Rooming With the Grumpy Biker Alpha

Chapter 009

LAYLA’S POV

I stare at myself in the mirror and exhale.

“You can do this, Layla,” I mutter, and yes, that’s an affirmation for surviving Edward Strout, not for getting through the semester. Just to be clear.

Yeah, I know, that might sound ungrateful, but anyone in my shoes would need prayers and some sort of motivation to live with a guy whose ego is the size of a mountain and who looks at everyone with the same condescending expression.

But I’ll be fine. I have to be. When Dad figures out I’m gone, he’s definitely going to do something, and I need to be ready for that instead of worrying about a grumpy Alpha’s son.

So here’s to the first day of classes as a senior. Hopefully, I survive it… and every other day after.

Grabbing my bag, I step out and head to the living room, only to stop abruptly in the middle of the space.

Edward is sitting on one of the couches, one leg crossed over the other, a cup of what I assume is very hot coffee in one hand and a newspaper in the other.

I try to tell myself he doesn’t look hot in his white shirt, black jacket, tie, black jeans, and boots. But Oakie snaps at me to be honest.

I don’t even realize I’m still staring until he lifts his gaze from the newspaper and frowns. “Want something, glasses?”

That damn nickname. I thought once he asked for my name, he’d stop calling me that.

“Good morning,” I say.

“Morning. Did you sleep well?” he asks.

Surprisingly, I did. I didn’t even have my usual nightmares but I’m not about to admit that to a guy who thinks I’m going to flirt with him or, in his words, shoot my shot.

“It was okay,” I answer dryly, turning to leave, only to nearly bump into someone.

I step back quickly, taking in the older man standing in front of me, smiling warmly.

“That’s Nicholas,” Edward says from behind me. “He manages everything for me.”

“Good morning, Miss Layla,” Nicholas greets, extending his hand. “I make sure Edward has everything he needs, and now that you’re one of us, I’d be happy to extend my services to you.”

I hesitate for a second before shaking his hand. “Thank you for your kind words, sir.”

“Call me Nicholas,” he says.

[I’m going to like being rich,] Oakie exclaims, practically vibrating with happiness.

“We’re not rich. We’re parasites,” I remind her.

“The chef has made breakfast,” Nicholas says, already turning toward the kitchen. He returns moments later with a cup of coffee and a plate of avocado toast. “Eat before you leave.”

I take it from him quickly, giving a small bow before moving to sit on the couch opposite Edward and the entire time, he doesn’t even look at me.

The food is so good I eat faster than I mean to. When I catch Edward glancing up from his newspaper, I slow down on principle.

I thank Nicholas once I’m done eating, take the dishes to the kitchen, and then head out.

The Alpha lodging is large, but there’s only one entrance and a separate exit. I make my way toward it, and just as I reach the doors, Oakie thrashes wildly, the same way she does when Colt is nearby.

My steps slow. Like clockwork, my gaze drifts to a red car and there he is, sitting in the driver’s seat, Amber beside him and both of them are staring straight at me.

Unfortunately, I might have forgotten that I’ll be running into Colt a lot more now that I’m living here.

I can feel their eyes on me as I keep walking, my fingers curling into fists.

“What the hell is she doing here?” Colt asks, loud enough for practically anyone in the lot to hear.

“Probably still trying to get your attention, babe,” Amber says. “My sister doesn’t give up. She reeks of desperation.”

[Tell them you’re here with Edward!] Oakie snarls, but I decide against it. They should keep talking.

Both of them are insecure about their relationship but they just don’t know it yet.

Just as I’m about to use the narrow pedestrian gate, a bike revs loudly, making me jolt as it pulls up right beside me.

“What the…” I turn and my jaw drops at the sight of all six-foot-three (or more) of Edward perched on it.

It’s a power bike or at least I think it is and it suits him so well. But the bigger question still echoes in my head. He rides bikes?

“Get in,” he says.

I point to my chest. “Me?”

“Who else, glasses?” he snaps.

“I… I’ve never been on a bike before,” I say, still stepping closer. “What if I fall off?”

“Your hands are there for a reason. Hold onto me.”

I blink, heat rushing to my face at the thought of doing that. Realizing I’m wasting his time, I quickly climb on but clumsily, almost slipping off immediately.

My fingers twitch, unsure where to hold, but he reaches back, grabs my hands—making me gasp—and pulls them around his waist, pressing my arms against his abs.

“Hold on tight,” he says, kicking the bike to life. Before we pull away, I steal a glance back. Colt and Amber are watching and a small smile tugs at my lips.

The wind lashes at my face as Edward speeds toward the Engineering block and I grip him tighter on instinct, which I immediately regret because now I’m pressed against him.

I stare hard at the passing trees, the road, anything. Then his clean, musky, annoyingly good scent invades my nostrils anyway and I make the mistake of leaning slightly closer before I even realize I’m doing it. I pull back, sit straight and stare at the road again. Nobody saw that. Never mind, Oakie definitely saw that.

I exhale. “I didn’t know you ride bikes.”

“What I ride is what I ride,” he replies, vague as ever.

He slows as we approach the Engineering Block, where most of my data science classes are, and stops right in front of a cluster of people, many I recognize from my class.

As I swing my leg off the bike, all eyes lock on me, wide and curious, and I feel like I’m under a spotlight.

I don’t even get a chance to thank Edward before he zooms off, leaving me to face the hungry wolves, eager for gossip. As I make my way inside the building, some trail behind me, spreading the news: Edward Strout gave me a ride. Yes, I know he’s a big deal, but these people act like he’s the moon goddess’s special son.

Inside class, the whispers don’t stop, even as I pull out my books and try to prepare for my first lesson.

“Do you think they’re… hooking up?”

“I heard he went to her sister’s mating ceremony too. They were, like, making out in the middle of the room.”

Oh my goddess. Making out? We didn’t even hug. Who comes up with these rumors?

“Is she even in this class? I’ve never seen her before.”

“She doesn’t talk to anyone. I used to think she was mute.”

I lift my gaze, and they all look away. If I’d known that one simple gesture would make the entire class notice me and turn me into the day’s topic, I would have just walked or taken the bus. But hey, the deed has been done and I’m now miss popular overnight.

Lowering my head, I start typing on my phone, trying to disappear, when a shadow falls over me. I glance up and about three of the girls who had been talking about me are now staring down.

“Hi,” I mumble, waving awkwardly.

“Hi! I love that jacket, and I always wanted to say hello to you last semester,” the girl in front says. And get this, she’s the same one who was asking if I’m even in this class.

“Thank you,” I mutter. “I’m actually—”

“Are you and Edward hooking up?” she cuts in so fast, batting her lashes. “I’m asking for obvious reasons.”

The rest of them lean in, practically straining to hear my answer.

“We a—” I stop, realizing anything I say will be broadcast across campus. “He asked me not to talk about it,” I reply instead, offering them a small smile.

Their disappointed, half-angry expressions don’t go unnoticed. They shuffle back to their seats, occasionally glancing at me as they go.

“I told you they’re hooking up,” one whispers. “Or do you really think the same guy who won’t let a girl share a desk with him would give some rando a ride? Remember Jenny last semester? She was sick and begged him for a lift but he refused.” They glare at me again. “They’re definitely together.”

“But why her?” one of them asks. Good question but I don’t know either.