Page 9 of Begin Again
He lifted his hands in apology. “Sorry, but I wouldn’t miss an opportunity like that.”
I rolled my eyes, grinning back at him.
Dawn yawned loudly. “I’m afraid I have to get going. I wanted to call my dad tonight.”
“No problem; should I drive you home?”
“Don’t worry about it. It’s only a ten-minute walk from here. Clean up and settle in.” She sat up and stretched her arms over her head. “Oh, man—my muscles are already sore.”
“I know what you mean.” Moaning, I rubbed my aching shoulders. “Good thing we have tomorrow off. Otherwise I’d be walking into class like a robot.”
Dawn laughed, and together we walked out to the hallway. I gave her a big hug at the door. “Thank you. You saved me. I could never have managed all that on my own.”
“Oh yeah, you would’ve. You’re a strong, independent woman,” Dawn insisted—and I had to smile again. “Text me about Monday,” she added, “Then we can grab a coffee before class.”
Dawn was also majoring in English, but she’d picked out other electives from mine. I was already looking forward to our joint lectures. At least I wouldn’t have to roam that huge campus alone the whole time.
“Of course, I’ll call. And my offer remains: If your roommate gets on your nerves, just come over here.”
“I will,” Dawn said. Before she disappeared into the stairwell, she called out from the hallway, aiming at the living room: “See ya, guys!”
I heard someone mumble; it had to be Spencer, couldn’t be Kaden. Dawn threw me another “don’t let it get you down” look, then closed the door behind her, and I was alone.
I went back into my room, pulled my makeup items together and headed for the bath. For the first time, I inspected the bathroom. It was extremely bright, probably because of the tiles and the little window just over the toilet. As I turned to lock the door behind me, I stopped in my tracks.
What the hell?
I opened the door and peered into the living room. Spencer was alone on the couch, playing with something that looked like the latest Playstation.
“Kaden?” I called out. No answer.
“I think he’s in his room,” Spencer said, without looking up. He nodded toward the one closed door in the apartment.
I hesitated, but then crossed the living room and tapped at the door. No answer. I knocked again. I waited another moment, but when no answer came I pushed down the door handle.
“Hey, is there seriously no lock on the bathroom door?” I spoke into the room.
Before I could make out a single detail, Kaden was standing in front of me, blocking my view.
“It’s one thing to force me to put together your shitty furniture,” he growled. “But bursting into my room while I’m working is going too far.”
Irritated, I frowned up at him. His eyes were burning darkly.
“Sorry, I just wanted to… ”
“I got it already. It’s impossible to ignore you.” He rubbed his forehead. “Listen, my limit for today has been reached.”
“Yourlimit?” I asked in disbelief.
I’d spent the entire day putting furniture together and setting up my room. I was exhausted and just wanted to take a shower—behind a locked bathroom door, without the fear of Kaden busting in on me and dumping his nastiness on my head.
I put my hands on my hips. “Get real!” I chided him. “First of all, I never made you put my furniture together. You drilled three holes in the wooden frame: big deal. Dawn and I did everything else! And secondly I just wanted to ask you for the key to the bathroom, Kaden. You tell me not to bother you with female troubles, but your mood swings are worse than a woman with PMS!”
Kaden didn’t even bat an eyelid. “I don’t have mood swings, dear. I’m always a pain in the ass.” He grabbed me by the shoulders. His firm grip made the skin tingle under my shirt, and I cursed myself for feeling that way. Then Kaden pushed me from the threshold of his room.
“Now fuck off.”
And he slammed the door in my face.
