#Junkie (GearShark #1)(16)

“Eat me.” He knocked my hand away.

I bet you’d taste good.

I practically choked on the thought. What the f*ck? 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 f*cking 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.