Total pages in book: 106
Estimated words: 103104 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 516(@200wpm)___ 412(@250wpm)___ 344(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103104 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 516(@200wpm)___ 412(@250wpm)___ 344(@300wpm)
“I’m good, just had a flat. Someone cut my tire. Knox helped me change it.”
Liam laughs, quickly covering it with his hand when Knox scowls.
Wyatt narrows his eyes at Liam then looks at me. “Heard you got into Arlington Dorm. Saw your name on the resident list when I checked in after school. Looks like we’ll be living together—well, on different floors. They tend to keep the boys separate from the girls, although you are welcome to drop by my room any time. I make a mean bowl of popcorn.”
“Yeah, I haven’t had a chance to check in. I still have some errands to run.” I keep my eyes on his face because panic flutters, lingering just under the surface.
His arm tightens around me. “I’ll help you move in. It’s furnished already, but for the love of God, bring your own sheets ’cause theirs are rough as hell.”
“Yeah, okay.” I bet my sheets would horrify him too. “I have to drive back to Nashville and grab some things then meet someone, so I’ll be there later.”
“I’m out of here,” Chance growls, his shoulders tight with tension as he stalks off toward an Escalade several spots away.
“Yeah, I’m bored already,” Liam adds before following him.
Dane makes to follow them, but Knox grabs his jersey and snaps him back. Dane doesn’t put up much of a fight and I hear Knox muttering under his breath, words I can’t hear. Dane settles for staring at the ground.
Chance and Liam get inside the black Escalade and peel out.
Relief hits me. Two down.
Wyatt’s giving me directions to the dorm and tips on parking when Knox’s voice cuts in, his tone soft. “Ava, if you’re okay, I’ll go.”
I glance at him, trying to maintain a neutral expression. “I’m fine. Thank you for the help.”
He’s still holding his wrench, and his face…it’s not shuttered this time. In fact, it’s layered in emotion as he watches me with Wyatt. “Take care of her at that dorm, will you?” he says to him.
“She’s in the best of hands,” Wyatt murmurs.
He and Wyatt exchange a long look, then Knox nods and gives me one last glance, his face back to stone.
He and Dane walk over to his car, their heads close as they talk.
Once they’ve pulled out, I turn to Wyatt, who’s now inspecting my new tire. He tells me I’ll need to get a new one because the spare sucks. Yeah, I know.
“You know the football players well?”
He shrugs, a meh expression on his face. “I play baseball, and jocks tend to hang out. We’ve been to a few parties together, but I ain’t like them, see. I’m no Shark.” Shak. He breaks out another grin. “Stupid name, right? I mean our mascot is the Dragons. I’m still considered new here, and they don’t like outsiders, but when you’re me, you don’t give a fuck.”
I study that eyebrow piercing, the sleeve of tattoos on his forearm, a mix of hummingbirds and roses intermingled. Recognition hits.
“Oh my God! You’re Wyatt Carrington! Your dad—your dad’s the lead singer of the Snowballs, right? Indie band from Boston? Started his career as a model and switched to music back in the nineties?” Serious drug problems, lots of rehab…
A slow blush starts up his neck. “Most people don’t recognize me until I tell them—”
“No, you look just like him. Geeze. I love their music. How did you end up in Sugarwood?”
“My mom’s originally from Nashville. She went here. My parents divorced and I came with her last year when she moved to Franklin, Tennessee. It’s about an hour from here, so I was able to get a dorm.”
“Ah, I’m sorry about your parents.”
He shrugs. “Dude, my dad was a serial cheater—and the drugs? I’m shocked he’s still alive. I don’t blame her.”
“So are you in cultural shock here in the South?”
“I don’t miss the cold weather, but the southern accents crack me up.” He smirks.
“Have you listened to your accent?” I laugh. “Hey, thanks for being nice to me this morning. I wasn’t ready for it. First day jitters.”
He gives me a fist bump. “We’ll be friends if you tell me you’re a Red Sox fan? Yes?”
“Is that the sport with a long stick? I don’t know jack about baseball.”
“I can live with that. Just don’t ever bring up the Yankees and we’re golden.”
I laugh, then my eyes follow Knox’s flashy car as it pulls out onto the highway. I chew on my lips. “Hey, what do you think about Knox Grayson?”
Wyatt follows my gaze then grins wistfully. “I think he’s hot. That tight body and those guns on his arms… If only he went that way. Damn shame.”
My eyes bug out. “Wait…what?”
He chuckles then gets going with a full-blown laugh, slapping his leg. “Ava, you should see your face. I’m gay. Everyone knows.”
I shake my head. “But…you’re so…”