Page 16 of Hard to Take

There’s no way a dude like that was sharing an apartment with her.

The only person she’s sharing a wall with is me.

Not so I can picture what she’s doing in bed on the other side, or offer to join in, but so that her impulsivity doesn’t dig her holes she can’t get out of.

On my way out after my visit, the retirement home passes me a folder with copies of the hospital bills.

There’re a lot of zeroes for her care.

It’s easy to think that girl problems are the only thing on my plate, but they’re not.

Not by a long shot.

* * *

BROOKE

“We could have hired movers,” I call after my brother as he and Rookie carry my dresser down the hall.

“No way. This is what family’s for,” he grits out.

“This is what subcontracting is for. You’re too stubborn.” I smile sweetly.

He sets down the furniture, wiping his brow as he grins back. “Runs in the family.”

Most of my stuff is in a storage locker. I’m bringing only what I need, which is still several loads of clothes and shoes, boxes of makeup, a huge dresser and a blue chaise longue.

In the two days since Miles asked me to move in, I realized his place is actually perfect.

Though I’ll never admit it, he was right about Hunter. The guy hit on me when he followed up. That wasn’t going to work out.

Bottom line: rent is going up and I need a place. If being able to call my own shots in life and not have to pretend to be someone else means crashing with my brother’s too-sexy-for-his-own-good teammate for a little while?

It’ll be worth it.

Plus, it’s only for a few weeks.

I’ve decided that by January 1st, I’ll have my future mapped out and be out of here. As much as I appreciate the save, I’m not about to go from depending on my mom for income to depending on a guy.

I’ll have the side benefit of accomplishing another top-secret project: getting over the crush I’ve been harboring for Miles Garrett.

It started innocently enough in college but reared its horny, inconvenient head in Vail.

At least this problem is one I have a plan for.

Having slept in the Kappa house with a ton of roommates, I know firsthand there’s nothing sexy about sharing kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms.

Living with him will be my version of exposure therapy. A few weeks of sharing the same space and any attraction will evaporate completely.

We knock on the door and it swings wide.

Miles stands in the doorway, feet wide and arms folded. “What is this?”

His hair is a mess, presumably from bed or his fingers. The baby-blue hoodie shoved high on his muscled forearms bears the logo of a basketball camp he and Jay both attended. His dark jeans are more Wrangler than designer, but the way they hug his hips and legs is goddamned elite.

“You said I could move in. I brought a few things.”

His mouth falls open as he watches Jay and Rookie carry the dresser past him.

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