up in a little smile that somehow looks demure and amused at the same time. We stare at each other for a few beats, but the crowd around me isn’t in the mood to wait, and I almost trip over my feet as they tug me along with them.
Jace purses his lips in a little air kiss, and I almost trip again at the heat and promise in his eyes as I’m swept out of the room and into the hall.
“One more.” Paxton slides a beer across the table toward me.
“I’m good.” I shake my head. “I should head out soon.”
“Okay, who are you and what have you done with Shane?” he asks, shooting me a suspicious look.
I smile and give him what I hope is a casual shrug. “Yeah, I’m not really feeling like myself tonight,” I admit.
He takes a sip of the beer. “You can say that again. This is the first time we’ve ever gone out and you’ve been more sober than me.” He grins and chugs about half the beer, his throat working as he tips his head back.
He isn’t wrong. Usually I’m the first to get wasted, but I’ve only had two drinks over the past few hours, and I’m not even the slightest bit buzzed.
My head is just too busy to drink tonight, and that’s saying something. Usually getting lost in my vices is the only way I can relax when I’m worked up over something, but I’m just not feeling it tonight.
Every sip of beer I’ve had is sitting heavy in my stomach, and not even the familiar atmosphere can help soothe the restlessness that’s been getting worse the longer I’m out.
The Cave is one of the bars on campus, and it’s usually one of my favorite places to hang out with the guys. The name comes from the fact that it’s part of an underground cellar that was carved out of stone and used to be a speakeasy that was built during prohibition. It literally looks like someone built a bar in a cave, and it’s been a cornerstone of the Silvercrest party scene ever since.
“Anything wrong?” Paxton asks and wipes his mouth with the back of his hand.
“Just in a weird mood.”
“You’d think being named one of the leaders next year would help your mood, not hurt it,” he says casually, but I can hear the edge under his voice.
“Yeah, that was a surprise.” I run my finger over the smooth surface of the table. “Can I ask why you wanted to run for leadership?”
He blinks at me like I’ve suddenly grown a second head. “Why wouldn’t someone want to be one of the leaders?”
“Because it’s a lot of work and responsibility.”
“It’s also a ticket into the inner circle of the Rebels,” he points out. “I guess it doesn’t really matter for you because you’re a founding legacy, but for us mere mortals, it’s the only way we can get into the club. People have killed for that kind of proximity to power and influence, so running a frat for a year with three other guys doesn’t really seem like that big of a deal considering the payoff.”
“Yeah, you’re right. I think I’m just in shock. I’ll be fine once it all sinks in.” I glance around at the rest of the table. “I should probably head back to the house. I’m not in celebration mode, and I’ll just drag everyone down.”
“Suit yourself.” He holds up his fist for me to bump. “And maybe try not to be such a killjoy next time you get some amazing news.”
I tap my fist against his. “No promises, but I’ll try.”
He chuckles as I push back my chair, and I slip away from the table as he turns to talk to the group sitting on his other side.
No one pays me any attention as I leave the bar, and I feel marginally better once I’m outside and walking back to Hamilton House.
