Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 88212 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88212 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
“And you want to be the one to figure him out? The one to save him? Does that really come as a surprise to you?”
Affronted, I say, “Yes,” but really, deep down, I know he’s right.
Cedric laughs, but then sobers quickly. “Dax, I know you, and everyone might not see it, but you’re always, always, thinking about other people.”
“To be fair, I spend a whole lot of time thinking about myself too.” It’s true. I do what I want, when I want. I’m always down for a good time because it makes me feel good. I’m not the martyr my brother thinks I am.
“You do, yes, but you would also do anything for another person. You’re always trying to find a way to help someone else or make other people feel good. Does it really surprise you that you’re so intrigued by a guy who clearly has some shit going on in his head? That you want to be the one to help him see whatever it is you think you see in him? That’s usually a dangerous game, though…”
It is. But why is it so bad to give someone a chance? “So your advice is to stay away.”
“Yes.”
I sigh. “Ced…he’s really fucking hot. And he’s a fan-fucking-tastic kisser.”
“Who isn’t always very nice to you. I don’t want that for you. You deserve better. Fuck, even with Dad, I—”
“I don’t want to talk about him,” I cut Cedric off. He always hates on himself for not standing up for me with Dad more, for working with him and following in his footsteps, when Dad has never wanted that from me—but I don’t want it from him either. Even if it’s what Dad wanted, I wouldn’t go into real estate.
But it wouldn’t be so bad if he at least wanted me to…wanted anything from me.
I push those thoughts away, stuff them in that deep hole where I can pretend they don’t exist.
“I’m sorry I’m not a better brother,” Cedric says.
“You’re the best bother. You literally listen to me talking about being between two men as often as I can.” That earns me another laugh, and before the conversation can go somewhere I don’t want it to go, I say, “Fine, I’ll stay away from him.” Lies, lies, lies. “I gotta go. My frat brothers will be here soon to help me move back into Alpha Theta Mu.”
“Okay, be safe, have fun, and call me if you need anything.”
“I always have fun,” I tease, then end the call.
I shower, strip the mattress of my sheets and blankets, and just as I finish, there’s a knock.
“Thank fuck my moving crew has arrived!” I say, opening the door. “I’ll direct, you guys load the truck.”
Jaxon flips me off as he comes in, followed by Leo, Damien, Andy, Teddy, and Keegan, with Aiden bringing up the rear. He’s Marty’s brother and a freshman at Peach State. He plans to rush Alpha Theta Mu, but has already been hanging out with us sometimes because of his brother.
“I brought donuts.” Aiden points to the box in his lap as he wheels himself closer.
It’s then I realize Andy has a ramp, which he lays down on the lip of the door so Aiden can get inside.
“Aw, freshman rush is sucking up,” I tease.
“Obviously. I’m not an idiot,” Aiden counters, and not for the first time, I’m reminded how different he is from his brother. Where Marty has always been a rule follower, something about Aiden tells me he’s not.
They all come inside, and we stuff our faces with food and then start loading. We put everything that’s going to the house in the back of the moving truck, leaving the things for storage in the front. I won’t need any of my living room furniture at the house. We make quick work of it, and before I know it, the apartment is empty. I drive the truck to the storage first, and after we unload there, it’s off to the frat house.
“I can’t fucking believe Miles was here last night,” Damien complains when we arrive at the house.
“And that he got involved in a fight,” Teddy adds.
Seems they weren’t close enough to understand what went down—either that or they don’t care. “He was actually defending me,” I tell them.
“Shut the fuck up,” Andy laughs.
“I’m serious. I was dancing with these two guys I thought I was going to hook up with. I went to get a drink, and when I came back, one was gone and the other was there. He got handsy, and then his fucking boyfriend like, fell from the sky or some shit, accusing me of trying to fuck his man—who clearly has an issue with cheating.”
“What a prick,” Leo says.
“No shit. Anyway, the boyfriend wanted to rearrange my face, but Miles was there to save the day.”