“Oh yeah,” she replies on a pant, pushing back against her partner, who grunts and groans as his fingers tighten on her hips making it startling obvious that the show is about to reach its climax.
Crap. I really need to get out of here. I give Logan one last shove and this time he knows I’m serious and we all start backing out of the room. “Ok, well, have fun and come hard,” Carter encourages with a fist pump before closing the door behind us and bursting out laughing on the other side.
“Can you believe that shit?” I shriek as Sean takes off. “Hey,” I call after him, “Where are you going?”
“Administrative office,” he calls over his shoulder. “There is no way you are staying in that room, there is probably DNA from one corner to the next.” He disappears through the doors leaving me with the two idiots who are still laughing about the scene on the other side of the door.
“C’mon,” I say as I head for the external doors. “There must be a notice board or something with roommate adverts around here somewhere. After seeing that I think I’d prefer to rent a place.”
We walk around campus for 10 minutes before we finally find a notice board and just as I had hoped, there are a few ads posted. I pull off the ads and hand a few to my brothers and we all get started making some calls. Sean catches up to us with a grim face, “Sorry, kid, there are no other dorm rooms available,” he says, “But apparently there is an online forum where students can post about this kind of stuff.”
I pull out my phone and get searching while I hand the rest of the ads to Sean.
Five minutes later Carter pipes up, “There’s a place just down the road, 2 bedrooms, cheap rent but really small. Apparently, the girls’ brother demands that she has a female roommate.”
“Whoa. The girls’ brother?” Logan asks, suddenly on edge.
Carter snorts. “My thoughts exactly. He is an athlete so lives with his team so hopefully shouldn’t be a problem.”
“Ahhh.” Logan grins, “Those were the good old days,” he says, clearly remembering the time he had on this very campus, living in the Hockey House.
“Alright, let’s check it out,” Sean says.
“Wait,” I call. “How much is cheap rent?”
“Don’t worry about the rent,” Carter says. “We’ll cover it just like we did in New York.”
“I know, but I want to pay.”
“Sorry, kid,” Sean cuts in. “You know Dad’s rules, just coz he isn’t around to enforce them, doesn’t mean we’re not.”
“But-“
“No, buts,” Logan cuts in. “That’s just the way it is.”
“Fine,” I sulk. “I know a losing battle when I see one.”
We head back to the cars and before long we’re pulling up to a small house. We park and head up to the front door, “Well, this is going to be different to New York.” Carter murmurs.
“You got that right,” I respond.
Sean reaches out and knocks on the door.
A moment later the door is pulled open by a guy just as big as my brothers. The boys stare him down while the guy does exactly the same. “Thought a chick lived here?” Logan asks.
“What’s it to you who lives here?” The guy responds.
Logan narrows his eyes on the guy and it’s clear this conversation is going nowhere. “Hi,” I say ignoring the pissing contest that seems to be going on and gaining the big guy’s attention. “I’m Cassie, these are my big brothers. We were told there was a room for rent here?”
“Yeah,” he says, “For you?”
“Yes,” I reply hesitantly, “I thought a girl lived here?”
“I do, I do, I do,” comes a feminine voice from the hallway. “Move out of the way, you big moron, you’re going to scare her away.”
A small brunette girl pushes herself between the door and the big guy. She jams her elbow into his ribs, forcing him to take a step back. “Hi,” the girl smiles, reaching out her hand towards me, “I’m Brianna and this is my twin brother Bobby and yes, I am looking for a roommate and no, this big boofhead won’t be here,” she says, indicating to the now scowling boofhead behind her.
“Hi, I’m Cassie,” I smile, already knowing I’m going to like this girl. “These are my brother’s Sean – basically married, Logan – thinks he’s a comedian and Carter – designated manwhore,” I say, pointing each of them out, though I know she will most likely forget who is who, after all the boys are triplets and look exactly the same.
Carter reaches around me and offers Brianna his hand while also giving her his dazzling smile and wink, the one he saves for special occasions. Bobby the boofhead groans as his sister instantly blushes and takes his hand. “Don’t!” I cry out, slapping Carter’s hand out of Brianna’s reach. “He shook hands with Bronny the showgirl, mid-performance and I’m yet to see him wash his hands.”
“Ugh,” Brianna cringes and steps slightly further away from Carter.
“What?” he shrugs, “I’m saving the smell for later.”
Both Brianna and I cringe once again but she manages to look past my brother’s foul tendencies and steps out of the doorway. “Come in,” she says, “I’ll give you a tour and then you can decide if it’s a right fit for you.”
I follow her inside and we head off down the hallway while the boys linger in the lounge room sussing out Bobby. “So…” I hear Logan start, “You’re an athlete?”
I drown out their conversation as I follow Brianna into the kitchen. She shows me around and I instantly fall in love with the place. “So you’re a senior then, I’m assuming?” she asks as she heads into what would be my bedroom.
“Yeah, a senior. Just moved from back from New York. You?” I ask as we step into the room to find a small bedroom, fully furnished with a double bed.
“Yeah, same,” she replies. “Do you like it so far?”
“I do,” I grin.
