Page 30 of Ice Cold Rival

My imagination was a dick sometimes. I’d been battling X-rated dreams about her since the first night, but having her in my texts and in my head shifted them from nearly random hot girl to Kenzie lying next to me with her leg curled over mine, Kenzie with her mouth against my skin, Kenzie looking down at me between her legs with her blue eyes blazing.

I was doomed if I took her upstairs alone. No way was I breaking my rules, even for her. We’d have to stay here among the chaos and talk about the encounter with Kane without giving away our little ruse.

Sellers had probably been right to bow out. I should have known the moment I got Eva involved everything would go off the rails, especially with Stephen visiting too. Luckily, I still had time to clear the extra people out before Kenzie arrived.

I handed Henry a strawberry chunk and surveyed the large group. “Do youallhave to be here?”

Mase snorted and started toward the stairs with his duck squawking.

“Not you.” I threw out. “Sunny really should spend some time with her mom.”

He sent me an arched look and carefully set Sunny on the floor so she could run over to me and Henry. Then, to no one’s surprise, disappeared down his stairs. Mase used to at least observe the chaos, even if he didn’t actively participate in it.

Cole stared after him for a long second then sighed. “Yeah, I see it.”

I met Cole’s worried gaze and nodded, but now wasn’t the time to discuss our concerns about Mase’s mental health. Marco could be a horrible gossip, and Mase was intensely private. He also tended to swing first and ask for explanations later. I liked my face right where it was, thank you.

Henry quacked at me, demanding another strawberry, so I absently set a handful on the floor at my feet before rising to look back and forth between Stephen and Marco.

“Sooo,” I drawled out. “You guys leaving any time soon, or…”

Stephen rolled his eyes. “I’m sleeping on your tiny couch. Where am I supposed to go?”

“Here’s an idea. You could stay with Marco for once.”

Marco shook his head. “Dorm rules.”

Cole scoffed. “You’re a senior. Why are you still in the dorms? Plus, we have two empty rooms here. I know Gavin would let you move in, and Mase wouldn’t even notice another roommate.” He glanced over at me. “Right?”

I tilted my head and considered the ramifications. Gavin, who owned the house, didn’t live here anymore, but Cole wasn’t wrong. I liked Marco, and it would make Stephen’s visits way easier if he wasn’t spread out all over the living room. Plus, part of Mase’s problem might be the loss of his late-night gaming outlet on the couch. Before I could cast my vote, Marco overruled me.

“I appreciate the offer, but I’m happy to live in the dorms as long as my parents are paying. And they are.”

Stephen caught his hand and dropped a kiss on his cheek. “I think it’s cute and very fiscally responsible.”

Marco beamed. “Thank you. Since Reece wants us gone for his new girl’s introduction—despite the curiosity potentially killing me—why don’t we go get brunch without Avery. She can meet us when she’s done hanging drywall or whatever.”

I raised my brow. “She’shanging drywall?”

He shrugged. “Or whatever. Should we grab Eva?”

The last question was directed at Stephen, and I realized Eva had never actually followed me inside. How much time did she need to wait for us to calm down? Suspicion hit me all at once, and I saw the same inkling come over Stephen.

She wasn’t waiting forus.

He dragged Marco toward the door at a fast clip. “Yeah, let’s grab her.”

I appreciated his immediate support. Unfortunately, they didn’t quite make it in time. In slow motion, the door swung open. Eva entered the house arm in arm with Kenzie, and I swallowed hard at her broad, borderline evil grin.

“Reece, look who I saved from verbal assault by Mrs. Lipnicki.”

My gaze immediately swung back to Kenzie, who was blushing slightly and trying to mask her discomfort with a fake smile as she took in the living room full of people. I definitely should have warned her. This was a classic asshole boyfriend maneuver.

I knew I should immediately rescue her from Eva’s clutches and possibly escape before Eva sniffed out our secret, but seeing her again after a week stopped me in my tracks. The rest of the room disappeared as a burst of feral excitement zipped through my blood.

She wore the same type of outfit as the night of the Kappa party. Blue shorts with a simple white V-neck shirt. It shouldn’t have been sexy, but I would forever associate her girl next door look with the taste of her.

And she was here for me.

---