Playing Fate (Endgame Series #1) - Leigh Ann Lunsford Page 0,2
we can chat.”
“I have to unpack my car.” I grabbed my purse and overnight case before coming in, but the rest of my crap is still waiting to be unloaded.
“No you don’t. The boys will be back from the store in a few. They can grab it.”
I freeze. “Boys? I thought it was us three.” I’m going to kill my mom. I wasn’t much of a dater in high school, but she was always pushing me. This is too far.
“Mason and Caden live next door. Deacon the other side them.”
“Ummm. O—kay.”
“Come on. We gave you the master because Lee Lee and I are used to sharing stuff. We’ll take the two single rooms so we don’t bombard you with our bathroom mess.” I nod because I have nothing to say. I’m suffering information overload. “Emberlee, get in here and be pleasant.” She looks at me and winks, “That is something she rarely is.”
I’m excited to have my own space, and I try not to seem overeager. I don’t want her to think I don’t want to socialize with them. The room is huge; and I’m thrilled the furniture my stepdad paid for was delivered and set-up. Just have to make up the bed with linens I brought and unpack. “Thank you.” I try and hide my discomfort with a smile.
Emberlee saunters in, still aloof, and I don’t think I’ll be using her nickname anytime soon if her vibe is any indication. She flips Avery off as she sits across the room from us in my desk chair. Avery rolls her eyes and gives her back the same gesture. Are they friends? “So tell us about you, Saylor.” This seems to perk Emberlee up, and she gives me her undivided attention.
“Like what?” I don’t know if I’m interviewing for a position or if they are trying to get to know me.
“Where are you from? What is your major? Why Kansas?”
“New Mexico and Florida. Marketing Degree. I was accepted.”
“Wow, you’re a tough nut to crack. Do you have any friends?” Avery is being funny, but it still hurts.
“Not really.” Honesty is the best policy.
“What? I was teasing.”
“I didn’t socialize a lot in school. We moved to Florida five years ago; everyone had a group, and I was the new girl.” I shrug like it doesn’t bother me—because it didn’t until I had to admit what a loser I am.
“Oh, you’ll socialize. We’ll make sure of it.” Emberlee rolls her eyes.
I stand from the bed. “I’m going to get my stuff.”
“Stop! I told you it would be handled.”
Emberlee shocks me, “Yep. Let those assholes do something.”
“Our hometown is Eastborough, about twenty minutes from here. The guys I mentioned—we grew up together. It used to be a crew of six, now it’s just us five…” The front door hits the drywall, and shouts are heard.
“Lee Lee! Avery!” They both roll their eyes but move from the room. I stand to follow them and watch as Emberlee runs to a real life Adonis and wraps her legs around his waist. Avery does the same to David Beckham’s doppelganger . . . clean-shaven.
“We’ve been gone an hour. What are y’all gonna do when we have classes all day?” Holy shit! There’s a third one. He’s better than the two getting mauled by my roommates. His hair is cut short, military style. I can barely make out the color, but it looks caramel, something I want to unwrap and take a bite of.
“Hush, you just wish your hands were full of this luscious ass,” the one I referred to as Adonis says. He puts Emberlee down, and Avery is plucked from the other guy’s arms and Lee Lee takes her spot. It’s like Russian roulette with hot guys. What did I get myself into?
“Hey, I’m Deacon. You must be the roommate.” His eyes are the lightest shade of grey and blue mix and I’m lost. I swallow and nod, which earns me a smile. A dimple-showing-perfect-teeth-panty-melting-smile. “You have a name?”
Avery comes to my rescue after extracting herself from built arms. “This is Saylor. Saylor Lewis, this is Deacon Douglas.”
“Hi.” My vocabulary has abandoned me in this moment.
“Hey.” His chuckle is my favorite melody. “This is Mason Adler,” AKA Adonis, “and Caden Monroe,” AKA David Jr.
“Where’s Julie?” Emberlee wraps her arms around Deacon’s waist.
“I’m helping these assholes unload stuff then picking her up.”
“No partying for you this weekend?” He shakes his head no. “I’ll stop by and see her.”