“That was mighty fast, Deansie Boy. Thought about breaking in tbh,” I said in my most cheerful voice.
The door closed, revealing the person who opened it. It was not Dean. Not at all. It was Luca Monroe, the guy whose first word to me wasughtwo years ago. My eyes widened, and I slammed my mouth shut as the giant, grumpy, and wee-bit-too-handsome tight end stared daggers at me.
Not small daggers either. Big ones. Like swords.
He wore black jeans and orange chucks as well as a white polo with a football logo on the chest. The fabric pulled tight across his pecs, but I made sure to not notice. Luca might behotand a mystery and talented on the field, but he and I were enemies. Not full-on fight to the death enemies but more the “go out of his way to make my life hell” kind. Like, he always usedmymachine at the gym when I went to run or how he’d interrupt me every time I talked or how he insulted me to his friends.
It was…fine.
My stomach tied up in knots at seeing his dark expression, but I refused to cower. Luca Monroe disliked me for some reason, and that had never mattered until this very second. Because if I was going to beg my brother for the spare room, then that meant sharing this house with Luca.Sonofabeezy.
“Why hello there, handsome.” I flashed a smile, clasping my hands behind my back to hide my nerves. I loved complimenting him because it threw him off his grump game. The best defense against a jerk? Surprise. “You look wonderful—swell I’d even say.”
He blinked. “Why are you here?”
“To rob you?” I tilted my head to the side, enjoying the evident irritation on his face. His brows furrowed, and his lips were pressed in a thin line. Yes, I might’ve enjoyed annoying him. It was better than fretting over what I’d done for him to dislike me. I still could see the cringe on his face and theughsound he’d made when I held out my hand and introduced myself freshmen year.
His jaw tensed before he sighed. He reminded me of my rude uncle who thought the world’s purpose was to make him angry. Luca had big anger energy. Ragergey.
“Dean’s busy.” His clipped voice was as pleasant as metal cleats on tile.
“He texted me he’ll be here in a few minutes. Can I go inside?”
“No. You can wait here.” He crossed his arms, his gaze remaining on my face.
Luca had dark brown eyes that were the same shade as his hair. Luscious, wavy hair that kinda had me jealous. I had no doubt he could use any product he wanted and make his locks look perfect.
Not like my feral curls.
He eyed my hair, and I instantly ran my fingers through it, self-conscious that the wild curls were even more extra. The wind gave me more wisps, but I scolded myself for caring. It was LucaughMonroe.
“Nah, I think I’ll head inside.” I stepped toward the entrance, but he held out an arm, like he planned to block me. “You for real, bro?”
“I’d prefer you don’t go in there.’
“And I’d prefer that female athletes were paid the same as men, but we don’t all get what we want, do we?”
He pinched the bridge of his nose, mumbling something before heading down the stairs in two large steps. The guy had thick thighs, that was for sure. If he wasn’t always so rude to me, I’d think him handsome.
Sigh.I needed a place to live more than I needed to stay away from Luca. If I remembered correctly, there were five bedrooms in the house on two separate floors. Maybe I’d have the room farthest away from Luca so we’d never have to see each other.
My stomach fluttered with the fact that Dean could say no, that they’d found another roommate, or it had flooded orsomething.My confrontation with Luca rattled me, and I paced the porch until Dean finally walked out.
Ofcoursehe’d just woken up.
“What is it?” He yawned and ran a hand through his messy hair. “You said it was serious, and I have someone waiting for me.”
“Gross.” I made a blech sound. “Better get to the point then, huh?” I laughed, my nerves escaping.
Dean narrowed his eyes and sighed. “Please, Lo, spit it out.”
“I need to live here.”
“What? No.” He coughed into his fist. “It’s the football house.”
“Technically, accurately speaking, soccer is more football than your football, so if there was some unwritten rule, this wouldn’t break it.” I faked a smile as my stomach rolled with unease. “Dean, someone sold my building. I have thirty days to find a room, and unless I want a place miles off campus, this is my only hope.”
“Christ.” He rubbed his palms over his eyes, yawning loud enough to wake a sleeping bear. Death by bear seemed better than no place to stay. But I wasn’t desperate…yet.
