by J. L. Beck
“Gia. Focus on this shit in front of you. I’m here to tutor you, not have you check out my brother.” Chance, Chases twin brother, scolded me. My cheeks warmed in embarrassment as I brought my eyes back down to my notebook and away from Chase and the blonde that was stuck to him like glue. The sun was shining through the trees and down onto us as the summer temps continued to rise. We were laying out on the front lawn of the campus working on Advanced Biology.
I needed to be focusing on cell splitting and not removing my panties and allowing that asshole access…
“Gia?” Chance said my name again, pulling me from my thoughts. At least I wasn’t being yelled at for staring at his brother.
“What?” I answered lifting my face to meet his. Chance was gorgeous, too. He had the same body of his brother, except his eyes were green, and he had a softness to him, and he wasn’t an asshole to everyone that even took a glance at him.
“You need to focus. Stop thinking. It doesn’t matter if you’re not looking at him. I can tell you’re thinking about him which is the same fucking thing.” His voice was full of frustration. I didn’t know what to say. It was impossible to focus with him around. It was like Elementary school all over again, except I was a senior in college and needed to get my shit together so I could graduate with a degree that mattered. I had fought for my chance to go to college, I had begged and pleaded for a chance at this life, and I needed to stay on track. Even if being off track sounded so much more fun. Shocked that Chance had come at me about it so meanly, I closed my Bio book and grabbed my notebook.
“Focusing would be easier if you didn’t bring him everywhere with you,” I growled, narrowing my eyes. It wasn’t Chances fault he had to bring Chase all over the place like he was a toddler. Chase just had a habit of causing problems.
“Oh, and you’re finally done with the princess.” It was then that Chase decided to butt in, the blonde missing from his arm as I picked myself up off the grass. I raised an eyebrow at Chance, showing him that this was exactly what I meant when I said it was hard to focus.
“You know my name is Gia. Use it or don’t talk to me at all.” I sneered. He was gorgeous and a delectable specimen, but the second he opened his mouth, I wanted to stab him in the eye with a fork. I wanted him for one thing and one thing only. I wanted to know if he was as good in bed as the rest of the girls on campus said he was. Aside from that, I didn’t want to listen to him speak once.
He tilted his head sideways at me. “Wow. I just heard Chance having to remind you not to stare. Seems someone was a bit distracted.” He mocked smiling, which kind of made me go weak in the knees but also made me want to throat punch him at the same God damn time. Of course, he would change the subject. He was good at dismissing the things he didn’t want to hear, or have anything to do with.
If he thought I was going to play into his hand, he was wrong. I turned on my heel away from him, fully intent on heading back to my dorm. I had to be moved out in a month for fall classes, which meant I would be on the hunt for a new apartment with my best friend Taylor, who would be a freshmen this year.
“Wait… We need to meet up and go over the lab tests you’ll be tested on this year one last time.” Chance stopped me from walking away, which caused me to turn back around and face Chase, who had a shit-eating grin on his face.
Hate him for all that it’s worth, I told myself. Don’t look at him like a piece of cake you want to devour. No, look at him like he’s the reason you need to work off fifteen hundred more calories. Don’t touch the cake. Don’t think about the cake.
Then he smiled again, and a dribble of sweat dripped down onto his abs, and my mouth popped open. What were we talking about?
“Let’s meet up this weekend. Chase is having a party off campus, but maybe you can come over and we can work on it?” Chance asked, for what I assumed the second time, his eyebrow raised in questioning.
I bit my lip and nodded my head yes. I was going to have major whiplash after today’s meeting. I knew there was no way I could handle going over to Chases house, apartment or whatever, to study. I would have to cancel.
“’Kay. Talk then.” Chance dismissed me and finished picking up his books and papers off the ground. I gave Chase one more once over and then walked away, wondering what the fuck it was I was doing. I had no reason to be lusting after someone like him. He was as far from the safe zone as it got. His demeanor alone caused my heartbeat to go into overdrive, my body to feel alive like no one else ever had. I knew better than to associate myself with him, to put myself in danger like that. For God’s sake, my father was an FBI Agent if he heard half the shit I did away from home, he would be going to jail.
