Текст книги "Games Frat Boys Play "

Автор книги: Todd Gregory

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Текущая страница: 11 (всего у книги 18 страниц)

Chapter 9

“You’re really turning into a bit of a whore,” Brandon Benson said, opening his eyes wide as he took a sip of his iced tea. “Chad’s kind of worried about you. And so are we.”

I stopped, a forkful of cucumber halfway to my mouth, stunned. I couldn’t have heard that right, could I? It was completely out of left field. One minute we were talking about the new pledge class and which ones we might want for little brothers. And then WHAM! A shot right between the eyes—and a cheap shot, at that, given who it was coming from.

“No, I’m not,” I replied, putting my fork back down. “Why would you say that?” Yes, pot, I am black ran through my head as I sat there staring at him. I looked from him to Rees, who just gave me a little helpless shrug and a rueful smile, as though to say, This wasn’t my idea, sorry.

We were sitting in the food court in the Student Union. It was crowded, and the noise level made it hard to hear. I’d run into them as I was heading home from my last class. They’d invited me to join them for lunch in the Union, and it was time for my next meal. I’d just planned on going home and making a protein shake, but maybe something solid was in the cards. I’d only had a shake for breakfast and a protein bar for my second meal of the day, and there was a decent salad bar in the Union. I had about two hours before I had to meet my trainer at Body Quest, and I rarely got a chance to talk to either of them without Chad around. I’d always gotten the sense they only put up with me because of Chad, which was more than fine with me. I kind of only put up with them because of Chad. But the friendly request made me curious, so I’d agreed.

Being told I was a whore wasn’t what I’d been expecting.

“How many different guys have you slept with in the last couple of weeks?” Brandon asked, raising his eyebrows, a slight smile playing at his lips. “Seriously, Jordy.”

“I don’t know. I don’t count them,” I said, giving my attention back to my salad. Maybe the same amount as you, give or take? I thought, getting irritated. “It’s not like I’m trying to break a world record or something. I don’t see what the big deal is. I use condoms.”

“Chad’s just worried, is all,” Rees said. He took a bite of his grilled cheese sandwich. “He thought we should have a talk with you.” He gave me a nervous little smile.

“I don’t understand.” I speared a mushroom, trying to push down my rising anger. “If Chad is so damned concerned, why isn’t he talking to me about this?” And you’d be surprised if you knew what he thought about YOUR behavior, you idiots. “I mean, it’s not like you guys—” I stopped and took a deep breath. Don’t argue with them, find out what this is all about. It’s coming from Chad. What is he up to now? I felt a little surge of triumph. He couldn’t be jealous, could he?

“Oh, we offered.” Brandon gave me a smile.

I smiled back at him. He really was cute, I decided, with the gap in his front teeth and the big jug ears. I’d never paid much attention to him before—why was that?

Because he’s one of Chad’s inner circle, that’s why.

“Yeah,” Rees chimed in. “We care about you, Jordy, and you know, we don’t really get to hang out with you that much.” He gave me a wide smile. “I mean, you’re not just our fraternity brother, you’re a part of our circle, you know?” He touched my hand.

“Circle?” I popped the mushroom into my mouth. “That’s sweet. You know, I always kind of got the impression you guys didn’t like me very much.” There, what have you got to say to that?

They exchanged glances. “I don’t know why you’d think that,” Rees said slowly. He touched my hand again. “I can’t speak for Brandon, but I like you, Jordy.” His hand stayed on top of mine for maybe a beat longer than it should have. “You’re smart, and you’re funny.”

“Thanks.” I studied his face. He seemed sincere, but I wasn’t sure if I could trust him.

“Besides”—Brandon leaned in and lowered his voice—“we’re the hottest four gay guys at Beta Kappa—probably in the whole Greek system—and so we have to look out for each other. We owe it to each other to watch out for each other. You know what I mean?”

It was all I could do not to laugh. Sure, it felt good to hear him say it, but seriously? My body had really been changing—the hard work at the gym and the diet and supplements were creating a true miracle, and I’d had to buy some new clothes because my shirts were getting too small—but I was hardly in the league of Chad, or Jeff, or Blair. For that matter, Rees and Brandon were hot guys, but they weren’t, either.

