Chapter 13
little mayhem
DOMINIC
September
The sun is barely up, yet I’m already in the kitchen, brewing a pot of coffee. It’s become my routine the past two weeks: getting up early and leaving before anyone comes downstairs, staying at the shop late and coming home so exhausted I don’t have the energy to hold a conversation.
And when I can’t do that, I hang out at Luigi’s with Miles, and Matt on occasion, when his internship isn’t kicking his ass. Anything to avoid spending time at home.
It’s all because of her.
Mia.
Mayhem. She’s ruining my life. Rather than risk saying something stupid, it’s easier to just avoid her.
When the coffee is ready, I pour myself a cup and step out onto the back porch.
Though it’s humid, the air is cool, so I pull up the hood of my sweatshirt and lean against the back of the house, focusing on the rich aroma of my coffee.
As I sip, I listen to the sounds of the morning, the birds in the trees at the back of the yard.
I wish every morning could be this peaceful.
Figuring I should check the time, I pull my phone out of my pocket. When the screen lights up and there’s a slew of text notifications from Remi, I scowl.
Remi:
I’m at the Cove with the girls. Wanna join?
Remi:
Some guy just tried to hit on me If you were with me, that wouldn’t happen. Are you coming?
Remi:
Are you up?
Remi:
I miss you
A picture of her breasts in a red lacy bra that she sent me next.
Remi:
my girls miss you too
Fuck. She’s unbelievable.
Stomach souring, I lock my phone and slip it into my pocket.
I set my coffee on the ground and dig my cigarettes from the pocket of my jeans.
Just one with my coffee, and then I’ll leave.
As I cup my hand around the lighter, the sound of someone moving around the kitchen catches my attention, and I freeze.
“No wonder it’s so cold in here.”
Must be my lucky day. The girl I’m trying to avoid just walked into the kitchen.
“Asshole left the door open all night,” she mutters.
She pushes the screen door open and stands at the threshold.
At first, she doesn’t notice me, so I take the opportunity to study her, and my skin instantly turns scorching hot.
She’s in a dark red tweed miniskirt and a simple white tee.
It fits her like a glove, the fabric tracing every line of her toned abs and her full tits.
Fuck, if the sight doesn’t make my cock stir.
I light my cigarette and snap the lighter closed, getting her attention.
Her eyes dart my way, and she staggers back a step. “You scared me,” she hisses, grasping the door handle. “What are you doing out here?”
I take a drag and pick up my coffee. “What does it look like?”
She raises both arms and fixes her high ponytail, unknowingly tempting me to check out her tits again. “Good to know you haven’t completely lost the ability to speak. With how quiet you’ve been the last two weeks, I thought you’d taken a vow of silence.”
I huff a sardonic laugh. “You heard me talking to my dad yesterday.”
“Oh, sorry. I should’ve clarified—I thought you’d taken a vow of silence when it comes to me.”
I smirk. “Maybe.”
“How kind of you.” She turns on her heel and stomps back into the house, closing the door behind her.
I take a long drag of my cigarette, then another one. I take a sip of my coffee, which is already lukewarm. Fuck. I need to leave, but what I really want to do is go into the house and just be near her while no one else is around.
It’s a terrible idea, but when has that ever stopped me?
I hit the back of my head against the wall and let out a sigh. This pull I feel toward her will be the death of me. I put out the cigarette, take one more sip of my coffee, and go inside.
“Why are you up so early?” I ask, leaning my hip against the kitchen counter.
Without replying, she plucks a piece of toast from the toaster.
I trap my bottom lip between my teeth, studying her as she spreads a layer of avocado. Even doing something as simple as making breakfast, she’s full of sass. “Yeah. Every time I look at you, it’s confirmed. It’s the most suitable nickname for you.”
She turns around and stares, butter knife in hand. “You have a nickname for me?”
I nod.
“And what is it?”
I chuckle, feigning ease when inside, I’m flooded with need. “That’s not how it works.”
“What are you talking about?” She drops the knife into the sink then takes her plate to the breakfast bar.
“I asked you a question, and until you answer it, I’m not going to reply to yours.”
She takes a bite of her toast, her focus fixed on me. I wait, because apparently, I’m into mental flagellation when it comes to her.
“My first class is at eight, and I’m meeting up with a classmate beforehand to get started on an assignment for Foundations of Ethics and Diversity.” She lifts her chin. “Your turn.”
“Matt always calls you ‘little one,’ but I don’t think it fits you. I think you’re mayhem. A Little Mayhem.”
“Mayhem?”
“Yup.”
She rolls her eyes. “I shouldn’t have asked.”
Laughing, I head to the coffeepot. “Want a cup?”
“Sure,” she says. Her eyes burn into my back, but I don’t turn to look at her.
“Milk? Sugar?” I ask as I pour.
“No, just black.”
I set the mug in front of her and climb onto a stool. Sitting this close was a mistake. She’s gorgeous. This morning, the only makeup she’s wearing is mascara, and she’s got small silver hoops in her ears.
She cups her mug. “Why are you being so nice?”
I wiggle my eyebrows. “Because I am nice.”
“Right.” Without looking away, she brings her coffee to her lips and takes a slow sip.
“Look,” I say, letting out a sigh. “What I said about your ex was out of line. It’s none of my business who you’re friends with. As you so kindly pointed out, it was hypocritical of me.”
Her face lights up, her lips curling into a cute smile. “Wow. That wasn’t actually an apology, but it was close. I’d say you’re making progress.” She takes another bite of her toast and wipes her mouth with a napkin. “Keep it up, and I might believe you’ve grown into an actual adult.”
