Page 23 of Lilies in Autumn

“Who texted you?”

I groan. “Greyson, from the party. The Viking Adonis god. He invited us to his house later for a barbecue.” Her eyes widen in response.

“Oh shit. What did you say?”

“I haven’t responded yet. I’ve been freaking out in silence for the last fifteen minutes. He probably thinks I’m ghosting him, like that would ever happen. Ugh,” I groan. “C, what if he’s inviting us because he thinks that I’m an easy conquest? I don’t think I could handle that kind of embarrassment.”

“Aves, why would he think that about you? You’re a virgin; you don’t exactly scream ‘experience’ when looking at you.”

“Ugh. I don’t know! Why would he text me? Why would he invite us?”

“Well, you’re beautiful and fun, especially when you’re not being neurotic by overthinking everything. A guy can text you because he’s interested in getting to know you better and seeing if you have a connection.”

I start to open my mouth to question her when she cuts me off and points a finger in my direction. “If you give me any of that self-deprecating humor right now, I’ll shave your eyebrows off in your sleep. Do you want to go to his house tonight?”

“Dante will be there. Would you be okay with that?”

I get an eye roll in response. “Aves, answer my question.”

I hesitate before replying. “I-I want to see him again.”

“Okay, we’re going. Text him back and ask for the details.”

—

Grey:

Ava: I spoke with Celeste, we’re in. Would you mind if we brought our friend, Serena? What time should we be there? And do you need us to pick up anything?

My hand tightens around my phone; pleasure from Ava’s easy acceptance of my invitation courses through my veins. On Thursday night, it was easy to tell that she was stubborn by nature, so her agreement comes as a surprise. I quickly shoot off our address and the time they should be here. Though I tell her not to bring anything, I have the feeling that Ava is a good girl, the kind of girl that brings something with her when she’s invited to someone’s house and helps clean before leaving for the night. She’s sweet, too sweet for a guy like me, but I want a taste.

I already know that a taste won’t be enough for me; I’ll want to consume her, devour her until she’s part of me.

I walk out of my room, calling the guys to meet me in the kitchen to discuss the additions to our guest list. I hear my roommates before I see them, stomping like a herd of rhinos before appearing in the kitchen. Talking about some bullshit drama happening at the fraternity house over a girl and two of the brothers, I have to wait nearly five minutes before they turn their attention to me.

“And here I was, Dante, thinking that you’d want to know that your little redhead is coming to the barbecue later.” I shrug my shoulders, being an asshole just for the hell of it. “I’ll just let Ava know that she shouldn’t bring the pit bull tonight.”

“Don’t you fucking dare, bro.” Dante turns to face me fully, his prior conversation forgotten about at the mention of Celeste. “She’s coming, for real?” I nod in response, and you’d think he just won the fucking lottery. His face breaks into a huge grin and he pumps his fist into the air. “Fuck yeah. She was so fucking hot playing Mario Kart. I need to make sure the console is set up for her. I swear to God, I popped a chub when she started to shit-talk like a guy.”

“Spare me the details. I don’t need to hear about your weird-ass kink again.”

“Did you invite any girls for me, or are you two going to be selfish pricks?” Linc complains like a little bitch.

“She’s bringing another girl, Serena.” If it’s who I think it is, I’m pretty sure she has some weird shit going on with Devin or Dylan. Or maybe it’s Devin and Dylan? I’ve met her a few times over the last two years, but she was an underage genius and I’m not a creep.

“Fuck, that’s the girl Devin and Dyl have been fighting about. I’m not touching that shit with a ten-foot pole, doesn’t matter how smart or hot she is.” Lincoln glares at both of us. “Just so you know, fuck you both for not hooking me up. If I’m no longer needed here, I’m going to the store to grab the buns, because someone”—he points at Dante—“is a fucking moron and grabbed moldy bread because it was half-priced.”

“What? We’re college students and I was trying to save money.”

I look at him in disbelief. “You don’t pay rent and your family is rich as fuck. Get the fuck out of here with that shit.” More than likely, he couldn’t find the bread aisle and picked up the discounted buns because they were right in front of him. Lazy, lying shit.

“Whatever. Linc, can you pick up a box of rubbers? I need to stock up for Red.”

Linc and I look at each other before barking out our laughter. “D, she told you to suck your dick. There’s no way you’re getting into her pants.”

He flips us both off. “You didn’t see how she reacted to me when you went outside with her curvy friend. She’s fucking into me, I know it.”

“Want to bet on that?” Linc throws out. I groan. Linc has an obsession with winning, more so than any other person I’ve ever met. He tosses out bets like they’re candy, just for the small high he gets from winning. They’re normally harmless, but they’re typically annoying as fuck.

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