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All Chapters of The Rogue Next Door: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

43 Chapters

Chapter 1

Maya“Mmm… come here, you perfect, cheesy masterpiece,” I murmur as I flip open the lid of the pizza box like it’s a sacred offering.Steam rises immediately, carrying the smell of garlic, pepperoni, and comfort straight into my soul.This is exactly what I need before I ruin my night with my Moral Philosophy essay.I’m sitting in the living room of the little rental house I share just off campus, legs tucked beneath me on the couch, laptop open but ignored. Technically, it’s student housing.Realistically, it’s a glorified stress box with creaky floors, thin walls, and neighbors who treat quiet hours like a personal insult.I lift my first slice, ready to take a bite—THUD.I freeze.The sound comes again, like something bouncing off wood.“What the hell…?”I set the slice down slowly, irritation already blooming in my chest. If this is my neighbors again, I swear—I march toward the front window and peer outside.And there it is.A football.Sitting right on my porch like it belongs

Chapter 2

MayaI regretted agreeing approximately twelve seconds after Bree dragged me down the hallway.“This is a terrible idea,” I muttered, stumbling behind her.Bree didn’t even look back.“This is an iconic idea.”“It’s Wednesday.”“So?”“I have an essay.”“You have a pulse. That’s more important.”She shoved open her bedroom door like she was entering a war room, then spun toward her closet with the kind of determination usually reserved for hostage negotiations.“Okay,” she announced. “Operation: Torture the Rogue is officially underway.”“I hate that you named it.”“You love that I named it.”“I really don’t.”Bree pulled out a red dress so fast it was like it had been waiting for this moment.My stomach dropped.“Oh no.”“Oh yes.”“That is not a dress,” I said. “That’s… that’s a suggestion.”“It’s a weapon,” Bree corrected. “Now put it on.”“I can’t just walk into the football house dressed like—like that.”Bree gave me a look.“Maya. You live next door to a pack of men who think brea

Chapter 3

MayaThis was not part of the plan.The plan was:1.Walk in.2.Look hot.3.Make Cole Ryder emotionally malfunction.4.Leave.Simple. Clean. Efficient.What was not included was Cole Ryder standing directly in front of me like some kind of football-shaped temptation, looking at me like I’d just personally offended his nervous system.And Bree…Bree was smiling like she’d committed a felony and gotten away with it.Cole’s gaze stayed locked on me.“One lap,” he repeated, voice low.Then he grinned.“Good.”I blinked. “Why is that good?”“Because,” he said, leaning in slightly, “I didn’t get enough time to appreciate you the first time.”My face went hot instantly.“That’s… weird.”“That’s honest.”“That’s arrogant.”He shrugged. “Also honest.”Beside me, Bree made a choking sound like she was trying not to laugh out loud.Cole’s eyes flicked to her.“You’re enjoying this.”Bree clasped her hands together. “Immensely.”Cole nodded slowly. “Good. Because you’re about to enjoy it m

Chapter 4

MayaI should leave.That was the smart thing.The only thing.I should walk out the front door, go back to my quiet little house, eat what was left of my pizza, and pretend Cole Ryder didn’t have the ability to make the air feel electrically charged just by standing too close.Instead…I stayed rooted to the spot like an idiot.Cole’s gaze held mine, steady and unreadable, like he was waiting for me to do something.Or maybe waiting for me to stop doing something.My heart was doing gymnastics in my chest.“I’m going,” I said, even though my feet didn’t move.Cole’s smile was slow.“Sure.”“I mean it.”“Of course.”“I’m not intimidated by you.”That actually made him laugh.A real laugh.Warm and low.“Sweetheart,” he murmured, “you kicked a football back into my yard like you were trying out for the team. Intimidated isn’t the word I’d use.”My cheeks flared.“I was annoyed.”“You were impressive.”“I was hungry.”His eyes flicked to my mouth again.“That too.”I swallowed.This was

Chapter 5

ColeI have been hit harder on the field.Full-speed tackles. Helmet-to-helmet collisions. One time, a linebacker nearly snapped me in half.None of it compares to the absolute violence of Maya standing in my hallway in a red dress and looking at me like she wanted to run away and slap me at the same time.That combination?Lethal.And I was this close—This close—To kissing her.Then Coach Daniels showed up like the grim reaper in khakis.Now I’m downstairs, standing in front of my entire team like I’m a criminal.Coach’s arms are crossed.His wife is beside him, looking deeply disappointed in all of us, like she’s witnessing the fall of civilization in real time.The living room is silent except for someone’s stupid Bluetooth speaker still blinking in the corner like it didn’t just betray us.Coach’s gaze lands on me.“Ryder.”“Yes, sir.”His eyes narrow.“Do you know what time it is?”I swallow.“Yes, sir.”“Do you know what day it is?”“Yes, sir.”“Do you know why I’m standing in

