9. Wren
WREN
Surprisingly, I feel well rested. After Stone stormed out of the room last night, I finished my business—quicker than I’d like to admit—and lay there for at least an hour, trying to wind down.
Anytime Stone’s voice crept into my head, I pushed it away because there was no way in hell I was going to sleep thinking about him.
Especially after getting off.
It was…sort of enjoyable turning myself on while he stared at me.
It was erotic in a way and something I’d never done before.
I wasn’t one to put on a show, and last night was just that.
A show. I made it to the finish line a little too quickly, and deep down, buried under denial, I knew it wasn’t from irritating him.
It was because of the look in his eye. It was full of ravished hunger, and it was hot. Even if that pains me to admit.
The outline in his shorts sent tingles to every inch of my body, but if it were anyone else standing there, like one of the other hockey players—except for Evan, of course—I’d be just as turned on.
If not more.
My eyes flutter open, and the ache between my legs is growing more present the longer I replay last night.
Stop thinking about it, Wren. There’s a faint noise coming from somewhere nearby, and I quickly pull my eyes open altogether, because apparently, in my lust-driven state, I’d forgotten all about the fact that Stone and I still share a bedroom, and it’s his turn to retaliate.
And he will pay me back. I am certain of it.
My brows pull in, and I reach up tenderly and rub the sore spot on my neck. I’m staring at a chrome shower head and am thoroughly confused. What the hell?
“Ahh.”
A breathy noise comes from the left, and that’s when I quickly pop up and pull open the shower curtain.
Grant flies backward with his dick in hand and piss streaming throughout the bathroom like a water hose with too much pressure.
“Oh my God!” I yell, dodging a stream of pee and using my blanket to block the fiery liquid. It smells like he hasn’t drank water in days, but that is the least of my worries.
“What the hell, roomie? Make yourself known next time!”
Grant tucks his dick away, something I am unable to pull my attention from.
Wow.
“I…” I am too stunned and confused to even form a sentence. Why the hell am I in the bathtub?
My blankets are damp with warm pee, and I scowl.
“Let me guess? Stone?” Grant is leaning against the vanity countertop.
My hands find my hips, and Grant follows my movements with his slow, lazy grin before walking off, chuckling.
“You two are somethin’,” he mutters.
I hurriedly hop out of the tub, rush over to the sink, and wash my hands, because I’m pretty sure I have Grant’s pee on them, and then stalk my way down the hallway, ignoring the rest of my housemates because they are all standing near their doors, waiting for the next showdown.
“Stone!” I fling the door open and fly into the room.
The sheets I was previously sleeping on last night are thrown on the floor, and he is asleep on the bare mattress with only a thin blanket covering his body.
Though, the word covering is a total exaggeration.
There lies Stone with his dark head of hair laying perfectly on top of his head with a relaxed face—not the usual scowl I’m used to—and his bare chest on full display.
I stand with my lips parted as my heart beats a little faster.
I dip my eyes past his angular jaw and land on the very defined stomach muscles rising slowly with his sleepy breaths.
The V leading to the rest of the blanket is so pronounced I can’t pull my eyes away, and it’s very obvious that he is well-endowed. It’s beyond frustrating that he is so perfect, because what lies beneath his faultless body is a cold heart that’s full of hate for me .
Stone’s eyes remain closed when he rasps out a bark. “What do you want?”
Anger lashes at me when I think about him putting his hands on my body while I was sleeping, but of course, not before the throb in between my legs makes itself known for a split second. “What else did you do to me while I was sleeping?”
His eyes fly open, and they’re full of heat, resembling a blue flame. “I guess you’ll never know, Sticks. Will you?”
I slam the door with my foot, blocking out our audience. I am almost positive I smell popcorn, and it wouldn’t surprise me if they guys popped some kernels and put lawn chairs in the hallway to watch the show.
“That’s pushing it too far.”
The dip in my voice causes me to straighten my shoulders and wipe the mess from my face. Little does Stone know—or care— but I do, in fact, have some trauma in my past that I’m not quite over yet.
Stone slowly sits up and lets the blanket fall even farther down his body. “You think me putting you in the bathtub is pushing it too far, but fucking yourself with your vibrator isn’t?”
Stone quickly gets out of bed, and I turn to avoid getting a visual of his penis before he puts shorts on. I refuse to show him all my cards right away.
God, he’s fucking hot, and it’s so annoying.
I don’t look at him until his breath warms the top of my head.
His lip is curved up on one side, and his blue glare burns me from the inside out. “I mean, we both already knew you had a strange sense of humor, yeah?”
Stone’s hands are on my hips, and my back is pressed against the door in a millisecond. He moves with agility, and it takes me by surprise.
“Who puts drugs on someone’s truck as a joke but can’t deal with some innocent roommate pranks?”
My breaths are shaky, and I know he notices. I try to backpedal and explain why I’m acting so stupid, but it comes out jumbled. “I… I… I don’t like to be touched when I’m asleep.”
His eyes squint, and his grip on my waist weakens, but only for a second. His face morphs right back to stone—no pun intended—and he whispers in my ear with angry precision. “Then don’t get yourself off in my fucking bed.”
And with that, he pushes me to the side, pulls the door open, and walks with ease down the hall, letting his housemates know that he’ll be ready for practice in ten.
* * *
The few classes that I had in between my fight with Stone and my shift at Shadow’s help my mood tremendously. Space is the best thing for Stone and me because, after this morning, I was starting to think I should find a new room to stay in.
Surely one of the other housemates would be fine with me staying in their room, although I have a feeling it would put an idea in their head that I am interested in them, and that is a bad idea to think about, let alone act on, because that’s the entire reason I’m in this situation right now.
“You headin’ out, girly?”
I exchange my waitressing apron for my bag and slip the strap over my shoulder. “Yep.” I sigh and open my phone to check if I have any messages. “I’ll see you for tomorrow’s lunch shift.” If I make it that far after staying in a room with Stone for another night.
Walking out of the door and saying goodbye to the rest of my co-workers and a few loyal customers—who are my favorite—I click on my messages.
I have several from Jasmin. Nerves tingle my skin as I climb into my car, hoping that it’ll come to life even though the check engine light has been on for nearly two weeks now.
Jasmin
As your best friend, I think it is my duty to warn you before you get back to Evan’s.
Take a breath. It could be way worse.
Text me when you get this.
What?
I quickly type her a text and silently thank God that my car does rev to life. Her message comes a moment later after I slip my seatbelt on, and when I look at her message, I find myself pressing on the brake and flinging my car into drive.
My phone flies to the floorboard of the passenger side, but it doesn’t matter. With each quick stop of my car on the way to the rink, I look down and see the photo of me curled up in the bathtub with a caption that’s even more degrading than the viral photo of me posted from Stone’s account.
@stonefoster — homeless girl currently looking for a place to sleep and/or roommate. I found her trying to sleep in my bed without permission, so I carefully moved her to the tub until I can find her a new place. DM for more info. Rehoming fee is waived.
Rehoming fee is waived? Like I’m an animal instead of a human being?
It’s foster care all over again, and Stone knows firsthand how humiliating that caption is, which is precisely why he posted it.