Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 82143 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82143 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Jude seemed to be on the same page. “I really think this is the one instance where it’s best to stick to gender lines. For all our sakes.”
Mason nodded but didn’t look happy.
“Thank you,” I said rapidly. “And if I’m not using it in the morning and one of you needs to shave or something, I certainly don’t mind.” Jude had a well-groomed beard, and the other two had a couple days’ worth of stubble. I wondered if they’d shave it off when classes started? I hoped not. It looked good on them. On Mason, it gave him a bit of a bad boy air, and on Parker, it made his cute but young-looking face appear a bit older.
Jude continued on. I wondered if he was the unofficial leader of this trio or just the peace maker. It kind of felt like the latter. “We moved all four dressers in the bedroom, but there are only two closets there and two out here.” He gestured to the closet doors on the wall behind me. “I can take one of the ones out here so that you can have one in the bedroom, Kylie.”
“I thought we weren’t supposed to treat her differently because she’s female,” Mason said before I could say anything.
“I’m not. I was going to make that offer to Kyle, too.”
“Thanks,” I said to Jude. “But if I’m using the bathroom out here it probably makes sense to hang my clothes out here, too.”
“Good point. By the way, yours is the dresser on the far right in there. There’s not a ton of room back in the corner since the bunk beds are so big, so it’s lucky you’re small. And by the way, we’ll be bunk mates. I’m on top.” Jude delivered that last line with a sly grin that I didn’t mind a bit. It was far more charming than the sloppy innuendo the men at my uncle’s bar attempted.
“Good to know. Who’s on top on the other side?”
“Me,” Mason said. That wasn’t much of a surprise. “Anything else?”
Jude shrugged. “Not that I can think of. I’m sure there will be some issues as we go along, but if we talk about them and keep our heads—and our tempers—we’ll figure it out.”
I couldn’t help beaming at him. He’d had my back from the moment I got here. “Thank you again. I can’t believe I get to live in such an amazing suite.”
“Unless we all get thrown out on our asses, you’re welcome,” Mason said as he got to his feet.
After that, the guys left me alone to unpack. Jude worked on his laptop at the big table. Mason and Parker were out on the balcony. I hoped to go out there once I found a place for all my stuff. I bet the night air would feel good. But first, I took advantage of the other two men’s absence to get some info from Jude. When he took his eyes off his computer screen, I pounced.
“About Mason—” I began, but he cut me off.
“He’s actually not an asshole, I promise.”
I wasn’t sure that was entirely true, but I nodded. “And Parker?”
“His girlfriend dumped him two weeks ago.”
I winced. Poor guy. “How long were they together?”
“Five years, I think. They met during their sophomore year of college.”
“Ouch.” I took a deep breath. “Thank you for your support back there.”
“You’re welcome. Did you get everything unpacked?”
“Mostly.” Organization skills weren’t my strong point. “Do you know if the cafeteria is still open?”
Jude looked at his watch and frowned. “I doubt it. The front desk has some snacks you can buy.”
“Good to know, thanks.” I was starving. But then I hesitated. “So, when I come and go, should I just… I don’t know, try to sneak in?”
Jude leaned back in his chair, considering my question. “I don’t think so. You’ll see women leaving some of the other guys’ rooms, I’m sure. If you notice anyone staring or looking suspicious, just act girlfriendly.”
My mouth twitched at that rather vague instruction. “I’ll do my best.”
Act girlfriendly.
That phrase echoed through my mind as I climbed into my lower bunk later that night. It was a lot more comfortable with sheets and an actual pillow. It wasn’t that late, but I’d thought it might be less awkward if I got into bed first. I’d put on a tank top and shorts, so it wasn’t like I was indecent, but it still felt a bit strange. I’d probably get used to it pretty quickly, however.
Not sure I’d get used to acting girlfriendly, though. It had been quite a while since I’d been one. I’d had a short-term relationship my sophomore year, and dated a bit after that, but then things got too busy. Determined to make the most of my opportunity, I’d earned two minors in addition to my major. There hadn’t been a lot of time for men.