Broken Hill Havoc (Broken Hill High Series 5)

“I don’t know,” I say, trying to hold back a yawn. “Probably at home in bed.”

“That’s a shame,” he says, flexing his muscles as though he’s trying to impress me. “So, you guys are pretty serious then?”

I look up at him to find his eyes on my body. They leisurely travel back up to my face and he smirks at being caught out. I push back out of my seat with a heavy scowl and step away from him. I guess I’ll be laying down the law early with this one. “Yeah, we’re solid so you can take your greedy eyes off me,” I tell him. “You don’t get to come over here, screw my best friend and then assume you’re going to get me in bed too. And believe me, after the shit I just heard you spouting to Brooke in there, I’m not interested. Now, please take your dirty little self out of my kitchen so I can finish studying.”

He stands there for a moment, leaning against the table before straightening out. The smirk never once leaves his face. He takes a step into me, making sure to look me up and down. “Come on, baby,” he says. “I’ll make it worth your while. Nate and Brooke never have to find out.”

“Was this your plan all along? To get us both in bed?”

“Well,” he grins. “I was kind of hoping to get you both at the same time.”

My face scrunches up in complete and utter disgust. “You’re a pig,” I tell him. “Get out of my kitchen.”

“Your loss, babe,” he says, grabbing his water bottle and walking away. He looks back over his shoulder and grins before disappearing down the hall. I hear his chuckle following behind him and absolutely hate that a guy like that is about to climb back into bed with my best friend.

“Damn it,” I growl to myself, flopping back down into my chair. I’m going to have to tell her and it’s going to break her heart. She hasn’t shut up about this douchebag, thinking he’s some sort of modern prince charming. Little does she know he’s a dirty swamp turd.

Nate was right not to like him and I was right to be cautious around him. Brooke is going to be devastated but it’s not like I’m going to do anything about it right now. I have to get through this study and Brooke is probably already asleep. I’ll sit her down first thing in the morning and break the news. She’ll have a shitty day but then I’ll get her drunk and all will be right in the world.

Maybe next time she’ll actually agree to let me help her find a guy.

By eleven thirty, I’m finally packing up my shit. About fucking time. I let out a deep sigh and jam the books I need for tomorrow into my bag while stacking the rest into a nice little pile that I can take back to my room in the morning. For now, they’re good to have a sleepover in the kitchen.

My phone starts buzzing against the wooden table and I look down to find Nate’s name scrawled across the screen. “Hey,” I yawn as I answer the phone and jam it between my ear and shoulder so I can keep getting things sorted for tomorrow. “What’s going on? Why are you calling so late?”

“I’m only just finishing work now,” he tells me. “I hadn’t heard from you. I was worried.”

A smile plays on my lips. “Why are you just finishing now?” I question, walking down the hall, not bothering to lower my voice, hoping I wake the fucker out of his peaceful, after sex sleep.

“I had college today,” he explains. “I wanted to get shit done because I have a shipment coming in tomorrow and I wanted to spend the day on that.”

“So, you stayed up all night working? That’s ridiculous.”

“Not as ridiculous as you staying up all night studying.”

“How’d you know?” I grin.

“I know you,” he shoots back. “You haven’t called or texted all night, meaning you were distracted and the only thing holding your attention lately are your books.”

“And you.”

“Don’t you forget it.” His chuckle comes down the line and I laugh as I close the door behind me and flick the lock, you know, just in case. I walk over to my bed and drop down into the welcoming sheets. “Do you want me to come over?” he questions.

“No, it’s ok,” I tell him. “You’re probably exhausted and I’m practically already asleep. Besides, I have an early class and when you’re here, we never sleep.”

“You sure?” he says with a smile in his voice. “I can keep my hands to myself.”

“No, you can’t,” I laugh, calling him on his bluff.

“Yeah, you’re right,” he says. “I’ll come over tomorrow afternoon.”

“Can’t wait.”