Hard to Resist (Sexy Nerd Boys, #3)

by K. M. Neuhold

  “Hey guys, taking off for the weekend?”

  “Kind of,” Eve answers as Asher hovers over her protectively, scanning the area with his eyes.

  “What’s going on?”

  “Brahm, he didn’t show up for court yesterday. The police are looking for him for skipping out on his bail, but...” Eve trails off, looking to Asher to finish.

  “We’re getting out of town for a few days until they find him. I’ll sleep better and I know Eve will too.”

  “That’s so crazy,” I murmur. I can’t imagine how freaked they both must be.

  “Don’t walk home from work alone or anything, okay?” Eve says, taking my hand and gazing at me pleadingly.

  “I won’t, I promise.” I pull her in for a tight hug and then give Asher one too before heading off to work.

  *****

  When I arrive to work Aubrey runs up to me, bubbling with excitement.

  “Hey, I got us all these t-shirts to wear to celebrate Ethan and Abby’s wedding,” she says, holding a t-shirt out to me.

  I hold it open and then arch my eyebrow at her questioningly. Ethan and Abby are my OTP.

  “What does this even mean?” I ask with a laugh.

  “It’s a fandom thing. OTP means one true pairing. It’s the highest of ships,” Aubrey explains. My mouth drops open.

  “Oh my god, you’re a total nerd just like they are,” I accuse. Aubrey blushes and gives me the finger before walking away laughing.

  Before I can make my way to the kitchen to get started I notice a guy watching Aubrey. He’s cute with messy blonde hair, and dark rimmed glasses. I might even call him adorkable. Aubrey doesn’t seem to notice him but he continues to watch her like a lost puppy. I smile to myself and hope that she’ll notice him eventually. God knows she deserves a guy who won’t hit on anything with tits like her current boyfriend does.

  *****

  The warm night wraps around me as Ravi and I slowly make our way home from the bar. I called Ravi to walk me home, like I promised Eve I would. The walk is nice this late at night. No rush, no agenda, nothing but the two of us strolling in the dark holding hands. It’s even easy to forget for a few minutes about Chase being pissed at us, and everything else in the world. Nothing matters right now except for Ravi and me.

  As the townhouse comes into view a menacing shadow causes me to stop short, pulling Ravi to a stop beside me.

  “What’s wrong?” He furrows his brow, looking around in the dark.

  “Nothing, I just thought I saw something,” I say, attempting to brush off the creepy feeling prickling my neck. I’m sure I’m overreacting because of Eve’s situation.

  We start walking again and when we reach the stairs I pause again, looking around to figure out what is making me feel so freaked out. Ravi keeps walking, not realizing I’ve stopped. When a pair of rough hands wrap around my waist and mouth I try to scream, but the sound is muffled.

  Ravi stops immediately on the stairs, turning to see what’s wrong. His eyes widen and his jaw clenches at the same time I feel cold metal pressed against my temple.

  “Whoa, look don’t hurt her. What do you want? I’ve got money, do you want money?” Ravi’s voice has the slightest quiver and it takes everything inside of me to keep from crying.

  “I want to know where Eve is,” the menacing voice says. My body tenses. I recognize that voice, fucking psycho Brahm.

  “She’s not here,” Ravi says, his hands up, trying to keep Brahm calm.

  “I know that, tell me where she is or I’m going to shoot your whore in the head.” Brahm’s voice is eerily calm. It makes my insides turn to ice. How did Eve survive being held captive by this monster for two weeks? He clearly has no qualms about murdering me here and now.

  “Relax man, hurting Hadley isn’t going to get you any closer to Eve,” Ravi attempts to reason with him.

  Brahm lets out a frustrated huff.

  “Eve is mine and now she’s off god knows where, being defiled by that miscreant of hers. She’s mine!”

  I close my eyes as he presses the cold metal of the gun harder to my temple, clearly losing his mind over this situation.

  “Give me the gun and we’ll figure out where Eve is,” Ravi suggests, taking a tentative step closer.

  “Don’t move or I’ll fucking shoot her!”

  “Please, please don’t hurt her.”

