ZOEY'S POV

I laid in front of my laptop with my chest pressed against a pillow, eyes fixed on the screen as I watched a thriller Farrah had recommended. She'd given me a list of movies to get through, and today, with Mom and Dad away, seemed like the perfect time.

Farrah had warned me it was R-rated, but I didn't care. I was twenty, not twelve. A sophomore student in college who could handle an erotic movie.

Halfway through, the sex scenes started. And before long, I felt heat pooling low in my stomach, the urge to touch myself impossible to ignore. It was my first time, and it felt better than I'd expected. I couldn't help the sounds that slipped out as I lost myself in the rhythm, my eyes still half-fixed on the screen.

I threw my head back, hair spilling across my shoulders, completely gone. So gone that I didn't hear the door open. Didn't notice someone slip inside and stand there, watching, until I gasped through my finish and went still.

"Masturbating alone seems boring. Let me help."

I froze and placed the voice immediately. My eyes snapped open and I yanked my hand back, sitting upright and hiding it behind me like that would undo anything.

I glared up at him. "I see you've never heard of knocking. Consent exists. Google it."

He almost smiled. "Didn't mean to interrupt your... session."

Heat crawled up my neck and into my face. My brother's best friend had just caught me touching myself to what was essentially pornography.

I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me completely.

"Why are you here, Theoi?" My voice came out sharper than I intended.

"I've told you, it's Theo."

I hate his voice. Smooth and unhurried, like nothing in the world rattles him. It makes my blood boil faster than anything else.

"Call yourself whatever you want. Why are you here?" I snapped the laptop shut.

Theo glanced at it for a moment. "I never took you for this kind of girl, Zoey. Pretty scandalous."

I hate everything about Theo Denning. His voice. His calm. The way he takes up space without apologizing for it.

"Answering questions isn't optional." I rolled my eyes. "Just so you know."

"Adam wants you downstairs for dinner. Should I tell him how busy you were?"

"I will actually kill you if you say a word to Adam." I jabbed a finger toward him.

"Threats look good on you." His eyes gleamed as he turned to leave.

I grabbed my laptop and followed.

Adam was already at the dining table, food spread out in front of him. He looked up when we walked in.

"What took so long?"

"I was busy," I said, taking the seat across from him. Theo sat two seats away. Still too close.

"Busy watching a film, apparently," Theo murmured, low enough that only I caught it.

My eyes cut to his. I gritted my teeth and said nothing, which took more restraint than it should have.

"What was that?" Adam glanced between us.

"Talking to myself." Theo flashed him a quick smile and went back to eating.

I cleared my throat. "When are they coming back?"

Adam reached for his wine. "Tomorrow. Maybe next week. Hard to say."

"So they just don't care enough to be here." My grip tightened on my fork.

"They do care, Zoey. Mom calls me three times a week."

Three times a week. They'd never once called me. Not unless something needed handling.

"They've never called me. Not once, Adam."

Silence settled over the table like something heavy.

"Not even one time. Like I don't exist to them."

My eyes stung. My throat closed around whatever else I wanted to say.

"Give them time," Adam said quietly, turning back to his plate. "They'll come around."

I wanted to ask when, but I swallowed the question instead. Not now, and definitely not in front of Theo.

"Don't tell me you're about to cry."

I looked up, and as I expected, Theo was watching me. There was a look in his eyes, but it wasn't the mockery that I had expected. It was almost like he was trying to pull me back from the edge of tears.

It worked, somehow. The tightness in my chest loosened just enough for me to snap at him. "Fuck off, Theo."

"Hey, hey, hey! No more cursing," he said, mouth tilting. "You're supposed to be innocent, remember?"

ZOEY’S POV

Ever since Adam introduced Theo as his best friend and housemate, he never ceased to taunt me at any slightest chance he got. It was funny to me that the girls in our college thought him handsome and charming. If they knew how big of a bully he was, they wouldn’t be tripping for someone like him.

“Isn’t he so hot?” Farrah squirmed, staring at Theo’s and Adam’s photo on her phone.

“You must be sick, Farrah.” I shook my head, grabbing my backpack, ready to leave as our classes were cancelled.

“Admit it, Zoey. Theo and Adam are hotties. You’re lucky you got one as your brother and the other as your brother’s best friend.” Her eyes remained glued to the phone and I couldn’t help but sigh.

I could see that Farrah had finally joined other college girls in falling for fuck boys like my brother and his best friend.