“Well, I appreciate it, but nobody needs to worry about me.” I took a sip from my water bottle. “What’s the big deal? I meet a hot guy, we hit it off, we go have sex. Isn’t that what we do?” I shrugged. “You guys certainly do.”

“Within limits, sure,” Brandon went on. “But—” He looked at Rees for help.

“Every single time you go to Fusions you go home with someone,” Rees finished. “You don’t want people to start thinking you’re a whore, Jordy. Once you have that reputation, you can never walk it back.”

I looked at him. You should know was on the tip of my tongue, but I didn’t say it. As I sat there looking at them, another idea began to form in my head. Brandon and Rees were the Supremes to Chad’s Diana Ross. Was it possible to turn them against Chad? If Chad didn’t have them, he’d be even more dependent on me . . . divide and conquer. It made sense to turn them into allies—and then drive a wedge between them and Chad. And they were making the first overture. So, Jordy, use this as an opportunity. “You guys are right,” I said. “And now that I think about it, I have been kind of whorish lately.” I gave them both my most genuine-looking phony smile. “I so appreciate the two of you taking the time to talk to me about this. I promise to dial it back a bit.” I touched Rees’s hand. “You have to understand, I’m not used to this. It’s all new to me.” I shrugged. “You guys have been hot your whole lives. Me, I was always the fat kid no one noticed. So, the attention kind of goes to my head.”

“I wasn’t always hot,” Rees replied.

I frowned at him. “Oh, come on, Rees. You were a jock in high school, weren’t you?”

“Yeah,” he replied, looking down at his hands. “I was. But I was carrying some extra weight. Chad pointed it out to me when we were pledges, so I started watching what I ate and doing more cardio.”

Interesting.

“I was skinny,” Brandon added. “Really skinny.”

“I don’t believe you.” I speared another cucumber.

“Chad told me to eat more protein and lift heavier weights,” Brandon went on.

“It’s worked.” I gave him a big smile. “You both look amazing. Chad really looks out for us, doesn’t he?” I pushed my plate away. “If it weren’t for him, I’d still be fat.”

“You weren’t ever fat, Jordy.” Brandon made a face. “Sure, you weren’t in the best shape, but you were always cute. I know I thought so.”

“Me too,” Rees added. He winked at me. “I mean, yeah, now you look amazing, but you were always a cute guy. You always had a nice ass.” He giggled. “Seriously.”

I bit my lower lip. I could hear Chad saying, “Those shorts make your ass look like a billboard and make that roll around your waist look even bigger than it is.” I swallowed. “Thanks, guys, I appreciate it. And thanks for the advice.”

“See, Brandon?” Rees finished his grilled cheese. “I told you he wouldn’t get mad.” He smiled at me. “Jordy’s a great guy.” He frowned. “I don’t know why we don’t hang out with you more.”

“Because Chad monopolizes him,” Brandon snapped.

Interesting, I thought. Could there be dissension in the ranks? I looked from one to the other. There was definitely something going on with Brandon and Chad, but what? Brandon most likely wouldn’t say anything in front of Rees. Divide and conquer—must get Brandon alone sometime.

Rees looked alarmed at Brandon’s disloyalty. “No, I’m sure that’s not it. We’re all friends and brothers.”

“He does kind of keep us apart,” I mused, trying really hard not to laugh out loud. The whole thing was so absurd. There wasn’t anything stopping either Brandon or Rees from ever calling me or making plans with me, and Chad certainly wasn’t—unless there was something they weren’t telling me. Could Chad really have that kind of power over them? But if they wanted to think that, I wasn’t about to stop them. “I wonder why?”

“Because Chad always has to be the center of attention,” Brandon replied. “Haven’t you noticed?”

“Brandon!” Rees warned.

“It’s true, Rees, and you know it, even if you’re too big of a coward to admit it,” Brandon snapped. He turned back to me. “You might as well know, since we’re being all friendly now.” His face twisted into a sneer. “Chad’s not that wonderful. Nobody could be as wonderful as Chad thinks he is.”

