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A Memory That Once Was (Braxton University #3) A Brother's Best Friend Romance 1st
Edition Lexi Bissen
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Brother's Best Friend: A Bratva Romance K.C. Crowne
Camden’sdormroomisn’tthatsmall,butit’ssupposedtohousetwoguys.Sinceheisintheathleticbuilding,theyhavethe luxury of having their own bathroomand small kitchenette area with a mini fridge, sink, and microwave The non-athlete studentsarestucksharingacommunitybathroomwitheveryotherpersonontheirfloor,andtheyhavetoshowerbehindathin curtainandusethetoiletwhileseveralotherpeoplecomeinandoutoftheroomforvariousreasons
Smiling, I break our connection and look over to my mother. “She felt like after giving my brother a boring-ass name, somethinguniquewasneededforthenextchild”
The two make their wayoutofthe room, leavingme alone withMaddox. He takes one ofthe large duffle bags into his handsanddropsitontheextra-longtwinbed.Themusclesinhistricepsflexashegrabstheotheroneanddepositsitbeside thefirst
IbegintodothesamewithCamden’sjeansandshorts,tryingtokeepmycoolwithanolder,hotguytalkingtome It’snot like I’msome shygirl whohas never spokentoa boybefore,butnotone like Maddox.None whomake mystomachflutter. Thatisnewforme,andI’mnotsurewhattomakeofit
Truthfully, three more years of high school sounds terrible Next year I won’t have my big brother there with me, and makingfriendshasalwaysbeenastruggleofmine.MostgirlsIgotoschoolwithwantedtobefriendsbecausetheysawitasa waytogetclosertoCamden,butluckilyIwasabletoseethroughthefakepeople Havingapopularbrother,whommanyfind attractive,makesithardtofindtruefriendsandnotoneswhowanttouseyou.
“That’s a shame We could have had some funthis year” Ilookup atMaddoxand he winks atme before goingbackto stuffingclothesinhisdrawers.
“See ya soon, Peach.” The nickname falls easily fromhis mouth but has me confused. Before I can askhimwhat he’s talkingabout,MomislinkingourarmsandblowingCamdenakissgoodbye Wewalkaway,andjustasweroundthecornerof thehallway,Ihearmybrother’svoice.
“Dude, Iknow we don’tknow eachother yet, butifyoukeep staringatmysister’s ass, we’re goingto have a problem She’sfifteen.”
Thebutterfliesarereplacedwithaheavyweight I’mjustayoung,immaturegirltoaguylikeMaddox Threeyearsisnota bigage difference whenyou’re thirtyand twenty-seven, but me onlybeinga sophomore inhighschool makes it seemlike we’redecadesapart.
Springbreakishere,andI’menjoyingthefreedomofnoschoolworkandlazydaysonthebeach.Thereisnothingbetterthan leavingyourresponsibilitiesbehindforaweek WhatmakesthistheperfectvacationisseeingthemanI’vehadacrushon forthelastthreeyearsrunningaroundonthebeachwithhistannedskinglowinginthesunlightandhisshaggyhairwetfromthe ocean.MaddoxStonelooksliketheguysIreadaboutinmyromancebooksandhasonlygottenmoreattractiveastheyearsgo on
It’s my senior year of high school, and Camden invited me to Maddox’s parents’beach house for spring break. It was unexpectedbecauseCamdenhasn’tlikedmebeingaroundhisfriendsinthepast,butsinceI’mstartingatBraxtonUniversityin thefall,maybehewantsmetogettoknowsomepeople.Goingtothesamecollegeasmybrotherhashelpedrelievesomeof thestressaboutgoingawaytoschool,butknowingthatMaddoxisgoingtobearoundhasmeworried
Camden’s eyebrow rises as he studies me. Luckily, Blaire walks over after grabbing a drink fromthe cooler the guys broughtoutandpullshisattentionawayfromme.Shesitsdownonhistowelinfrontofhim,andhewrapshisarmsaroundher assherestsherbacktohischest
Wehavebeenathis family’s beachhousefor threedays now,andthemoretimeIspendaroundhim,themoremyyoung teenage crushdeepens. It was bad enoughIhad to ride inthe front seat ofhis truckbetweenhimand Levi. Inreality, they should have putLevi somewhere where there was more roombecause the guyis a giant, and withthe limited space, Iwas almostplasteredagainstMaddox’sbodyduringthelongdrive.TheonlytimeIfeltlikeIcouldcatchmybreathwaswhenwe stoppedforfoodortousethebathroom Unfortunately,thatwasonlythreetimesonthenine-hourdrive Comingtothebeachhouseforspringbreakwasamistakeforafewreasons.MainlybeingthatIhavetobearoundahalfnakedMaddoxalmostall daybecauseevenifheis notatthebeachor pool,Maddoxrefuses toputashirton Itwas alsoa mistakebecausebeforenow,Ididn’tknowMaddox,theperson.Sure,Iheardaboutmybrother’sroommateduringphonecalls orvisitsfromCamden,buttheyweremostlyfunnystoriesoraboutgirlswhoMaddoxleftheartbrokenafterahookupatoneof theirparties.Ididn’tknowhewascaringtowardhisfriendsorthoughtful.Healwaysseemedlikethejokesterofthegroupand wasnevertooserious.