“Good,” she smiles back at me. “I don’t see the point in having a car here so the garage would be all yours.”
“I’ll take it,” I smile.
“Really? Thank god,” she says with relief. “Do you have any idea how hard it has been to find a roommate? Bobby has run off everyone that has come so far. You’re the only one he has let through the door.”
“Seriously?” I ask as we make our way back to the guys.
“Yeah, he is a bit protective though, I’m sure by the way your brothers all showed up, you know a little something about that.”
“Damn straight, I do,” I laugh as all four sets of male eyes land on us.
“Do you think it will ever stop?” she whispers as the boy’s eye us curiously.
“No a chance in Hell.” I grin.
“I’m assuming since you’re not running out the door that you like it here?” Sean asks, hopeful.
“Well, I’m guessing that Brianna here isn’t a crazy person or isn’t going to kill me in my sleep. So, taking that into account then yes, you can start unloading the truck,” I tell them, with a smile.
“Thank, fuck,” Carter breathes as he turns on his heel and heads out to the truck with an agreeable Logan, Sean, and Bobby on his heels.
Between the four boys, the Dodge RAM is unloaded in no time and my new room is completely set up.
“You all good?” Logan asks as he places the last of my things down on the dining table.
I take a quick look around and realise everything is done, apart from putting my clothes away and making the bed, though I know for a fact these idiots aren’t going to help with that. “Yeah, I’m all good,” I tell him as he pulls me into a big bear hug.
“Be safe, Cassie Bear,” he tells me. “I have to head back to the city tomorrow but the boys will be around if you need anything.”
“I know,” I grumble as he lets me go and makes room for Sean and Carter to say their goodbyes.
Brianna disappears into the fridge and brings out a celebratory bottle of wine while I watch in amusement as Bobby and the boys all start exchanging numbers.
She hands me a glass of wine and we clink our glasses together. “It sure is,” I agree as I take a sip.
“We’ll come watch a few games when we can,” Sean tells Bobby as he claps him on his large, beefy shoulder and steps out the door, throwing a wave over his shoulder to me. A sinking feeling begins to settle in the pit of my stomach as I know there is only one game on planet earth that my brothers would go out of their way to watch.
“Games?” I whisper to Brianna, who I notice is far too occupied blushing at Carter as he winks at her again before also stepping out the door.
Just freaking great.
“Cya,” I call after them as the door closes behind them, leaving me with Bobby and Brianna in my new home.
Bobby is staring down at his phone when his head suddenly snaps up to me “Wait… your brother... Logan,” he clarifies, “he’s not Logan Waters, as in NHL, Pro Hockey Logan Waters?” he asks, his eyes widening in excitement.
“Ah, yeah,” I confirm as that sinking feeling gets worse. “You know Hockey?”
“Yeah, you could say that,” he scoffs, raising his eyebrow at me as if I should know who he is.
Brianna rolls her eyes at her brother. “Bobby is on the Hockey team here, The Denver Dragon’s,” she explains. “He considers himself to be top shit around here, though personally, I think his ego is slightly getting in the way,” she laughs.
“Pft, whatever,” he scoffs walking forward and knocking his sister in the arm. “Me and Jax are campus legends this year. Especially when we bring home that Championship.”
My whole world crumbles in on itself at the mention of his name. How the hell did I get into this situation? “You know Jaxon?” I ask as my heart rate picks up and my hands begin to sweat.
“Yeah,” he responds, looking me over with narrowed, curious eyes. “Best friend and team Captain. Why? You one of his many conquests?” he asks with a knowing wink and cheesy grin.
Oh, no, no, no. The one person I need to avoid this year and I’ve just moved in with his best friends’ twin sister. Great move Cass.
“Ahhh, something like that,” I respond. “He’s someone from my past and I’d love it if he could stay there,” I tell them.
“No worries, babe” Bobby laughs. “Jax doesn’t make a habit of repeat performances. I think you’re good,” he says, not realising how his casual comments about Jax’ sex life tears my heart to absolute shreds. He pokes around in the fridge and pulls out a Gatorade before grabbing a bag from the bench. “Anyway, I’m out of here, got to hit the gym. Nice meeting you Cass, let me know if you need anything.”
“Uh, thanks,” I smile as he makes his way to the door. “Oh, hey,” I call after him, “Can you not mention any of this to Jax?” I beg.
“Sure,” he laughs then make a cross over his chest like a fifth grader. “Your secret is safe with me.”
He disappears through the door and lets it slam closed behind him. “Right,” Brianna starts as she grabs my nearly empty glass of wine and heads into the kitchen to refill it. “I know I just met you, but I saw the pain behind your eyes when Bobby was talking about Jax,” she says as she hands me back my glass. “I know there is a heartbroken story there and I have a feeling you’re in the need for a good vent.”
“I swear, you must be my soul sister,” I laugh.
“Good,” she smiles, “Plonk your ass down on that couch, I’ll order Chinese and once you’re finished spilling the beans on Jaxon, you can tell me all about Carter and I can steal his number from your phone.”
“Oh, Jesus,” I groan. “I’m going to freaking love you.”
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