Page 2 of Of Flesh & Bone

He is obviously surprised but keeps that disdainful look on his face as I bend to the side and grab his drink from the bench.He is immovable as I shove it in his chest.Looking down, he sees HIS drink in my hand.Grabbing my drink and aggressively wrenching it from his grip, he looks at me with shock and anger evident in his glare.There's something else there too but it isn't as easy to discern.

Arching a brow, I hold up my drink at his eye level.He looks at the drink in my hand and then down to the bottle that I shoved into his chest.Before he can even look up to meet my eyes again, I brush against his chest with my shoulder and turn walking away from him.The heat of his gaze follows me the whole way, turning my thoughts to mush and sending goosebumps prickling up my arms.

"Whew."

I audibly let out a breath that I hadn't meant to be holding.It's only now that I'm able to process what just happened, what I just did, and the face of that dark dangerous man.There's enough distance between us now that I shouldn’t be bothered by it, but my body still sizzles with the feel of his eyes on me.??

That tan skin, those full lips, the dark piercing eyes, and perfect white teeth.Damn, I’ve never seen a mountain that beautiful.

Walking toward the exit, I'm attempting to shake the tantalizing scenery from my mind when I hear them.

Ada asks, “What the hell was that?”

I know she’s speaking to the yeti even before I hear him say “Oh come on, Ace.Don’t be jealous.You know you’re my girl.”

The door handle makes a loudCLACKas I exit the gym.

I regret my decision to come to Eden University and I deserve the chastisement I keep giving myself for the pathetic reasons that brought me here.The classic old-world beauty of this place and the lifetime of opportunities that come with attaching my name to the elite Eden University blinded me to the true nature of this place and the assholes inside it.

During orientation, the very British dean stood in front of the incoming freshman and told us, "Ladies and gentlemen, you have arrived.Every late night, all of the hair-pulling stress, and the countless hours of preparation have been worth it.They led you here.Whatever happens from this moment forward, YOU ARE EDEN.Doors will be opened by the mere mention of the name.You have officially placed yourselves twelve steps above the rest."

...........

I pull into the parking lot of the very nice but definitely not Eden material off-campus apartment at Pinecrest Place that I share with my best friends in the world, Vaughn Webb and Eli Washington.As soon as I park, I feel that familiar sense of unease.It's like someone is watching me.I know they aren't.It's my own messed up mind playing tricks on me.

Does that mean I'm crazy?Don't answer that.This bitch is nuts.Sometimes, my mind is my worst enemy.

I need to see Vaughn's beautiful face and hear her encouraging voice.She has a no-nonsense, take-no-prisoners type of attitude about life.She would slay my enemies and display their heads on spikes if I would allow it.

Scoring Vaughn and her boyfriend Elijah as roommates was the luckiest of breaks.

Vaughn doesn't attend Eden.She's an aspiring novelist and a bartender at Cornerstone.Responding to her ad about a room for rent was the best decision I've ever made, even though I could’ve stayed in the very fancy scholar’s dorms or the equally showy women’s athletics dorms.Everything at Eden is ostentatious.I ultimately chose to get an apartment for more freedom and independence than campus life would allow.

How's that working out for you, Eve?What exactly have I done with all this freedom I thought I needed?Not one damn thing.Maybe my own thoughts will eventually be the kick in the ass I need, even when they kick hard.

No regrets here though.Vaughn and Eli are the best things to ever happen to me.I fell so head over heels into these friendships that I moved to the bustling, sweltering city of Austin early so I could spend the entire Summer with my new roommates.Summers back home in Warwick, Maryland, boast significantly more comfortable temperatures, but Warwick doesn't have a Vaughn and Eli.

This living arrangement is one decision that I'm thankful for despite how much shit I have taken from the pretentious assholes at this school.I would do it all over again if it meant finding Vaughn and Eli.They have been like family to me.We would all go to war with the world for one another even though we've only known each other a short time.

Vaughn and Elijah met nearly one year ago, not long before Eli set out on another leave.They met at Cornerstone, where Vaughn still works.It's a popular local nightclub at night, but they serve lunch and fancy baked goods during the day.It sounds like a love at first sight situation from everything they've told me.They’ve essentially been together ever since that first night.

I met them both at the beginning of summer when I came to interview and look at the apartment.Our apartment is an adorable two bedroom with plenty of space.We each have our own private bathrooms and there's a half bath down the hall for guests.Guests that none of us ever have.

The three of us clicked immediately and our instant connection heightened my hopes for the upcoming year at Eden.Our effortless bond inspired me to move in right away despite it being early May and school not starting until August.

Click.

At the sound of the deadbolt engaging, Vaughn steps out of her room, and I can’t stifle my smile even if I wanted to.The sight of her fills me with peace and a sense of rightness.She looks at me and I know she knows.The expression on her face says it all.Reading me with just one look, she sees that I have had another bad weather day.Bad weather day is a phrase Vaughn’s mom taught her.She told her that bad days are like bad weather; they come and go, but they never last long and the sun always comes out to shine on your face eventually.

Looking at her makes me wonder.How did I get so lucky?Well, I was definitely due some good luck that's for sure.

She comes straight to me with a smile on her face and hugs me tightly.She hugs me the way that only my best friend can.Vaughn is like ice on a burn.Instant relief for my bad weather day.

We're still clinging to one another when she says, “I’ve been doing some research for the book, and I have learned some really cool new methods of murder.Do you know their dorm numbers?”

Giggling at her joke, I peer down at her, and she looks at me like she’s genuinely confused as to why I'm laughing.

Reluctantly pulling out of the hug, “I don’t need you to kill anyone.You're all that I need.I don’t even want other female friends at this point.As far as I'm concerned, it’s me, you, and Eli against the masses.”

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