##Chapter 19: DaisyIt's been a tradition since first semester of freshman year that Aunt Marnie hosts family dinners twice a month. There are times when we're able to get together more than that. And there are others when we're lucky to get together once a month. Football season is always a challenge because Noah's schedule is packed tight with practices, film review, study sessions, and games. We never go longer than that without carving out some time.And I love that.Love that I'm a part of their close-knit family.Being that Carter has been Noah's roommate for just as long, he's been invited from the beginning. My aunt and uncle took an instant liking to Carter, bringing him into the fold and treating him like family.It used to aggravate the hell out of me. Now, I'm not sure how I feel. Our relationship has changed over the last two weeks. We're no longer at each other's throats. Just as Noah, Carter, and I walk through the front door of the house, my cell vibrates. I
##Chapter 20: DaisyHe stares at her for a long moment before his gaze swings to his wife. My uncle has a pretty good poker face, but I know he doesn't enjoy Mom's visits. She can be a disruptive, pain in the ass (per Uncle Craig during her last visit). Aunt Marnie's shoulders shake with unconcealed mirth as she turns back to the stove to check dinner. Sixty minutes later and I'm planning my escape. Mom has the tendency to make me feel claustrophobic. While everyone is busy talking after dinner, I quietly excuse myself and sneak out the back door. The sun has just dipped below the horizon as I settle onto a lounger near the pool and stretch my legs out in front of me. I close my eyes and suck in a breath before slowly exhaling. It takes a conscious effort to release the tension from my tightened muscles.Thank God Mom booked a suite at a nearby hotel and isn't staying at the house. I think Uncle Craig would probably pack his bags and vacate the premises if that were the case.
##Chapter 21: CarterWith my arm thrown over my eyes, I try to shut down the thoughts steamrolling through my head. But it's impossible. I can't stop replaying what happened with Daisy earlier this evening.The look on her face when her gaze dropped to my mouth had my dick surging to life. The temptation of her pliant body crushed against mine only made it worse. I've spent the last three years keeping her at a safe distance and now I've managed to blow all my good intentions to hell with one stupid decision. I've opened the door and there's nothing I can do to slam it shut again.I keep telling myself that the only reason I want Daisy is because she's the one girl I can't have. Deep down I know it's a lie. The way I feel about her scares the crap out of me. Maybe calling a truce wasn't such a good idea. If there aren't any barriers sitting between us, how am I supposed to keep her at arm's length? Especially when all I want to do is hold her close.Frustrated with myself for
##Chapter 22: DaisyNoah knocks on my bedroom door and pushes it open enough to stick his head inside. "Food's here.""I'll be out in a minute," I say, not bothering to glance up from the book I'm reading. "I just need to finish up this section.""Don't take too long or your burger will get cold." His stern voice has me glancing up with a grin on my face."Okay, Dad.""No problem, honey. Just, whatever you do, don't call me daddy." Noah smirks. "That would be a scarring experience for both of us.""Ewww! Gross!" I pick up a pillow from my bed and throw it at him. With a chuckle he slams the door closed. It takes at least ten more minutes for me to highlight the passage I was reading. Even though I have a test coming up in sociology, it's not the reason I'm dragging my feet.Carter.I've been doing my best to avoid him since the incident at my aunt's house. Everything has changed between us and I don't have a firm handle on it yet. Before, when I'd see him, the attraction w
##Chapter 23: CarterThe alarm goes off and I roll from bed. I've been lying here for the last thirty minutes thinking about Daisy. I need to burn off some of the excess energy crashing through my body. I have football practice three hours a day, five days a week and lift weights a couple times a week because I'm trying to stay away from the apartment when I know she'll be around. You'd think all this physical activity would be enough to diffuse the hot spikes of need that flare to life inside me at the mere thought of her, but you'd be wrong.She's all I think about.In a last-ditch effort, I'm going to hit the pavement in hopes that five miles will be enough to kill my growing lust.You know what I need?To get laid.I need to bury my cock in some sweet pussy and forget all about Daisy Thompson. Forget about her long golden hair and flashing aquarium-colored eyes, and all those goddamn curves I want to get my hands on.Yeah, that's not helping. As luck would have it, tonight is
##Chapter 24: DaisyOlivia and I arrive at the party arm-in-arm.BU played their fourth game of the season and came out victorious. Which means a celebration is in order. The fact that it was a tight contest and could have gone either way only means that students will turn out in droves.Speaking of tight...I'm embarrassed to admit that I spent a fair amount of time watching Carter's ass in those form-fitting white pants. Say what you want about the guy, but he has amazing...Assets.It goes without saying that I shouldn't think about or watch Carter's backside. Especially during a football game. I'm there to support Noah. And I genuinely enjoy football. I grew up watching Noah play. I'm not like Olivia, who sits in the stands and has no clue what's going on.But still, I couldn't take my eyes off Carter.I need to shake these thoughts loose. With excessive force, if need be. I can't allow myself to trip down this path. Carter and I are in a good place, and I don't want to
##Chapter 25: CarterI take a long pull from my beer bottle as a brunette with purple talons runs her hands up and down my chest. She's gorgeous and obviously interested, but she's not doing a damn thing for me.Nothing stirs south of the border.I came here with the intention of finding a hookup. I need to dip my wick and evict Daisy from my head, where she's renting space, otherwise I'm going to crack.Know what the real kicker is?Daisy doesn't have a flipping clue what she does to me or how I feel about her. The girl is oblivious, thank fuck. And that's the way it needs to stay.I catch Owen's eye and give him a chin lift in greeting. "What's up, man."Owen's a good guy. If I were sticking around for another season, I'd be worried about him entering the draft. He's a difference-maker and a team player. He'll be missed."Not much." He glances around, searching for someone.The guy might be a brick shithouse, but he gets his fair share of ass. He has two championships under
##Chapter 26: DaisyOh my God, what is keeping Olivia?She's been gone for at least fifteen minutes. When she took off to use the bathroom, I should have gone with her. Instead, I'd decided to chat up this guy. He's good-looking in a preppy sort of way. He kind of reminds me of Logan. The only problem is that he opened his mouth and it's been downhill ever since. He won't stop yammering about the fraternity he belongs to and how they throw the most epic parties at BU.Yawn.If this continues, I'm going to need a Red Bull transfusion to make it through the night.I need to find a way to extract myself from this situation. Slowly backing away isn't an option because he's toying with my hair. It's like he has me on a leash and is intent on holding me captive.Just as I get ready to tug my hair free, I catch sight of Carter.He's heading this way at a brisk pace. The sea of people parts as he moves through them. He's wearing a maroon T-shirt that stretches across his chest and hu