Page 34 of The Bro-code

Her determined smile reminds me of my own when I’m scheming something. I should probably be worried. “I’m afraid to ask.”

Lakyn’s smile widens. “We need to get you a rebound. Show Topher what he’s missing, even though I’m sure he already knows. But to say it with the words of the best big sister that ever lived, to get over an ex, you need to get under someone new.”

Ah, fuck. I hate it when she uses my own words against me.

“Yeah, no.” I say. “I decided that relationships are overrated. My senior year will be busy and I’m going to focus on my classes, my business and the Zetas.”

Lake shakes her head. “Really? I see how it is. Last year you went out of your way to convince me to rebound. To go out of my comfort zone. And it worked. I fell in love. Three times.”

I sigh. “I know. I just don’t think?—”

My sister is so stubborn. I guess we have that in common. “Maybe I should help you rebound. Find you a date with someone new who’s just the opposite of your ex.”

That sounds good in theory, but… “The sentiment is very sweet, Lakey-Lake. But I don’t think dating a mathlete or a library major would help me get over Topher.”

She isn’t deterred by my lack of enthusiasm. “I know better than to set you up with one of my old friends, Bay. I was thinking more about someone who has all the qualities you like in a man and who’s absolutely perfect for you. You should date Cole.”

I should date Cole. “Cole and I are just friends.”

“He likes you,” she argues.

“Duh, because we’re friends.”

Lakyn rolls her eyes so hard, I’m surprised they don’t pop out of their sockets. “No, silly. He likes you. I can’t be the only one who notices the way he looks at you.”

“Shut up,” I snort. “He looks like that at every pretty girl between the ages of eighteen and seventy-five. He says women are the most wonderful creatures on Earth and let me tell you, he likes to sample every flavor under the sun. I don’t know if you noticed, but his reputation rivals Luca’s. Minus the royal aspect of course.”

I shouldn’t be surprised when Lake disagrees. “Luca was a player because he hadn’t found the right person. He’s the best boyfriend—fiancé, it’s hard to get used to it. He’s the best fiancé ever.”

The happiness that shines in my twin sister’s eyes warms my heart. “He better be. I owe him because he helped me get out of here after I found Topher and Bianca, but he knows if he hurts you, there’s nowhere far enough to hide. They all know.”

Lake giggles. “Oh they know. But you don’t need to worry, Bay. My guys are the best. I owe my happiness to you, is it so bad that I want the same for you? I really think you and Cole would be perfect together. Without counting that Cole is a bajillion times hotter than Topher, no offense.”

I can’t help but laugh. “None taken and I agree. I’m not disputing that Cole is gorgeous. It just isn’t like that between us. We’re just friends. He’s like one of the girls.”

She looks skeptical. “If you say so.”

I nod a little too enthusiastically to sell it completely. “I do say so.”

What I don’t say to her is that I don’t think Cole sees me as dating material.

Besides, he doesn’t date.

If I didn’t love him as much as I do, he would be the perfect candidate for rebound sex.

He’s one of the hottest guys I’ve ever seen, with his blond hair and dark blue eyes, his tall, muscular body and a face that would be the envy of any Hollywood actor.

The problem is that if I liked sex with him, I know going back to our friendship and watching him hook up with every girl in sight would be impossible. If sex with him was bad, it would help me get over the crush I’ve had on Cole for practically ever, but it would still make things awkward between us.

“I still think you need a rebound.” Lake says.

The words slip out of my mouth before I can think better of it. “You don’t need to worry about that. I kinda, almost had one.”

That piques Lakyn’s curiosity.

“You better spill every detail.”

I do.

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