“You’re her brother’s best friend, and if you ask me, you’re nothing but an all around pain in the ass.” She closes several books and gets off her bed to place them in a small bookcase near her corner. “You’re driving Sky up the wall. You know that, right?”
“I’m just trying to protect her.”
Claire rolls her eyes. “Yeah, seriously. That’s what every girl dreams about. Her brother and his best friend saving her all through college. Stopping any kind of life.”
“Who did she go out on a date with?” I ask.
“A fun guy. A guy who is willing to give her a little excitement.”
“You’re really starting to piss me off.” No girl has ever gotten under my skin. I don’t know if I want to throttle this girl or kiss her.
Wait.
Kiss her?
When the fuck did I want to kiss this girl?
I want Skylar.
“What’s wrong now?” Claire asks.
“Nothing.”
“You’ve got this weird ass look on your face, and it’s creepy.” Claire folds her arms and stares at me. “She’s on a date with Adrian, okay? If you want to know, she was really excited about it as well. Between you and Alex, she’s not having the best time.”
“She talks to you?” I ask, taking a seat on Skylar’s bed.
Now that I’m here, and I’m talking with her roommate, I don’t actually want to leave.
“Yeah. She talks to me all the time.” Claire shrugs her slim shoulders. “I wish she’d been there growing up. She’d have saved me some serious boredom at high school.” She sits down opposite me. “Are you going to run after her?”
“Where has she gone?” I ask.
“To a fight.”
I tense up. Adrian is known for fighting. I’ve been to several of his fights and know firsthand that he is a tough fucker. No one can beat him. Not even me or Alex.
“You just let her go?”
“If you’d seen Skylar you’d understand why I did. She was excited about this. Why can’t you be happy for her? This little crush she’s had on you is fading fast. I figured you’d be happy about that,” she says.
“I am happy.” No, I’m not. I’m pissed off.
Skylar has loved me from afar. I knew it. I took it for granted, and the first time I actually want to explore something, she’s off with another guy. A completely wrong and different guy.
I stand up, running fingers through my hair. “She’s not staying there. It’s way too dangerous, even for her.”
“You’re going to crash her date?” Claire asks.
“Yeah, and guess what, sweetheart. You’re coming with me.”
She stares at me for several seconds, and shakes her head. “Oh, hell no. There’s no way in hell you’re blaming me for this. I’m there for Sky. I’ve no intention of ruining her chance with Adrian.”
“He’s no good for her.”
“Says you. He’s doing a damn better job showing her a better time within hours of knowing her. You’ve known her a long time, and what have you done? That’s right, acted like her stupid father.”
“Get dressed. We’re going, or I’ll carry you out of here over my shoulder like that.”
I get what I want.
Always.