Page 3 of Hating the Book Boyfriend

They had just abandoned their spot on the back porch to head down one of the tree trails when I decided to make my move. I'd get in and out before they got back. Or so I thought. I was nearly halfway to the barn when I felt something graze across my ankle. Of course, in my haste to avoid Archie and his friends, I didn't slip on my boots. My eyes immediately darted to the ground, where I caught a glimpse of what I could have sworn was a prairie rattlesnake. I fucking hate snakes. I screamed like I was getting chased by Micheal Myers and darted to the oak tree, where I made it up a few branches before my brother and his friends came to see what all the commotion was about. All I remember is Corey Potts walking out the back door of my house and the limb I was standing on snapping before I fell out of the damn tree.

"Wait, did he just call you Josie? I thought you said your name was Josephine," Teddy says at my back.

I roll my eyes and spin back. "I didn't lie about my name. The knob behind me has always been a dim wit. I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't know my real name."

Teddy’s eyes flick between me and my brother's best friend, who I hear ordering a drink behind me. "I don't think I caught your name. I'm Teddy," he says, extending his hand.

Colton's piercing dark eyes hold Teddy’s for a beat before he gives him a once over and says, "That's because I didn't offer it."

"Once a prick, always a prick," I mumble before signaling the bartender for another drink.

"Do you want to grab a table?" Teddy asks.

"She can't," Colton answers for me.

"Why can't I?" I turn to him, outrage clearly written across my face.

"For starters, he's wearing a fake Armani coat, and second, he wouldn't give you his last name."

Damn. How long has he been standing behind me? Never mind that. The better question is, why does he even care? I'm not a teenager anymore. There is no virtue to protect like the time he caught me kissing Hudson Crais behind the bleachers sophomore year.

"In case you haven't noticed, Callahan, I'm not sixteen anymore. I couldn't care less about a fake Armani coat; I hoped he wouldn't be wearing it later anyway." The beer he ordered spews out of his mouth as though what I've said is outlandish. "I'm not a prude. I'm more than capable of choosing who I let in my bed, so you can be on your way now." I flick my wrist and shoo him off like a fly, but when I turn back to Teddy, he's halfway to the exit. Seriously! I can't believe he just walked off like that and in front of Callahan, of all people. I steel my spine as I shift back toward the bar. "Happy?" I mock right as the bartender slides another drink in front of me, one I'll now be paying for myself.

"Now, I am," he says, his eyes doing a slow perusal over my form, which only makes me sit straighter. Out of all of Archie's friends, Colton's stare has always affected me most. His cryptic gaze always lingered the longest. Always sending a misplaced shiver down my spine, like now. Nothing in our exchange suggests he genuinely cared if I took Teddy to bed. Just like when we were younger, this was all a game to him. Pissing in my Cheerios is his favorite pastime. Josie Posey can't land a boyfriend. She's not pretty enough, too awkward, with her head always buried in a book, and her tomboy outfits only make her more of a spectacle worth poking fun at. It's why I expect hisnext words to be another barbed jab, just like when we were kids, but instead, he says, "Have a good night, Posey."

"Ass," I mumble as he walks away. I was supposed to be playing Mrs. Claus tonight. What's fucked up is I'm not sure if I'm more disappointed I'm not going to get laid or that I won't get the chance to ask Santa to put a lump of coal in Callahan's stocking. No, forget a lump of coal. He deserves the whole damn mine. I hate Colton Callahan.

CHAPTER 2

JoJo

"Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god. What are you doing in here?" I screech, walking out of the bathroom.

"Ma'am, I'm so sorry… I didn't see anything, I swear," the unexpectedly handsome housekeeper says as I rush behind my bathroom door.

"Why are you in here? Isn't housekeeping supposed to knock or… I don't know, not enter when guests are in the room?"

My cheeks are flaming from embarrassment. I know he got an eye full. I had a fucking hand towel wrapped around me since Libby used all the actual towels after grabbing the wrong bottle and rubbing Gemma's lube all over herself.

"It's 10 a.m. This room is supposed to be empty."

"What do you mean empty? I haven't checked out yet."

"Check-out is at 9 a.m., ma'am."

"Since when? Who has a 9 a.m. check-out? Everyone knows check-out times are 11 a.m. or noon." Seriously these fucking places don't let you check in until 4 p.m., and they kick you out by 9 a.m.

"Ma'am, I'm sorry. I'll give you some privacy, but?—"

"Stop calling me ma'am. I can't be that much older than you." My boobs haven't started to sag, and my ass is still perky. He would know. They were practically on display seconds ago.

"Again, sorry, miss…" he draws off uncertainty, marring his tone, and I roll my eyes. Miss makes me sound like I'm five, but I digress. I know none of this is truly him, but rather my frustration with this entire predicament. When I stay quiet, he adds, "I'm going to need you to vacate the room so we can prepare it for the next guest."

I release a frustrated growl. "Can't you just mark the room as still occupied? I'll pay whatever late checkout fee is needed." My eyes flick up to the window where snow is falling in sheets. "I'll need to stay another night anyway." My brother will not make it to me until the roads are cleared.

"Unfortunately, the people who booked this room have checked in and are waiting. Extending your stay in this suite is not possible. The concierge will be able to get you sorted." I lean my head against the door. This would happen to me. In terms of luck for the past few months, I've found none. However, when it comes to bad luck, I've had that in spades, like running into Colton Callahan at the bar last night. Only someone with terrible luck would run into the one guy who has always made her social life hell. "Um, if that's all, I'll wait outside while you dress. Again, sorry for the inconvenience."

"Thanks. I'll be out in just a minute," I say as I slouch against the bathroom wall and wait to hear the sound of the exterior door closing.

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