Page 13 of Bro Amazing

"Oh," I hesitate. "Just like what you all said. Well, not the porn part, but reading other books with higher spice. Noting how those authors set things up, not only in the bedroom, but between the couples, so I can learn from their techniques."

That part is true at least. I did read two or three high-heat books, or at least I tried. I was so convinced someone was going to catch me out and tell me I shouldn't be reading such filth in the exact voice my parents would use that I stopped, but I domean to start again. Maybe it will also give me a better grasp on what the guys expect from me.

"We should buddy read then." Sasha sets down her glass and looks me in the face as if daring me to refuse her offer. "We can do our research together and that will make it easier on both of us."

"Yeah, sure that sounds good." Now I really will have to read these books, and get brave about discussing the intimate details of book sex with Sasha so she doesn't realize that I've been doing hands-on research with my new roommates.

Maybe before I discuss the scenes with her, I can come up with a way to suggest the moves to my boyfriends—just so I don't come across as a complete novice to Sasha.

"Perfect." Sasha checks her phone. "We need to get moving if we're going to make our train."

"Actually, I have a little bit because I need to take a different train." I won't have anyone to ride home with now that I've moved, which makes me a little nervous safety-wise, but Sasha and I got off at different stops anyway so I suppose it doesn't affect too much.

Maddie and Angela slide back into their seats in time to say goodbye to Sasha.

"Are you going somewhere else after this?" Sasha gathers her things, eyeing me curiously.

"Oh, a date perhaps?" asks Angela.

"You're still so new to town, you have so many options for good dates. Tell us all about him," says Maddie, leaning toward me in hopes of some good gossip.

"No, nothing like that. I just moved is all. Since my lease was up and I didn't love that place enough to renew." Sort of true. My old apartment wasn't the most amazing thing ever, but I would have renewed if the rent wasn't going up outrageously because living alone was fantastic. Although my new roommates haven'tbeen loud, and we haven't had any issues yet. I did just move in, though, so there is still plenty of time for that to happen.

"Well, that's exciting still," says Angela.

"Not as exciting a date, but fun," agrees Maddie.

"Wait, is this the address where you were going the other day?" asks Sasha, pulling up the text message on her phone. "I thought you were afraid they were going to kill you, yet you've already moved in?"

"Yikes, that's a quick turnaround on impressions," laughs Angela.

"How many roommates are there then?" asks Maddie.

"Five." I laugh a little to make it seem funny and not intimidating. "But they keep to themselves mostly so it should be fine."

Again, technically true. They have kept mostly to themselves, except for the sexy times.

"Well, they say don't shit where you eat," says Maddie, "but maybe they have friends they could introduce you to and then you really could have a date."

"Yeah, sleeping with roommates always gets messy," agrees Angela.

"Lots of new changes then," says Sasha, bringing the attention back to her. "Anyway, message me this week with your next research read and we can go through it together with an author's eye."

She leaves me to listen to Angela and Maddie bemoan their own lack of decent date prospects until it's time for me to catch my own train.

Chapter Seven

It's such a relief to have that first critique session with my new work over. I hadn't realized how stressful it was going to be to take critiques about a new heat level.

As soon as I step inside the house I'm tempted to creep upstairs to my room and hide away, but because tonight's critique session went so well, there will be higher expectations for my next set of pages. Which means I need to do more research. Which means I should probably put in some face time with my boyfriends.

Dropping my bag by the foot of the stairs—if I bring it to my room, I know I won't come back down—I venture deeper into the house in search of my roommates. Maybe they're shut up in their computer room again where I'm not allowed. Or upstairs in their own individual rooms. I'd consider either option lucky, but then I wouldn't be doing what I need to here. Collecting inspiration for my books.

There's a lot of chatter and noise coming from back near the kitchen, so I head that way.

And … no one is there.

However, there is a door that's partly opened. I'd thought it was a pantry or broom cupboard, but now I see that it seems tobe a basement. This is an older house, and I'm sure it's going to be super creepy down there.The things authors do for their careers.

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