Page 9 of His Fractured Girl

Lukas tenses at my side, cracking his neck. “You and I are going to have a little chat, sis,” he grits through his teeth as he takes her by the arm. “Travis, need you to keep an eye on this one for me.” His head tips toward Sophie. I’d be happy to watch after the girl who’s staring at me in shock. She and I need to have a little chat of our own.

He drags a protesting Torrin back to his room, and I close in on the girl who’s backing away from me. When her body collides with the wall, her chance of escaping is foiled. “Don’t like parties, huh?” I stare down into her radiant blue eyes whichare glimmering with a hint of nervousness. She’s even more beautiful from this close distance.

“Idon’tlike parties. I just didn’t want Torre to come by herself.”

That’s a fair response, and one that makes me like her even more. A person who looks out for their friends says a lot about them. And so does the fact that she would drop a class over a B.

“So, how do you and Torrin know each other?”

“We’re roommates.”

So, this is the Sophie Lukas is always talking about. He’s always talking about how he couldn’t have picked a better roommate for his sister, and from what I’ve already learned about the girl, I’d say he’s right.

“Damn, had I known you were Torre’s roommate, I would’ve insisted on tagging along with Lukas every time he went to your place.”

A shiver visibly rocks through her shoulders, and I love the shade of pink that’s blushing her cheeks. I don’t think she’s completely immune to me. And it’s not like I haven’t seen her checking me out during class. I figured she was like all the other girls, wanting a date with the great Travis Hunt, but it turns out, she didn’t even know who I was.

“Would you like a drink, Sophie?”

Her shoulders tense at my question, and she shakes her head. It’s like she’s worried I’m going to hand her something with a roofie in it. That’s something that would happen at a frat house but not here in my house.

“No thank you. I’m okay. I don’t think Torre will be that much longer.”

I’m not so sure about that. Lukas looked really pissed. And that comment about the Pikes definitely struck a nerve. I’d never want either of these two girls to step foot in that place. Sophie and Torrin are way too pretty and far too naïve to understandthat the charming smooth-talking frat boys are only after one thing.

“They may be a moment.” I look towards the hall leading to Lukas’ room. “I’ve witnessed their arguments, and they can go at it for a while. Torrin is definitely a stubborn one.”

“Tell me about it.” She rolls her eyes. “In her defense, though, Lukas does treat her like a little kid. He kind of acts like a strict father at times, not a stepbrother.”

“Yeah, he does. But he’s just protective of her. If I had a little sister, I would be too. I know how guys can be, and I wouldn’t want her to get taken advantage of…or hurt by some drunk asshole.” Her eyes widen at my comment, but she’s quick to shake her head.

“She just wanted to have a little collegefun.”

“Says the girl who doesn’t believe in fun.” My brow narrows in. “I seem to recall asking you to come to this same party tonight. Yet, I got shot down.”

I know it’s a bit hypocritical given the fact that I invited her to this party tonight yet I don’t think Torre should be here. The difference is, I wouldn’t have been able to keep my eyes off Sophie. I’d probably have locked her in my room all night so I could talk to her and get to know her better. But Lukas doesn’t want to have to babysit his kid sister while he’s trying to let loose.

She’s shaking her head at me again, just like she did this afternoon. That glow of fire burning in her eyes. “I do believe in fun. It’s just that my kind of fun isn’t getting drunk at a kegger and playing beer pong.”

I’m not a fan of that stupid shit either. Though, when I was her age, I was.

“Okay, so what’s your kind of fun then?”

“I don’t know.” She shrugs. “Just the typical girl stuff I guess. Shopping, painting my nails, going to the movies. I love to goout to eat, and have cooking competitions with Torre. And I love going to those painting places where you get to make your own artwork and drink mocktails.” I have to bite back my chuckle. If I didn’t think this girl could get any cuter, she just did.

“How on earth do you manage to have cooking competitions in a dorm? Have they added kitchens since freshman year?”

Her cheeks tip right up. “We have a Crock-Pot and a toaster oven. So, there’s only so much we can make. But it’s fun to see how gourmet we can get with our limited resources.”

Clever. When I lived in the dorm, I lived off deli meat and a loaf of bread. And like she mentioned this afternoon: pizza and beer were staples for that first semester. But as soon as Lukas and I got this place our sophomore year, we cleaned up our diet, and I started eatingorganicproducts.

“Okay, so then how about tomorrow night you let me take you out to dinner and then a movie? Does that sound fun?”

There’s a shimmer of interest that flickers in her eyes, but just when I think she’s going to say yes, she shakes her head, shutting it down.

“Sorry, I don’t date football players.” Her eyes drop down to my jersey, and my stomach twists with that foreign feeling again. I don’t fucking get it. All the girls I’ve met seem to only want to date me because I play football. This girl…she’s blocking me out at every pass.

“Why? Because you think we’re all dumb jocks?” I can’t even help my offended tone. The rejection really isn’t sitting well.

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