Chapter 6

Cole I always get the girl. That’s the truth no one says out loud because it sounds arrogant, but it’s still the truth. Girls like me. They’ve always liked me. The attention, the captain title, the reputation… it’s like I walk into a room and the ending is already written. That’s part of why they call me the Rogue. Part of why they think I’m untouchable. Because I don’t lose. Not on the field. Not off it. And definitely not when it comes to women. So why the hell am I standing in my own hallway feeling like I’m the one about to be left behind? Maya is right in front of me. Her arms are crossed, but her eyes aren’t sharp the way they usually are. They’re uncertain. Her lips are glossy. Still. Like she hasn’t stopped thinking about how close we were. I step closer, lowering my voice. “If you leave now…” I pause. “…I don’t get to finish what I started.” Silence. Her breath catches. Bree makes a noise beside her like she’s watching a live sp

Chapter 7

MayaThe second Bree and I stepped out of the football house, the cold night air hit my overheated face like a reality check.Behind us, the chaos of the party was dying fast—people spilling out onto the lawn, groaning dramatically like their lives were ending because Coach Daniels had ruined their fun.I, however, was just trying to breathe like a normal person.Which was difficult when my lips still felt… aware.Bree waited until we were halfway across the yard before she burst out laughing.Not a cute giggle.A full-on, hands-on-her-stomach laugh.“Oh my God,” she wheezed. “Maya.”I shot her a look. “Don’t.”“I’m sorry—” she gasped, “I’m sorry, but you were this close—”“Bree.”She held her hands up like she couldn’t help herself.“I have never seen Rogue Ryder look that confused in my entire life.”I scoffed, hugging my arms tighter around myself as we reached our porch.“He was not confused.”“He was spiritually humbled,” Bree corrected.I fumbled with the doorknob, desperate to

Chapter 8

ColeI slept like absolute garbage.Not the usual kind either—the kind where you wake up groggy because you stayed up too late.No.This was the kind where you fall asleep for maybe twenty minutes at a time, then wake up staring at the ceiling like your brain has decided sleep is optional.Because every time I closed my eyes…I saw her.Maya.Standing in my hallway in that red dress.Looking at me like she wanted to argue with me and kiss me at the same time.And then walking away.I groan into my pillow.“Unbelievable.”Most guys on campus would kill to have my problem.Captain of the team.Starting quarterback.Girls who smile the second I walk into a room.I don’t chase.I never have to.Except apparently now.Because Maya didn’t just walk away.She walked away like she didn’t care.And that’s been living in my head rent-free for the last eight hours.I roll over and check the time.8:12 a.m.Too early for this nonsense.Unfortunately, my teammates are already awake.I can hear the

Chapter 9

ColeAfter my first class ends, I’ve got about an hour before my next lecture, so I head back to the house. It’s usually quieter during the day, which makes it the only time I can actually get homework done.When I walk into the kitchen, I see Jake sitting at the table with a bottle of water pressed against his forehead like he’s trying to survive a battlefield.Jake plays on the offensive line and lives here in the house with the rest of us.Right now he looks miserable.“Jake,” I say, dropping my backpack on the counter. “How’s it going?”He groans.“Too much fun last night, bro. Way too much.”I grab a bottle of water from the fridge.“That’s why I cut myself off early and switched to water.”Jake finally lifts his head and squints at me.“I’d rather get flattened in a game than deal with this hangover.”I laugh.“Rookie mistake.”Jake mutters something about never drinking again, which we both know isn’t true.But my mind isn’t really on the conversation.It’s next door.Still thi

Chapter 10

MayaI just got back from my classes, but I barely have time to breathe before I need to get ready for work.My scholarship covers tuition and books, but it doesn’t cover rent or food. That part is on me.Which is why I work nights at Po Folks.Po Folks is one of those themed restaurants that leans hard into the whole country, hillbilly aesthetic. The servers wear jeans and these ridiculous checkered tops with puffed sleeves that show just enough midriff to make you feel mildly uncomfortable. Our hair has to be pulled up, and we’re supposed to talk with exaggerated country charm.It’s… a lot.But the pay is good and it’s close to campus, so I deal with it.The worst part is the college crowds.Students come in after games or parties all the time, usually because of the bathrooms.The restaurant calls them “The Shidders.”Yes. Really.And we’re required to say things like, “The shidders are that way, honey.”College kids think it’s hilarious.After the hundredth time saying it in a nig

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