As I crossed the campus, my phone started to ring. “Fuck.” I huffed, struggling to pull the slim device from the pocket of my shorts. Taylor’s name showed across the screen, and excitement filled me as I pressed the answer key.
“I’m so excited to see you!” she squealed into the phone. Taylor was far more excited than I was. This was her first year of college, a time where growing was something she would truly experience. I was glad I would be that one friend there for her when she needed it most.
“I’m pretty sure I’m way more excited. I have to start packing up my stuff at the dorm this week,” I confessed. I hated packing, moving, and anything that involved moving was something I was against.
“Poor thing. I did find a condo for rent. I’m going to call the number on Craigslist on Monday. I just wanted you to know I did find something to rent, hopefully. It’s close to campus, and they’re offering the apartment in the basement. Two bedrooms, one bathroom with a full kitchen.” A smile formed on my face as I crossed the grass to my dorm room. I slid my key into the door, gaining access into the building.
“You’ve sure done your research. That sounds amazing, the only issue is price.” I hated to be the bearer of bad news, but I wanted to be realistic.
“They only want eight hundred a month.” She sounded just as shocked as I felt. So much so, I almost tripped walking up the stairs.
“Well, shit. Then it’s a given, as long as everything checks out and they aren’t some serial killers—then, of course, we’ll take it.” My voice bounced off the empty hall as I jogged up another flight of stairs, keeping my eyes focused on every step.
“Yes, you bet your ass we will. I have to go, though.” I could hear her moving around her bedroom.
“Okay…” I said, saddened our conversation had to end so soon. It had been three horrible, long years we had been separated. Now, we would finally be together doing what college kids did all across the country.
“Sorry, Dad wants to take me out to dinner. I’ll text you when I get home.” I said ‘K’ and she hung up. I pulled my phone away from my face just as I made it to my room. 208. I sighed into the air. There was no one here, no one to talk to, and no one to do anything with. I realized the highlight of my day had already come and gone as I threw myself onto my bed. Now I was free to do nothing the rest of the afternoon.
Sigh. College.
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Acknowledgements
Every time I have to write this part of a book, I clam up. Not because I can’t do it, but because I worry I’ll forget something or someone. Therefore, right here, right now, I want to thank anyone who has picked up one of my books—either this series or another, it doesn’t matter. Just thank you. To the many bloggers, authors, and street members who have helped me create and end an epic series in the last six months. You all are a true inspiration to me and my reason to keep writing. You keep being you, and I’ll keep writing.
Beta Team: I love you ladies so much. Over the last year, you truly have become a part of my extended family. You have brought so much joy to my life, and nothing can or will ever take that away.
Robin: Thank you for the conversations about wine, and the fact that you help me become a better author with every “picky” word from your mout
h. ;)
Media Team: Thank you so flocking much. Without you lovely ladies, I would be nowhere, my books wouldn’t reach anyone, and I would be on a little island alone.
To Lee: Never give up on that dream of becoming an author. xoxo
Brie: Even when you’re a whore face, I love you. Thank you for making me a better author with every book I publish. You make me believe in myself like I never have before.
Jenn, Tasha: You both supported me when I needed you most. Thank you so much for being the best of friends.
Mary: I’m seriously a bad friend. Thank you for still being here through all this. MWAH!!!
Hubs: Are you even going to read this? ;) Love you!
Bella: If you’re reading this, you better be 18… I’m watching you.
About .L. Beck
J.L. Beck is the Best Selling Author of A Kingpin Love Affair Series and The Bittersweet Series. She plays mother and wife by day and writer extraordinaire by night. When she’s not writing, reading, or doodling, you can find her watching The Vampire Diaries and The 100. She currently resides in the tiny town of Elroy in the state of Wisconsin with her husband of seven years and their three-year-old hellion.
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