Nice Guys Don't Win (The Boys #2) - Micalea Smeltzer Page 0,2

Classes haven’t even started yet. How is it possible you lost it already?”

The guy speaks from behind me. “Ah, Mrs. Jostin don’t be that way. I know I’m your favorite guy. I can’t help it that I lose everything. It’s a character flaw that most find endearing.”

“Endearing my ass,” she mutters under her breath, startled eyes darting up to mine to see if I heard. When she sees me trying not to laugh, she cracks a smile. “Teddy, let me finish up with this young lady and I’ll see what I can do.”

“Right on.”

Sighing, she adjusts her glasses and shuffles the papers in front of her. “I’m truly sorry, dear, but the dorms are full and there’s nothing I can do. There is plenty of off campus housing you can try. Rent is usually fairly reasonable.”

Tears sting my eyes, but I refuse to cry. I gave myself three days to cry over Todd and our broken engagement and then swore I wouldn’t cry again. Ever. I have a little bit of savings from odd jobs over the years, so I know I should be able to swing rent, but I wasn’t planning on that. I guess I should be thankful my mom always insisted I be smart with money and save a reasonable amount of every paycheck.

“All right,” I sigh in defeat. “Thank you.”

I can always suck it up and stay with my dad and his family, but I really don’t want to do that.

I turn around and come face to face with the guy. He’s fairly tall, with floppy brown hair, light stubble on an angular face, and bright forest green eyes. He gives me a lopsided grin, not hiding the fact he’s checking me out at all. I start to skirt around him, but he reaches for my arm. I give him a death glare and he immediately releases me.

“Hey.” He holds his hands up in surrender. “Sorry, I just wanted to say I might be able to help you out with the whole housing situation.”

I narrow my eyes on him. “I swear to God if you offer me your bed, I’ll cut your dick off.”

Mrs. Jostin laughs, quickly turning it into a cough.

“No, but that’s a good idea too.” I give him a menacing glare and he waves his hands for me to calm down. “I have a friend, yeah, he’s a guy but he’s kind of in a bind and needs a roommate. He’s cool. You’d like him. I think. You seem like you might not like anyone.” He rubs the back of his head awkwardly. “But I mean, it would be mutually beneficial. He needs a roommate to help with rent and you need a place to stay.”

“This isn’t some gross bachelor pad is it?”

“Uh … no. It’s a new apartment. It’s clean. He doesn’t smoke or drink much. He’s not much of a partier which kind of cramps my style but sounds like it would be good for you since you seem like the type to like the quiet.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” My glower deepens on the shaggy haired Louis Tomlinson lookalike except more jacked. It’s obvious he spends a lot of time in the gym and thinks his looks alone let him get away with anything. Typical. Todd was the same way. I should’ve known then to run far and fast.

“Nothing, I swear. Just that … look … I kind of had to back out of rooming with him last minute and now he’s stuck needing someone else to cover half the rent. He’s a good guy, I swear. At least come meet him and check out the place. I can take you as soon as I finish with the lovely Mrs. Jostin.”

I narrow my eyes on him. “Fine, but I’ll follow you in my car.”

“Whatever you want. I’ll meet you outside.”

I wait on the front steps of the main building on campus, toeing the end of my worn white Converse against the ground. I should probably stop, that’s why they’re so grubby to begin with, but it’s a nervous habit. I’m really good at appearing confident and in charge in certain situations, while on the inside I’m a freaking mess.

Five minutes later the large wooden doors creak open behind me and Teddy comes out, envelope in hand.

“Got your ID?”

“Mrs. Jostin always comes through for me. Don’t worry, I’ll send her some flowers to thank her for dealing with my shit.”

I arch a brow as I follow the long-legged guy to the