Rebel Roommate: A Brother's Best Friend Romance

by Jeannine Colette

  Okay, fine. They are a teensy bit too short.

  The Uber is outside already, so Chad and I slide in. Looking back to see where Wes is, I notice him standing by a homeless man on the corner. He slides his hand in his back pocket and pulls out his wallet. The twenty-dollar bill he hands him has the man blessing Wes profusely and telling him what a good soul he has. I turn back to Chad, who doesn’t seem to find this act odd.

  Instead of taking the seat beside me in the back, Wes hops in the front seat. I close the back door as Wes shuts his, and we take off for the party. Wes makes small talk with the driver, pretty much learning his entire life story and country of origin, culture, and type of woman his wife is in the span of fifteen minutes.

  As we arrive at the party, we see Nicole is already here, waiting for Chad. When they greet, their kiss hello is borderline inappropriate, so I turn toward the kitchen to get away from the sight of my brother grabbing his girlfriend’s ass and pushing her up against him.

  Wes doesn’t seem fazed by their public display of affection, as he walks right past them and checks out who’s here for him to go talk to. Thankfully, they make it quick, and Chad takes her hand, following Wes through the house.

  Back home, I went to parties but nothing like a university frat house soiree. The blaring music was heard before we even walked through the door, and liquor is handed off from one partygoer to the next, like a factory line.

  The main foyer has a two-story entrance with a grand staircase sweeping up the center. We pass a dining room with the fraternity symbols painted on the wall, and the table is being used for flip cup.

  The living room is lit in only black lights, like a nightclub. Everywhere I look, people are standing elbow to elbow. Some try to talk over the music while others dance in the middle of the room. Billows of smoke puff from a fog machine at each corner of the living room, and the heat radiating off everyone’s body fills the air, making me hot and glad I didn’t put on my long-sleeved shirt right away.

  I follow my crew, trying to make my way through, not interrupting anyone while doing so. All around me, people are talking, dancing, making out, or fighting. I see one guy push another, so I move to the side to get away from the scene and am taken off guard when Wes pulls me into his side. My hand lands on his stomach, and I get a whiff of his cologne—Jean Paul Gaultier’s Le Male. Vanilla, aromatic, spicy … masculine.

  “Knight!” Matt yells from the middle of the family room in the back of the house, and I straighten up, moving away from Wes and tugging on my shorts that rode up.

  Wes walks over to a group of guys and gets swallowed up by a mess of fist pounds and handshakes. I watch as everyone stops their conversation when Wes appears. It’s like he draws their attention, but he doesn’t even notice it. It’s seemingly natural because they genuinely like the guy.

  Chad gives Nicole a quick kiss on the cheek before walking toward them too.

  “They’re campus royalty,” Nicole says over the music as she stands next to me. “Not the whole team. Just the seniors. There’s a certain aura they carry.”

  “My brother is campus royalty?” I ask.

  “The baseball team has been on a hot streak, and everyone loves a winner. They’re also fun to hang with and good to look at. I mean, tall, athletic guys are easy on the eyes.” She stares at the crew, especially my brother, with a starry-eyed expression. “It’s more than that though. Chad and Wes, they’re leaders.”

  I sway my hips as I arch back, surprised and in disagreement of that statement. “Maybe Chad. He’s a natural boss. He loves to tell everyone what to do. But Wes? He’s the guy who will plan and organize, but I would not put him in a position of authority.”

  She giggles into her cup. “Don’t have trust in him?”

  “It’s just not his style.” I see she’s confused, so I explain, “In high school, we both wanted to save this empty natural land from development. It started as a class project but wound up getting a huge group of students to volunteer and clean up the land. He worked tirelessly to put it all together, but when it came to the actual dictating, he made me the front woman. He’s more of a behind-the-scenes kind of guy when it comes to things like that.”

  “Interesting.”

  “That he’s more of a hang out with everyone and joke kind of guy?”

  “That you have history.”

  I shake a finger at her. “No history. Just grew up together. Brother’s best friend, remember?”

  “You must have had so much fun with them in high school. These two guys are the best at the school,” she says sweetly.