My momis the most incredible person out there, but I’ve never experienced the life of the rich like I have this week. Maddox’s family’s house is onlysomethingthatcould be described inmagazines It’s large, withthree spots for cars inthe garageandaporchwithafulloutdoorgrill,pool,andfirepit.Maddox’smomhadthehouseprofessionallydesignedandevery
This vacationhouse is nothingcompared to the small, three-bedroomhome Ihave lived inwithmymomand brother up untilCamdenwenttocollege IfthisisonlyasecondhouseforMaddox’sparents,Iwonderwhattheireverydayhomeislike “Doyouallwanttogrilltonightorgoout?”Emreeasksfromherspotononeofthebeachchairs.Shewearsalargefloppy hatonherheadandapairofsunglasseswhileshereadsagossipmagazine
CamdenlooksupfromwherehewastuckinghisfaceintoBlaire’sneck.“Sincewegotall thatstufftogrill for our final nighthere,whydon’tweheaduptothatseafoodrestaurantonthepier?”
Since I’mnotone to packlight, evenfor a week-longtrip, the closetand dresser provided inthe roomare filled witha varietyofdresses,tops,andbottoms.Ihavealsopackedenoughshoes for anyoccasion.Likewhenwewenttoalocal club duringtheweek,Iwaspreparedwithacutepairofstrappyheels Therestaurantatthepierismorecasual,andIfigureI’llgo withsomewhitesneakersincasewegoexploringtheshopsafter.
TheweatherhereinWrightsvilleBeach,NorthCarolina,hasbeenperfect.Duringthedayitisinthehighseventies,andin thenighttimeitonlygetstothelowsixties Sincethesunisalreadysetting,Igrabapairofmid-risestraightjeanswitharipin one ofthe knees and a cropped tanktop. Iborrowed one ofBlaire’s cardigans our firstnighthere since she packed a few. Blaireisconstantlygettingcoldandusuallylayersup,soit’shelpfulthatshepackedwhereIwaslacking
Oncethesweaterison,Icheckmyselfoutinthemirrorabovethedresserandmakesureeverythinglooksgood.Thetank topis alittlelower cutthanI’musedto,butIhaven’tbeenshoppingfor new clothes inalmosttwoyears andthings have developedmoresincethen.Ihateaskingmymomfor money,andmypart-timejobcleaningatthedaycareIworkatdoesn’t paymuch.Luckilythejeanswereborrowedfromafriendandfitperfectly.
After swipingonsome mascara and applyinga layer ofChapStick, Igrab mysmall crossbodybagand head out ofthe room.Notpayingattention,Icollidewithahardbody.Weloseourbalance,andIendupfallingontopofthem.
“Fuck!” he shouts and rolls over, grippingbetweenhis legs Imayor maynot have accidentallykneed himsomewhere sensitiveinmyhurrytogetaway.
The towel is longforgottenas he groans inagony, and Inow have a clear view ofhis pale butt While Maddoxmaybe tannedinmostareas fromthe hours he spends outside because ofsoccer,his ass andupper thighs looklike theyhave never seenthesun
“Seeing as how she’s the one who inflicted pain in my balls, she isn’t so innocent right now,” Maddox replies to my brother.Basedonthestruggleinhisvoice,Icantellheistalkingthroughclenchedteeth.
