Rosie looked surprised. “But Klutz is Veep?”
“He refused,” I explained, and Rosie turned a stunned look on him.
Klutz squirmed. “I don’t want the responsibility of VP. I’m happier in a lower, less tense position.”
“Well, I’m a little lost for words on that decision. I really thought that you’d be Veep,” Rosie replied.
“That’s nice, Rosie, but not what I want, nor would I be a good choice for the club. We want to get this right the first time around. But we’re definitely moving with you guys, and this is going to be fun,” Klutz soothed.
Rosie nodded, but somehow, I felt her nose was a little out of joint. She was secure in her connection with Klutz, and now my VP was in the air. The president and VP had a close relationship. Rosie was uncertain if she’d get along with whoever became VP. I squeezed her tighter. We’d make this work because it gave us a chance we’d never have.
Drake
Calamity entered my office, and I noticed his quiet confidence. He’d called me last night and asked for a meeting. What he didn’t know was that I’d organised a church immediately afterwards so we could inform everyone about the new chapter. I’d no doubt that Calamity would take the presidency.
“Grab a seat, kid.”
“Thanks, Prez.” Calamity sat and looked at me. “I’ve made my decision.”
He paused, and I sensed him struggling. “Go on.”
“Rage is my home. A home I put everything into, but it left scars.” I winced, knowing that was the truth. “But this has my heart. Rosie and I are comfortable here. Still… you’ve given us an opportunity that we’ll never see again, and we’re going to take your offer.”
“I hoped you would.”
“It wasn’t an easy decision, trust me. We’re leaving everything we know and taking a gamble.”
“Calamity, it’s not a risk; you won’t fail. You’ll have everything you need and my support whenever you’ve got doubts. This role was made for you. I wouldn’t let just anyone open a chapter of Rage,” I said.
Calamity didn’t realise it, but his thoughts were clear on his face. He was wondering why it was him. I could have extolled his qualities until I was blue in the face, but Calamity wouldn’t accept it. He’d learn his own value in time.
“What now?” Calamity asked.
“Now we find brothers to join you. You can recruit from the applicants we’ve had but turned down because we’re full, or wait and see who applies to your chapter,” I replied. I stood up, and Calamity looked surprised. “Come on, we’ve got church.”
“Wow, you’re not letting the grass grow under your feet,” he said and walked ahead of me into church.
Half an hour later
Stunned stares were reflected at me from all the brothers apart from the inner circle.
“Wow, do we need to vote?” Lowrider asked.
“No. The inner circle does that as per our chapter,” I replied.
“Congrats, Calamity, you earned this,” Slick said after a few further moments of silence.
“Couldn’t agree more,” Slate added, as finally, belated congratulations were uttered. Calamity’s confidence had faded slightly under the shocked hush that had fallen, but I saw it begin to rise again.
“How does this work?” Jett asked.
“I’m throwing out an offer of joining me over in Ortonville,” Calamity replied.
Looks were swapped between brothers, apart from the inner circle. They hadn’t considered that.
“Calamity can also refuse anyone. He’s president now,” I said and rose to my feet. “Stand up, Calamity.”
He did as ordered, looking confused. I walked around to him, taking something from Axel on the way. Then positioning myself behind him, I tugged his cut off, and Calamity’s surprise allowed me to swap it out for a new one. He looked down at it, and his fingers traced the president’s patch he now wore.