  “Oh, you mean like the time I was turned down by every guy I asked to the Sadie Hawkins dance, only to find out it was because they’d both threatened to punch each one in the nuts if they agreed to go with me. Sure, high school was a blast with those two.” I purse my lips and raise my eyebrows.

  Nicole grabs my arm in shock as she laughs. “No, they didn’t!”

  “Or how about in middle school, when they put a frog in my locker? I almost died of a heart attack.”

  She covers her mouth, fighting her giggles because my expression screams it wasn’t funny. “They’re so bad!”

  “They’re horrible. The worst was when they got ahold of my diary. Chad used it as leverage to keep me from going to the coolest boy’s house for a party. He threatened to spill all my secrets.” I actually find myself laughing now because that guy turned out to be a total creep. Chad did me a huge favor. “I don’t trust them for a second not to go all big brother on me.”

  “Chad’s not like that. He knows you’re an adult. He’s all talk.”

  I lift a finger to challenge her. “Care to make a wager? Twenty bucks says they come and cockblock the first guy who comes over.”

  “Deal.” She holds out her hand, and I shake it. “First, let’s get this party started with some drinks.”

  In the kitchen, a keg sits in the middle of the large island with people on all sides. I grab a red Solo cup and wait while Nicole pumps herself a drink from the keg.

  “Hey, aren’t you in my Psych class?” a guy with short, dark hair and glasses appears next to me.

  I recognize him as someone who sits a few rows back. “Yeah. I’m Stacey.”

  I reach out my hand, and he takes it in his, pulling me a tad bit closer to him than I was prepared for.

  “Bobby James. Here, let me fill your cup,” he shouts into my ear as he takes my cup, pours beer from the keg into it and hands it to me. “I’ve never seen you at a party. Are you new to Cal?”

  “A junior transfer. How about you?”

  “Second year. I’m also an Alpha Delta Phi, so you’re on my territory tonight.”

  There isn’t a lot of room between me and the island, but he manages to eliminate whatever little space there was behind me, dipping his head to talk closer. His breath smells foul, so I turn my nose away as I step to the side, but Bobby James pretty much has a monopoly on the allotted space.

  I move to the other side and make some headway when an arm wraps around my waist and yanks me over.

  “Whoa!” I yell, steadying the beer that was almost knocked out of my hand.

  Wes rights me with his other hand and lowers his gaze to make sure I’m okay. I give him a small nod.

  “Hey, BJ,” Wes says with a huge smile plastered on his face as he pulls me in closer.

  “For the hundredth time, it’s Bobby James,” he says, unamused.

  “And I’m Wesley, but people call me Wes because that’s my nickname. So, BJ, what’s up? I see you met my Stacey.”

  Wes swings his other arm around my waist, and I don’t pretend not to be confused and annoyed by this action.

  Bobby James holds his arms up, as if he meant no foul. “Stacey and I have a class together. I was just saying hi.”

  “Well, good. Hi. Bye. Now, scram.” Wes straightens his back.

  With an eye roll, I look back to Bobby James. “You don’t have to go anywhere—” I say, but it’s too la
te.

  The poor guy already took his beer and bolted out of the kitchen so fast that I think he left a trail of smoke.

  “That wasn’t funny.” I push Wes away from me.

  “Yeah, it was. That guy was trying to get with you. I just saved you the trouble of turning him down.”

  “Maybe I wanted to talk to him.” Raising my chin, I stare up at him in defiance.

  He crosses his arms in front of his chest and raises his brows. “Did you?”

  “Well … no,” I stutter. “That’s beside the point. You ignore me for days, and now, you’re here, being the bad big brother.”

  His smile falls as he closes the gap between us and narrows his eyes. “I’m not your brother.”

  That damn stare of his enraptures me, and I find myself speechless as I get caught in the flecks of gold in his eyes. I want to say something—mostly how I’m not a game, or a new toy, or the next butt of his joke on life—but he looks down at my lips and lets out a light groan.

  I wasn’t expecting that.

  His lips part, and his eyes slightly widen as he stares at my mouth.

