Dirty Little Secrets (Kings of Bolten 1)

I nodded. “I did. I hated it. Had to get a tutor.”

He chuckled. “I’ll probably make it through. It’s not my strongest subject, but it’s not my worst.”

“Um, it looks like you have Professor Reinhard. He actually works off printouts and online. I took his course. I didn’t even open the book. I suppose if I had, I’d not have needed the tutor, so if it helps, maybe you can get through without it. Or you could try renting the book.”

He nodded. “You know what. Fuck it. Take it off. I’ll wing it.”

I removed the calculus book from his total, and

he breathed out.

“That’s better. I can still eat a little this month.”

“Great. And if you find you need it next month, it’ll be here.” I cashed him out and bagged his books before sending him on his way.

I sighed and leaned against the counter. I was in my third year at Rayton University and ready to be done. I wasn’t always the studious type and would prefer watching Netflix and eating pizza than sitting around doing homework. I hadn’t even really picked my major yet. My parents were livid, but it was a big deal. I’d likely end up doing it the rest of my life. I didn’t want it to be something I hated. Rosalie, my best friend in the whole world, knew what she wanted the moment she could speak. She was majoring in music over at Mayfair and had even just won some prestigious arts award at the college. I was supposed to fly to see her and her boyfriends next weekend for a celebration. Enzo, her mafia prince boyfriend, paid for my plane ticket already. When Fox, her other guy, called me, he’d made me swear not to tell Rosalie I was coming. He wanted it to be surprise for her. Fox was pretty much perfect. But hell, all her guys seemed to be in one way or another, although Cole scared the shit out of me sometimes. So did Enzo. Ethan was the one I was most comfortable with. He was the sweet, broken one and didn’t try to terrify me. He would simply offer a bashful smile, a sparkle in his eyes, and say something that didn’t make me want to run and hide. But they loved the hell out of her, so for that, I’d accept the scary because they were good men who would set the world on fire for her.

Personally, I just wanted a guy who wanted to watch Netflix with me, to hell with the pyrotechnics.

I hugged myself, wanting something like what Rosalie had. Maybe not so many, but there had to be at least one guy out there who wouldn’t wreck my life. God knew I’d been duped in high school by Ian Hall who turned out to be a hideous monster that later died in an accident, to Spencer Callaghan, the guy I fell for senior year of high school. We’d pledged our love, but when he left to study aboard, distance definitely did not make the heart grow fonder. In fact, it broke my damn heart, and he walked on me.

Since my shit track record with men, I’d sworn them off. I spent my time alone in my apartment with my cat Darkness, a black, long-haired cat who hated men as much as I did. To be fair, maybe Darkness hated all people, but I liked thinking she was on my side. Sometimes, I’d go out with a few college friends, but this was mainly my life. I was safe in my apartment where no one could bother me or hurt me.

After hours slaving away in the student bookstore, I finally went home to leftover pizza and Darkness.

“Hey, Darkness,” I said, scratching her behind the ears as she greeted me at the door. She let out a meow and rolled around at my feet before running off to stand in front of her food bowl which was still half-full. I’d never understand why cats needed the damn food dish always full.

I dropped my bag on the floor and poured more food into her dish before heating up my leftovers and flopping down in front of the TV. I had a bit of studying to do, but I liked to keep my C average where it was, so I brushed it off to watch reality TV.

I was just dozing off when my phone buzzed. Grumbling, I searched the cushions for it while yawning.

Unknown: How are you?

I frowned down at the unfamiliar number before tossing my phone aside. The last thing I felt like doing was talking to someone I didn’t know. I did that shit all day at work. That was enough for me.

Unknown: How’s school?

I snatched my phone up and text back.

Jamie: You have the wrong number.

A return message followed immediately.

Unknown: That’s a lie, Jamie.

I sat up and licked my lips, my heart thrumming hard. Who the hell was this? I had a few friends at college, but they were probably out partying it up since it was a Friday night. I was the lame ass who stayed home and talked to my cat.

Jamie: Who is this?

Unknown: A friend.

Jamie: Cole, is this you on a new phone? I swear I’ll tell Rosalie you were messing with me. She’ll kick your ass.

Unknown: *laughing emoji*

The texts stopped coming, but my anger was bubbling over. I hated being scared. Quickly, I thumbed to Rosalie’s name and hit CALL on it. I’d show Cole. Rosalie would take care of him. Or maybe Fox or Enzo would.

The phone rang four times before the deep tenor of Ethan’s voice came on the line.