Tame the Beast

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

"Men!" Luke cheered as he held up his spiked drink and waited for his friends to do the same. Smuggling their flasks into the cafeteria was a tradition dating back to the first day they moved into the dorms their freshmen year. Luke's baby blues scanned the table as he tipped his cup again and said, "To another year!"

Adam smiled wide as he held his glass up high. Surrounded by his closest friends, he couldn't wait for the year to begin. He'd known Luke and Deacon Conroy from the time they were kids. Trouble was a part of their daily schedule. Well, it was for Luke and Adam. Despite being twins, the Conroy boys were nothing alike, right down to the looks. Luke was six foot tall and loved to chase the ladies with his blue-eyed, blond hair, pretty boy charm, whereas Deacon was short, stocky, and by the book. Still, the three were inseparable.

"To another year," the group echoed as they took a swig of their drinks.

"Come on, Adam," Corin Sander urged from across the table. "Let's hear it."

Adam's blue stare narrowed, meeting Corin's dark eyes. Corin Sander and his best friend Marcus joined their group at the beginning of freshman year, which meant the two were around long enough to know the routine. A wicked smirk covered Adam's face. He knew what was on Corin's mind.

"Nah, man. There are ladies present." Adam gestured to the two girls who were lucky enough to stick around.

"Oh, please." Marcus snorted, his snub nose tilting upward as a smile spread across his broad jaw. "I don't know about Natalie, but I'm sure Olivia has heard plenty worse from you over the summer."

Olivia giggled obnoxiously from Adam's side. She'd been glued there for the past month. If it weren't for the constant putting out, Adam would have ditched her weeks ago. Who was he to pass up a good time? And Adam had nothing but time. Unfortunately, Olivia did not. Sure, he'd miss tugging on those red locks and watching those beautiful blue eyes light up for him, but the new school year was about to start, and there would be plenty more ladies just as willing to keep him company. A gorgeous girl like Olivia would find someone new in no time, and Adam was not a man to be tied down. Not if tied down meant commitment.

With a wicked glint in his steel blue eyes, Adam held up his drink. His guys followed suit. He paid no attention to anyone passing by as he said, "Here's to tappin' kegs and speadin' legs and hoping sperm don't hit the eggs! Bottoms up, boys!"

Triumphant hollers orbited the table as the guys downed the remainder of their drinks, slamming the empty glasses on the table. Deacon was the last to finish.

"Deacon," Luke taunted, "I thought we talked about this, bro. You gotta step up your game!"

Adam shook his head and suppressed a laugh. The Conroy twins couldn't be more different.

"Whatever." Deacon grumbled as he rose from the table. "Just don't come crying to me when you're all too hung over to write your first paper." Grabbing their empty glasses, he headed for the soda fountain for refills.

"Where do you come up with this shit?" Corin asked Adam between laughs.

Adam replied with a smug smile and shrug that said he wasn't sharing any sources. Luke was the only other guy around the year the former college gods shared their brilliant wisdom before graduating, and he was too distracted by some blonde who walked into the cafeteria.

"Rose!" Luke called from across the room. He waved her over before lowering his voice to the group. "This is the girl who lives on the same floor as Deacon and me. She's cool. You'll like her."

Natalie shifted between Corin and Marcus. Adam watched as her eyes jetted over to the girl who danced lightly across the cafeteria. It seemed Natalie didn't approve of another blonde joining their little group. Too bad.

"You calling dibs?" Corin asked.

"Maybe. If it means she'll be safe from the likes of you," Luke said before turning to greet Rose. "Hey there, pretty lady, get your things unpacked?"

"Yep." Her smile was dazzling, causing Olivia to wrap her hands around Adam's arm.

Women, Adam mused to himself.

"Where's your roommate?" Luke asked.

"Clarabelle said she would be down soon. She just got here."

"Clarabelle?" Corin asked, weaseling into the conversation. "Her last name doesn't happen to be Wright, does it?"

"Yeah!" Rose's smile grew wider. "You know her?"

"Sort of. We both grew up in Trousdale. We went to the same high school until her family moved. Can't wait to see her again," Corin replied with a hint of excitement.

"We just met, and I love her already." She beamed as she held out her hand to Corin. "I'm Rose, by the way."

"Oh, sorry. That's Corin, Natalie, and Marcus," Luke said as he pointed around the table. "And Adam and Olivia."

Rose waved, her blue eyes wide and gleaming as she looked around the seats. Adam approved. Not that he would hit on her. Sure, she was beautiful, but it was obvious his best friend had his sights set on her.

Being the gentlemen he was, Adam offered Rose his seat. The daggered looks from Olivia were strong enough to pierce right through his heart. He was going to have to ditch her and fast.

"Are you sure?" Rose asked sweetly.

"Yeah," Adam replied. "I have to go anyways. Meeting with my mother."

A chorus of "Oooo's" bellowed around the table as if they were a bunch of middle schoolers and the principle called the class troublemaker down to the office.

"Knock it off," Adam warned.

"Tell Dean Beaumont I say hello," Luke said with a suggestive wink.

Adam replied with a glare, daring his friend to say more. Over the years, more than one cougar joke had been made at Adam's expense.

"Dean Beaumont?" Rose asked. "Your mother's the dean?"

"Yep." Adam flashed his signature smile before giving a little bow. "Adam Beaumont at your service. See you around, Rose."

Without a single goodbye to Olivia, Adam was out of the cafeteria and headed for Main Hall. In the last couple of weeks, the girl had gotten too clingy for Adam's taste. The chase was over, and it was time to move on. Adam had two more years left, and he wasn't going to waste them. At twenty years old, his life was only just beginning. Walking down the stone hallway, Adam's mind wandered to all of his plans for the year. By the time he made it to his mother's office, he was lost in thoughts of big parties and beautiful women.

"Come in," his mother called after his second knock.

"Hello, Mother." Taking a seat, Adam threw his feet up onto her desk. He was careful not to kick her shiny gold nameplate that read Angela Beaumont.

"Feet down," she instructed. She was the perfect example of how the esteemed Beaumonts should always conduct themselves. Well-mannered, always composed, always aware of how she presented herself to the world. Even her designer clothes were tailored to demand respect and power. Her hair, pulled into her usual French twist, was dyed and smoothed to perfection. Not a single blonde hair out of place. The only hint of emotion on her poised face shone in her disappointed stare as she looked across the table at him. "Adam, we need to discuss your current behavior."

Shit.

A/N: Thank you for choosing to read Tame the Beast! Due to publishing agreements, the rest will not be available on Wattpad until August 2016. Can't wait that long? You can find this story in its entirety at Amazon.com! OR check my author profile or visit Allisonsmithbooks.com for news, updates, AND book giveaways!