Oh, trust me, I already know that.

“It has to be all about Chad or he won’t be a part of it,” Brandon went on. “He’s not that much hotter than I am, no matter what he thinks.”

“Brandon!” Rees stared at him, his mouth open.

Brandon gave him a long look. “Sorry,” he mumbled to me. “Forget I said anything.”

I definitely have to get Brandon alone sometime. I stood up. “Well, this was fun. Thanks, guys—I enjoyed this.” I picked up my tray. “But I really need to get out of here. I’ve got to meet with my trainer.” I glanced at my watch. “I’ll be late if I don’t get going.”

“You really do look amazing,” Rees said. “You’ve done a great job.”

“Call me later, guys, and we’ll do something.” I walked away from the table, dumped my trash, and headed outside.

It’s working!

I wanted to break into song in the middle of the Quad.

Chad was jealous.

He was beginning to realize what he was missing.

My workout went really well—even Jay, my trainer, noticed my good mood. I worked hard for two hours—it was chest and back day. “You’re really getting big,” Jay said as I stepped onto the scale after we were finished. “You’ve gained another three pounds since last week.” He smiled at me. Jay was about forty. He’d competed as a bodybuilder when he was in his twenties and still was in remarkable shape.

“Three pounds?” I frowned, stepping off the scale and looking at myself in the mirror. I pulled my loose shirt tighter around my waist and made a face. “I don’t want to get fat again.”

“You aren’t fat, Jordy.” Jay shook his head. “Muscle mass is heavier and more compact than fat tissue, how many times do I have to tell you that? If anything, you were getting too thin for a while there. What’s your waist size now?”

“I’m wearing 29s.” I kept staring at myself and the pesky roll at my waist.

He laughed. “And you’re worried about being fat?” Playfully he punched my shoulder. “Dude, I wear 32s.” He shook his head. “You need to really work on your self-esteem. Now hit the showers.”

There was no one in the locker room when I undressed. I grabbed a towel and headed for the steam room. I stopped in front of the full-length mirror by the steam room door and stared at myself. Was Jay right? I wondered, looking at myself from every angle. Was I being too hard on myself? I reached down and grabbed the roll at my waist. My stomach was flat, and in the overhead lighting I could see the abdominal muscles. I flexed them, and they popped out. I stuck a finger in between two of them. I still needed to drop some fat weight, I decided. I grinned at myself and opened the steam room door. It was empty, and I plopped down on the lower bench. Steam hissed as I leaned back, relaxing. I closed my eyes.

What a great day, I thought as I sat there sweating, my heart dancing. My hot trainer gave me a compliment, Brandon and Rees both thought I was hot—hell, they’d thought I was cute before I started working out, and Chad—Chad is noticing the changes, too. Chad is starting to get jealous.

I’d known it was just a matter of time before Chad noticed the attention I was getting when we were at Fusions.

Being beautiful was better than anything I could have ever imagined. People treated me differently—and not just at Fusions. I got better service in restaurants, and people were a lot friendlier to me. It was nice. It was nice having attractive guys come up to me and tell me I was sexy and hot. It was awesome being an object of desire. I’d never dreamed it would turn out this way—but it was working. Chad didn’t like me going with other guys. He was starting to realize he’d made a huge mistake.

And when he made his move, I would shut him down the way he’d shut me down.

As I sat there, I went over it again and again in my mind.

Maybe it would happen tonight at Fusions.

I could see it so clearly. I’d be on the dance floor with my shirt off, dancing with some really hot muscle guy. We’d be touching each other, kissing underneath the disco ball, and Chad would interrupt.

Can I talk to you? he’d say, and lead me off the dance floor.

I love you, Jordy. You’re so beautiful, so sexy. You’re the perfect guy for me. You’re smart and rich and funny and sexy, and you’re everything I could ever possibly want in a boyfriend. I am so sorry I didn’t see it before. I was being shallow and stupid. Can you ever possibly forgive me? I blinded myself to what was right in front of me the whole time. Can we go back to your place and start over?

Sure, I’d say, and we’d go back to my place.

