Copyright © 2019 by Serene Franklin
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Cover Artist: Natasha Snow Designs
Editing: Proof Positive
Proofreading: Judy's Proofreading
Formatting: Rainbow Danger Designs
Paperback: 978-1-9994727-7-1
Ebook: 978-1-9994727-6-4
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Epilogue
Also by Serene Franklin
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Say the word, and I will
Turn around and run, run, run to you.
Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker, “Us”
One
Mac
Bryan owes me big-time, I thought to myself as I stepped out of the shower and wrapped a blue towel around my waist. My best friend for the last decade moved out of our place a couple of weeks ago to live with his boyfriend. I couldn’t begrudge him that. His boyfriend, Eli, was perfect for him, and I was glad they finally took this step. So, why did Bryan owe me? Easy—he pimped out his old room to a university student as a favor to his boyfriend’s best friend.
I’ll be the first person to admit that living alone sucks. It’d been too damn long, and I missed having someone around. Even so, I wasn’t keen on having a stranger around. I shrugged off the thought with a sigh and left the bathroom, walking directly across the hall into my bedroom. Not bothering to close the door behind me, I unwrapped the towel and quickly patted myself dry before running the garment back and forth through my hair, leaving the dark-blond strands sticking up in every direction. Tossing the damp towel aside, I riffled through my top drawer until—there they are—my fingers closed around the maroon Calvin Klein microfiber boxer briefs that were oh-so comfy. Nothing beat being naked, but these were a very close second. I was not-so-subtly told that I’d have to wear clothes around the apartment until my new roommate settled in. These boxers were my compromise.
With it being nearly June, it was beginning to get hot as balls in downtown Chicago. In an attempt to keep the power bill down, I wanted to wait as long as possible before turning on the AC. Being naked was just as much a financial decision as it was a comfort one. All right, it was way more about comfort—sue me.
I ventured out into the quiet kitchen to grab some breakfast before I sat down to work. The cool, stainless steel fridge housed few options, so I ended up popping a Chinese take-out container in the microwave. It wasn’t the best post-workout meal, but it would suffice until I dragged my ass to the grocery store.
I leaned against the woodblock countertop with my arms crossed over my bare chest and let my head rock from side to side. I hadn’t planned on going to the gym this morning. I got roped into it while trying to think up an excuse to bail on having breakfast with last night’s hookup. She wasn’t all too pleased with me, but that didn’t stop her from programming her number into my phone before I left.
The timer on the microwave sounded while I grinned at the memory of being balls-deep in… um, Amelia? Amanda? Whoever, last night. I took the piping hot container and a fork over to the table set by the large bay window dividing the kitchen from the living room. I plunked down in my usual spot in front of the window and opened up my laptop as the sun’s rays warmed my back. My body blocked most of the glare in the morning, though I’d have to lower the shade by midday.
It was just after nine in the morning, and I had no idea when my new roomie was arriving, so I scoffed down my food, threw on a bumpin’ playlist, and got to work coding and building a new website for a client.
A knock came at the door around four hours later. I guess you could call it a hammer-fist or a kick based on how loud it was. Without touching the volume on the music, I pushed back from the table, scraping the feet of the chair on the tiled flooring, stood up, and jogged past the couch to the front door. More loud pounding came just as my fingers curled around the doorknob. Be nice, I reminded myself before pulling the door open.
I locked eyes with a guy who was undeniably related to Eli’s friend. He shared her fair skin, pale blue eyes, and red hair. He was a bit taller than she was and looked about seventeen years old, which was a hell-to-the-mother-fucking-no.
“Jesus, kid, do you even shave yet?” It slipped out of my mouth before I could even think not to say it. He narrowed his eyes at me, and his nostrils flared. I guess I pissed him off. Whoops.
“Excuse me?” he scraped out. Oh yes, he was mad.
“Sorry, you just look really young. You’re Eve’s brother, right?” I held out my fist for a bump and died inside as his eyes tracked the movement then flicked up to mine. He tightened his grip on the bag slung over his shoulder and kept his other hand in the pocket of his distressed black jeans. I pulled my hand back and scratched at the scruff on my jaw. “Okay,” I drew out, “that was awkward.”
The little bastard shrugged and brushed his hair out of his face. It was tied back for the most part, although some pieces managed to remain free. “Aoibheann is my sister, yes. Now, are you gonna let me in?”
I suppressed the eye roll I so desperately wanted to employ and forced a smile to my lips. “Of course, come on in.” I stepped aside and watched as he walked past me. His hair looked pretty damn long—maybe even down to his shoulders if I had to guess. He wasn’t short, but he was thin and lean, which only made him look younger than however old he probably was.
I closed the door behind him and leaned against it with my hands behind my back while my new roommate stood a few feet in front of me, taking in the kitchen and living room silently. “So, I’m Mac, in case Eve or Bryan didn’t tell you.”
