A Taste Of Him: The One I Was Never Meant to Want

ter

ora'

ipping from my forehead, football tucke

y? He's been blowing up my phone too!"

ted. "Don't you dare sit yo

ired of having the same words and arguments

s, heart pounding with frustration-only to be amb

ayla's squealing v

u're gonna make my ear

California! OMG girl, I can't wait to see you again!

yla. You also live in Rave

inally back in the same city!" Layl

to see you again ?Yaaayyy!" we both squealed at

. "I can't wait, Layla!

e now! Sleepovers, gossip, rebuild

it!" I laughed, jumping

ssip," Layla added

else is in R

"Don't say

Oh, I'm saying it

fell off

re

owed to avoid for

mood," I said, rolling her eyes tow

te each other. That guy's been more of a jerk lately. Ugh, I've

irl!" I said as the call

n, shouting, "Mom! You didn't tell m

oven, turned to me. "I was going to

with Layla," I

s. "I've got another s

up instantly.

the same school as L

joke, Mom! OMG! I finally got admission into Rave

ng," my mom

my mom. "Thank you so much, Mom

u really need a bath." my mom he

-

o far, especially with Layla around. I hoped

older brother on campus. I had planned to avoid him like the plague-we were always r

tarted when he opened the door shirtless. I froze

on-leaning against the door

his collarbone. His hair was messy and damp, like he'd just steppe

rous, before resting on my fac

I muttered, r

e said, voice low and

ed. Out of anno

," I snapped, brushing

red behind me. "I

yes so hard I

pray. Soft throw blankets everywhere. Shoes scattered near the staircase. A cozy h

upposed to be h

ardwood floor. "Trust me, Aurora, if I

eyes lingered on

een us. His gaze felt like a hand on my spine, warm and distracting

, remember?" he ret

se help me," I mut

ed down the stairs

wn to hug me, nearly knocking me ove

or her warmth. "Your brother a

Gross. He's home for t

ying," I

noticed Jaxon behind me.

axon s

cking t

hing d

to your room-I'm getting sick f

epened. "Sure

ned. "Pleas

, walking past us toward the kitche

oks at his ugly

for the distraction. Her room smelled like strawberries and coconut sh

ernight bag when Layla

kicking her leg

Wh

nds are planning a p

thing with that annoying ki

people at RPU. Socialize. Live a little. Don't

oice drifted from the hall

to go anywhere if

eath s

axon, why are yo

at smirk was gone. He wasn't teasing. He was

s scared to get drunk or end up

. "You don't know w

ing over me again, slower this

illow at him

. His gaze stayed h

go away," L

stepped back

corner, he said, loud eno

ssed anno

eath c

t's when

od wasn'

Grays

ow... he w

trouble he brought next, palms pressed toget