And I would fuck that big, hard, muscular ass.

Afterward, we would lie there in bed together, and he’d say, I am so glad we’re together now.

Together? I’d reply. What do you mean?

I smiled broadly as I imagined the look on his face when I would say the words that would make him feel the way he made me feel, when I would pull the rug out from under him and make him suffer the way he’d made me. I don’t think it’s a good idea for us to date, Chad. I mean, you were probably right when you said it was a bad idea. I don’t think it would work. You’re sexy and a great guy and all, but you’re really not boyfriend material.

It would be classic.

The steam room door opened, but I kept my eyes closed, lost in my reverie. “Hey, Jordy.” It was Jay, my trainer.

I opened my eyes. “Hey.” I nodded to him. He was naked, not even a towel wrapped around his waist. I’d never seen Jay naked before. I knew he had a great body—he always wore shirts that exposed his upper pecs, shoulders, and arms—but his definition was unreal. His pecs were two thick slabs perched above deeply cut abdominal muscles. He trimmed his pubic hair and obviously shaved his thick balls.

“You mind if I turn up the steam?” he asked.

“Nope.” He walked over to the controls and turned the dial up. His back was thickly muscled, and just above his ass was a tribal tattoo. “I want an ass like yours,” I said, closing my eyes as more steam hissed into the room.

“Squats and lunges,” he replied, sitting down on the bench next to me. “Which you’re already doing.”

“Cool,” I replied. A few seconds later I felt his left leg brush up against mine. I opened my eyes. The steam room was filled with fog. I couldn’t see the door or the glass panes. I looked at Jay, sitting next to me. He was pressing his leg against mine, and with his right hand he was stroking himself.

“What are you doing?” I asked, even though it was obvious.

He smiled at me, placing his other hand on my inner thigh. “You’re very sexy, Jordy.” He moved his hand farther up, until it reached my towel. He paused for just a moment and then slid his hand under the towel. His fingers closed around my cock, which was getting hard.

“Is this a good idea?” I gasped out as he started rubbing the head of my cock with his thumb.

“I’m not looking for a boyfriend,” he replied. “If you want me to stop, I will.”

“As long as this doesn’t fuck up our—oh.” He opened my towel.

He whistled. “Man, I knew you were hung, but that’s just beautiful.” He slid down to his knees and pushed my legs farther apart. He licked the head, and I closed my eyes and leaned back. “And, no, it won’t interfere with our business relationship, unless we let it.” His tongue darted out and licked me again. “What’s a little head between friends?” He took me into his mouth.

I can’t believe my trainer is giving me a blow job in the steam room in my gym, I thought, smiling to myself.

He started moving his mouth up and down my shaft.

“Oh, Jay, that’s nice,” I whispered as he kept working me. He slid one of his hands between my ass cheeks and started fingering my asshole.

The steam continued to hiss and swirl around us as he sucked my cock. My skin was drenched in sweat, water rolling down my face and chest.

I reached down and started pulling on his nipples. He took my cock out of his mouth and smiled up at me. “Oh, yeah, baby, that’s nice, work them nipples. Harder.” I twisted them and pulled. He moaned and then put his mouth on my cock again. He was stroking himself with his other hand as his right hand kept playing with my asshole. He started moving his head faster as I yanked on his nipples so hard I thought they might come off in my hands.

And I could feel my cum starting to rise in me.

“Oooooh, I’m going to come!”

He pulled his head back just as I shot. I came in his face and hair, thick ropy strings of white cum shooting into his smiling face . . . and he moaned as he came, his eyes closed as I pulled on his nipples, his entire body trembling.

Finished, he smiled at me, grabbing my towel and wiping his face.

“Go shower,” he whispered, “and thanks.”

I am a whore, I thought to myself as I walked out to my car. I just had sex in a public place with my personal trainer, for God’s sake. Maybe Chad is right—I need to slow it down some.

That was the part about my “whorish” behavior that was so funny. Chad had no idea what I did outside of Fusions.

My cell phone chirped as I climbed into the car. I checked my text messages. There were three from Chad, Call me when you get this, we’re still going to Fusions tonight right, and CALL ME!

