AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I look…sexy.
“You certainly know how to work magic,” I say, turning one way and then another to get a better look at myself. It’s an odd sensation to stare at your own reflection and feel like you’re looking at a stranger.
“It was hardly magic. You’re gorgeous with amazing cheekbones and ridiculously long lashes. I just added a few curls and a little mascara to make your eyes pop. The sweater and skirt hugs your curves like nobody’s business.” She gives me a pleased smile. “Makes a world of difference, doesn’t it?”
“But I like jeans and T-shirts.” Or better yet, cozy sweatshirts and leggings.
A long-suffering sigh escapes from her. “Yeah, I know. I’ve been doing my damnedest to break you of that habit before the end of senior year.”
My lips quirk. “It hasn’t worked.”
“No, it doesn’t appear that it has.”
She adds a few more finishing touches and voilà, we’re ready to go. Even though it’s chilly outside, we forego jackets and grab our purses before taking off. One step into the hallway and I nearly run into our neighbors.
“Hey, Jules,” Ford says, gaze flicking over me. “You guys heading out for the night?”
Carina slams the door closed behind her and swings around. The smile falls off her face when she finds her ex-stepbrother standing on the other side of the threshold.
“Oh.” Her voice turns monotone as her eyes darken. “It’s you.”
The smile he’d just flashed at me widens when he catches a glimpse of her. I almost expect him to rub his hands together with barely suppressed glee.
“You always know how to make a guy feel special. It must be your sparkling personality that has all the dudes on campus beating down your door. Or is it because they enjoy the way you beat them off?” His expression turns thoughtful as he taps his chin. “I’ve never been able to figure it out.”
“There’s something I’ve been meaning to give you.” She makes a big show of digging through her purse. “Here it is.” She pulls out her hand with a solitary finger raised and a scowl. “As if I’m interested in making you feel anything other than unwanted.”
He crowds her personal space and whispers something I can’t quite make out in her ear. Her eyes widen as she quickly shoves him back a step.
“You’re such a perv,” she growls.
He chuckles in response.
Wolf catches my eye before nodding toward the elevator. “Should we give these two crazy kids their privacy so they can hash out their issues?”
I glance at Carina and Ford. She looks on the verge of ripping him to shreds.
“That would probably be for the best. Who knows how long they’re going to snipe at one another.”
“True story,” Madden adds with a roll of his eyes.
Once upon a time, Carina and Ford were step-siblings. I can’t remember if it was her mother and his father or the other way around. The marriage lasted a handful of years before they parted ways. Even though the two are no longer related, they’re constantly at each other’s throats. It’s been that way for as long as I’ve known them.
It probably would have been a good idea to live as far apart as they could get from each other, but Ford’s father knows the property manager of the building and got a great deal on the rent, so here we are.
Neighbors with Ford.
Wolf and Madden are pretty decent guys.
For hockey players.
I don’t know Wolf that well. He keeps to himself more than the rest of the guys. Plus, he’s kind of intimidating with the shaved head and tattoos. He towers over me, and the breadth of his shoulders is impressive. He’s always been nice, but still…
There’s an intensity to him that I find unnerving. The way he stares leaves me feeling stripped bare. And not in a sexual way. More in anI know all your secretskind of way.
Madden seems like a nice guy. He has dark hair that’s cut short with mocha-colored eyes to match. He’s quick to smile and has muscles for days. From what I know, he spends a lot of time working out. While he’s not one of those athletes that hooks up with a different girl every weekend, I’ve never seen him seriously date, either. And he could. There are more than enough girls vying for his attention. Maverick mentioned that he was in a pretty serious relationship during high school, and they broke up freshman year of college.
Once we reach the elevator, I stab the button and pray it comes quickly. I can still hear Carina and Ford exchanging pointed barbs from down the hall.