SometimesIthinkmybrotherforgetsI’manadultnow HestilltreatsmelikealittlegirlandnottheyoungwomanIhave become.WhathefailstorealizeisthatI’veexperiencedwhatmostteenagershaveduringmyyearsofhighschool.I’vehadsex (twice,butthatwasenoughforme),gottendrunkatparties,snuckoutofmyhousetomeetaboy,andsmokedweed Hemay still see me as the little, innocentgirl, butsooner or later he is goingto have to openhis eyes to the factthatI’ma woman enteringcollege.ThelastthingIwantisahelicopterbrotherfollowingmearoundwhileI’mthere.
GrabbingCamden’s wrist,Ipull his handoffmyface andstepawayfromhim.Fromthe corner ofmyeye Icansee that Maddoxisstillontheground,butthetowelisnowlazilythrownoverhisnetherregions.
“Yourfriendhereneedstowearmoreclothes Hisdicktouchedmyleg ” “Whoa,”Camdensays,holdinghishandsup.“His what touchedyou?”
“Mydick Shewasontopofmeandthetowelkindof shifted”
Camdenlooks as ifhe is fightinga battle betweengoingafter his bestfriendfor havinghis junkanywhere near his little sisterandremainingcalm.“Someonewanttogivemethewholestoryfromstarttofinish?”
MycrushonMaddoxstartedyearsago,butithasnotfizzledoutlikeIhopeditwould ThetwoguysIdatedinhighschool were great boyfriends, but my stupid brain kept comparing themto Maddox Stone. The two times I had sex with my last boyfriend,Iwasleftunsatisfied,andwhenIgotbackhome,IdreamedabouthowitwouldbeifIevergotthatopportunitywith Maddox How his body would feel against mine How he would feel between my legs How his large hands would feel touchingmysoftbody.
Trazia and Isomehow ended up seated beside eachother tonight, and since Ican’tgetthe memoryofher bodypressed against mine earlier this evening, I know being near her is dangerous. She’s too tempting when she is the one girl who is completelyoff-limits
WhenIfirstmetTraz,Iknewtherewassomethingdifferentabouther.She’sagirlwhoisalwayssmilingandwillingtodo anything to make those around her happy Even tonight, when she hates seafood as much as she does, she’s here because everyoneelsewantedtobe.
Looking at her from the corner of my eye, I can tell she is trying to breathe through her mouth as much as possible Thankfullywewereabletogetatableforourlargegroupoutonthedock,butthereisstillalingeringfishyscentaroundus.
Trazia is looking down at some silverware covered with cloth that she is toying with as she speaks. Her long hair is creatingacurtainaroundherface WhenIfirstmetTrazia,shehadshoulder-lengthblondehair Sincethenithaschangedeach timeIseeher.Fromblacktoalightred,andnowafadedpink.
Jules lifts her pointer finger inthe air while lookingat the menu. “I’mgoingto speakfor the table and order the fried calamari,buffaloshrimp,friedpickles,andmozzarellasticks.Thatworkforeveryoneelse?”sheasksthetable.
We all nod,as noone has anyobjections.Sometimes it’s easier tohave one persontake control whenyou’re ina larger groupratherthanspendhalfanhourgoingbackandforthonwhattoorder.
Trazia nibbles ona mozzarella stickbefore answering “I’mstudyingchild and adolescentpsychology Iwas fascinated withitinhighschool and after takingthe two differenttypes ofpsychologyclasses theyhad, Iwas approved to take some offeredbythelocalcommunitycollege.It’sactuallyhelpedmegetahead,and,ifIstayontrack,I’llbeabletograduateatleast a semester early As for the dormbuilding, I haven’t gotten that far I’mstill trying to decide if I want to start right after graduationorwaituntilspring.StartingearliermeansIcangraduateearlyandstartmymaster’sprogramifIwantedto.”
Mateo has been undecided about his degree since starting school. He’s changed it twice now, and we all had bets on whetherhewouldswitchitagainlastsemester,buthe’sheldonstrongtosportsmedicinethusfar.
