Page 12 of Lucas (Life in the Brohouse 7)

“Well, don’t wait too long. I’d hate to see you become a drifter like your dad.”

What in the actual fuck?

“Perhaps art isn’t the most viable career choice, but if you take some business classes you could get a job in advertising.”

First, he ridicules her dad, in front of her, and now he’s offering “advice” on classes to take. He doesn’t even know her.

“Thanks,” Rachel says while pressing herself closer to me, her hand tightening on mine. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

“10, 9, 8!” Everyone begins shouting.

Oh, thank God. I don’t think I can bare another moment listening to Bryan.

“7, 6, 5!” I shout with the bros, flashing Rachel a bright grin.

She looks flustered, and a bit sad, but she meets my gaze with a smile of her own. Once this is done, we’ll make an excuse to get away from Sarah and Bryan. We’ll rush back to Alex’s place and join the last of his party, or go to a cafe, or a club—anything to make Rachel happy again. I will do anything for her.

“4, 3, 2!” Rachel shouts with us.

“1! Happy New Year!”

The bowl drops and confetti explodes all around us, raining down from the high rises, bursting out of the windows. Music fills the air and Hunter, Lucas, and Alex surround Rachel and I, blocking the view from Bryan and Sarah.

Rachel throws her arms around my neck, her mouth seizing mine for a quick kiss. She releases me all too soon and goes to Hunter. I watch them kiss, watch her move to Alex, and then Lucas. My gaze drifts back to Alex and my face flushes as I see him, watching me, his lips swollen, heat flashing in his eyes. My insides twist with need and I drop my gaze to the ground, telling myself that it means nothing, despite my heart whispering back to me,but what if it does?

Chapter 5

ALEX

I’mreallytryinghere,but I don’t know how much longer I can hold myself back. My spoon hovers over my boiled egg while I try to keep my gaze from drifting to Seth, sitting across from me, slurping down his bowl of cereal like a starving man. New Year’s was… fun. The after party at least. Meeting Sarah and Bryan in Times Square was the opposite of fun and I was so glad when Seth suddenly clasped his stomach and shouted,“I think I’m going to be sick!”

The look on Sarah’s face was hilarious. Her mouth had dropped nearly to the floor as we all watched Seth gasp and writhe, his knees falling into the snow while he gasped,“I need a toilet! Now!”

I stifle a chuckle at the memory, not wanting to gain any attention. However, Seth had truly been a genius in that moment. Rachel had barely been around her mother and new boyfriend for five minutes and it had already been enough. I had enough. That Bryan guy was seriously unbearable, and the what he said about Rachel becoming like her father—disgusting.

Needless to say, Bryan and Sarah had rushed Seth to the nearest restaurant.

“Are you going to be okay?” Bryan asked, his eyes wide and horrified while Hunter held the bathroom door open. “Do you need me… to help with… anything?”

“No, we got it,” said Lucas while helping Seth inside. “We’ll keep you updated of everything.”

The door clicked closed behind me and I locked it in place, watching Seth lean against the sink, crying out in pain while looking absolutely bored.

“What are you doing?” I whispered.

Lucas gave me a look like I was an absolute idiot.“He’s getting us out of here,” he whispered.

“Did you see that mess with Rachel’s mom?” Hunter asked while crossing his arms.

Seth cried louder and filled his empty cocoa cup with water, dumping it into the toilet.“It hurts!” he shouted. “It must have been the food at La Grenouille that we had yesterday for lunch.”

“Oh no,” Lucas and Hunter groaned in unison.

Seth’s plan worked and we were able to leave Sarah and Bryan behind and return to my parents’ party within the hour. I thought Seth intrigued me before, now I’m fascinated. It makes me wonder how many times he’s performed this little escape scheme and if he can get me out of a few things, as well.

Not only that, but I can’t stop thinking about him and every time he’s near me, all I want to do is look at him, touch him. Ugh. What is wrong with me? It’s the kiss. It definitely has to be the kiss. It messed up the wiring in my brain. Seth insists it meant nothing and we should move on from it, but my head won’t let me. I keep thinking about how soft his lips were, and there’s a small part of me, the tiniest smallest part of me, that kinda wants to kiss him again. Only kinda. And nothing to serious. Just a peck. Not a complete make out session. Not that I wouldn’t say no to a make out session. Seth is a handsome looking guy. I guess. If I was gay I would think he’s good-looking, which I’m most definitely not since I like women—I like Rachel.

Seriously, what is wrong with me?

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