Page 54 of College-Virgin & Dark Bully Next-Door

I chuckle and adjust her on my lap so she’s cuddled against me better. Then her words sink in. She just … believes in me? That easily. No. I’m not pushing on that. Not yet. “Let’s put something on T.V. and relax today. You only have the greenlight for making out, no seduction.”

She rolls her eyes, but I see her relax a ton with that said. We watch some sitcom re-run, and she kisses across my jaw softly. “I like when you rub my legs.”

I do exactly that, savoring how soft she is against my palm. “Anything else?”

“I like it when you’re all cute, asking for kisses and respecting my boundaries,” she whispers against my neck. “And your cologne.”

“I’ll give you a sweatshirt next time, something to keep you warm when I’m not around,” I promise.

We stay curled up for a while, talking about nothing in particular. She gives me sass regularly, but anytime she gets up, I pucker and don’t let her go until she pays the toll with a kiss. Every time, a smile lights her face, and I finally feel like we’re getting somewhere.

Sucks for Peter, but I’m not going to miss my shot at my chance with Sky just because he fucked up while I was gone. Sky’s going to make her choice one way or the other, and I’m going to make sure I’ve at least put my best foot forward.

Chapter 16

Sky

The next morning, I enter the laundry room to find Chase at the mutual laundry basket, staring at the nurse’s costume. I quickly throw it in the wash and grumble about needing my own laundry basket for at least the sixth time.

“I’m not asking. I don’t want to know,” Chase says.

“Don’t you have work?” I mumble, dumping the rest of my clothes inside and then pressing the start button.

“Not on a Sunday. I’m all yours.” He locks his arm around my neck and ruffles my hair. “Looks like you have to suffer.”

“I’m wishing even more that I’d gotten that internship,” I huff, shoving out of his grasp to fix my hair. “Now I’m stuck with you for the rest of the year. Who knew you’d betwiceas annoying this summer?”

“I have to cram it all in now before you’re off and doing amazing things,” he shrugs, then pauses at the door, his expression simmering. “I know I …I…”

“Oh, no.” I hold up a finger. “No deep, soul-touching conversation. We don’t do that here.”

Chase rubs my shoulder, blinking away the emotion from his eyes. “Proud of you, kiddo.”

“You too, giant.” I shove him aside, then make my way down the hall. “Go make some poor girl question her life choices.”

“For that, I’m staying home all day, just to see a day in the life of Sky Bennett.”

He sits on the couch and throws his arms over the back, giving me an expectant stare.

I smirk. “Let’s see how long before you survive.”

I pin some bugs I’ve collected, making sure to write their scientific name and pin that, too. After that, I get online and restart a series I’ve been watching – even though I haven’t seen the last episode. No matter how great or terrible a last episode is, I can’t stand watching them. It’s like closing a favorite book, one where you’ve fallen in love with the characters, falling into the story, and never wanting to leave. But when the last episode finishes, the only options are to re-watch or walk away, and I hate both.

Chase gets bored quickly, which is fine with me. It means I can keep living my life without my brother standing over my shoulder. I text Bonnie a few times, and she complains about a cleaning day at her place.

I still manage to catch her on the phone later when I’m relaxing by the pool. She turns on Facetime and makes a frustrated sound when she sees me. “I’m so jealous of you being poolside.”

“You’re not missing out on anything.”

“Says the girl with a pool.” She rolls her eyes. “Anyway, I remember you saying you had to go to one of Ashton’s matches. How was that? Please tell me he’s a bruised banana right now!”

“He’s definitely bruised,” I say, picking at my cover up. “I saw him take plenty of hits.”

“How was it? Delicious? Amazing? The perfect revenge? Take me to the next one!” she yells.

I hear a car door slam and get a text from Chase, saying he’s heading out. I sigh, and Bonnie’s face changes. “What?”

“Chase just went out.” I rub my feet together slowly, knowing what his abrupt departure means. “Dad must be home.”

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