Page 2 of Roxanne

I might be slightly desperate for attention. You would be too if every attempt you’ve ever made to have a boyfriend was shut down. Ruined before it ever even had a chance to begin.

Now I’m thinking of him. Storm Moreno. My smile falls from my face, and a sadness from the past threatens to creep in. I nibble my lip. I know the way I treat Storm isn’t fair, but…I have no choice.

I push aside all thoughts of Storm and look back at my phone. Any guy who finds himself attracted to me has to be brave enough to face off against my brother and his best friend, who are both excessively protective of me. Not that I can blame them. Uncle Eli took a lot from me, and them.

William, my big brother, is a little bit…well, there’s not a nice way to say it. He’s antisocial, just like dad. It’s mild. At least, that's what I tell myself. I love my brother dearly, and he would kill for me.

He and his best friend both.

A shiver travels down my spine, but I ignore it. If you want to talk about antisocial, Storm is the king. But he was made, not born, like my brother. He uses his pain like a shield around himself. He’s the only person my brother trusts to protect me.

William was supposed to attend Crystal River University this year, but skipped out once again in favor of following Papa to Europe. He left Storm behind as protection for me.

I don’t ask what they do. Not anymore. I know the kind of business that my father runs, and I know my brother is his right-hand man. Just as Storm is Will’s. Storm solidified his place in my family's life when he was sixteen.

That night should have been the turning point between us, and in some ways it was. But sometimes when I look at Storm, all I see is blood. His blood. I feel like that fifteen-year-old kid again. Abandoned by the people she needed most. No matter how many times I try to tell myself that was never their intention, I never quite manage to believe it.

Once again shaking off thoughts of my nemesis, I focus back on the conversation.

I’ll be honest, when Eric asked for my phone number, I thought he was confusing me for someone else.

No one ever hits on me. No one would dare.

I’m a junior here at CRU, and no one has ever asked me on a date. Well, I guess I’ve been asked, but once my brother’s best friend scares them away, they always chicken out. The school we attend doesn’t have many programs I’m interested in, but it does have business. I don’t know what I want to do once I graduate, but I figured I couldn’t go wrong with business.

Unfortunately, it also has Storm Moreno. Storm may not be Papa’s son, but he’s still deadly and loyal to a fault. He’s everyone’s favorite bad boy and my brother's BFF. He’s also the bane of my damn existence.

“If you think you can belong to another man, you’re fucking mistaken, Roxanne.”

I shiver and hiss at the memory of his warning, before rubbing my arms as if I could wipe away all traces of him. Storm can’t reach everyone on campus. Our college isn’t as small as our high school was. No matter how well-known he and my brother are. Right?

Eric: You looked beautiful this morning.

I smile at his text, nibbling my lip.

Me: When did you see me?

I don’t remember seeing him…to be honest, I haven’t seen him in person since the day he asked me for my number. Texts and calls only. He’s super busy with classes, and I’m super busy with avoiding Storm, but we have a plan to meet up tonight at the costume party. It’s not Halloween, but it’s college. We will take any excuse to dress up. This party is celebrating a basketball game or something. I’m not entirely sure, since sports are just not my thing.

Eric: When you were on your way to class. I would have said hi, but I was in a hurry.

That's fair. I was on my way to eat and distracted by the evil death glare Storm was shooting at me.

There’s this extra layer of excitement that feels like I’m getting away with something bad by talking to Eric. Because if Storm knew, he’d intervene. He’d stop me.

He’d scare Eric away just like all the rest.

Eric: Do you have your costume yet?

Me: Yes. Do you?

Eric: Of course. I’ve had it for a while now.

Me: That excited, huh?

I’m teasing him, but he only asked me to attend the party with him ten days ago.

Eric: Excited to see you in that mini skirt? Always. I have to go, remember where to meet me?

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