Without turning around and interrupting his perusal, he replied, “I was told.” Once he had his fill of the space, he cocked his head in my direction and asked which room was his.
“Tell you what, kiddo, you give me your name, and I’ll show you your room.”
His nose wrinkled, but he answered me. “Dubhlainn.”
Dovelin? “Oh, that’s easy enough. I was kind of expecting something crazy like Eve’s full name.”
“It’s not spelled how you think it is,” he said, void of all amusement.
“Of course it isn’t,” I muttered. The conversation wasn’t going where I’d expected it to and the kid’s attitude, although amusing, needed to be checked. I’d tackle that another day. “Follow me.”
I headed down the hall, stopping to point out my room and the shared bathroom before reaching the end of the hall. “There’s a big closet here,” I said, pointing to the double doors across from his soon-to-be bedroom. “And here’s your room. It’s the bigger of the two and has a small en-suite.” He pushed past me and stood in the room, eyeing the bed. “Bryan left the bed for you. Because you know, he and Eli are all domestic. You’ll need some other pieces, but should be okay for now.” I eyed the bag hanging from his shoulder and realized that was all he showed up with. “Um, do you have more stuff?”
He set his bag down on the bed and turned toward me. “I do. I wanted to make sure I was staying before lugging all my shit over here.”
“And are yo
u? Staying?”
“I am. I want to be clear on something, though. We”—he motioned between us—“are not friends. I’m not interested in becoming such with the likes of you.”
I snorted and grinned, resting my forearm up high on the doorframe. “Yeah, good luck with that, kid. I’m kind of irresistible.”
“Is that all? I have some work to do.”
I pushed off the doorframe and took a step back. I opened my mouth for a witty retort when that little fucker slammed the door in my face. A low hum rumbled in the back of my throat as I turned and started down the hall. The sound of a door opening behind me made me turn around just before I sat down at the table.
Dubhlainn stuck his head out of his room and shouted, “And for the love of God, turn down that awful music and put some fuckin’ clothes on,” then slammed the door again.
I sat down with a smile on my face and cranked up the volume on “Good Vibrations” before going back to work.
I didn’t see Dubhlainn again that day. I’d knocked on his door around suppertime to see if he wanted to order in, and he shouted back—through the closed door—that he wasn’t hungry. Even so, I ordered enough pizza for both of us, just in case. Deciding to give him some space, I left a note on the counter indicating the pizza in the fridge and left his key to the condo at the bottom before I’d gone to bed.
He snuck out in the morning before I got up. The key was gone, yet the leftovers remained untouched. I shrugged and ate them for breakfast while watching reruns of Fresh Prince on the black leather couch. Halfway through the second episode my phone vibrated on the living room table in front of me, ridiculously loud against the glass. Bryan’s name flashed up on my call display. I paused the show then answered the phone, tapping on the screen to put the call on speakerphone.
“Hey, bro. What’s up?” I took a large bite of cold pizza—the best way to eat it.
“Just taking a short break out back to see how things are going with Dubhlainn.” Bryan owned a small bakery he opened last year. He had more staff members now, though he still liked to spend most of his time working the kitchen. Having a pâtissier for a best friend had its perks, especially when he brought over treats on a weekly basis.
“Ah, the kid. He’s, how shall I put this… kind of a dick,” I said gleefully.
Bryan sighed in an attempt to mask his snickering. He failed. “Did you piss him off already?”
“Totally. I didn’t say anything bad; he just needs to lighten up a bit.” I took another bite and swallowed while Bryan sighed again. “He’s touchy. I barely said a word to him and he already hates me.”
“How do you know?”
“He all but said it before he insulted my clothing choices and musical tastes and slammed a door in my face.”
Bryan snorted a laugh. “Please tell me you wore clothes yesterday when you introduced yourself.”
“Of course I did,” I said with an air of pseudo-indignation. “What kind of person do you think I—”
“You were wearing your underwear, weren’t you?” Bryan deadpanned.
A smile broke out across my face, and I shrugged, even though Bry couldn’t see it. “Fuck yes, I was. He’s lucky I even put those on. I’m commando this morning, in case you were wondering.”
“I wasn’t, but thank you for the wonderful memories.”
“Your sarcasm is noted and not appreciated.”
“Mac,” Bryan started in his “dad” voice—the one that told me he wanted me to listen—“be nice to Dubhlainn. Eli and Eve really want this to work, and I know you don’t like living alone.”
I sighed because I couldn’t deny his claim. “Yes, Dad.”
“It’s never not going to be gross when you call me that.”
“Watch those double negatives.”
“Don’t start,” he groaned.
“I promise I’ll be nice to him. I refuse to get all dolled up—”
“Wearing pants isn’t really dolled up, but okay.”
“—although I will watch what I say around him until he recognizes my awesomeness. How old is he anyway? Is he even legal?”