There was also a new one from Jay.

That was amazing, Jordy. Do you want to have dinner sometime?

I smiled to myself, typing back, If I get to fuck that hot ass, hell yeah.

Oh, hell yeah was his response. I laughed as I started my car.

I might not have been good enough for Chad, but no one else seemed to think so. My personal trainer was into me. The hot guys at Fusions liked me, wanted me.

Jay was right. I needed to seriously work on my self-esteem.

I drove home.

I got to Fusions shortly after nine.

Chad, Brandon, and Rees were standing at the bar when I walked in. Brandon’s face looked thunderous, and I wondered what was going on. I got a drink and walked over to them. “Hey guys, what’s up?” The bar was crowded, and a hot muscle daddy with tattoos all over his chest smiled at me. I smiled back.

Brandon shrugged. “Oh, we’re getting a lecture on conduct.” His face was twisted in anger, his arms folded in front of his chest.

“Conduct?” I looked at their faces, one at a time.

“If you want to be a slut, Brandon, no one’s stopping you,” Chad snapped. “But don’t come crying to me when—”

“Don’t worry.” Brandon cut him off. “You’re the last person in the world I’d come to.” He walked away, and Rees shrugged before going after him.

“What was that all about?” I sipped my drink, trying not to smile. I’d been right—there was dissension in the ranks.

Chad shrugged. “I’m just sick to death of Brandon’s attitude, is all.” He smiled. “I like that shirt. It’s really flattering. Can I borrow it sometime?”

“Sure,” I replied. Brandon and Rees were standing by the dance floor, arguing. “Do you think I’m acting like a whore, Chad?”

“What?” Startled, he looked at me. “Why would you ask that?”

“Well, Brandon and Rees and I had lunch today, and—”

He set his jaw. “Let me guess. They told you I said that, right?” A muscle in his jaw pulsed. “Damn it to hell, I’m going to kick his fucking ass.”

“It’s not a big deal—”

“I’ve about had it up to here with the two of them,” Chad went on like I’d said nothing. “Last Wednesday when you left with that guy, I said something, but it was just a joke. I can’t believe they repeated that to you.” His eyes narrowed. “They’re both just jealous of you, is all.”

“Jealous? Of me?”

“They think you’re taking their place.” He rolled his eyes and then froze. “Oh. God.”

I turned to see what he’d seen, and my heart sank. It was Dante, looking amazing in a white wifebeater and a pair of cutoff jeans. Damn it! I swore to myself. This is all I need. He saw us, smiled, and walked over. “Hey guys.” He leaned in and kissed me on the cheek. “Hi, Chad.”

My eyes went back and forth between them. I was torn between leaving them alone or staying and watching. I didn’t want to watch them go through a mating dance—but maybe Chad wasn’t interested. . . .

“How are you?” Chad asked stiffly, his face tightening.

“Doing good.” Dante smiled, flashing his perfect teeth. “I just bought a new car.”

“Cool. What did you get?” I asked when Chad didn’t say anything.

“A Mercedes. Maybe I’ll take you for a ride sometime.” Dante brushed against me.

What’s going on here? I wondered. My body was reacting, and I gulped down the rest of my drink. I smiled. “Excuse me, guys, I need to get another drink.”

“I’ll get it. What are you having?” Dante flashed his teeth at me again.

Is he flirting with me? In front of Chad?

“Vodka cranberry.”

“Be right back.” He turned and headed for the bar without asking Chad if he wanted anything.

Chad’s eyes narrowed. “He’s being awful friendly to you.” He sniffed. “I suppose he’s trying to make me jealous.”

“Because of course he couldn’t possibly be interested in me,” I said before I could stop myself.

Chad gave me a weird look. “I didn’t say that.”

“Forget it.”

“No.” Chad crossed his arms. “Why did you say that?”

“Well, you always act like I’m a leper or something,” I replied, cursing myself for saying anything. “I’m not.”

“Here you go, Jordy.” Dante handed me my drink.

“Thanks, Dante.” I took a big gulp. Chad was still staring at me.

