“Whatever. This link licker just asked to buy medinner!”
“What?” His eyes grow double in size, and he actually looks affronted by the idea. “I did no such thing,” he growls as if feeding me were the last thing on hispervertedlist.
Lucky and Ava get waylaid a moment by Gwen, our house mother—readupcoming senior who wields a mean riding crop when the doors to this madhouse are closed to the public. And likewise, both Lawson and Grant get swallowed by the crowd a moment, leaving me with my new spare appendage and his never-ending pursuit to ruin myevening.
My phone goes off, and I’m filled with relief.Finally! I glance down, and just as fast as my adrenaline surged with glee, it dissipates. It’s just a text from my sweet little sister, Harley. Harley is about to start her senior year of high school, and I adore her to little pink heart-shaped pieces even if she is a pistol. She’s hanging out with Henry, our older brother for the summer, and I can’t help but smile when I think of the twoofthem.
How’s this? What’s a moth’s best quality? (Wait for it.) It can’t help but look on thebrightside!
I text right back.Cute. Tell Henry Isaidhi.
Henry is twenty-seven and suffers from cystic fibrosis. He announced to Harley and me last Christmas that his goal in life is to make people happy, thus his newfound mission to write a book full of corny jokes. Henry already does the rounds at the children’s hospital, trying to brighten the day of those poor ailing kids. He used to dress as a clown and pass out balloons, until clowns essentially became the bane of everyone’s existence and the hospital suggested he ditch the rainbow-colored wig or they’d have him arrested. His breathing is so bad he can’t hold down regular employment, so the fact Harley is spending every day with him warms me. Of course, I’ll visit when I can. Hollow Meadows is less than an hour away from Hollow Brook. Plus, Mom’s house is always stocked with the best food money can buy, and good food is something I’ve been short on during my time here at Whitney BriggsUniversity.
I spin around in hopes to secure an ounce of privacy in this crowded room and text the hell out ofJustin.
Knox jumps in front of me like a jack-in-the box, and I have a mild heart attack—although I don’t know why. Judging by his fervor to never leave my side, I should expect to find him popping up from the water when I lift the toilet seat. A vision of that dirty grin of his appearing between my legs makesmegasp.
“That’s it. I’m calling the police!” I tap into my phone and hitSendon about a dozen spastic text messages toJustin.
“If you’re really dragging the authorities into this, you’re nuts.” He grunts as if I’ve just fed his cat to the incinerator. I happen to know he has a cat because all of the girls melted last week when he mentioned his cat was the sole reason he chose off-campushousing.
A huff of laughter gets caught in my throat as I plot my getaway. “You’re the one that’s nuts around here. And would you please stop flirting with me?” I vaguely remember meeting his steady girlfriend a few weeks back. If it’s one thing I cannot stand in this world, it’s acheat.
He chokes a moment as if my words actually had the power to kill him. “I’m not flirting,honey.”
I hike up in his face. “And don’t call mehoney!” I try to ditch past him, but he blocksmypath.
“Listen”—those dark brows of his narrow into a perfectly straight hedge over his eyes—“I haven’t exactly been hanging out with you all night for myhealth.”
“God, if you’re going to give me some lame reason why I should follow you in the back and gift you a blowjob, you’re barking up the wrong vagina. I couldn’t care less about the fact you’re about to die of blue balls. I happen to have a boyfriend, andweare very much inlove.” I shuck and he jives, and we end up coming this close to gifting one another a kiss. Holy hell. I freeze a moment and squeeze my eyes shut, and when I open them, my worst nightmare is still standing before me like a cinder block wall that encompasses all thingsobnoxious.
“Your boyfriend is the exact reason I want to talk to you,” he says it deadpan as if it were the solidtruth.
My heart gives an audible thump as it works its way to my throat. I’m not a person who is easily caught off guard, but Knox and that flat dead stare, the seriousness of his tone makes me wonder how Justin could have possibly sponsored this sober moment—then ithitsme.
“Well, you can get lost. He’s not joining the team. He has better things to do all week than don a pair of cleats and chase pigskin across thefield.”
“Ha!” He barks out a loathsome laugh that runs my anxiety through it like a cheese grater. “Dude”—he winces—“nobody’s gonna tap him for the team. You don’t have to worryaboutthat.”
I give a spastic glance around for my favorite man in question. “Does this have something to do with the fact he’s rushing Beta house? All week I’ve begged him to sign up for the pre-rush festivities. More than I want Justin in Beta house, I want him to be friends with Lawson and Grant. Once the three of them become a chummy trio, Lucky, Ava, and I will turn our little friend-fest into a hexagon of love. One you’re notinvitedto.”
“Hex sounds about right.” He averts his eyes amoment.
“Would you stop accosting me and acting like you’re doing me a favor?” I try to push past him, but he catches me by the waist. The crowd doubles in size, and the rush of bodies forces our hips to conjoin. Knox Toberman is tall, viciously handsome, and the size of his chest alone is the girth of an automobile, but those eyes… They have a talent of pinning a girl down before any other perverted part of his body has the chance to penetrate the scene. My heart knocks against my chest like a prison riot, and my lips open on their own as if expecting something inreturn.
Knox leans in slow as if he’s about to plant one on me, and everything in me freezes. Those eyes, that face—as perfect as he might be, he’s not the one for me, and God knows I won’t let him turn me into the one thing I abhor, acheater.
“I am doing you a favor, Harper.” His voice is low and strong, rattling through my chest and demanding my boobs to vibrate alongwithit.
“What kind of a favor could you possibly be doing me?” I slide his hands off my waist, and they take the opportunity to drip down my hips like honey before he holds his guilty mitts in the air. Figures. I’m sure he enjoyed the ride. I still feel his warmth against my flesh like aghost.
“Look”—he winces as if whatever came next were painful for him. “I predict you and your boyfriend won’t be together too muchlonger.”
A breath catches in my throat. “The audacity! Youpredict?” As incredulous as I am, I have half a mind to laugh. I’ve never heard a more ridiculous pick-up line. “So, you’re not only a cheat in cleats, but you’re a perverted prognosticator now too? And about as genuine as that rat they pull from the cage onGroundhogDay!”
His mouth opens and closes. Knox glances to the side as if I’ve finallydepletedhim.
“That’s right!” I poke my finger into his rock-solid chest. “I’m comparing you to vermin!” I give another quick dart to the heart. “No, I will not go out with you. No, I will not kneel in the closet and play seven minutes in hell with your penis. And no, I will not spend another minute subjecting myself to the twisted logic that spews from your mouth!” I spin on my heels and smack right into Lucky’schest.