I lean back, assessing her. “Out of curiosity, what would it take for you to believe it? An essay in MLA format? Or maybe a presentation? I aced those kinds of projects in college.”
Her shoulders tremble as she laughs. “I might need to see both. It’d at least prove you’re putting in effort.”
God knows why, but I don’t want her to think I’m a total asshole.
I hate that she thinks I’m a douche who strings his ex along so he can have sex whenever he wants.
Or maybe I want to prove to myself I’m not that guy, that I’m responsible, dependable.
That I won’t make reckless decisions that risk my future.
That I won’t let my friends take the blame for my mistakes like I did with Miles. Or maybe it’s all of that at once.
Or maybe I really am just an asshole, and I should come to terms with that.
With a low hum, I lower my focus from her face to her chest. “I can think of an effective way.”
“Yeah?”
“I could just…show you.”
“Show me?”
“You want proof I’m an adult? I have a few ideas you might like.” I rest my elbows on the cool countertop and lean toward her. “Just tell me what you want, and I’ll do it.”
The way her jaw clenches brings a smile to my face. And that pinkish hue on her cheeks? The fucking best.
She shakes her head. “You’re so full of yourself.”
“And yet you’re still here.”
She lifts her mug, half hiding behind it, eyeing me warily. Then, her expression smoothing out, she glances at her watch and climbs off the stool.
“I better get going. I don’t want to be late.”
I get to my feet as well and collect her plate and mug. “Go get your stuff. I’ll give you a ride.”
“Why?”
With a shrug, I put the dishes in the sink then go back for my mug. “Why not? I’m headed to work now anyway. Would you prefer to take the bus?”
“Not really, but campus isn’t on your way.”
“So? It’ll only add a couple of minutes.” I turn and grip the edge of the counter on either side of me. “Go. I’ll load the dishwasher.”
I spin back around and turn on the faucet, doing my best to ignore her eyes on me.
When she’s finally gone, I let out a breath. I have no idea what I’m doing when it comes to her, but suddenly, I need to spend more time with her, and this is the perfect excuse.
Mia slides into the passenger seat of my black Tahoe and inspects the interior.
“What?” I ask, starting the engine.
“Dunno. It’s so clean, and it doesn’t smell like cigarettes.”
“That’s because I don’t smoke in my car, and I like my stuff clean.”
“Got it.” She looks out the window, her fingers fiddling with the hem of her skirt. “What else don’t you do in your car?”
“If you want to know something specific, all you need to do is ask. I don’t bite.”
“Thanks, I’m fine. I just wanted to know your rules so I can make sure I don’t break them.”
I stop at a red light and check her out subtly, taking her in from her knees up to her waist and her full tits. The tightness in my jeans makes me shift in my seat.
“Eyes on the road, Dominic,” she murmurs, laughter clear in her voice.
“Can’t. You look really good.”
“I didn’t know I was such a distraction. I’ll have to wear jeans and big hoodies when I’m around you.”
“Nah. It won’t make any difference,” I tell her, letting off the brake. “You are the distraction, not your clothes.”
We fall into silence then, and I focus on the road. It’s like my rational side blacks out when she’s around, and I act on pure instinct, and apparently, my instinct is to hit on her.
Fucking awesome.
If Matt knew, he’d hate me.
“Why are you doing this?” Mia suddenly asks.
My heart stutters. “What do you mean?”
“Giving me a ride, talking to me after you’ve worked so hard to avoid me for two weeks. Is it out of guilt?”
“Definitely not.”
“Then why?”
I’m a sick fuck, because going to battle with her might be one of my favorite pastimes. “Maybe I just missed pissing you off.”
She rolls her eyes. “That sounds about right.”
She directs me to a building I always thought was a dorm, but maybe I’m wrong. Maybe her first class of the day is here. I find a spot near the entrance and put the car in park.
“Thanks,” she says as she reaches for the door handle.
“It’s nothing.”
She climbs out, and as she walks away, I roll down the passenger window and call her name.
Slowly, she comes back, bending at the waist and resting her arms on the window trim. The way she looks at me, like she sees right through me, sends warmth through my body.
“I talked to Remi,” I rasp. “She won’t bother you again.”
“Uh-huh.” Mia tilts her head to the side, unimpressed. “Does she know you guys aren’t dating?”
I raise my eyes to the ceiling. “Yes, but she and I are complicated.”
“Yeah, I noticed that.” She steps back and straightens. “I gotta go. Ezra’s waiting for me in his room.”
“Ezra?”
“Yeah, the guy I’m meeting up with before class.”
Jealousy swirling in my gut, I ask, “Why him?”
“Because he’s smart. And funny.” She breaks into a full-blown grin. “And cute.”
“Cute doesn’t seem like your type,” I comment. Then, I smirk. “But what do I know? Go. We don’t want to keep your cute classmate waiting.”
“Definitely not.”
As she strides away, her hips sway, that sexy little skirt brushing her thighs. The morning sunlight catches her jet-black hair, adding a blue undertone to it.
Gut tight with desire, I force myself to look away. As I pull out of the parking lot, I turn on the radio.
“Shape of You” blasts through the speakers, bringing a smile to my face. This isn’t the kind of music I usually listen to, but ever since last year’s Halloween party, since my night with that girl, it’s been stuck in my head pretty regularly.
And fuck, if Mia doesn’t remind me of that girl in just about every way.