  “What’s the difference? She’s already been defiled, just like the rest of them. She’s nothing more than another whore. What’s one more whore gone from this world?”

  The sound of the gun cocking echoes through me as I once more close my eyes. I don’t want Ravi to have to see this. It’s not fair to him to be haunted with the images of my death.

  In an instant the sound of heavy footfalls sounds and then I’m being knocked to the ground, the air being punched from my lungs. Before I can open my eyes the sound of a gunshot explodes in the quiet of the night. The distant sound of police sirens follows and then Brahm turns to run. I manage to sit up, still trying to get air into my lungs when I notice Ravi slumped on the ground.

  “No,” I gasp. “No, no, no.” I scramble to his side and roll him over. There’s so much blood. “No, Ravi, please.”

  He moans softly as I press my hands down on his torso in an attempt to slow the bleeding.

  “Ravi, please be okay. I love you so much Ravi, please,” I sob as the sirens draw closer.

  “Love. You.” Ravi whispers disjointedly, his eyelids fluttering as he tries to open them.

  “Ma’am are you alright?” A gruff voice comes out of nowhere. I look over my shoulder to see a police officer with his gun drawn. Goddammit, no more guns.

  “Please, he’s been shot,” I cry, still applying pressure to his wound. “Please help him.”

  The officer says something into his radio as I lay sobbing beside Ravi’s unmoving form.

  *****

  I feel like I’m in a horrible nightmare. Nothing feels real and everything seems hazy. As soon as we reached the hospital Ravi was wheeled away by a horde of shouting doctors and nurses. I think I called Chase at some point, or maybe I just thought about calling him. I can’t be sure. But, eventually Chase’s voice cuts through my haze, not enough for me to know what he’s saying, only enough that I know he’s here.

  Chase and I end up in the bathroom where he washes the blood off my hands. Where did all the blood come from? The water that runs over them turns brown until Chase has scrubbed me with enough soap that the water finally runs clear.

  “He’s going to be okay,” Chase keeps saying. I’m not sure if he’s trying to convince me or himself. Probably both.

  When Ravi’s parents arrive they’re frantic, his mother is crying hysterically, and I can’t help but feel responsible. Ravi saved my life. But, if it was at the expense of his own life it won’t be worth it.

  My heart beats frantically and my hands shake so badly that I keep spilling the coffee that I assume Ben got for me. I can’t remember.

  And, then a doctor emerges and the fog clears. He approaches Ravi’s parents and I hover close so I can hear what’s going on.

  “Mr. and Mrs. Gangi, Ravi is out of surgery now. It turns out the bullet lacerated his spleen so there was significant blood loss. We gave him a blood transfusion, but he’ll likely need more while he recovers.”

  I feel like I might faint when he says the word ‘recovers’. He’s going to recover.

  “Chase and I can donate blood, we’re the same blood type as Ravi,” I offer immediately. The doctor nods in acknowledgement and then continues to talk.

  “We expect he should make a complete recovery. He’ll be out of it due to the anesthesia for the next several hours at least, and we’re going to keep him on a high dose of morphine for a day or so. If all goes well he’ll be able to go home in about five days, but he’ll need to take it easy for several weeks while he heals.”

  Ravi’s parents both thank the doctor and shake his hand.

  “Please, c
an we see him?” I ask, holding back a desperate sob as the doctor turns to leave.

  “Of course, although I want you to keep in mind he won’t be lucid for a day or so.”

  “Thank you.”

  Ravi’s parents lead the way to his room and the four of us settle in to watch him sleep for a while.

  After an hour Ravi’s mom starts to look pale and tired. I almost forgot she’s been undergoing chemo and probably isn’t up for this much excitement.

  “You should go home and rest. I’ll be here with Ravi, and I promise to call as soon as he’s awake,” I offer. Ravi’s mother smiles at me and pulls me into a hug.

  “You’re a good girl. I can see why my son likes you so much.”

  I blush and hug her back. If only she knew how much Ravi likes me.

  Once his parents leave I pull a chair close to Ravi’s bed and take his hand.

