“No, I’m headed back to the dorms.”
Somehow, he looks even more handsome than he did the other day.
“I could have sworn I carried that same luggage for you yesterday. Do you not go anywhere without it?” His tone is teasing and light, and the sun coming in from the large windows is hitting the dark hues in his hair making it appear almost blue.
“It’s my emotional support baggage. I like to have a physical representation of what I have to offer at all times,” I quip.
His hazel eyes sparkle at my joke. “You’re funny.”
“I can be.”
“Is that your schedule?” he asks, pointing to the creased paper I have clutched in my hand. I completely forgot I’m sitting her holding it.
“Oh, yeah. I haven’t had a chance to go over it yet.” I hold it up and he snatches it playfully.
He winces when he looks over it.
“What?” Nerves creep up my chest.
“Well, you’ll need a drink to get through this schedule. How about we go out for one this Friday?”
I chew on my bottom lip debating. A habit I know my mom would be scolding me for if she were here.
“Sure.”
His eyes sparkle, and before the word is even out of my mouth a large hand lands on Liam’s shoulder. A hand belonging to none other than my new roommate and stepbrother, Chase Milford. I can feel my lips curl back in disgust at his sudden appearance.
“What do we have here?” He asks.
Liam shrugs out from underneath Chase’s touch, jaw clenched and nose flaring.
Maybe going out with Liam would be the perfect solution to getting under Chase’s skin.
“I’ll see you Friday,” I say smiling, making sure all my attention lands on Liam. I don’t miss the surprise on Chase’s face from the corner of my eye.
Liam leans down and grazes my cheek with his lips, leaving a whisper of a kiss on my skin. My face heats while Chase stares me down.Why the hell does he hate me so much?
“What’s happening on Friday?” Chase asks once Liam has walked out of earshot.
I roll my eyes and take off, going through the wooden double doors in what I hope is the direction or our dorm.
“If you’re heading to our room, it’s that way.” Chase points in the opposite direction, and I huff out a sharp breath. I’m annoyed and it’s getting colder by the second. My breath fogs in front of my face as I rush to put as much distance between me and my new stepbrother.
“Wait up,” Chase does what his namesake implies and chases after me. I don’t slow down though. If anything, I speed up my pace desperate to get away from him. Which is stupid seeing as we’ll be sharing our accommodations for the foreseeable future. But I do it anyway.
“I guess you figured out I was telling the truth after all,” he says, matching my stride easily with his long legs. I bet he could walk over those hurdles that they make up run back in high school gym class with ease.
“Yep.” I can hear the loud pop in my annunciation on the letter ‘p’. Not only do I have to live with a stranger who clearly hates me, but the knot in my neck is flaring up with the tension settling across my shoulders, and I haven’t had breakfast yet. A loud rumble emanates from my stomach reminding me that I’ve neglected myself like a dying houseplant desperate for a drop of water.
“Is there somewhere I can grab food?”
“Wow. Asking your stepbrother on a date? How taboo of you.”
I glare at his self-appreciating grin, wanting nothing more than to smack his pretty little face. Maybe I’ll put his hand in a glass of warm water while he sleeps so he can wet the bed.
Another rumble of my stomach has my entire front vibrating. It’s loud enough that Chase hears it, and I can feel the tips of my ears redden with embarrassment.
“Alright, fine. It’s this building over here. There’s a cafeteria that’s open from 6-11 am for breakfast. We should be able to grab whatever left over.” He says looking at his watch. But I don’t stop walking. I speed up and the sound of my rolling luggage increases its tempo.
