Page 17 of College-Virgin & Dark Bully Next-Door

“Yeah. I’m okay.”

He ruffles my hair, and I try to control the mess he’s made until I huff.A gentle sigh leaves his mouth, and I look at him curiously.

“What?”

“Just thinking about your rejection email,” he mutters. “I’m sorry.”

I shrug to give him the impression that I’m not disappointed by being rejected for the summer internship at a photography studio in town, but my stomach still sinks with the feeling. I really thought I had it in the bag. A three-month work experience was all I needed. Now, I’m forced to wait.

“It means deferring a semester, but what the heck. I’ll make up for it, anyway.”

“You’re right, but… is it worth it? I know you wanted to get into that photography club—”

“Not wanted,’ I interrupt my voice a little firm. “I still want to. Need to. Do you know the doors that club will open for me after college? At least three of my photography idols have been mentored there.”

“I know that. You’ve been reiterating that fact since you applied for college.”

“So, you understand that I can’t get in without that internship.”

“Yes, Sky, I understand all that. Now, what are your plans going forward?”

“Well, their only feedback was that my photos weren’t interesting enough. They need more grit, they say. More passion. The thing is, I thought my photos were giving all that. Now, I’m not sure how to start over.”

“I’m positive it will come to you. Just don’t let anything distract you, okay?”

Everyone thinks I’m just going to fall all over myself because of a hiccup in my plans. But I’m not that person. That girl who saw the best in everything and let her emotions guide her died when Mom didn’t come back through the door.

“I’m allowed to worry. I’m your big brother. My job is to protect you.”

“And I love you for that, but Chase, it’s not always necessary. Like that fight with Peter at dinner. Don’t go to war with him on my account.”

He breathes out a conceding sigh. “You’re probably right, especially when I know he gives you hell because he wants you.”

“That’s not true,” I reply with a frown. Peter hates me guts for some reason. I’ve never seen him look at me with anything but disdain.

Chase shakes his head. “You just don’t see it. That’s fine. I like that you’re innocent. I just don’t want you getting all tangled up insomeone’sweb. And I know you’re on your way to being great.”

“Don’t get sappy on me.”

He nods once, then shoves me into the pool. Laughing, he gets up and goes inside as I spit water in his direction. I spread out, but I can barely swim in my shirt. I see the lights in the house go out, and I don’t care. I just want to float and stare at the stars.

But, of course, that’s too much to ask for. A splash ruins my peace, and I push to my feet, looking over to see brown hair floating on the water. The devil himself. I narrow my eyes at Ash as he pops up. If he weren’t so damn gorgeous, he’d be easier to hate.

He spots me and gives me a guilty smile. “Don’t tell your dad.”

As if Dad would care. Ash knows he’s free to use the pool whenever he wanted, yet he still sneaks over the fence. He just likes living on the edge. Always have.

“One of the best perks of living close to you is being able to hop the fence and take a swim,” he finishes.

Without a word, I tread the water and get out, then move toward the stairs. I’m not giving him the time of day. I learned my lesson. Just one half-good deed, and he thinks we’re fine. There’s no way.

“Hold up, Sky,” he calls.

Of course, now he’s in waist-deep water, showing off his body in a way that is absolutely not allowed. The water clinging to his skin, beads rolling down along the lines of his muscle. I want to lick it off.

“Good, you look, I’ll talk.”

I narrow my eyes at his face. “Don’t be a cocky asshole with me.”

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