  Chase pulls a chair up to the opposite side of Ravi and stares at him with a faraway look in his eyes for several minutes. I continue to grip Ravi’s limp hand like he’s a life raft and I’m drowning. Please be okay, Ravi. You have to be okay so I can thank you for saving my life. The rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor is the only thing keeping me sane at this moment. But, I still refuse to take my eyes off the steady rise and fall of Ravi’s chest, just in case.

  “So, is he good enough for me now?” I ask with a forced smile.

  Chase clenches his jaw and I notice his eyes are red rimmed and swollen.

  “It was never really about that. Ravi is one of the best people I know, I couldn’t think of anyone better for you,” He admits, his voice rougher than usual. Ravi’s like a brother to him, I know he’s hurting just as much to see him like this as I am.

  “Then what exactly was your problem?”

  Chase’s leg bounces rhythmically and he rests his forehead against Ravi’s arm before he sits back and looks me in the eye.

  “I was jealous.”

  “Of me or Ravi?”

  “Of both of you. You are my best friend in the whole world, you’re my other half. And, Ravi is the only person in the world who I care about almost as much as I care about you. The two of you are perfect for each other and I knew if you got together I’d be left in the dust while the two most important people in my life ride off into the sunset together and completely forget me.”

  “Oh, Chase, you are so dumb.” I let out a small laugh. “You could never lose either of us.”

  “I still see you as this tiny girl laying terrified in the hospital bed awaiting heart surgery. We were only five and I still remember the feeling of fear gripping me at the idea of losing you. I’m sorry I was dumb and scared.”

  I wave Chase over, because there’s no way I’m letting go of Ravi’s hand for a single second. Chase comes around the bed and I pull him into a tight one armed hug.

  “I love you and so does Ravi. The two of us being together as a couple or not has no effect on how much we love you.”

  “I love you too, Had.”

  Ravi

  My stomach roils from the smell of antiseptic. Fuck, I must be in the hospital. Awareness settles over me slowly. The rhythmic beeping of the machines confirms my assumption that I’m in a hospital. Then a warm pressure on my hand actually makes me want to open my eyes. My favorite strawberry scent manages to sneak past the hospital smell. Hadley.

  I try to open my eyes but they’re so heavy. The sound of Hadley sniffling breaks my heart. I want to tell her I’ll be okay. I want to pull her close and comfort her. But, sleep pulls me back under before I can do either of those things.

  *****

  My neck is stiff, my mouth tastes like ass, and even before I open my eyes I can tell Hadley isn’t in the room. I take a deep breath and immediately wince in pain. Fuck, why does it feel like I’ve been splayed open?

  “You okay man?” Chase’s voice catches me off guard and my eyes fly open.

  “Hey,” I croak.

  “Hadley’s going to be so pissed. It took me an hour to convince her to go get some fresh air, and you have to wake up the minute she leaves.”

  Suddenly the memories flood me of that crazy asshole with a gun to Hadley’s head.

  “She’s okay?” I ask breathlessly.

  “Yeah, thanks to you.”

  “I’d do anything to keep her safe.”

  “I know Rav,” Chase rubs his hands over his face before fixing me with a hard stare. “Why did it have to be Hadley? Of all the women in the world, why her?”

  “Do you know when I first started looking at Hadley as more than a friend? When I realized she was a girl?” Chase shakes his head and waits for my answer. “We were fifteen. I managed to keep those feelings locked up tight for three whole years because I refused to ruin our friendship for nothing more than sex.”

  Chase scowls and opens his mouth, I assume to tell me off for referring to Hadley as ‘nothing more than sex’. I put a hand up to stop him, cringing at the pain radiating from my stomach from even the slightest motion.

  “I was able to resist her for three years because I loved her as a friend and I didn’t want to risk screwing that up over hormones. But, the moment she kissed me I knew it was never just about sex. Fuck, it was like the planets aligned or something. Nothing in my life has ever felt as right as having Hadley. I love her Chase. I love her more than my own life. Which I think I’ve proven.” I gesture to my abdomen to make my point.

  The anger in Chase’s eyes finally lessens and I take a deep breath and then grimace in pain again.

  “It wasn’t just about you hurting Hadley,” Chase says with a sullen look on his face. He leans back in his chair and I wait for him to keep talking.