  I bite my lip and let my chest rise with the nervous pounding inside it.

  “Wes!” a girl calls out his name.

  That steely gaze he was giving me a moment ago is gone as he quickly lifts his head in her direction and gives a cheesy-ass smile.

  The girl has bleach-blonde hair and fake boobs, which bounce out of her shirt as she runs through the packed crowd toward him. I don’t like to stereotype, but this chick looks like a total bimbo.

  She wraps her arms around Wes, and he allows her advances, though he doesn’t return her excitement in their exchange.

  My eyes are bugging out of my head as Nicole comes over to me and pulls me out of the kitchen.

  “Drink.” She lifts my elbow and encourages me to down my untouched beer.

  “He’s such a jerk,” I shout as I take a gulp. “You owe me money, by the way. I told you they were going to ruin my night.”

  She lifts an eyebrow. “I distinctly remember you saying they were going to ruin your night. Chad doesn’t seem to care. Now, Wes, on the other hand—”

  “Is maddening,” I fume and then see my brother heading our way.

  “There’s my girl.” Chad slides his hand into Nicole’s back pocket. “The guys scored the back deck. Let’s go chill out there.”

  We head outside, where I suddenly feel like I can breathe with the huge contrast to the chaos of the party inside. The wide-open space contains an L-shaped sofa on a back terrace with three Adirondack chairs around a large coffee table on the other side. Chad takes a seat on an Adirondack chair and pulls Nicole down onto his lap while I score a spot on the end of the sofa.

  I recognize Matt and Adam, and I’m introduced to one other guy, who’s a freshman named Billy. When I learn Wes has taken him under his wing, I want to both smile and be upset after hearing he treats him like a little brother but yet makes my life a living hell.

  Everyone is talking and laughing, enjoying the night and listening to the muffled music coming from inside. Chad and Nicole are sitting next to me, whispering into each other’s ears, and then they get up and disappear from the lounge area, leaving me with the rest of the group.

  I long ago finished my drink and am sitting here when someone comes out and takes Chad’s seat.

  “You’re new here,” he says as soon as he sees me.

  I grin. “Sure am. I’m Stacey.”

  He runs a hand through his blond hair, and I notice his necklace. He’s got a surfer-style vibe about him and a great smile that glows against his dark skin.

  “Nathan Brisbane.” He extends a hand. “I’m a second baseman for Cal.”

  I bite the inside of my cheek to hide my need to laugh. Wes said that saying you’re a ball player makes you a magnet for women. Nathan must use this badge of honor the same way.

  “Do you have any other qualities besides throwing a ball?” I ask.

  His head tilts in surprise. “I do actually. Surfing, building amazing bonfires, and guitar. What about you?”

  “Swimming, baking, and yoga.”

  He nods his head, as if to say, Right on. “Maybe I can get you out on the water someday.”

  “I’d like that.”

  “No, you wouldn’t,” Wes says as he pushes me over to steal the space between the end of the couch and me. “What up, Nate?”

  I roll my eyes, putting my hand up to stop him. “That’s enough. You can leave now.”

  “I take it, you know Wes?” Nathan asks.

  “Unfortunately, yes. He’s my brother’s best friend.”

  “Ah. You’re Brightmore’s sister.” Nate nods while taking a drink of his beer. “He … how shall I say this? He warned us about you.”

  “You mean, warned you about hitting on her,” Wes states.

  Nate turns to me and asks, “Seems like Wes is the one wanting to keep you to himself. Are you sure he’s just a friend?”

  Both Wes and I answer in unison, “Yes.”

  Nathan laughs, big and loud. “Well then, Wes, I’ll take Stacey here and keep a close eye on her if you want to go have some fun of your own. Don’t worry—”

  “Over my dead body,” Wes says matter-of-factly before he drinks from a beer bottle.

  Nathan leans forward and whispers even though he knows Wes can hear every word he says, “I think you got yourself a bit of a problem with this one.” He rises and looks down at me. “If you want to hang, you can find me inside. It was really nice to meet you, Stacey. Really, really nice.”

