PROLOGUE
Jenna
AGE 19
The techno beat softens as I traipse through the opulent mansion, escaping the chaos for a moment of peace. Pushing deeper inside, I’m surprised to find that it’s empty. There are hundreds of people outside.
Did I miss a “do not enter” sign?
I shiver at the silence. I’ve never actually been here, but this hockey house is known for throwing epic parties, and I’ve heard a lot about the inside of their palace-like home. It’s not usually off-limits. Though considering todayisthe Fourth of July foam pit party, the rules may have changed.
I wouldn’t want anyone trudging through my house in bubble-soaked attire. But who would have guessed the guys on the hockey team were forward thinkers like that?
My gaze rakes over the luxurious furnishings—the marble mantel, the grand mahogany dining table—and my mouth twitches in amusement.What in the interior design loving hell?
Did I stumble into the twilight zone?
When I finally reach the living room, my jaw drops at the eight-seater sectional sofa and accompanying massage chairs, but I shouldn’t be surprised. Grateful is a better reaction. I’m practically drooling at the comfort staring back at me. With a moan, I take a step closer just as an external door opens and the thumping beat of an unfamiliar remix filters inside.
“Jenna! Are you in there? I want you to meet someone,” my roommate, Penelope, calls from the threshold, and I wince, my longing stare locked on the plush couch, begging to be sat on.I was so close.
If ignoring her was an option, I’d continue on my way, but Pen on a sober day is pushy. Pen drunk…I have no hope in hell of avoiding this.
Glancing over my shoulder, I pray for someone to distract her, but when she calls out again, excitement clear in her voice, I relent.
“Jenna!”
“Yeah. I’m here, and I’m coming.”
“That’s what she said.” Pen’s roaring laughter soars over the music, and I’d join in if she wasn’t dead wrong.
Shedidn’t say that at all.Shebeingme. Because tonight has been a shit show to say the least, and I’m done. If I wasn’t waiting for Penelope’s boyfriend to drive us home, I’d be long gone. I’m not feeling it tonight. Nothing is going to pull me from this funk.
Adjusting my boobs in my tight black romper, I blow out a breath and make my way toward the yard, knowing what’s coming. Pen’s trying to set me up.Again. She feels bad after her cousin told the world—or at least, the sophomore theater cohort—that I was bad in bed. All because he wanted more and I wasn’t interested. It didn’t help that I may have mentioned his best friend was a more alluring option.
It’s my fault. I get it. I bruised his ego. But the truth is…I don’t care about the rumors he’s spreading. I’m a good fuck. The annoying thing is that now, I don’t know if people want me for me, or to test out Brant’s theory.
I’ve come to the realization that I might have to wait until the gossip dies down before hooking up again. And the idea of that sucks.
“Hurry up,” Pen calls out as I’m turning the corner, her annoyance morphing into a grin.
“It’s not my fault this place is huge—I was at the other end of the house.”
“You’re here now and this is Jack.” Pen grabs the guy beside her, thrusting him toward me as she bounces on her toes. “Say hi, Jack.”
Jack’s eyes widen and I force a smile, leaning back. Pen pushed him so hard that if he wasn’t a giant of a man, we’d be face-to-face. Instead, my eyes lock on the tee pulled tight over his muscular chest before lifting to his face. Andhello,gorgeous.
“Hey. Jenna, was it?” He smiles and I do a double take. His deep voice has a twang to it that I wasn’t expecting.
“That’s me.” I wave, tilting my head in intrigue. “What is that accent?”
“I’m Aussie.”
“You’re Australian?” I gape, a giddiness running through me.
“Sure am.”
“What are you doinghere?”