After swallowingthe bite she had takenand sippingsome ofher ginger ale, Trazia replies, “Workingwithchildrenhas alwaysbeenmygoal.I’veactuallybeenworkingatadaycareclosetomyhouseafterschoolandsomeweekendssinceIturned
Witha hand coveringher mouth, she rushes toward a corner ofthe restaurant that has a large bathroomsignat the top Beforeanyofmyfriendscansayanything,I’moutofmyseatandchasingafterher.
Peekingone eye open, Icheckto make sure there are no other womeninthe bathroom. While everyone’s bits would be covered behind the safetyofthe stalls, myintentionis notto make anyone uncomfortable withme beinginhere. Luckily, it soundsliketheonlyoneshereareTrazandme.
“Isee you’re back, and the sweetand caringMaddoxis gone,” Trazia tells me as she steps pastme toward the row of sinks.Afterrinsingoffherhands,shegathersascoopofwaterandswishesitaroundinhermouth.
Withher arms crossed over her chest, Trazia stares at me throughsquinted eyes. “Keep lying, Maddox, but I see right throughyou Onedayyou’regoingtobetiredofputtingonthisfaçade”Withoutanotherword,shegoestowardtheexitdoor andpullsitopen.
“I’msurprisedyouranafterher,Maddox,”Emreestateswithclearsuspicioninhereyes Takingmyseat,Igrabmyforkandstartstabbingatthe broccoli onmyplate.“Wouldn’tbe the firsttime Ihelda puking girl’shairback I’mbasicallyanexpertatthispoint”
The table vibrates withcollective laughter. Everyone except Trazia, that is. She has her head turned to me, once again studyingmeasifshecanseesomethingnooneelsecan.
AnytimeIneedtoescapeandthinkorwanttogetawayandreadabook,Ifindmyselfbythewater.EventhoughIrarelyget in because the unknowns of what could be below scare me, just the sound of the water, the fresh salty air, and seagulls preparingfortheirattackoninnocenttouristsbringmejoy.
Blairelaughs andwraps her arms aroundher legs as shepulls themuptoher chest.“You’reprobablyright.Thatmanis stubborn”
Acomfortablesilencegrowsbetweenus.Theonlysoundonceagainwasthewavescrashing.Ialwayshopedwhoevermy brother ended up fallingfor would be someone I got alongwithand evenfelt more like a friend or older sister. Blaire is perfectforhimineveryway.Notonlydoesshesupporthisdreamsofplayingsoccer eventhoughsheknowsnothingabout thesport butshehasalsotaughthimalotaboutbeinggentlerandmorecaring.Theirrelationshipwashardinthebeginning becauseofBlaire’strustissues,butCamdenbrokethroughherhardexteriorandnowtheyarehappierthanever asidefrom theoccasionalsnoring.
Blaire shrugs her shoulders. “I don’t know. Something Emree said to me about the way Maddox looks at you got me thinking”
As ifshe heard her name, the backdoor creaks open, and the blonde bombshell herselfwalks out to us. “Are youtwo havingalittlesneak-awaygirls’timewithoutme?”Shetakesaseatinthepatiochairontheothersideofmewithaglassof waterinhand.
“IwasaskingTraziaifanythingwasgoingonwithherandMaddox.”Blairecatchesherup. Emreeleansoverthearmofherchair.“Oh,Ilikethisconversation.Pleasetellmesomethinghasdevelopedthere,because Iswearthatboywasgoingtocrackonthistripwhenhefoundoutyouwerecoming” “Wait,whatareyoutalkingabout?”Iaskher,confused. Shesmileswide,showingmoreofherteeththanusual “Girl,haveyounotseenthewayhelooksatyou?Orhowhetries not tolookatyou?”
Thinkingback,ItrytorememberanytimeMaddoxhasbeenstaringorlookingatmedifferentlythananyoftheotherguys I do sometimes realize thathe’s around more thantheyare. Or thathe’ll notice I’mstandingoffalone, feelingsortoflike an outsiderintheirtight-knitgroup,andhewouldcomekeepmecompany.NeverdidIthinkanyofthoseincidentswereanything otherthanhimbeinganiceguy
Iwave her off. “He’s justbeingsweet. I’ve knownMaddoxfor three years, and he’s treated me like nothingmore than Camden’slittlesister”
“This is aninterestingnew development,” Emree states as she leans backinher chair, lookingoutto the ocean. “Seems pretty boy may have a craving for the forbidden fruit Now, how do we control the overprotective brother to play matchmaker?”