  Nathan winks as he walks inside, and I glare at Wes.

  “I thought you were preoccupied with the big-boobed blonde in the kitchen.”

  “Not my type. She literally walked up to me and asked if I was wearing space pants because my ass was outta this world.”

  I can’t hide the way my mouth twists in disgust. “Oh dear, that’s awful. I thought guys cornered the market on horrible pick-up lines. I was in the library yesterday, and some guy told me he was glad he’d found what he was looking for because he was ready to ‘check me out.’ ” I use air quotes.

  “I apologize on behalf of all mankind for that awful approach.” Wes’s face is serious.

  “That’s not the worst. Are your breasts Mt. Rushmore? Because I can picture my face on them.”

  “Some asshole actually said that to you?”

  There’s this look of horror and amusement on his face that makes me giggle. “Not here. That was back in Los Angeles.” I run my palm over my hair and sweep it over my shoulder. “Listen, Wes, you don’t have to babysit me. I’ve been around the proverbial block enough to know when a guy is a total creeper.”

  “Nah, I’m good.” Wes smirks while raising his eyes. He’s just sitting here, so cool and casual, like he doesn’t have a care in the world.

  I want to slap him in his perfect face.

  “You do realize, her actual brother is nowhere to be seen, right?” Matt says, obviously watching the scene that just unfolded between Wes and me.

  “Never fear—he’s here. He’s just busy with his own piece. So, I volunteered to watch this one.”

  “Piece?” I yell out at Wes’s crude statement. “Did you just call Nicole his piece?”

  His face falls, and I think he actually feels guilty enough that he brings his bravado down a little. “You know what I meant.”

  “You meant, piece of ass. You’re calling her his piece of ass. I’m sure she’d love to hear that, or better yet, why don’t you go find your own ‘piece,’ ” I say with air quotes like I did before, “and let me be?”

  I try to stand, but Wes pulls me back down. “Relax, Squid. I’m just joking around. Let’s just chill and have a drink.”

  “If I had a drink, I’d toss it in your face right now.”

  “Come on. You’re overreacting. I just don’t want you getting involved with any of these losers.” He crosses his arms again.

  I’m beginni
ng to wonder if this is his only stance when we’re at places like this.

  “I should be the one to determine if they’re worth my time or not. Even Chad knows I’m gonna talk to guys.”

  “Not at this party. There’s not a single guy here I’d give my blessing to.”

  “That’s quite the broad statement.”

  “I know everyone here. They’re all off-limits.”

  I match his body language and cross my arms the same way. How can someone say something so rude and yet so nice at the same time? Honestly, my head is just too frazzled for these games. “Fine then. If I don’t get to talk to anyone, then neither do you.”

  Matt laughs, making Wes’s jaw twitch. His eyes stare into mine, daring me to say something else. I know Wes; he likes to have fun, but even more, he loves a challenge. If he’s gonna mess with me, I’m gonna mess with him.

  “You guys have some issues to work out. I’m gonna go.” Matt gets up and walks away, but I don’t take my eyes from Wes’s.

  “Are you ready for a taste of your own medicine, Wesley Delmont?”

  “Bring it, Stacey Marie.”

  Our eyes stay glued on each other, daring the other to look away first. What starts out as anger slowly builds to more. I watch as his mouth parts ever so slightly. My heart rate speeds up as I rub my lips together.

  Someone pushes into me, and I fall into Wes’s lap. He’s rock hard, and I’m steady as I place my hands on his chest and hold myself still. His large hand grips my hips to move me off of him, but they pause. His gaze is hot and heady. Maybe it’s the fact that we’ve been sparring all night, but this moment feels magnetic.

  “Shit, sorry about that,” I hear someone say from behind me, knocking us out of the trance.

  I turn to see what just happened when I notice Chad and Nicole are walking back toward us. I bolt up, needing some space to breathe and calm the flame bursting inside of me.

  What the fuck is going on?

  “Thirsty?” I ask Nicole as I take her hand and drag her into the kitchen.

  I need space from Wes before I really lose my inhibitions—or my pride. If I don’t want to kiss him, I want to slap him.