  “What else was it about?” I ask after too many seconds of silence.

  “I don’t want to be left out in the cold. You’re the brother I never had. Secretly I was always a bit relieved that you never dated anyone seriously. I know it sounds weird but I never wanted to share you or Hadley. And, now I’m the third wheel.”

  “Of course you’re not the third wheel. Are you kidding, Hadley loves you like Elvis loved fried banana sandwiches. And, you know I never would’ve survived in that lily white town without you having my back.”

  Chase laughs and his shoulders finally seem to relax. He meets my gaze one last time with a stern gaze.

  “If you ever hurt her I’ll kick your ass.”

  “Good,” I agree with a nod. And, just like that I know Chase and I have reached an agreement about my and Hadley’s relationship. I can only hope it’ll be so easy with my parents.

  As though sensing that I’ve finally woken up Hadley flies into the room. As soon as her eyes land on me, sitting up in bed she stops in her tracks and her eyes glisten with unshed tears.

  “Ravi,” She whispers my name like a prayer. I hold my arms open, doing my best to hide the wince of pain that accompanies the movement.

  “Come here baby,” I rasp. She obeys immediately, climbing gingerly onto the bed and into my arms, her tears flowing silently down her cheeks.

  Chase backs out of the room to give us privacy and I pull her close and let my own tears fall. After several minutes of holding each other and crying ourselves out she reaches up and wipes the tear stains from my cheeks. I bend my head down and kiss hers away, ignoring the jolt of pain in my stomach as I do so.

  “It’s okay baby, everything is okay,” I murmur over and over until she finally stops shaking in my arms.

  “I love you so much, I can’t believe you took a bullet for me.”

  “And, I’d do it again any day of the week baby.”

  *****

  The next morning the moment to face the music finally comes when my parents come to see me.

  “My baby, how are you feeling?” My mom asks immediately, kissing my cheek and hugging me too tightly.

  “I’m okay mom, all things considered.”

  Hadley is sitting in the chair beside the bed still, nervously chewing her bottom lip. She told me I should wait
to talk to my parents about us until I’m released from the hospital. But, I told her I didn’t want to hide it any longer. Our arguments are reversed for a change.

  “I, uh, need to talk to you guys about something really quick.”

  Both of my parents’ frown with concern and move to stand closer to my bed. I swallow several times and try to organize the words in my mind before I say them.

  “I love both of you, and I know you’ve always wanted the best for me. But, I don’t want to be a doctor... and I’m in love with Hadley.”

  I reach for her hand to fortify myself for their reactions. For many agonizing seconds they don’t say a word. Hadley’s grip tightens on my fingers, telling me without words that she’s right here with me. My father stands and walks out of the room without a word and my heart constricts.

  “He’s very disappointed,” my mother says needlessly. “As for you and Hadley, we only ever wanted you to be happy. You can be with anyone you choose.”

  “But, you wanted me to marry an Indian woman.”

  “You never protested, I thought it was what you wanted. I was only doing what I know how to do, what I’m used to. But, I only want for you to be happy.”

  My hands are nearly shaking with relief.

  “What about dad?”

  “He’ll get used to the idea. You are our only child, he only wants what’s best for you. Give him time to adjust, he’s been dreaming of you as a doctor since before you were born.”

  “Really?”

  “Really,” my mother answers before bending down to give me another kiss on the cheek.

  Epilogue

  Ravi

  Hadley’s lush lips brush against my jaw and warmth spreads through my limbs. It’s been two weeks since I got out of the hospital and it finally feels like everything is right with the universe. My parents are good with me switching my major, Chase has accepted my relationship with Hadley, and Hadley...well, she’s fucking perfect. She reaches her hand out towards me, spreading her fingers so I can lace ours together. The ink of her new tattoo peeks out from between her middle and ring finger on her left hand. I know it’s kind of lame, but we got matching infinity symbols.

  “If I’d known taking a bullet for you would make you so horny, I’d have done it ages ago,” I joke, using our entwined fingers to pull her towards me. Wrapping an arm around her waist I drag her against me.