Duringthisvacation,sheandIhavebondedoverourloveofagoodromanticstory,andwhileIwouldnormallybeinthere withher,IwantedtobeclosertoMaddoxonourlastnighthere.IkeeptryingtoseeifIcannoticeanysortofsignthatthere maybe somethingbetweenus thatEmree was talkingabout, butwithhimdrinkingmore and more, it’s gettingharder to see anythingotherthanamanonhiswaytobeingdrunk.
Whilemostmayseehisobjectiontomedrinkingasabitoverboardontheprotectiveside,afterwhathappenedtohimlast year, I understand where he is comingfrom Duringa party, Camden’s beer was spiked bya horrible womantheywent to schoolwith.ShewastryingtotearBlaireandmybrotherapart,andintheworstway.Luckilythedrugssheusedknockedhim outsothathe was toofar gone togetitup,buthe was violatednonetheless Withthe encouragementofhis friends,Camden pressedcharges,andthegirlgotaheftysentence,assheshould.
Emreefillsupourcupswithhermargaritamix,whileLevidoesthesametotheirsbutwithbeerinstead.Thehairsonthe backofmyneckrise,andIfeelapairofeyesonme CamdenisfocusedonthegrillwhilechattingwithConrad Turningtothe side,Icatchpalegreeneyesboringintome.Maddoxisperchedonhisseatwithabottleinhandandhisfullattentionsolelyon me
“BetternotletCamdenhearyou,orI’llbebannedfromcollegepartiesbeforeIevengetthere” Emreelaughsaftersinkingashotforourteam.“You’rebraveforgoingtothesameschoolashim.Idon’tknow how you handletheoverprotectivebrothersituation”
Grabbingtheping-pongball,Itossitanditsinksintothecentercup.“MaybeI’llgetbetterthanCamden.” “Keep dreaming, little sis,” mybrother calls fromthe grill “Food is ready Levi, dunkthe last few shots and end this game.”
Camdenpiles the lastofthe food fromthe grill onto a platter and brings itto the longpatio table we have beenhaving meals at all week. “I fullysupport your all-girls team, but I also know that Levi is most likelyholdingbackbecause he’s missedmoreshotsthanhehasmade”
Withmore food thananyofus could eatcoveringthe table, we all sitaround and startpilingour plates. Maddoxgrabs anotherbeeronhiswayoverandtakesaseatatthetable Wepassaroundplattersofsteak,corn,andmashedpotatoes
SomethingI’venoticedthisweekisthattheguyswerenotjokingaboutMaddox’slackofcookingskills.Therearepeople whocan’tcook,andthenthereisMaddox Justtheothermorning,hetriedcookingscrambledeggsinthemicrowave,andthey endedupexploding.JulesandIwerepokingfunathimandsaidweshouldsignhimupforthatWorst Cooks in America show.
Lookingaround,Ican’thelpbutsmile.Notonlyhasmybrotherfoundagroupoffriendsthataremorelikefamily,butthey easilyacceptedme as their own.Goingtocollege andhavingthese as myguides intothis new stepinlife is goingtobe an experienceIcannotwaitfor
With my towel tightly secured around my chest, I open the bathroomdoor and almost fall back when I see a shirtless Maddoxstandinginfrontofthesink,brushinghisteeth He’ssportingapair ofgraysweatpantsthathanglow onhisnarrow hips,andIswearthosethingsshouldbebannedformenwithbodieslikehistowear.
Maddoxgoesbacktothesinkandspitsoutamouthfuloftoothpaste.Aftertakingaswigofwaterfromthefaucet,heturns hisentirebodytofaceme Withhisfull torsoondisplay,Irunmyeyesdownhisbodyandtakeineverysmoothdivot Even thoughI’veseenhimwithoutashirtmoretimesthisweekthanIcancount,itfeelsdifferentwhenwe’reinasmallbathroom together Moreintimate Histannedchestisonfulldisplay,andItrynottobitemylipasmyeyesskateovertheridgesofhis absandthoselinesnearhishipsthatdisappearintothewaistbandofhispantsthatIreadaboutinmyromancebooks.