Bryan said something about powdered sugar to what I assumed was one of his employees then returned to the conversation. “He just turned nineteen.”
An amused hum formed in my throat. “So there will be university girls around the place? I’ll be his best friend.”
“Easy there. You clearly don’t remember that I told you he’s gay.”
“And,” I drew out, “there goes the dream.”
“Shut up. Wanna go to the gym after work today?”
“Yeah. Just text me when you’re leaving and I’ll meet you there.”
“All right. I’ve gotta go. I’ll bring you some cupcakes tonight.”
Score! “Thanks, bro. Catch you later.”
I disconnected the call and hit play on my show. Bryan was right about the kid. I needed to make more of an effort and give him a chance to feel welcome and at home before I went “full Mac” on him. I decided to suffer through wearing sweatpants and shorts while I worked day after day.
A week went by, and I still hadn’t seen Dubhlainn. He left early in the morning and came back well after midnight each day. Maybe I should have been happy that he was staying out of my hair and not making a mess in the place. Maybe I shouldn’t have cared that he was dodging me. But I did—and that shit was going to stop the next time I saw him.
Two
Dubhlainn
Computer science will be the fuckin’ death of me. I had no interest in anything to do with computers, let alone the science of them. I sat in the back row of that full lecture, praying for the time to tick over to two and bring this three-hour class to an end. A friend of mine recommended this intro class to me and presented it as an easy way to earn one of my mandatory core credits. I was stoked to see it offered in May—and early enough that it wouldn’t fuck with my work schedule—in a condensed four-week semester.
Sitting there completely fucking clueless and with a huge assignment looming over my head left me feeling utterly knackered. I was past the point of withdrawing and getting a refund, so I’d stick it out and try my best. Wasting Aoibheann’s money wasn’t something I’d ever hear the end of. I’d do everything in my power to pass this class if it meant dodging another lecture from her.
Dr. Bell’s voice cut through my thoughts as he announced the end of the day’s lecture and reminded the class of our required readings for next week. I closed my laptop and shoved it into my bag while I waited for the majority of students to clear the room. I had hours to kill before I dared go back to the apartment, so I was in no big rush.
I’d gone a week managing to avoid my new flatmate. He wasn’t the worst person I’d ever met, though he was tacky and annoying as hell. I was already irritable from having to move, and wasn’t in the mood for jokes. Maybe I’d overreacted—maybe not. Instead of putting up with the stress of having to deal with him, I decided to keep myself busy and avoid going home until I was sure he’d be asleep. It was easy enough on nights when I worked, and on ones I didn’t, I hung out with my mates or worked on assignments. Or at least I tried.
The room cleared then I pushed myself to my feet and headed off in search of a comfortable place to work. Campus lounges weren’t too crowded during the summer semester, but I wasn’t in the mood for the kind of sterile quiet found where students often studied. I was anxious about my assignment and needed to relax. I could have murdered a Guinness or three to help with my nerves.
Fuck it. That’s exactly what I’ll do.
I slid into a wooden booth at a pub a few blocks away from school and was greeted by a waitress who didn’t pay too close attention to my fake ID. I had a youthful face—twenty-two wasn’t a stretch.
“Do you even shave yet?” Mac’s words echoed in my head, making me groan. It truly was too bad that he was trash. He’d have been a fuckin’ ride if he didn’t ever speak. I never had a weakness for blonds per se, but tall guys with muscl
es, dimples, and scruff? I was pretty fuckin’ weak for that.
I shook that line of thoughts away and pulled my laptop from my bag, along with my notes from class. The assignment sounded simple enough: create a website with at least three pages, photos, and working hyperlinks about a hobby we enjoy. Forget that I didn’t know what content to use; I was so beyond lost when it came to using HTML or anything else Dr. Bell mentioned in class. I’d been messing around with this all week and it was hopeless. I re-read the relevant chapters three times over and still couldn’t grasp exactly how any of this was supposed to work.
Computers in any capacity weren’t of any interest to me. I chose sociology for my major because I liked people—well, no, not entirely. People on a day-to-day basis were mostly eejits. Taking a step back and looking at all of society? That made it interesting. Thinking about that wasn’t going to help me with this assignment.
I slouched back against the wooden booth and smiled up at the waitress as she set my pint on the table. It had decent head on it, for which I was grateful. I handed her a ten and smile, waited until she walked away, then swallowed half of the glass in one go. Americans and their tiny fuckin’ “pints.” I was in an Irish pub and the drinks were still smaller than ones back home.
Over the next hour I read my handwritten notes as well as my textbook. The bar started to get louder as more people floated in for dinner. For how quiet students were in campus lounges and libraries, they were equally as loud in all bars near the school. I knew I wouldn’t get anything done with how rowdy the place was getting, so I packed up my stuff, drained my second pint, and headed home. Home? Not quite, but it’s better than being in my sister’s spare room.
Killer Queen Page 1
