I discreetly kick her under the table.
Her grin just widens.
7
RYAN
“Fuck, I’m starving.”
Before I can even kick off my shoes or close the door, Austin bursts through, practically launching himself at the fridge. I hear the familiar squeak of it opening, followed by a frustrated grunt.
“Either grab something or shut the door, man,” Nathan calls out, rolling his eyes as he drops his gym bag onto the floor with a thud. “You’re letting all the cold air out.”
Austin groans, his voice muffled as he digs around inside. “Why the hell don’t we have any real food?”
I give him a deadpan look as I peel off my jacket. “Because you eat everything the second it enters the house,” I reply, raising an eyebrow. “Seriously, you’re like a human vacuum cleaner.”
Austin slams the fridge door with his foot, holding a pack of shredded cheese. He rips it open, not bothering with a plate, and dumps half of it straight into his mouth.
Nathan scrunches up his face in disgust. “Come on, that’s just gross.”
Austin tilts his head, chewing away. “You’re just mad you didn’t think of it first.”
Nathan flops onto one of the stools at the counter with an exaggerated sigh. “I can confidently say I’ve never been jealous of someone eating cheese straight from the bag.” He watches, wincing, as Austin grabs another handful. “Ever heard of arealmeal? Protein?”
Austin lifts the cheese bag, waving it around. “Dairy’s got protein, dumbass.”
I snicker under my breath, leaning against the doorframe. “No wonder Cole didn’t want to move in with us.”
We’d asked Cole if he wanted to move in here with us, but he shot it down fast. Said he liked living in his dorm. Which, fine, whatever—but I have a sneaking suspicion he just enjoys being alone. Or maybe he just flat-out hates us. Can’t say I blame him either.
Austin licks cheese off his thumb, his face scrunching up in thought. “Living here would do him some good.”
Nathan snorts. “Pretty sure you alone scared him off.”
I let out a laugh, shaking my head, but my attention shifts when my phone buzzes in my pocket. I pull it out, my eyes narrowing as I scroll through a sea of missed texts from a handful of girls—Sophia, Tara, Lana. Endless names light up my screen.
Then I spot the newest message, from Cassie, some girl I met at the bar last night—thanks to the guys dragging me out of my room.
Cassie:
What do you say we grab that drink later tonight?
I exhale a frustrated breath, rubbing my hand down my face. Cassie’s cool, I guess. Last night, she made it pretty clear she’d be down for a quick hook-up. It’d be easy.So fucking easy. I could just send a quick ‘yes,’ and she’d be in my bed by the end of the night. No strings, no complications.
But of course, my stupid brain doesn’t go down the easy route. Instead, it travels right back to the one girl who’s off-limits.
Isabella is cool as hell, funny, smart, with a smile that makes me forget everything around me. And not to mention, she’s absolutely drop-dead gorgeous. Those brown curls, those deep brown eyes that have me completely hooked.
But fuck, I don’t want a relationship. I’ve never had one. Never wanted one.
And Isabella is not the type of girl you can just hook up with and pretend nothing happened afterward.
Besides, I couldn’t do that to Nathan. He’s one of the best guys I know.
And I know, without a doubt, if I had a sister, I wouldn’t want any of these idiots dating her.
Another text from Cassie pops up on my screen, her address blinking at me. I let out a groan, running a hand over my face.
