Series Starter Firsts in Series Collection - Kaylee Ryan Page 0,325

presence for two hours, I’ll pursue it and see where it goes.” He shrugs as though the decision should be obvious.

“She’s Hailey’s roommate. I don’t want to cause problems with them. Football and the draft, that’s what I have to focus on. If I hooked up with her, it’d be awkward seeing her all the time. She and my sister hung out over the past couple of months and kept in touch. Hales really likes her. I can’t do that to my sister.”

“Well, maybe this girl will be the one. Are you going to risk letting the one go?” he says, smirking. He’s getting some form of satisfaction watching me squirm.

“Alright, that’s enough girl talk for one night, my head is spinning,” I declare. I have to get this chick out of my head. She’s beautiful, yes, and I’m insanely attracted to her. I’ll go out tomorrow night, hookup, and get this out of my system. This has just been an off day.

Aiden laughs. “Hey, Ash and I are going to The Warehouse tomorrow night. She’s bringing her roommate, so I can meet her. You should come with us, maybe it’ll help get your mind off of Hailey’s roommate. Besides, Ash mentioned she met her roommate’s brother and thought he was hot. You can meet her and see if you know the guy, see if I have to warn him off.”

“I’m in.” I don’t even hesitate. The Warehouse is a local hangout and the perfect environment to let go and clear my thoughts of Allison.

Chapter 5

Allison

Hailey and I sleep in our first morning in the dorm, which is new for me. I’m usually up at the break of dawn with Gran, making sure she has her meds and breakfast. We shower and decide to grab a bagel at Starbucks on our way to the mall. Last night as I lay in bed, I decided I was going to embrace college life. Like Gran had said, I need to pave my way. I know she’s thinking about when she’s no longer here with me. Her health is failing, and just the thought of losing her brings tears to my eyes. I’m going to make Gran proud of me, starting today. I’m going to re-vamp my wardrobe, act and dress my age. Money isn’t an issue for me. My parents were older and well established in their careers when they had me. They had planned well for their futures and mine. I received a trust on my eighteenth birthday last September. I have more than enough money to never have to work. I could easily live on my monthly allowance from the interest alone. I could, but I don’t want to. I’m excited to be going to college and experiencing life like kids my age.

“Okay, so tonight is country night at The Warehouse, we need to embrace that,” Hailey says as we walk into the mall. Apparently, The Warehouse has themes they rotate through to keep a broad range of customers coming through their doors.

“Sounds good to me, I’m actually thinking I need to upgrade my wardrobe. I didn’t ever go out back home. I was always taking care of Gran or worrying about school. I think I’m past due for a makeover.”

Hailey’s eyes sparkle. “EEEK! I’m so excited! Let’s work on tonight’s wardrobe first, so we know we’re covered, and then go from there.”

I laugh at her excitement. “Let’s do this thing,” I say, looping my arm through hers as we make our way in to the Gap. This is where I find the perfect blue jean skirt for tonight. I also purchase jeans, tank tops, sweaters, and shorts.

We spend the entire day at the mall, making multiple trips to my car to unload our loot. We go to Victoria’s Secret last and spend way too much money on sexy underwear and bras I never would have thought I’d be wearing. Hailey assures me these items are essential, even if no one ever sees them. “They help make you feel sexy,” she tells me. I’m still unsure, but I trust her judgment, besides this is all new to me. What do I know? All my underwear came from Walmart. I also purchase all new makeup, get my hair cut, so does Hailey. We both get a manicure and a pedicure. I feel like I’ve been overhauled, but I’m excited, I cannot remember the last time I had this much fun.

It takes us three trips to carry everything up to our dorm