Page 6 of Rebel

I took another toke of my joint, making sure to blow the smoke away from her. “You’re kidding, right? Get Arwen to do it. I’m busy.”

I didn’t see why my sister couldn’t do it. She was friendlier than me and would make a better first impression. Despite being only fifteen, she was a lot like my mom already, wanting to be friends with everyone. Personally, I hated everyone and had no interest in changing that.

“She’s not here,” Mom countered. “She’s got a lacrosse game today. Just do it and be nice about it. For me, okay, kiddo?”

I sighed. There was no doubt that whatever made me a stone cold prick, it came from my dad. My mom was caring and friendly. The type that would do anything for anyone. I’d often wondered what she saw in my grumpy ass father. He spent most of his time running the many businesses he owned and never had a kind word for anyone except my mother. She was the only person who’d ever made him smile. I guess that was love. They could have it.

“Fine. I’ll do it.” As much as I didn’t want to go next door, I rarely denied my mother anything. She didn’t ask much of me. Although she was the reason I’d agreed to live at home until I finished school.

“Thank you. The basket is on the kitchen table. I’ll be back before dinner time. Don’t drink too much.” She disappeared back into the house, leaving me to mutter curses beneath my breath.

Auryn chuckled, enjoying my pain. “You’ve got to let me come with you.”

“Screw that.” I chugged back the rest of my beer and passed what remained of the joint to him. “Stay here, or better yet, go home. I’ll see you later.”

Shoving off my lounge chair, I stalked inside, muttering to myself. The patio door brought me into the living room. Ignoring the basket on the table in the kitchen to my left, I went straight ahead to the staircase next to the front door.

The entire basement was my area. Since I wasn’t about to go meet the neighbor half naked, I grabbed a black t-shirt and tugged it on before trudging back up the stairs.

The basket was filled with fancy cheeses, crackers, and wine. Mom always went over the top with shit like this. Sucking in a deep breath, I grabbed the basket and left through the front door.

Fuck. This. Shit.

CHAPTER FOUR

STORM

After Rebel flipped me off, I went inside and flopped on my bed. Screw that guy. He was crazy. I didn’t so much as glance out the window again.

Instead, I laid there being lazy until I caught myself dozing off. Since I still had a lot of unpacking to do, I made myself get up and get to work. The closet was stacked with boxes of my clothes and accessories. I got busy hanging things up and figuring out what to wear to school tomorrow.

When my stomach started to grumble, I headed downstairs for a snack. It still felt weird to help myself to food in the kitchen. Everything felt like Larry’s. He’d insisted that we make ourselves at home. That we should get comfortable here.

The main floor was empty. Chase had to be downstairs. Mom and Larry must be up in their room. Thankfully, there was a long hall between their room and mine.

I found a container of cookie dough ice cream in the freezer and happily helped myself. So good. When the doorbell rang, I paused with my spoon halfway to my mouth. Should I answer that? When nobody else came to do it, I shrugged and put the ice cream back in the freezer.

I reached for the doorknob, not sure what to expect. Was Larry expecting anyone? As the door opened, I saw who was on the other side and almost froze.

Rebel stood there with a large basket in his hands. I had half a mind to flip him off and shut the door in his face. Since Larry might be friends with his neighbors, I swallowed the urge.

“Um, hi?” I stared at him expectantly.

Unfortunately, in daylight, he was even hotter. His gorgeous blue eyes sparked with mischief. A black widow spider on his neck caught my eye. It was one of many images that disappeared beneath his t-shirt. My gaze lingered on the bruise that stretched out from the side of his nose under one eye. Nice.

Afraid to be caught staring, I forced myself to make proper eye contact. He quirked a brow, a smirk curving his lips.

“This is from my mom. She wants to welcome you and your mom to the neighborhood.” He shoved the basket at me. “So, welcome, I guess.”

The basket was pretty big, filled with snack foods and a bottle of wine. I had no choice but to take it as he shoved it into my arms.

“Thanks. That’s really nice of her.” I paused, expecting him to leave so I could close the door. He didn’t.

“Do you go to WU?” he asked, curiously looking me over.

I hated that I immediately felt self-conscious under his inquisitive stare. I didn’t want to care what he thought. He’d already proved himself to be a massive, scary dick.

“I start tomorrow,” I said, wondering why he cared.

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