Not a second passes before Maddox crosses the small distance between us and pulls me into his arms. With his hand restingagainstmyneckunder myjaw, he tilts myhead up “I’ve had a little too muchto drinktonight, so Ineed youto be completelyclearwithme,Peach.Doyouwantthis?”
“I’mdrunkenoughtohavethecouragetosayyes,butsoberenoughtoknowIwantthis,”Itellhimhonestly Withoutanother word, Maddox’s mouthcomes downonmine and the momentour lips touch, mybodygoes limp inhis arms.Hisstrongarmcomesaroundmywaist,andhepullsmesoourbodiesareflushagainsteachother’s. Mysenses have beeninvaded byMaddoxStone Icansmell the powerful scent ofhis woodsybodywashand feel his smoothchestbeneathmyhands.Tastethemintfromhis toothpaste.Maddoxgroans andgrips thehair atthebaseofmyhead beforeforcingmetowalkbackwarduntilmylowerbackhitsthevanitycounter Hishandstightlygripmywaistandliftmeup “God,you’resweeterthanIimagined,”Maddoxgroansagainstmylips.Hishandsleavemywaistandmoveuptocupmy
While tryingtopushthe extra material fromthe towel betweenmylegs,itsomehow gets loose ontopandfalls,pooling aroundmywaistandleavingmytophalfcompletelyexposed.
Thewayheisstaringhasmewantingtobringmyhandsuptocovermyself.I’vebeennakedinfrontofexactlyoneguyin mylife, and he never looked atme like this The two times we had sexlasted aboutfive minutes each, and the firsttime he didn’tevengetmybraoff.
Afamiliar sensationstarts to build inside me and I wrap myarms around Maddox’s shoulders as I fall over the edge, relishingintheblisswhiletryingtocontrolmybreathing.
Withhis hand grippingmyhip hard enoughto leave a bruise, Maddoxthrusts hard a few more times before completely stillingandgroaninginmyear.Whilehecomesdownfromhisownhigh,Irunmyfingersthroughhishair,threadingmyfingers inthelongstrands
IstudyMaddoxashefinisheshisplateoffoodandtrytogaugeifheisactingindifferenttowardmebecausemybrotheris intheroomor no Ican’teventhinkthatrightnow
We finishoffthe restofthe food, and as everyone is loadingtheir things into the cars, IhangbackwithMaddox. He is doingalastcheckofthedownstairsareatomakesurenothingisleftbehind Heassureduswedidn’tneedtogivethehousea deepcleanbecausehehadacleaningservicecominginthisafternoonthathismomregularlyused.
ith her in my arms, I run my hands up and down her back. “I can’t believe that just happened,” she whispers in my ear
Meneither, I want to tell her, but I’m still trying to catch my breath after the best fucking sex of my life. My Peach is more beautiful than I could ever imagine She’s damn near perfect She has a lean but fit body, and I’m sure her years of playing volleyball in high school helped with that She has the most grabbable ass I’ve ever seen, and her tits are what women pay thousands of dollars for. There is also this splattering of freckles across them that is fucking adorable.
Holding her naked body like this, I can’t believe it’s real Like someone is playing a sick joke on me, and the woman with her arms and legs wrapped around my body is a figment of my imagination. The alcohol must have gone to my head, and I’m imagining something that I’ve wanted for so long
TryingtoforgetaboutTraziaCollins,Igetoutofbedandmakemywaytotheprivatebathroom Oneofthebenefitsofnot givinga fuckaboutbeingnude around anyone is thatmyfriends decided to forgo drawingstraws and gave me the owner’s bedroominthehouse It’slarge,whichisanaddedbenefit,butIalsodon’thavetoworryaboutsharingashowerortoiletwith anyone.Therehavebeenafewinstanceswhenpeoplewalkedinbecausetheotherbathroomwasoccupied,butsomeofthem havebeenscarredbymybareasstooearlyinthemorningtoenter withoutknockinganymore.ThosesomeonesbeingEmree andBlaire
Camden serves up some eggs and bacon to all of us and stands at the counter, eating his own breakfast. “Any of you interestedinhelpingmemoveanincrediblystressedlittlesisterintoherdormtoday?”