“I can’t get over you,” Dante said, looking me up and down. “I haven’t seen you in what? Three weeks? And look at you. You look incredible.”

He is flirting with me, I thought, trying not to get excited about it. This was too, too perfect. I glanced at Chad, whose face was turning red. He was furious. And in that instant, I made up my mind.

Because of course, Chad, anyone who’d ever been interested in you couldn’t possibly ever want ME, right? Because I’m just a loser, right? Well, I’ll show you loser, you fucking asshole.

And I saw everything with perfect clarity in that moment.

I could lose weight, I could build muscle, I could build the kind of body an underwear model would envy—but to Chad I would always be that loser who wasn’t good enough for him. He was never, ever under any circumstance going to want me. I was never going to be “his type.”

It was all I could do not to throw my drink in his arrogant face.

I turned to Dante. “You want to dance? I love this song.”

“I’d love to.”

We left Chad standing there and went out onto the dance floor. I took my shirt off and tucked it into the back of my jeans as I started moving. Dante was dancing with me, and our chests brushed against each other. “You’re a great dancer,” he breathed into my ear as he came up behind me and rubbed his crotch against my ass. “Very sexy.”

I laughed. “Well, you’re a god.”

His big arms snaked around my waist, and he pulled me back against him. I turned my head back over my shoulder and we kissed. Out of the corner of my eye I could see Chad watching us with no expression on his face. His arms were folded, and if he could, there was no doubt in my mind he would have shot laser beams out of his eyes at us.

We danced for a couple more songs, and Dante excused himself to go to the bathroom.

I walked over to Chad, using my shirt to mop sweat off my face.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Chad said angrily.

“Dancing.”

“You’re breaking the code.”

“Code? What code?”

“You don’t sleep with your friends’ exes,” Chad hissed through clenched teeth.

“Who said I was going to sleep with him?”

“You’re practically fucking on the goddamned dance floor!” Chad snarled. “You don’t want to get on my bad side.”

“You need to calm down,” I replied, not allowing myself to get angry. “We’re just dancing, Chad. What is your problem?”

“You’re right.” He shook his head. “I’m sorry, Jordy. I—you know what? I think I’m just going to leave.”

“Why?”

“I’m just not into this anymore.” He looked at me. “You want to go grab something at the Iron Skillet?”

He looked so sad my anger melted away. “Sure. What about Rees and Brandon?”

“We came in Brandon’s car. You drove, right?”

I nodded. “Yeah.”

“Come on, let’s go.”

The Iron Skillet wasn’t very crowded. I ordered a club sandwich without mayonnaise, Chad a grilled cheese. I was going to regret the sandwich, but I figured I’d do an extra ten minutes on the elliptical machine the next day.

“I’m sorry I was being such a bitch,” Chad said as we ate our food. “Brandon just really pissed me off, and then seeing Dante—” He made a face. “It just kind of threw me off.”

“He probably was just trying to make you jealous,” I replied, keeping my voice even. “Very junior high school.”

“Well, Jordy, maybe, maybe not.” He gave me a sad smile. “I hope you don’t think I think you’re unattractive.” He swallowed. “It’s amazing the way you’ve transformed. You look completely different.”

But you didn’t say I looked good.

“I’m so glad we’re friends,” he went on. “I mean, Rees and Brandon are good guys, but they’re not like you.” He looked down at his food. “Sometimes I think you’re my only real friend.”

In spite of myself I was touched. “You mean that?”

He nodded. “I mean, Rees and Brandon are fun, but that’s all they think about—partying and getting laid. You’re different. You’re serious.”

He touched my hand.

Here it comes, I exulted.

“I’m so glad we never slept together,” he went on. “That would spoil everything. You can’t stay friends with someone after you’ve slept with them.”

My heart shattered. “I know,” I managed to say.

I dropped him off at the house and headed home.

As I pulled into my parking space, my phone beeped. I flipped it open. There was a text from Dante.

Hey, man, where did you go? I was enjoying dancing with you. Some other time?

I smiled to myself. Fuck you, Chad, I thought as I got out of the car.

It was time for a change in plans, and strategy.