“Ha, I know what you mean. My brother refused to leave. He and his brothers kept staring every guy down who so much as looked at me.” She laughs.
“Brothers?” I ask, quirking an eyebrow at her.
“My brother’s in a motorcycle club. It’s what they call each other.” She shrugs.
“Yeah, I know. How weird is this? I leave one motorcycle club behind only to become roommates with the sister of another one.” I half laugh, half groan.
“You’re kidding!” she squeals, jumping off the bed and joining me on mine.
Sitting up, I kick my flip-flops off and move back some to sit on the bed with my legs crossed Indian style. “Nope.”
“This is so cool! Here I thought my roommate would be a total bore and we wouldn’t have anything in common.” The excitement that pours off of Cara is unavoidable, and I begin to laugh outright.
“Yeah, I guess you’re right. Having a roommate who knows what it’s like being surrounded by overprotective cavemen isn’t a bad thing at all.” I giggle.
“You got that right. I can tell we’re going to be best friends already,” Cara declares, and I can’t help but agree with her.
2
Dex
Two days have gone by since I’ve been here and it’s a totally different pace of life. No longer do I see rugged, roughed-up dudes with their girlfriends, wives, or ol’ ladies. Instead, there are preppy-ass New England guys, with women in old band t-shirts, some dressed to the nines, and others who barely put on pajamas to walk outside their dorms.
I haven’t ventured too far, but I have met my roommate, Josh. He’s a pretty nice dude. From what he’s told me so far, his father is a big-time real estate broker in New York City and his mother is an immigration attorney at a law firm in the city as well. It’s no wonder why he’s here. He’s the definition of prestigious, and then there’s me, only here because my mother is the dean’s half-sister. At least, that’s why I think I’m here.
Adalind Marie Stonewall.
My mother, and yet, someone I barely know. Someone who is the acting director of the botany wing. My uncle Jonathan didn’t even tell me. Yesterday I decided to make myself comfortable with the grounds and walked to the different buildings where my classes will be held, so I wouldn’t get lost when classes start. Imagine my surprise when I saw her photo and name in a case with all her achievements. She could accomplish great things, but she couldn’t ever be there for me like she should’ve been? Fucking ridiculous.
In the end, I know how I lucked out with having Ashley as my mom, and I thank God every day for my dad marrying her. But it doesn’t mean it still doesn’t hurt to know my mother picked drugs over me, and then seemingly she must be recovered . . . and never once reached out. Actually, it infuriates me. It pisses me off so much I texted my dad and told him about ten minutes ago. Twiddling my thumbs, my phone vibrates and I see my dad’s name pop up. Immediately, I open his message.
From: Dad
Seriously? Shit. I’d like to say I should’ve known . . . but I’m sorry I didn’t. Don’t pay any mind to her. She might be clean now, but you can never change selfish people. They’re always gonna be that way.
I nod at what I’m reading, knowing he’s right. So, I quickly type a reply back.
To: Dad
Thanks. Sorry. Just pissed me off. I’ll do my best to avoid her. Maybe she doesn’t even know I’m here.
No sooner than twenty seconds after I send it, I have a reply.
From: Dad
Yeah, right. If you ask me, this was all a charade. Keep me updated tho, I gotta run.
I place my phone back on my bedside table and decide to follow my dad’s advice. Even if I wanted to, I know trusting her isn’t the smartest thing to do. Plus, I have the best mom ever—Ashley.
Shaking the doubt from my mind, I rise and head over to the door leading into Josh and my dorm room. Only the second I begin to open it, it’s being pushed.
“Whoa,” I grumble, still a bit aggravated by everything I’ve learned.
Josh smirks, adjusting his flashy tie. The guy is wearing a navy suit. It’s a freaking weekend. This is what I mean when I say he belongs here. “Hey, I was just coming to find you. I hear there’s a dope party going on in about an hour at a frat house. Wanna go check it out?”
“Eh, I don’t know.” I shrug. I’m not the type of guy these people are used to. Hell, I have my cut on and I’m the bad boy people like them always seem to want to avoid.
Josh narrows his eyes at me and pushes his glasses back. “C’mon, Dex. What do we have to lose? I know one of the bigger sororities on campus is going to be there and it’ll be great. Plus, don’t you wanna show off your flashy vest?” He wiggles his eyebrows.
“Cut. It’s called a cut,” I remind him.
“Yeah, sorry. That’s what I meant. You know the ladies will eat you up, being that bad boy and whatever.” Josh smirks, trying to charm me into agreeing.
Sucking in a deep breath, I weigh the positives and negatives. It’s either going to be one of two things—great or awful. “Fine. Let me grab my phone and I’ll head out with you.”
“Sweet,” he snickers while I turn around to go grab my phone.
I only hope I don’t regret this.
Instead of taking my Harley over here, Josh and I walked from our dorm. He lied straight through his pearly white teeth when he said it was only a five-minute walk. More like fifteen. But whatever, we’re here now and I’m about ready for a beer. “Now, you’re not gonna freak out about drinking underage, right?” Josh cocks a brow, eyeing me up.
Is he for real right now? I scoff out my reply, “I had my first drink when I was fifteen. Relax.”
“Oh, okay. Should’ve figured with your bad boy exterior and all. You just seem . . .” Josh goes quiet.
“I seem?” I question, wanting to know whatever’s going on in his mind.
Josh shrugs, running a hand through his dirty blond hair. “You seem nervous, dude, I dunno how to explain it.”
“I’m not nervous,” I snap but realize I just confirmed I am. Josh doesn’t need to know about my internal struggles. “Okay, it’s just odd going to a party like this. I’m used to Harleys and trailers . . . not big ass houses like this on land I’ll probably never be able to afford,” I admit, giving him a taste of the truth. Josh doesn’t need to know more than this.
“Pssh, they’re nothing special. I’m betting yours are much more interesting. Don’t worry, though. You’re my roomie, so I’ve got your back. A few of these guys are kids of my father’s associates . . . that being said, I’ve got a little bit of leeway here.” Josh snickers, sliding his hands in his trousers. He seems more relaxed.
I nod. “Cool. Shall we head in and grab a drink?”
“Hell yeah,” Josh responds, leading the way as we move from the sidewalk to the brick path that leads up to the white colonial home. It appears to be two stories with an attic, even having those nice windows at the top which show you it’s a livable space too. On the right-hand side, there’s a porch and I can see girls hanging out smoking cigarettes, but as we approach, the stench of marijuana hits me. The left side of the house is closed up and while I scan through the windows on that specific side room, I can tell it’s some sort of study.