Hollywood Roommates

14

Since I’m on summer break I don’t have much work to do, besides a few hours of summer school, but my sister Kristen asks me to help out at her veterinary office since her normal receptionist is on vacation for two weeks. It’s decent money and the best part is I get to hang out with all the animals, although it breaks my heart when they come in sick or injured. I don’t know how Kristen does it. Of course, playing with puppies and kittens does make up for some of the sad stuff. However, working with my completely put-together older sister can sometimes be challenging, even though I love her a lot. She just makes me feel like a hot mess in comparison to her perfect self. And I don’t think she even does it intentionally. Most of the time, anyway.

I’m glad for the work though because it allows me to start saving up some cash. I’ll need it to get my own place soon. I can’t keep relying on the hospitality of Shane and the other guys to let me live rent-free forever. Even if I have no desire to move out.

When I get home from a particularly crazy day at the vet’s, I’m completely covered in cat hair. I head for the shower in the bathroom next to my room, but run straight into Shane’s completely naked chest as he walks out of it. He’s all wet and gorgeous and wearing only a towel and all I can do is stare at his muscles and broad shoulders and sculpted arms. He runs a hand across his chest idly and that only makes me stare even harder. I want to trail my fingers—or my tongue—all over him. Like those defined abs. Or those strong arms. Or the faint trail of hair leading down into the towel. Yum.

“Hi,” I manage to say, and then suddenly I can’t stop. “I just got back from working at my sister’s office. She’s a vet. I think I mentioned that. Anyway, I really need a shower because I’m totally allergic to cats, even though I love them. I actually have a cat tattoo on my ankle, which I got when I was drunk even though Brooke told me not to do it. Sometimes I think about getting it lasered off, but I kind of like it too.” I cringe at my own words. I really should not be telling him this, but the sight of his almost-naked body has turned me into some kind of babbling moron. Worse, I can’t stop staring. Like maybe if I stare hard enough my eyes will gain X-ray vision and I’ll see through that towel.

“None of that surprises me.” His eyes flicker down to my ankle and then slowly slide back up to my face. “The plumber is coming tomorrow. Until then, I’ll be sharing this bathroom with you.”

“Okay. Not a problem. It’s your house after all.” I giggle. Actually giggle. Like a silly girl who has lost her damn mind.

He gives me a long, even look, then turns around and goes back into his room, closing the door behind him. As soon as he’s gone, my shoulders slump and I relax again. Then I remember I still need a shower and head into the bathroom, which is still steamy from when he used it. The room smells faintly of pine too, which makes me wonder if his skin smells as good, and then I wonder what it’d be like to press my face into that wet, naked chest, and then I think of him looking at me with those hard blue eyes and now I’m so turned on I can barely think straight.

I turn on the shower and make it cold, because these thoughts? They need to stop.

Except once I’m under the water I can’t stop thinking about our exchange. How can I be so comfortable around Luke and Matt, while Shane ties me up in knots? Maybe it’s because I get the feeling he doesn’t like me so I end up trying super hard with him, which only makes me even more awkward. Luke said that wasn’t the case at all though, and that Shane liked me too much. That makes no sense though. Shane was the one who insisted upon—and wrote!—the roommate contract. If he wanted me, he wouldn’t have done that or made us all sign it.

Unless he just didn’t want the other guys to have me…

Chapter Eleven

ALLIE

On Saturday I spend the afternoon shopping with Brooke. Or rather, hanging out with her while she shops. I’m still broke as f**k, of course.

While Brooke tries on another pair of black heels, she asks, “How’s it been living with three guys for the past week?”

I admire a pair of flats I can’t afford. “Good, actually. The house is amazing. And the guys are all pretty cool, especially for actors. Except for…”

“Except for my brother.”

“Yeah.” I put down the shoes with a sigh. “He’s letting me live rent-free so I can’t complain.”

“Sure you can. My brother is a grade A dick.” “I’m not sure I’d go that far.” And now I’m thinking about his d**k. That towel did not hide the shape of his large package and my imagination is really good at running wild. And trust me, it wants to get wild…with him. “He’s just hard to get to know.”

“I can tell you everything you need to know about him.” She slides off the shoes and tries on another pair that are almost identical. I wish she’d add some color, but she and I have very different feelings about that. “Ask me anything.”

“That’s too weird, like you’re giving away his secrets.” Except I do want to know all his secrets. Every dirty one of them. Ugh, what is wrong with me?

“Fine. But promise me you’re not getting all heart-eyes over him. Or the other guys, for that matter.”

“Um…no?” I say, but it doesn’t sound convincing even to me.

She stops and gives me a fierce stare. “You are, aren’t you? Which one?”

“Uh. I kind of like…all of them.” I duck my head.

Her eyes widen. “Oh, s**t. You’re really in trouble.”