Bad Romeo by Leisa Rayven Read Free Book Online Page B

walk out of my History of Theater class, my brain churning with information on Roman amphitheaters, when I run smack-bang into the chest of someone tall and still.
    Of course, my notes go flying.
    “Frack!”
    The tall someone chuckles, and my hackles rise.
    I look up into Holt’s smirking face. My expression must scream of impending violence, because his smile drops faster than Zoe Stevens’s panties on a Saturday night.
    When I bend to pick up my notes, he’s beside me. I want to slap his hands away, because since the getting-to-know-you exercise on our first day, he hasn’t spoken a word to me. I’m not cool with that.
    “Just leave them,” I say as he gathers up my notes.
    He holds out the notes, and I snatch them without looking up.
    I bite back the instinct to say “thank you,” because after the way he’s treated me, he doesn’t deserve it.
    “Thank you,” I mumble involuntarily.
    Damn you, automated politeness!
    “You’re welcome,” he says in his stupid smooth voice.
    I push past him and stride down the stairs toward the Hub. Within a few seconds, he’s walking beside me like it’s the most natural thing in the world.
    “Big week, huh?” he says. “I thought Erika was going to kick Lucas out when he showed up stoned, but I think she realized he’s a better actor when he’s half-baked.”
    I stop and turn to face him. “Holt, you do not get to ignore me for a week then start gabbing away like nothing happened.”
    “I haven’t been ignoring you.”
    “Oh, yes you have.”
    “No, ignoring you would be to disregard your presence. I’ve noticed you. I’ve just chosen to not speak to you.”
    “Is that better or worse than ignoring me completely?”
    “Slightly better.”
    I throw up my hands. “Well, thank God. I won’t take offense then.”
    “Good for you.”
    “I was being sarcastic, butt-munch.”
    “Taylor, are you always this grumpy, or are you PMSing?”
    “What?! I’m … What?! PMSing?! You are so … God! Shut up! ”
    I walk away, but he keeps pace, and my PMS is making me crazy-angry and weepy at the same time.
    “Why are you following me?!”
    “I’m not following you. I’m walking beside you.”
    Holy Jesus, give me strength!
    “What do you want?” I ask, feeling like a tiny yappy dog next to him.
    He sighs and looks down at his ridiculous, giant feet. “Nothing. Are you going to Jack’s party tonight?”
    “Why do you want to know?”
    He rubs his eyes. “I have no fucking idea.”
    “Are you going?”
    “Probably not.”
    “Then sure, I’ll be there.”
    He looks at me for a few more seconds before frowning like he’s trying to calculate how many watermelons will fit in a Winnebago. Then, without saying another word, he turns and walks away.
    “Oh, okay, so we’re done here?” I say to his back. “Well, thanks for making the effort. Your conversation skills are truly stimulating!”
    Thank God it’s the weekend. I won’t have to see him for two whole days.
    By the time I’ve stomped back to my apartment, any desire to go to the party has disintegrated. All I want to do is soak in the tub for a few hours, eat my own weight in Ben & Jerry’s, and go to bed.
    Ruby has other ideas.
    “Get up.”
    “I don’t wanna,” I say, sounding like a two-year-old.
    “You’re going.”
    “Ruby…”
    “Don’t start with me, Cassie. It’s our first college party, and you’re going if I have to drag you there by your hair. Judging by your face when you walked in the door, you seriously need to get laid.”
    I roll my eyes. I wish I was the sort of girl who could solve her problems with white-hot animal sex. But considering my V-card is well and truly valid and flirting isn’t exactly my forte, the best I can hope for is to not have a completely sucky time.
    “I think the only person getting laid tonight will be you, Ruby.”
    She throws up her hands. “Cassie, you’re gorgeous. You could have any guy you wanted if you just showed a bit of