Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 108846 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108846 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
Jean’s face pales. “On second thought, I think I have a sewing club engagement.”
“Good call.”
26. Ryan
Icome home from work to a living room littered with shopping bags.
“Did you know how cold it is in Alaska?” Connor exclaims, holding up a fleece sweater. “Even in summer?”
“Compared to Miami? I had an idea, yes. I guess you’re packing?”
“Won’t have time tomorrow.” He stuffs it into his duffel bag. “So, I’ve written down a bunch of things that you need to do. Bills to pay, that sort of thing.”
“Connor, I do that stuff ninety-five percent of the time now.”
He shrugs. “Figured it can’t hurt to have a list.”
“You’re right. Thanks.” At least he’s making an effort rather than taking off and assuming everything will magically take care of itself.
“I’m sorry, excuse me, what was that? Did I hear you say, ‘Connor, you’re such a smart and handsome big brother and I’m going to miss you’—”
“Enough.” I hold up a hand but cap it off with a chuckle.
He grins. “You know, you’ve been in a way better mood lately. Who’s been getting into your pants?”
I screw up my face to try to hide my panic. Our roommate and your partner in crime. That’s who. “Not everyone’s life revolves around getting laid.”
“Yes, it does. They just don’t have the guts to admit it.”
“Whatever.”
His lips purse. “I’m glad you and Ronan are getting along better.”
Mention of Ronan’s name stirs a flutter in my stomach. “Like I had a choice. But only two more days.” I duck into the fridge so he can’t read the lies in my expression.
“Either way, I was worried for a bit.”
“You, worried?” My fake laugh comes out extra forced.
“Yeah, fine, I wasn’t, really.”
Grabbing a water, I head for my room, itching to change out of my staff uniform before class.
“Oh yeah. Some guy came by. Kent, I think he said?”
“Kyle?”
“Yeah, that’s it.”
“Really?” I frown. “Did he say what he wanted?”
“Something about tomorrow night. Where’d you meet him?”
“In the elevator. He lives on the second floor.”
“That’s it. Get it, baby sis.”
“I’m not—” There’s no point. “You’re ridiculous.”
Connor drops a heap of socks into his bag. “Glad to see you’re moving on from Dickface.”
I roll my eyes at his crassness. “Kyle’s helping me study for my exams.”
“Uh-huh. Call it what you want. Smart move to be out of here tomorrow, though, because it is gonna be lit.”
I hold a finger up in warning. “If anyone goes into my room—”
“Relax, Ronan put a lock on it when he got home.”
I peer down the hall to my door. Sure enough, there’s a shiny new handle with a key sitting inside. “Oh, thanks.” I guess Connor paid for that. A rarity.
“Uh-huh.” Connor salutes. “New guy seems decent. You have my seal of approval.”
“You barely met him.” He couldn’t remember his name!
“Don’t forget to rubber up.”
“Great brotherly advice.” I hesitate. “Is your sidekick in his room?”
“He had a few last-minute things to pick up at the store. Everything’s so expensive in Homer, we’re better off flying up with it.”
“Okay. Have fun packing.” I wander down the hall, stealing a glimpse to see Ronan’s black duffel bag packed and sitting on the floor beside his bed. Unexpected sadness fills my heart. He’s only been here two weeks, I was a bitch to him for half that time, and yet I’m going to miss him terribly.
With an unexpected heaviness in my chest, I head into my room.
A scrap of paper sits on my nightstand. I recognize Ronan’s neat scrawl.
On it is Kyle’s phone number along with a message:
Go get him, Tiger.
A naked Ronan slips into my bed at midnight, bringing with him a pleasant scent of mint tinged with a touch of tobacco.
“Hey.” My voice cracks over the word as I study the hard lines of his face in the dim light of my lamp.
His warm hand slides around my waist to my back. He pulls me closer until we’re both lying on our sides, our chests pressed against each other. It’s unexpectedly intimate, and we stay like that, quiet, for a long moment. “Hey.”
“You ready for Alaska?”
“Fuck …” He rolls onto his back. “I still don’t know why I’m going.”
“Because my brother lured you there with tales of beautiful, loose women?”
He fits an arm under my head and then pulls me in to rest on his hard chest. “How did you know?”
“Wild guess.”
“Does that bother you?”
“A little?” I’m not ready to say goodbye. “But we knew what this was when we started, right?”
“Right.” He skates a finger across my cheek. “I met Kyle today.”
I swallow, trying to read his thoughts in those four words. “Yeah.”
“Could there be something there?”
“Nah.”
He sighs. “Ryan.”
“What?”
“I’ve spent the last week fucking you in every position I know. I can read your body language. And your bullshit.”
I smile sheepishly. “I’ve run into him a few times in the elevator. He offered to help me study. That’s all.”