CHAPTER ONE

Thalia

“I’M SO GLAD to be again. You don’t have any thought how a lot I missed ice. Ice of all issues,” I say, smiling at my older brother. Owen grabs my final suitcase whereas I modify the carry-on strap on my shoulder.

“I like listening to you missed ice greater than you missed me. Makes me really feel like an incredible brother, Thalia,” Owen retorts. “We have now loads of ice again on the residence.”

“I missed you too. You don’t perceive. I may discuss to you anytime, however getting greater than three ice cubes felt unattainable. My buddies would make enjoyable of me if I requested for extra as a result of the drinks already come chilled.” I look over at Owen, strolling subsequent to him as he towers over me. Owen’s blond hair is shorter than the final time I noticed him, and now he’s sporting a brief beard that makes him look just a few years older. “Thanks once more for letting me stick with you. I do know it’s in all probability not thrilling so that you can have me crash your vibe, however I respect it.”

I’ve a sense our dad and mom informed Owen he needed to let me reside with him as a result of they pay his lease, however it’s good to suppose my brother agreed to it on his personal.

He shrugs nonchalantly. “It’s not a giant deal. We had the additional room since Chris moved in together with his girlfriend.”

“We?” I ask, hoping I misheard what he mentioned. Owen appears as if he put his foot in his mouth by saying one thing he didn’t intend to. “Who’s we?”

“Effectively, Sebastian and I share the residence. I assumed you knew this?”

I shut my mouth shortly. I didn’t notice that I might even be residing with Bash when Owen prolonged the supply to maneuver in with him. I don’t belief myself to say something. So far as Owen is aware of, we fought final yr and haven’t spoken since.

“Lia, I swear he received’t even be within the residence that always. We’re all the time at class and apply.”

“Okay,” I agree calmly. At this level, I can’t say something. What’s executed is completed.

He appears at me skeptically. “That’s all? Simply okay?”

“I’m not the identical individual I used to be after I went to France. I’m twenty now, quickly to be twenty-one. I’m mature sufficient to get previous how a lot I dislike your greatest pal,” I say, feeling the humidity within the air as we step previous the airport doorways.

My blonde hair instantly begins to twist, and I cringe, wishing for the cooler air of France. Not less than there, I do know I don’t should see Sebastian, not to mention reside with him.

“Are you all set for courses?” Owen asks whereas we enterprise farther into the parking zone. I scan the parked automobiles, searching for his truck, however I don’t see the hideous factor wherever. I’m undecided why he nonetheless insists on driving that factor. Our dad and mom provided to assist him get a brand new one two years in the past, however Owen prefers sinking more cash into the silly truck than it’s price.

“I’ve to fulfill with my adviser tomorrow. I don’t fairly perceive why we are able to’t meet on Monday, but when she needs to work on a weekend, I’m not stopping her. I actually am going to overlook not having any homework, although. The previous yr was higher than I assumed it could be.”

I virtually didn’t come again for my sophomore yr at Duke. It was tempting to remain; Penelope needed me to. My hole yr in France helped me make connections, and I may have simply requested for a brand new project.

Owen laughs shortly, shaking his head. “Welcome to actual life once more.”

“Actual life and obligations.” I groan as he pulls a set of keys from his pocket. Lights flash subsequent to us, however it’s a automotive I don’t acknowledge. “Um, so the place’s the rust bucket?”

“Very humorous; it’s within the store. I needed to borrow Bash’s automotive.”

I ignore the truth that it’s Sebastian’s automotive, selecting to touch upon the unreliability of Owen’s.A part of me puzzled if he’d even have the ability to choose me up from the airport due to it. “Shock, shock. Why don’t you simply do away with it?” I ask, dropping my carry-on within the trunk of the sports activities automotive. Owen barely manages to suit my suitcase in subsequent to it as a result of the world is so small. What good is a automotive if you happen to can’t match something in it?

“As a result of I prefer it. Why do you might have a thousand lenses to your cameras?”

I roll my eyes and climb into the passenger seat with out saying one other phrase about his silly truck. It wouldn’t make any distinction to attempt explaining the completely different meanings behind the lenses to him.

After all that is the automotive Sebastian has now. It fits his large ego that’s in all probability solely grown for the reason that final time I noticed him—fairly automotive for a fairly man.

Nope, we can’t validate Sebastian’s attractiveness. It’s not truthful to my sanity.

It’s a beautiful automotive, although. The engine purrs quietly to life, and I can inform the standard of the leather-based is expensive by how delicate it feels. I believe I may be in love with it. That’s a a lot safer possibility than the choice of loving the proprietor.

“Swap seats with me so I can drive?” I ask, operating a hand over the black inside. It’s stunning.

“Completely not. Bash gave me particular directions that you just’re to not drive it until I’ve been shot and can’t function the automotive.”

Figures. Sounds precisely like him.

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