“I’m leaving for the cafeteria,” I rose to my feet. “You can keep staring at them.”

“What, no! You can’t leave me here!” She yelled, grabbing her back pack also. “Let’s leave for the cafeteria then, I’m so hungry.”

A laugh tore off my lips at her sudden change in attitude. “What should we choose? I’m so tired of the boring menu in the cafeteria.”

Her lips formed into a pout and her brows arched, a sign of her displeasure which only made me chuckle even more. Before I could give her a reply, my phone dinged and when I checked whose message it was, it turned out to be from Adam. My older brother.

‘Come down to the lodge. I need you to do something for me.’

I frowned upon reading the message. Why would the almighty Adam of the hockey team need the help of his nerd little sister?

“Farrah, you’d need to go to the cafeteria alone. Adam wants me at his lodge.”

Farrah heaved a sigh, her displeasure obvious. “I guess I will have to go on my own.”

“I’m really sorry.”

I grabbed my backpack and left the class, heading to the sports lodge.

The walk from the campus to the sports lodge took about five minutes and once I arrived, I headed to the football and Hockey team lodge.

Ever since I became a student at MCcall College, I kept wondering why the football and Hockey team lodge were merged together.

If anything, hockey and ice skating should be together, since both sports are played on ice. But it turned out my question would never get an answer, because no one was interested in telling me, not even Adam, my brother.

Upon arriving at the entrance door to the lodge, I paused and inhaled sharply before placing a knock on the door.

It’d be rude of me to barge into a lodge filled with boys, who might probably be naked or shirtless.

I would rather let the earth swallow me than embarrass myself in front of hundreds of boys—naked boys.

My brows furrowed when I didn’t get a response. Adam specifically asked for my present at the lodge, so he was expected to respond when I got there but why wasn’t anyone responding?

Raising my folded knuckles to the door, I placed a knock once again, this time I got a response.

Initially, it wasn’t a response but a groan from someone, like I had just interrupted their alone moment.

“Adam? Adam, is that you?” I asked but got no reply this time.

Without wasting as much as a second, I grabbed the door knob and pushed it open.

I thought it was Adam who groaned like he was sick, that was why I was prompted to push the door open, but when I did, I almost regretted it.

First; there was no one in the lodge, well, except for one.

Two; when I heard someone groaned, I thought it was my brother, so I hastily pushed the door open.

Third; Turned out that the person who groaned like I had interrupted their moment was my brother’s best friend, Theo.

He was dressed in a hoodie and his hair damped. His rumpled hair made him look like a rag doll and that earned a chuckle from me.

I wasn’t meant to chuckle, at least not in that kind of situation. I was supposed to ask him where Adam was and why he needed me to do something for him.

“Why are you here, Zoey?” His deep voice rang out, snapping me out of my daze. “Adam is not here.”

“Exactly.” I nodded, meeting his gaze. “I got a text from him. He wants me here so I can help him with something.”

“Call him, then. You just interrupted me.”

For a second, I saw his eyes blazed with anger, but it disappeared as fast as it came.

“Well, then, I’m not sorry. If you need someone to blame, Adam should be the one.” I rolled my eyes as I reached for my phone in my cross bag.

I dialed Adam’s line but he didn’t pick it up. Not the first call and neither the second.

If he wasn’t going to be in the lodge, why would he call me to help him?

All I wanted was to leave the lodge as I couldn’t stand a minute with Theo.

Just when I was about to call for the third time, a message popped in and upon reading it, my pupils dilated in shock.

‘You need to help Theo. You both have to kiss.’

“You’ve got to be kidding me, Adam!” I smiled. A smile of disbelief. “Why would I do that!”

“Why are you screaming? Can you please lower your voice? No one is screwing your pussy,” Theo’s face twisted in anger, his nostrils flaring. “Easy there, tigress.”

I had no idea why he was suddenly mad because I doubt it was because of my sudden burst into the lodge.

My gaze narrowed on Theo as I asked, “you know about this, don’t you?”

“From my knowledge, Zoey, I don’t think I owe you an explanation.” He simply said as he rose to his feet, throwing his hands into his pants.

“Adam wants us to do it together!” I stomped my feet to the ground.

“And why can’t you say it?” He snapped his head toward my direction, his jaw clenched. “Are we fucking? So why can’t you say what Adam needs us to do?”

“He wants us to kiss!” I yelled. “This might not be a big deal for you because I know you don’t give a flying fuck about it, but it is a big deal for me!”

