Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 76696 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 383(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76696 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 383(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
I stepped between them as they were about to start their fight and they both recoiled in surprise. My arms were stretched out between them, palms resting against their chests. For a moment I was so stunned by my courage, I gaped at my hands. I was wedged between two guys who were furious and towered over me in a narrow corridor, and I was actually touching them without dissolving into a puddle of misery. Adrenaline was pounding in my veins. I cleared my throat and slowly lowered my arms. My fingertips tingled where I’d touched Zach’s chest.
“Stop it,” I said firmly, then added. “Please.”
Zach slumped against the wall. “Sorry for your door.” He nodded toward the ground. Brian turned and picked it up from the floor. “That’s the least of my worries.”
“Brian,” I said in warning.
Brian tried to get the door back on its hinges but failed. “Let me help,” Zach said, moving toward my brother.
“I don’t want your fucking help.”
Zach ignored him and together they managed to put up the door, but it didn’t move properly. “It’s broken,” Brian said in frustration, then he turned his attention to me. As if the word broken had reminded him that I was still there. “Are you okay?”
Over the fighting, I’d briefly forgotten why everything had started. Of course, Brittany chose that moment to step out of Zach’s room, dressed in black skinny jeans and a leather jacket. She looked amazing. I averted my gaze, feeling empty and tired. She left without another word, for which I was grateful, but her mere presence had revved up the tension between Zach and Brian by several notches. “I’m fine. Why wouldn’t I be?” I tried to sound casual.
“You promised not to bring any of your sluts here.”
“Brian!” I hated that word. “This is Zach’s apartment as much as it is yours. He can bring whoever he wants. And only because a girl goes home with a guy doesn’t mean she’s a slut.”
“The girls Zach usually chooses are.”
“The girls aren’t any worse than Zach. You could just as well call him a slut.”
“He is a male slut,” Brian said. “That’s why I wanted you to stay away from him.”
Zach leaned against the wall, his jaw tight. “I’m here, you know? And I like sex, so sue me. What’s your problem anyway? Don’t tell me you visit Lauren several times a week because you like her jabbering. You go there for sex.”
“My problem is that you’re messing with my sister. I don’t care if you screw around. I don’t care if you don’t realize how pathetic that is. But I care about Amber. So stop pretending that you give a shit about her, when clearly you don’t. I won’t let Amber be another notch on your belt.”
I was done with this conversation. Without another word, I entered my room and closed the door, then leaned against it, eyes closed. I supposed it was good that I knew what I was at with Zach now before I got really emotionally invested. More emotionally invested? Who was I kidding; I was already helplessly in love with him.
***
I was on my way out of the apartment for a Sunday morning walk to clear my head, when Zach jogged after me, dressed in sweatpants and a tight black t-shirt. He was barefoot. “Amber, please wait.” I’d avoided him since our awkward confrontation yesterday. But Brian had left the apartment late last night and hadn’t come back; he was probably with Lauren. “I really need to talk to you.”
I hesitated. “Why? You don’t owe me an explanation.”
“But I want to,” he said, his eyes pleading.
“Okay, but I wanted to go on a walk.”
“I’ll just put some shoes on. I’ll be back in a sec.”
***
We sat down on a bench in the park beside the apartment building. Neither Zach nor I had said anything in the five minutes it had taken to get here. Maybe Zach hoped I’d start the conversation but I didn’t know what to say. I brought up my knees, pressing them against my chest. A chilly breeze picked up, ruffling my hair and sending a shiver down my back. My naked feet were cold in my Converse. Zach didn’t seem to mind the freezing temperatures. His hoodie was probably warmer than my thin jacket. “So,” I began, wanting to get past the awkward silence. I rested my chin on my knees and tilted my head to look at Zach. We sat on opposite ends of the bench, almost a foot between us. Part of me wanted to scoot over and snuggle up against Zach’s strong chest. Maybe it was for the best that I’d fallen for a guy I couldn’t have. That way, at least, I could experience a crush without actually having to risk a relationship.
“I’m sorry for yesterday.”
“Why?” I frowned. “It’s not like you aren’t allowed to bring your girlfriend to your own apartment.”
“Britt isn’t my girlfriend.” He sighed. “Never mind. That’s not the point.”
“Then what’s the point?”
“I shouldn’t have brought Britt to the apartment. I shouldn’t have met her at all.”
“Why?” I whispered, caught up in his intense gaze.
He stared down at his lap, his brows drawn together. “Fuck,” he muttered, then grimaced. “I’m not good at this. I really like you Amber.”
Hope flooded my body, but I couldn’t let it make me a big deal out of nothing. I gave a small shrug. “I like you too,” I said. “You’re my brother’s best friend.”
His eyes flickered over my face. “That’s not what I meant. I don’t like you like a friend.”
“You don’t?” I wanted to reach out and trail my fingertips over the dark stubble on his jaw. I wanted to lean close and draw in his scent – a mix of peppermint and something spicy.
He angled his body so he was facing me. Now there were only a few inches between his knee and my foot. And still I wanted to scoot closer. I should have felt uncomfortable, maybe even scared. Zach was a formidable appearance with his tall frame and muscles, but when I was around him, the possibilities seemed endless, as if happiness was actually in my reach, as if I could grab onto it if I only stretched out my hand. Zach made me hope for something I’d thought out of my grasp, he made me long for something I’d dreaded for so long.