Chapter 2
TWO
FRANKIE
The place is buzzing with activity, and I stare around me with indifference.
“New blood.” Jesse chuckles beside me and I nod, my eyes scanning the area for anything of interest.
We’re heading from class to the gym, conscious of the new students filling the air with their excited chatter and I shove my hands deeper into my pockets and scowl.
“I hate orientation week.”
Jesse laughs. “Well, I love it. New recruits mean new opportunities and I’m so ready to tear through their defenses and give them a proper welcome.”
I shrug. “Let me know if you find anything of interest.”
“Frankie.”
A soft voice wafts over my soul like deadly poison and I huff, “That’s my name.”
I carry on walking and she runs to my side, her hand searching for mine that I clench firmly in my pocket.
Her hand falls away and she whines, “You’ve been avoiding me.”
“So.”
I’m cruel by nature and if anyone deserves that, it’s Kennedy James. She was a welcome distraction for the nights I craved a quick fuck, but she took that as a sign we were something more. Word has reached me she’s putting it about we’re exclusive and I have nobody but myself to blame for that.
I allowed her to hang around because she was convenient. She still is, but it ends today.
“Why are you being like this?”
“Like what?”
I carry on walking as Jesse smirks, enjoying the exchange like the drama queen he is.
“Cold.”
“Just beat it, Kennedy. I’m no longer interested.”
I quicken my pace and she falls back, Jesse’s soft chuckle accompanying me.
“Fuck, Frankie, that was to the point.”
“It’s all she understands.”
Jesse asks, “Is she welcome tonight? I wouldn’t mind a go at that.”
“If you like.”
“Revenge fucks are the best.” He nudges me. “I owe you more beers than I can count for the number of girls who have fallen on my dick just to make you jealous. Thanks, man.”
“Anytime.”
Jesse is the only one who can drag a smile from my lips and as we head to the gym, my thoughts turn to the party tonight.
If I’m honest, I may pass. It’s bad enough being back here, let alone dealing with the usual shit this place throws at you. Summer was a good one and I’m already missing the easy days and familiar depravity that accompanies my world. I live an unconventional life and I wouldn’t have it any other way. If anything, I come to Rockwell to catch my breath because life at home is fast-paced and brutal.
* * *
We head home straight from the gym to find Santiago lounging on the veranda, and he grins as we approach.
“What are you smiling at?” Jesse grunts as Santi throws him a beer from the cooler before tossing one my way.
We slump on the vacant chairs beside his.
“All done. Alcohol, cigarettes and condoms. What more is there?”
He heaves a self-satisfied laugh.
“Anyone off limits?”
His eagle eyes sear our souls and Jesse says with some satisfaction, “Apparently not.”
“Good. Ali is currently prowling through the new recruits, dropping the invitation to anyone of interest, so prepare yourselves for a thrilling evening of unadulterated pleasure.”
“I may pass.”
Jesse almost spits out his beer.
“What’s up, Frankie? I thought you’d be desperate to sink balls deep into a few new recruits tonight. What happened to you over the summer?”
I shrug. “Nothing of interest, but–” I cast my jaded gaze across all we survey and sigh.
“Don’t you want more, guys?”
“As in more pussy?”
Jesse shrugs. “Always, which is why this place works. There’s an endless supply.”
“They are merely holes to fill.”
I don’t miss the look the two guys share before Santi says carefully, “So, what’s your plan?”
I lean back and wrap my lips around the bottle as I consider my reply.
As I set the bottle down, I shrug. “Listen, we’ve been balls deep inside most of the fucking fraternity, and it gets old after a while. I’ve been thinking over the summer that we should resurrect a past tradition.”
Jesse’s eyes widen. “You’re talking about–”
Santi adds, “Not The fucking Claiming, man.”
I shrug. “Why not?”
“I can think of several dozen reasons why not.”
Santi shakes his head. “Why settle for one when there are so many? That is why the tradition ended, after all.”
“As I said, I’m considering resurrecting it.”
“So, let me get this straight.” Jesse leans forward, the muscles corded in his arms as he regards me with a malevolent gleam in his eye.
“You want to tie yourself to one woman for the semester. Why?”
I’m not sure I know the answer to that myself and I consider my response.
“Listen guys, it’s worth a try. This only applies to one semester anyway, and then you can choose to stick or twist.”
“But that tradition goes back several generations. It’s almost archaic because now the girls are less restricted and open to multiple fucks. Why tie yourself down?”
“You don’t have to take part. It’s a choice.” I snap back, not even sure if I want to take part myself.
Leaning back, I reach for another beer. “Put the word out and test interest. If we have an appetite for it, then one week from today, the challenge begins.”
Santi shrugs. “It’s your funeral, man. I’m happy how it is.”
Jesse nods his agreement.
“I wouldn’t mind if I was interested in someone long enough to ask her name. Fuck, this will be an impossible task.”
Their expressions are tortured, causing me to laugh out loud. “It’s just an idea. If nobody signs up, we cancel it. Period.”
Santi nods. “You’re the boss. Leave it with me.”
As he heads inside, Jesse groans. “I’m guessing this has to do with Kennedy getting all possessive. You made it clear you’re not interested, so what’s the problem?”
“I can do without the constant line, Jesse. I can’t move without another pair of tits thrust in my face and an invitation spilling from the eyes of the desperate. It’s getting old and I want a fresh challenge. Where’s the fun in the reward if the chase wasn’t a hard one?”
“I get your point, but man, one woman for an entire semester. I can’t deal.”
He flips the lid off another bottle and groans as he chugs it back with a desperate sigh.
As I lean back in my seat, I wonder if my mind is fucked because there is not a girl in this entire academy I want to be stuck with for months on end. Maybe I never thought this through.