AtthementionofTrazia,myearsperk.
“She’salreadymovingin?Don’tclassesnotstartuntilAugust?”Mateoasks Camdenchewshismouthfuloffoodbeforeanswering.“Shewantstodosummerclasses.Thesoonershegetsherdegree, the sooner she canstartfindinga school thatis hiring.Trazfigures ifshe graduates atleasta semester before everyone,she willavoidallthecompetitionoffallgraduatesfightingforajob”
Archingabrow,Ilevelhimwithastare.“Scaredofalittle…competitionwithBlairearound?” Hisnostrilsflarejustatad “Mygirlisextremelysatisfied,thankyouverymuch” “Ah, but does she know the other possibilities in the house? I mean, size does matter, and fuck anyone who says differently,”Itease
Camden rolls his eyes and grabs the keys to his Jeep on the way out the door Mateo takes the front without calling shotgun,mightIadd andIhopinthebackseat.
ThehouseCamdengrewupinisn’tfarfromcampus.Unliketherestofourroommates,hehaslivedinthisareahisentire life WhileitmadesenseforCamdentomovetocampusbecauseoftheconstantearlymorningpracticesandbeingatCoach’s beckandcall,I’mabitmoresurprisedTraziaismovinghere.Sure,itwouldbemoreofahassletodrivethehourtoandfrom herhousetocampus,butI’dpreferthatoversharingadormthesizeofabedroomwithastranger
Once inside the safetyofmyhouse, Itake a deep breathto calmmynerves. Camdenhad told me he was goingto tryand bringacoupleoftheguyswithhimtohelpmemove,butIwashopingMaddoxwouldn’tbeoneofthem
After our drunken hookup that he has no memory of, I find it hard to look at him. Finally being with the guy that has consumed mythoughts for so longshould have excited me, butwhenhe acted like nothinghappened the nextmorning, Ifelt dirtyandsad OurmomenttogetherwasspecialtomeandIthoughteverythingwouldbedifferentafter,butI’mstillthelittle sistersecretlypiningafterherbrother’sbestfriend.
“Once again, Mom, I’mnot going to be far I’ll probably be here as often as possible since I don’t have a kitchen or anything.”Unfortunately,thedormthatwaspartofmyscholarshipdoesn’tincludeakitchenettelikesomeoftheothersdo,but I’monthemealprogram,soaslongasIcanstretchthatandmakeithomeonceinawhilefordinner,Ishouldbeabletohandle nothavingakitchen.
Pullingback, she strokes the side ofmyhead. “Iknow that, butmybabyis leavinghome. I’mgoingto miss havingyou around all the time” Her eyes beginto glisten, and Ihave to hold backmyowntears The lastcouple ofweeks have been emotionalformebecauselosingthefamiliarityandcomfortofmyhomeisscary.
Maddoxtucks his longlegs as besthe canwiththe little roomhe’s workingwith. “Well, Iwas catchinga ride backto Braxton,butI’mnotsurethistoycarcanaccommodateme.”
He’s right I ambeingunfairlycold to him, but it’s hard whenI feel this paininmychest everytime I thinkabout the morningafterwehadsexandhowhehadforgottentheentirenight.
“True,” I tell himwith a smile “Levi already said he’d show me the bookstore he works at and offered an employee discount,aslongasIpromisenottotellanyone…althoughIkindofjustbrokethatrulealready.”
Withaneyeroll,Maddoxremoveshishandfrommyleg “Don’tletthelumberjacksuckyouintohisweird Harry Potter fanfiction.Iswearthatguyisthecoolest-lookingnerdI’veeverseen.”
Looking over, I catch Maddox avoiding my direction. “Come on, tell me. You don’t just come up with a nickname for someonewithouttherebeinganymeaningtoit”
“YouwouldbesurprisedwhatI’mcapableof.Now,givemeananswer,Stone.” Heblowsoutadefeatedbreath “Fine,I’lltellyou Youhaveapeach-shapedass” Not expectingthat response, I bust out laughingand focus onkeepingmyeyes openso we don’t end up collidingwith anothervehicle “Please,thatisnotthereason”