to run. Once in my bedroom, I begin to form a plan to protect myself from Troy’s charms. I text Vivian, asking if her offer to set me up with one of her friends still stands. It’s high time I get back into the dating scene.
TROY
Damn Charlie.
Why does she have to be so fucking hot? Now I’m sporting a raging boner, fantasizing about plunging my cock into her sweet pussy while she’s bent over the sink like before. It’s a sin for someone who I loathe so much to be that irresistible. And the worst part is that she wants me too. I saw the craving reflected in her blue eyes when she noticed my erection.
I. Cannot. Go. There.
She left a mess on the kitchen counter and on the floor. I focus on that, which helps dissolve any desire I had left. I clean up and then decide to head out for lunch. I didn’t sleep nearly enough, but I can’t go back to bed now.
After I put some clothes on, I go to one of my favorite joints, Zuko’s Diner. It’s an automatic decision. I always come here after a night of partying since they serve breakfast all day. But being here reminds me of Charlie again.
Hell. I need to get her out of my head.
I keep my sunglasses on as I stride to my usual booth; my head is pounding, so if I have to look like a douche, so be it.
“Troy?” a familiar voice calls out.
I turn slowly, and then my jaw drops. “Brooke? Holy shit. What are you doing here?” I change direction and stop next to her booth.
“I transferred to Rushmore,” she replies excitedly.
“Really? Couldn’t handle those New Yorkers, huh?”
She makes a face, furrowing her eyebrows and scrunching her nose as if she smelled something bad. “Ugh, no. They got two years of my life that I’ll never get back. I’m a California girl through and through, no matter how much my old man wants me not to be. Are you meeting someone?”
“No. I’m solo today. I have the worst hangover.”
She giggles. “I was gonna say, you do look rough. Sit with me. I can’t believe I bumped into you here.”
I slide into the seat opposite hers. “When did you get back?”
“Last week.”
“And you didn’t call me? I’m wounded.” I press my hand against my chest, pretending to be hurt.
She waves her hand dismissively. “Stop. I was going to. I had to get situated.”
“Where are you staying?”
“At a friend’s condo for now. It’s fifteen minutes from campus, but I’m hoping to find something closer. Is your grandmother still against you having roommates?”
She smiles in a persuasive way, making me uncomfortable. Like I’d ever want to live with my ex. Charlie is bad enough.
“Actually, I just got one.”
Her eyebrows shoot up. “Oh, really? Let me guess. Andy?”
I snort. “Yeah, right. Grandma would never allow him to move in. Actually, my new roommate is a girl.”
The easygoing smile wilts from her face. “Oh, you have a new girlfriend?”
Brooke seems hurt, which makes me uneasy.
We started dating in high school. She was a junior, and I, a senior. When she went to NYU, we tried the long-distance thing for six months. In the end, we decided to break up and remain friends. I hope she didn’t transfer to Rushmore, wanting to rekindle our relationship. The spark is gone. I’m not sure if it was even there to begin with.
I laugh. “No, nothing like that. She’s Grandma’s friend, and she needed to rent a room last minute.”
Brooke leans against the booth, looking relieved. “Oh, so you didn’t even know her?”
“Nope. Total stranger.”
“Is she nice?” Brooke asks casually, but I hear the double meaning of her question nonetheless.
Alarm bells sound in my head.
“Brooke, please tell me you didn’t move back to Cali for me.”
Her eyebrows shoot to the heavens. “What? Of course not. Gee, aren’t you conceited?”
I shrug. “Just checking. I’m stoked that you’re back, but we’re just friends.”
She narrows her eyes, flattening her lips. “Keep acting like an ass, and that friendship card might be revoked.”
“Okay, okay.” I flash her a dazzling smile. “Did you order already?”
“Yeah.”
I flag the waitress and put my usual order in. She returns a moment later with a big cup of steaming coffee.
Brooke waits until she’s gone to speak again. “So, you didn’t answer my question. Is your roommate nice?”
I debate telling Brooke the truth about Charlie. The answer that comes out of my mouth surprises me. “Yeah, I think so.”
Why did I lie?
“Well,