“And why is it a big deal? I doubt this is your first kiss.” His lips stretched into a smirk. “You were good at masturbating, so I doubt you’ve not had your first kiss.”

Raising my hand, I raked it into my hair in frustration. “Why would Adam want us to kiss? Why?”

Even if I was to do it, at least there should be a reason. I can’t just let Theo kiss me like a worthless whore without giving me a detailed explanation on why we had to do it.

“Why not ask your brother? I told him not to do this because I can handle it myself, but he insisted.”

“And what is that fucking thing!” I stomped my feet once again but Theo’s eyes darkened.

His dark gaze met mine and for a second, I couldn’t breath.

The way his gaze ceased me up, I forgot how to breathe.

“You don’t raise your voice at me, Zoey. If you do, I will make you regret it.” He drew, taking slow but steady steps towards me.

While he neared where I stood, I took a step backwards until my back hit the wall.

A gasp escaped my lips as he towered over me like a god, while I looked like an insect in front of him.

“My Mom is coming over to Boston and she wants me to be with my girlfriend during her visit, if not, I will have to go on different blind dates,” he paused and leaned forward, meeting my gaze on equal length.

“And what does that have to do with me?” I muttered, feeling my fingers clutching the side of my dress. “Why do I have to help you?”

“You don’t have to, Zoey.” Theo let out the closest thing to a smile….. a smirk. “You can leave now and I won’t stop you.”

Immediately those words left his lips, I was tempted to run and never look back, but why was my legs not moving willingly?

They were frozen to the ground, unable to move an inch.

“What’s wrong? You also want a taste of my lips?” His full brows arched as he narrowed his gaze. “Leave, Zoey. I don’t want to hurt you.”

“Who said you’re hurting me? I will help you because my brother asked me to.” I blurted out without thinking and not until the words left my lips before I realized what I had done.

There was no going back again. I shouldn’t have offered to help. Why should I help someone I consider my enemy?

“Well then, thanks for your help,” He leaned a bit closer. So close enough our breaths mingled. “Thanks to your brother, I get to taste your lips.”

Without any warning or whatsoever, he captured my lips, kissing and nibbling on my lower lips like he had been waiting for this moment all his life.

My eyes were still wide open in shock, while he kissed me.

My heart began to race in discomfort but I couldn’t push him away because I agreed to it.

“Fucking kiss me back, Zoey.”

My eyes snapped shut afterwards as I reciprocated the kiss. One I detest so much.

ZOEY'S POV

The kiss had lasted for barely a minute. It was almost sixty seconds of heat, confusion, and everything I didn’t want to feel.

The moment I came to my senses, I pulled back, my heart hammering against my chest and without hesitation, I slapped Theo hard across the face.

The sound echoed inside the sport lodge and this was followed by a deafening silence that lasted for a minute.

I watched as his head jerked slightly. I could see the red mark blooming on his cheek as a result of the hit.

Unsure of what was going to happen next, I staggered backwards, staring at him with my mouth slightly parted.

All the while, I had my gaze fixated on him. I wanted him to talk, to just say anything or flinch to show he was affected by the hit but he did not say anything.

He just stood there, his eyes unreadable.

“You don’t get to do that,” I hissed, wiping my lips like they burned. “Don’t you ever come near me again.” I broke the silence between us, wielding my middle finger in his face.

Still, he didn’t speak. He was just staring at me like he was daring me to mean what I said.

His attitude made my stomach churn as anger mixed with irritation ran through my veins.

After a few more minutes of glaring at him, I turned on my heel and then stormed out of the lodge, my chest tight as my hands trembled.

No matter how much I tried, I just couldn't control my rage, I felt like I was blowing up.

His look was neatly stamped in my head and the fact that I couldn't shake it off made me even more livid.

I hated that he looked so calm. I hated that the kiss had… meant something and for that one stupid minute, I had wanted it.

Still raving with anger, I stormed towards the cafeteria but before I walked through the door, I had plastered the fakest smile I could manage.

Standing by the door, I allowed my eyes to scan the large room until I saw Farrah waving at me with a large smile plastered on her face which I returned.

She must have been waiting for me and so without wasting any more time, I rushed towards the table.

“Girl, you look like you just ran a marathon,” she said as I dropped into the seat across from her.

I forced a laugh, throwing my head sideways so she wouldn't see my face properly, “It’s nothing, just practice.” I replied, returning my gaze to her with a smug look.

