Miles isn’t with his usual crew tonight, keeping to himself, all intense and broody. That fuck-all air about him, looking around like he’s too cool for fun, and somehow managing to make a fucking hoodie and jeans look sexy. He’s one big red flag, but…a damn hot one. Whatever. I’m drunk and having fun with my buddies, so I don’t give a shit about him or his weird-ass attitude tonight.
“Icare about that asshole,” Ryan chimes in. “He tried to start shit with you and, most importantly, my guy.”
Oh yeah, that happened too. Just glad it didn’t escalate because Ryan would have handed Miles his ass.
“Is he even supposed to be here?” Lance asks.
“I think his probation is ending,” Marty gripes, “and this is Omega Psi, so it’s not like they ever follow the rules anyway. Clearly.” He glances around as if he’s noticed five new violationsin one quick scan. Marty not only follows all the rules, he makes a lot of them too. It’s part of what we love about the guy, though.
“I can’t believe we’ll have to deal with him at the builds this summer too,” Ryan says.
The nonprofit has a few ongoing projects, so while Ryan and Mart help out, they’ll be rooming with me at the place I’m renting. I’m actually looking forward to hanging with them some more, unless Mart gets all bent out of shape over cleaning dishes or some weird shit like that.
“Just ignore him,” I tell them, turning my body away from Miles, a symbolic gesture of what I plan to do. I’m not really the type to dislike anything, but I still can’t get over him losing his shit on me that day. I don’t get why he would act like that. And I hate that it’s still on my mind.
“I’m going for a refill,” I tell them, my fratbros continuing to dance as a few other Alpha Theta Mus join in. We might be going to parties with other frats, but we always stick together, especially around Omega Psis.
Leo calls over from a nearby group of girls he’s been flirting with, “Hey, man. You coming back soon?”
“Yep.”
But the beer is really good, and this beautiful guy with shaggy black hair and golden-brown skin hits me up when I’m at the kitchen bar.
“You’re Dax,” he says.
“The one and only.” I fill up my beer. “But you have an advantage on me. Who are you?”
He grins. “Luis. Nice to meet you.”
You can tell he knows exactly how attractive he is. He gives me a flirty smile, making it pretty clear what’s on his mind for tonight. “Well, Luis, do you want to dance?”
“I’d love to.”
I keep my beer in hand, and Luis and I make it to the dance floor. He’s a good dancer, moves sexily against me, but I can tell he’s trying to be respectful. He’s hot and funny, talking while we dance and I drink, but my gaze keeps getting pulled to Miles. Even though he’s not looking at me, I feel like it’s on purpose, out of spite.
Why do you hate me?
Maybe the bigger question should be, why do I care?
“Let’s get out of here,” I say in Luis’s ear. When I try to take another drink, I realize my cup’s empty again.
“I’d really like that, but I think maybe you had a little too much tonight.”
Shit. He’s probably right. Why did I have that last cup of beer? “Rain check?” I ask because I wouldn’t mind getting dicked down by Luis.
“Sure. I’ll see you around campus, Dax Armstrong. Thanks for the dance.”
“You’re very welcome.”
“You need someone to help you home?”
“Nah, I’m good. My buddies are here.”
Luis says goodbye, and I find a bathroom to take the world’s longest piss.
The guys are still partying away, but my stomach is shot. I made a bad decision with that last beer, and I’m regretting my life choices right about now.
I head outside, pulling a breath of fresh air into my lungs, which helps. I shoot off a quick text to my brothers, letting them know I’m walking back to the frat house, then shove my phone into my pocket, and maybe…just a little bit…stumble down the stairs. This isn’t like me. I enjoy having a good time, but I did have more to drink than I usually do.
