Page 39 of College-Virgin & Dark Bully Next-Door

“You’re going to hang up on me? So cruel.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow if you fucking behave.” No venom in her voice this time, just pure satisfaction. “Call it incentive.”

“The very best kind, bumble bee.”

She’s quiet for a long moment, just breathing slowly. “I hate you, Ash.”

“Of course, you do. Talk to you tomorrow.”

I hang up and clean up. After two days off, I feel rested enough to take on the week. And now, with some added excitement, I’m ready to plow through tomorrow and get some time with the only girl I’ve met who hates me openly and honestly.

Pathetic, absolutely, but I don’t care. I’m excited.

Tyler picks up on it at work. “I know that look.”

“What look?” I ask.

“Like there’s a woman behind the grin that’s been on your face all day. You have a date or something?”

“Or something.” I chuckle, thinking of how mad Sky would be if I called what we’re doing a date.

“Ah, in the gray area. My lady kept me there for a while,” he says, opening another bag of cement. “Said she didn’t want her heart broken.”

I hesitate and nearly lose the bag on my shoulder. Tyler tears another one open. Is that what it is? “How did you find that out?”

“Asked.” He shrugs. “Women are pretty simple despite what people say. Just talk to them like you would a dude, plus a little sweetness, feed them, cuddle them, fuck them, and don’t cheat on them. Simple.”

“You clearly don’t know the girl I’m after.”

He claps the cement dust off his hand and motions for me to start stirring. I do as I’m told. “Are youafterher like you actually like her, or do you just want pussy?”

“I know I don’tjustwant her pussy.”

“Not good enough.” Tyler pats my shoulder. “You either want the girl, or you don’t. Think about it – do you like spending time with her and shit? Would you be okay if some other guy was spending time with her, too, or is she just convenient and not repulsive?”

I just stare at him. Even the idea of my brother making a move on her makes me frustrated as hell and has me almost seeing red.

He sighs. “I knew it. Hook up culture is a plague.”

“It’s fine if that’s what both people want,” I argue, trying to cool myself down and accept that’s all Sky wants. Is it because of my damn reputation? To check things off her list?

“Yeah, both people,” he stresses.

Dad yells at us to get to work, and we do as we’re told. I think about that on the way home, in the shower, and until I end up knocking on Sky’s door. She opens it up and jerks me in, locking the door behind me. She’s wearing comfortable-looking shorts and a T-shirt that’s a little too large.

“You’re pretty brave, strolling up my driveway so casually. What if someone sees you?”

“And if they did?”

She shoots me a glare mixed with frustration and annoyance. “We talked about this. No one can—”

“Know. I got it.” Curbing my own frustration, I follow her into the living room. “I take it that your dad and Chase won’t be home anytime soon.”

“That’s right.”

We sit on the couch, and I glance behind us, where a bunch of butterflies are pinned among beetles. “Did you make that?”

“No. I bought it. It was cheap. They’re fake,” she mumbles, pulling one of her knees up to her chin.

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