Pushing a chip into her mouth, she said, “You were gone for almost an hour. And you look like you’re about to throw something at someone.”

I shoved a spoonful of mashed potatoes into my mouth just to avoid answering.

My face felt hot and my whole body was still buzzing from the aftermath of that kiss, and the slap.

Leaning forward with her hands folded in front of her, Farrah narrowed her eyes at me, “What happened?”

“Nothing,” I lied through my teeth, forcing a smile to placate her and put an end to the questioning but I should have known better.

“Zoey…” She called with a raised brow.

“I’m fine,” I snapped a little too fast as I was angry she was pushing forward with it.

With a softened look now, I mumbled, “I’m telling the truth.” I groaned and with a shrug, said, "I’m just tired.”

Farrah didn’t buy it. I could see it in her face and demeanour but she dropped it at least for now.

At the end of the last class for the day, I rushed home, hoping and praying that my parents had finally returned.

Last night before going to bed and early this morning, I had tried to reach mom but she didn't pick her calls.

I had even texted her but still it was the same result. I bet she was so busy that she didn't even have time to check her phone.

But still she should have created time for me despite her busy schedule.

They had been gone for over a week now on that so-called “urgent business trip.” I had missed them so much even if I had never said it out loud.

I needed the normalcy of having my father and mother around, I needed someone who would ask how my day was without ulterior motives or tension hanging in the air.

When I got home I kicked the door in, revealing a dark, cold and empty house.

Rolling my eyes, I slammed the door shut, dropped my bag on the couch and with a sigh, I fished out my phone from my jacket.

Without hesitation, I dialed my mom’s number, praying she would pick up this time around but it was a repeat of what had happened the previous day.

Just when I was about to give up calling, she picked up on the third ring and immediately, I let out the breath I had been holding back.

“Why are you calling?” That was the first words that left her lips, making my chest tightened.

I’ve never had a mother and daughter relationship with my Mom. She’d rather drown herself in heaps of files, than spend time with me.

My stomach sank at her words. “You’re still not home.” I spoke with an accusatory tone.

There was a brief pause before she answered, “Things are a little complicated over here.”

Slowly, I lowered myself on the arm of the couch, hoping nothing had gone wrong, “What’s going on?”

There was another pause, then my father’s voice came onto the line.

“Zoey, listen.” He started, his voice low and stern. “We won’t be coming home until after two months. We have a lot of businesses to deal with over here.”

“Two months? Are you serious?” I gasped, my breath hitched in my throat as my heartbeat doubled.

“We know it’s not ideal,” Mom added. “But you stay with Adam for a while until we’re back.”

I blinked trying to wrap my head around what I had just heard, “Adam? As in, my brother?” I asked for confirmation.

“Yes.”

“And his best friend?”

Another silence came through and it said everything which made my pulse spike.

“You mean Theo. The same Theo I slapped across the face this afternoon.”

“You what?” Mom gasped. “You’re becoming a brat, Zoey and I won’t tolerate such!” Mom snapped.

“Never mind,” I quickly said. “Why can’t I just stay home? I’m not a child anymore, I can take care of myself.”

“For goodness sake, I’m in my second year in college." I huffed.

“It’s all up to you. But just so you know, if anything happens to you while you’re alone, that’s on you. We won’t be responsible.”

I stared at the wall, my jaw clenched as anger boiled through my veins.

“So I don’t get a say?” I was barely keeping my anger in check now. I fear I was going to erupt soon.

“You don’t. You’ve always been an obedient child. Don’t change.” Mom responded, her voice edged with anger.

I was furious and wasn't prepared to hear anymore so I hung up, tossing my phone on the couch before throwing myself down and screaming into a cushion.

Of all the possible outcomes, living with Adam was something I dreaded but I could manage.

But Theo? After what happened between us? After that kiss, that slap and that look he gave me?

Hell no!

The more I thought of it, the more emptier the house felt. I thought of calling Farrah, but I couldn’t find the words to explain the mess I was in.

Why can't I stop thinking about Theo’s mouth on mine?

Why am I remembering the way his hand had gently cupped the back of my neck, like he meant it?

And worse, what did it mean that I didn’t hate it?

I told myself over and over again that he was the enemy. The guy who always got under my skin, teased me, irritated me.

He was the guy who made me feel like I was always one second away from slapping or kissing him again.

I lay on the couch, staring at the ceiling.

If things went my parents way, in less than 24 hours, I would be packing up and moving in with the two people who drove me crazy in completely different ways.