12. Amelia

Amelia 

After my training with Everett, which ended around six, the Wolves have their own session. He told me I could go home, but I stayed back to watch them train. I watch every single one of them closely. Especially Everett. His stances... tosses... blocks... Whew.

By 8:30, we're all in the truck, heading home.

"Sup, maid?!" Spencer pipes up the moment we're buckled in.

Everett's at the wheel, I'm in the passenger seat, and Spencer, Cole, and Harper are packed in the back.

"I'm not the maid anymore. I'm the girlfriend now." I turn to look at them over my shoulder, flipping my hair and doing the glance-at-my-fingers thingy.

Three pairs of eyes blink blankly at me.

"I mean, it's also a deal, too, but ediz whad ediz."

"Ouuuuu," the boys coo.

"Oh wow, congrats on your promotion," Spencer says, and the guys snicker.

"Thank you. And then there's you... still a gardener, gardener."

"Ouuuuuu!"

Everyone bursts into laughter. Even Everett.

"Fuck you all," he sneers.

By the time we pull into Oakswood, a girl is standing on the porch. She's dressed in a white T-shirt and loose denim pants, her long hair falling over her shoulders as she taps one foot impatiently against the ground.

Harper mutters something under his breath, and Cole snickers as we approach the front door.

Everett nudges my arm.

I look at him. "What?"

He just shakes his head, a small smile tugging at his lips.

The girl's eyes land on Spencer, and her expression instantly changes.

"Spencer, have you been avoiding me?"

Uh-huh. Things are about to get interesting.

"Amanda, what are you doing here?" Spencer's eyes are icy cold, and the playboy I know is completely gone.

This is the first time I'm seeing him look so... serious.

Amanda shifts on her feet.

"I hate obsession the most. It was a one-night thing," Spencer says.

"Which has led to four nights now," she fires back.

I gulp.

"You really don't feel anything for me?" she asks quietly.

"Let's go inside." Everett pulls me into the house before I can get a word out.

Evil man! He won't even let me watch the scene unfold till the end!

"Evil man!" I spit out as soon as Harper shuts the door behind us, leaving Spencer and Amanda to continue their argument outside.

"Just 'cause I didn't let you meddle in other people's affairs?"

I sneer. "Oh, spare me, Mr. All-so-righteous."

He shakes his head and heads upstairs. I follow.

I take a warm shower, then head downstairs for dinner, only to find Cole and Harper already at the table, arguing over the last chicken bone.

Spencer is nowhere to be seen.

I glance toward the door. "Where's Romeo?"

Harper snorts. "Still outside with Juliet?"

I grin and grab a plate. "Interesting."

Everett walks into the kitchen and gives me one look.

"Don't."

"I didn't say anything."

"Your face did."

I bite back a smile and sit down.

This house is becoming more interesting by the day.

***

The next day, after two classes, I'm having lunch with my best friends when my phone suddenly buzzes.

I glance down.

Asshole Griffin: Come to my lecture hall.

I'm tempted to ask why, but I simply respond with:

Me: Okay.

This man and his mysterious instructions.

I shove my phone into my bag. "I'll see you later. Bye!" I blow a kiss to Jay and G and head out of Squarz.

We'd just finished class and were hanging out, but apparently that's been cut short. I feel like a bad friend now, though. I barely hang out with my friends anymore... not that they mind. In fact, they seem to like me being around Everett all the time.

When I told them about moving into Oakswood with him and the boys, they were surprisingly excited about it. Garrett practically screamed, while Janet spent the next few minutes teasing me about finally getting to live with my "boyfriend."

Those traitors.

As I hurry off, I can't help wondering what Everett wants me for.

Rule three still hasn't come up.

I'm not asking, though. Smart girls don't poke sleeping bears.

As soon as I reach the door of his lecture hall, I text him.

Me: I'm here.

Asshole Griffin: Come in, Hart.

Hm. Okay.

A couple of students stream out as I make my way inside. I scan the packed hall for him, and before I can take another step, a hand suddenly wraps around my waist.

I barely have time to gasp before I'm spun around and pulled forward, slamming into a firm chest. I look up, his breath warm on my face.

Everett.

His towering figure blocks out the light behind him, one hand firm against my waist as he looks down at me. The way he's looking at me...

My heart skips. There's this intensity in his eyes...

"What are you..." Before I can finish my sentence...

His lips crash against mine.