Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 71915 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71915 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
I had a change of heart, though, when I came through the door to find a keg and people everywhere, which meant we’d be cleaning up all the spilled beer in the morning. Derek would undoubtedly tell me I was a seventy-year-old living in a twenty-one-year-old body if I even tried to complain.
“Welcome home!” Derek shouted to me over the blaring music, and it was obvious he was already a bit tanked.
“And what a welcome,” I muttered, then threw him a smile. Truth be told, I was into smaller gatherings, but whatever. I didn’t want him to think I was an asshole when he’d given me plenty of warning.
I grabbed a red Solo cup and stood at the keg to fill it. Taking a vigorous sip, I passed by the kitchen table, where beer pong was being played by some frat dudes. I fist-bumped one of them named Cory, who got some ink from me last year and had this megawatt smile. Heading to the living room, I stopped dead in my tracks. The first person I spotted was Bailey, standing beside a pretty girl with short brown hair, who I guessed was Danica. Holy shit! I couldn’t believe he was actually here until I noticed the other swimmers in the mix, including Alex.
He offered me a sheepish grin as I walked toward them, my pulse pattering in my veins. I had no idea why my brother had shown up at my place tonight unless he’d been strong-armed by his teammates, who seemed desperate for places to blow off steam. Though from what I’d heard, the senior swimmers partied plenty hard too.
“Well, this is a surprise,” I said as soon as I reached Alex.
“Derek has a class with Andrew and invited all of us tonight,” he said, glancing over his shoulder. “Carter loves a party, so he helped spread the word.”
“That doesn’t surprise me at all.”
“Jordan invited Steve too. From the club.”
I noticed Jordan in the corner of the room, hanging on Steve’s every word, which proved what Alex said was right—he was a flirty, friendly guy. Plus, Steve seemed into the conversation too, so maybe there was a hookup in their future.
“Looks like Jordan is keeping himself occupied tonight,” I pointed out.
“Told you so.” He winked.
Tim, the swimmer I’d met that first night at Shenanigans, sidled up to us. “Cool place.”
“Thanks,” I replied just as Carter motioned to Tim from the couch.
“How about some beers all around?” Carter said, and Tim nodded like he was his lap dog. I nearly commented on that but decided to let it go, considering it was likely a team pecking order or something. Damn, I hated that shit, along with frat-bro hazing stuff. Again, not a joiner and never will be.
Alex didn’t seem surprised by Carter’s request, so maybe that kind of shit was the extent of it. When I looked in Bailey’s direction, his gaze trailed down to my forearm, to my newest tattoo that honored Mom. Even he couldn’t get mad about that. But I wouldn’t put it past him. Bailey’s jaw was tight, but he didn’t scowl or anything else that might give away his aversion to his brother. Probably didn’t want to ruin the mood in front of the girl he liked.
Instead of addressing my brother, I offered my hand to Danica, who was staring at me curiously. “Hi, I’m Remy, Bailey’s older brother and part-owner of this house.”
“You mean renter,” Bailey said, being an ass. “No way you own this place.”
“And I wouldn’t want to. How many other college kids have lived here?” I glanced over my shoulder to the crowded kitchen. “The place is a wreck. But a fresh coat of paint helps.” Derek and I had tried to spruce up the place before we moved in, but there wasn’t much to work with.
Danica smiled. “It’s nice to meet you, Remy.”
“I’m surprised my brother actually graced me with his presence.”
Surprisingly, Bailey looked uncomfortable. “The guys wanted to come, so I tagged along.”
“Always the team player,” I teased, and he rolled his eyes.
“Let’s get some more beer.” Bailey reached for Danica’s hand and, muttering something under his breath, led her to the kitchen. I was curious how much he’d told her about me, the black sheep of the family.
“Well, that didn’t go so bad,” Alex said.
“He’s lucky I don’t kick his ass out after all the bullshit between us,” I replied with no real heat in my words. No way I’d make a scene like that. I’d stay firmly on the high road.
“And he’d deserve it.” Alex leaned toward me. “But you don’t have it in you. Moody Boy is a softy underneath it all.”
“Maybe,” I muttered, knowing he was right.
He laughed just as a girl knocked into me, nearly spilling my drink.
“Sorry,” she said, and when her eyes met mine, I recognized her as someone I’d hooked up with last year.