You will.
Regency Houseon any normal night is a pigsty. For whatever reason every frat boy in the house turned into a Merry Maid, and you would never know that just last night a drunk coed took a piss in the corner. By evening the entire frat house is spotless, unrecognizable. It looks staged, a simple sofa, a bare table. Everything in the house looks like a theater prop. By ten the party is going strong, and I keep Danny and the guys from the band company at the beer pong table. No use in getting shitfaced when I’d rather spend time with Annie. Since Ben died, I haven’t really drowned in my sorrows like I used to. Ironic since before he passed away I thought I had problems, and, now that he’s gone, his death is the only real problem that matters. It sucks that there’s no solution, just a lifetime of separation. I would have rather he moved out of state, went to China, went toprison—at least that way I could have visited him—brought him a cake with a knife in it. I loved him even if he didn’t believe it was true half the time. Wyatt blinks through my mind. I do have one living brother. Maybe I should treat him with a little more respect.
Danny lets out a riotous whoop as one of the girls chugs down a pint. Danny’s hair is dyed blood red and spiked out in all directions as he sports the chains and leather tonight. I’ve opted for a flannel and blue jeans. I don’t think a person in this room would peg us for being in the same band. But I’ve never been showy like the rest of the guys. The way they express themselves day in and day out, they’ve got a budding career in Vegas if this whole band thing doesn’t pan out. For me, I’ll probably close out my business degree and dive into marketing—anything to get away from the shop. Another Harley rolled in this afternoon. I almost puked when I saw the front end bent in. Same thing that happened to Benji happened to that poor fool, but he was lucky enough to survive.
I spot Gunner and Eddie, the bass player and guitarist we hired last winter, and head on over.
“What’s up?” I need something to get my mind off Ben, and there isn’t a sign of Annie yet.
“Just shooting the shit.” Gunner nods at a group of sorority girls. I recognize the girls from earlier today and hold back a groan. They were a little too friendly without booze. Who knows what parts they’ll be willing to thrust my way after a few beers. “Which one you taking home?”
“None of the above,” I say. “I’ll leave that to you two.” Gunner and Eddie are brothers— I won’t lie, it hurts a little to be around them. They look like twins even though they’re a year apart just like Ben and I were. “See those two?” I point over at the girls from earlier just as the tall one, Johanna, turns around and flashes her tits at me. Something glistens on the left one. Nipple ring? That might have interested me last week, but, thankfully, I’ve moved on. She waves and bops on over before I can stop this runaway train. Crap. Here we go.
“Look who showed up!” She throws her arms around me, and, before I know it, she’s climbing me like a beanpole.
“Whoa.” I glance to the door because I know what’s coming next.
Sure enough Annie walks in and holy, holy… Annie looks fierce in her fitted jeans, tan cowboy boots that beg for a horse to ride, and a tight sweater that annihilates me in the very best way. She looks over with a laugh caught in her throat, and I give a stupid wave. That ridiculous grin comes to my face. I can’t help but lose myself in her for a moment.
A hard bite sinks over my ear, and I let out a groan. Shit. I forgot all about the blonde dangling from my body like a Christmas ornament.
“Down girl.” I carefully plant her in front of Gunner. “You’re welcome.” I turn to Eddie, “Don’t worry, buddy. She’s got a friend.”
I thread through the crowd, but Annie isn’t anywhere to be seen. Shit. She probably took off. I head for the door and spot her in the corner with a blonde by her side and two guys I recognize from parties past chatting it up with them. I hold back a smile. It looks like they can use another person in their circle. Annie spots me and steps toward the guy to her left. He’s tall and GQ with a freaking suit on. A suit. Who the hell wears a suit to a frat house? I get a little closer, and Annie glances my way before putting her hand on his shoulder.
I pause a moment trying to figure this out. It’s not that Tristan douche. In fact, I’ve never seen her with this guy before. A thought occurs to me. Is she trying to make me jealous? I’d be amused if I wasn’t annoyed or—for the lack of a better word—jealous. Wait, this doesn’t have to do with pole climbing Jo-the-ho back there does it? Holy heck. A smile digs into the side of my cheek. Maybe I’m not the only jealous one around here. The music spikes up ten octaves, and the smile glides off my face because Annie can’t hear it. No music, no favorite song, she hasn’t heard a note of what comes from my mouth, and yet she’s always faithful with a smile on her face each time we’re at the Black Bear.
“What’s going on?” I dig my gaze into hers and step in front of the preppy who’s trying to rope her in with his smooth tie, his smooth talk.
“Dude”—he pulls me back by the shoulder a little too rough for my liking—“we’re having a conversation.”
“She’s with me.” I don’t take my eyes off Annie. I can’t. Her lips are a luscious juicy red tonight, and I’m dying to take a bite. She’s beautiful with her eyes glowing in this dim light, her frosted eye shadow sparkles just enough to give her that angel effect. But Annie doesn’t need it. Annie is an angel, my injured soul can testify to that.
“What part of we’re having a conversation don’t you understand?” The dude barks in my ear, and my jaw clenches because I know his type. He’s not able to leave well enough alone until things get physical.
I turn to get a better look at the guy I’m about to assault—clean cut, hair parted neatly down the side, glasses. I’ll try not to bend the frame.
“See those chicks over there?” I nod to where Gunner and Eddie are about to close a deal. “They’re aching for some action. You want to get lucky? I’d hurry if I were you.” I turn my full attention to Annie. That beaming smile of hers goes off, and it makes me wonder what the hell we’re still doing in a room full of people.
My shoulder gets yanked from behind as the idiot shoves me into the wall. A slight gasp emits from the immediate crowd around us. He’s teasing out my anger like a rock against flint.
“I’m glad you started it.” I draw back my arm. “Because I’d love to finish it.” My fist connects with his jaw, and his glasses go flying. Sorry sport. He lands on top of me and offers a knee to the balls.
Holy shit! Who does that? I roll over, dying in pain, and, before I know it, the entire frat house has turned into a brawling match.
Ah, fuck. I get on all fours trying to get the hell up. I try to recompose myself enough to find Annie but can’t see straight for the life of me. The dull ache sears right through to my belly, and I fight the urge to puke. A surge rises through me. I kick the legs out from beneath him before we go at it again.
Idiots—both him and me.
After the melee dies down, Barkley, the house “sitter” AKA house brother, kicks everyone the hell out. The place is trashed. There’s a questionable pool of liquid in the middle of the room leading right up over the sofa where I lay my head at night. And something tells me that good time is over.
I pull my phone out and shoot a text to Annie right from where I’m lying on the floor.Sorry about that.
Don’t apologize. Are you ok???
I’m fine. Just want to make sure you’re safe.
She texts right back.My roommate and I went home.
