I say nothing, but motion with my hand for her to go down the stairs first. She smiles and does just that, giving me the view I hoped for. Her ass is perfect and I can almost imagine my hands molding her flesh.

By our fourth trip, I spot Brady and Sadie crossing the street, and I inwardly cringe because the faster these boxes make it into the house, the less I’ll be able to admire Paige’s legs and ass trekking up those stairs. I must confess I’ve been the polite guy, always letting her go first so I can follow behind.

Exhausted from the manual labor, I sigh when I spot six more boxes. “How much stuff can you possibly have?”

“Oh, those go in the basement. Chrissy said I could store some stuff down there. Since you guys have dishes and everything, I don’t need my kitchen stuff.”

“I’ll grab those and rush them down the stairs now.” I practically fall to my back when I lift the box I’m assuming contains the dishes. “Son of a bitch, who packed your shit? No wonder the movers wanted so much money,” I joke, but her face turns down before her lips straighten. For once in a long time, I wish I could shove words back in my mouth so her smile wouldn’t have disappeared.

“I did.” She picks up another stack of clothes and plows into the house before I give in to the foreign urge to apologize.

When Brady and Sadie reach the driveway, they automatically stuff their arms with Paige’s crap and follow the lead into the house.

“What’s up, Rob?” Brady nods his head in my direction. “You ready for tonight?” Our band, The Invisibles, have a show lined up. It’s been awhile since we’ve played and I’ve missed losing my twisted memories with my guitar. Due to everyone being so busy, our shows are few and far between these days with practices even farther apart. It’s why I’ve been toying with joining another band, but after the last time I deserted the guys, I’ve been hesitant to bring the topic up. Brady saved my ass when I returned to Western after touring with Krypto, and I’m not going to make him regret his trust in me.

“Yeah, my fingers have been itching for the strings.” I veer my attention to Sadie. “Hi, Sadie. You like having the house to yourself?” She smiles, and Brady laughs, making me wonder what I’m missing.

“You have to be kidding me? She’s so lonely. I used to be enough for her, but she misses her girls.” From Brady’s voice, I’m thinking there’s more worry in his words than he intends for us to hear.

“No, that’s not it.” She adamantly shakes her head at me. “It’s just when Brady’s not home and I am, it’s quiet.” She shrugs and I’m kind of like Sadie, nothing is worse than a house to yourself.

“You can come over here,” I offer and her head reels back.

“Really?”

I nod. “Yeah. Don’t seem so shocked by my kindness.” I inch closer to her. “I want Paige to think I’m a nice guy.”

A smirk crosses her lips and she shakes her head. “Chrissy will kill you,” she reminds me.

“That’s why we’ll keep it a secret.” I wink and she laughs. Who would have guessed I’d ever be enjoying a conversation with Sadie Miller after the asshole I was to her.

A small smile churns up her lips and I’m surprised how satisfying it is to be responsible for her happiness. I swore when Brady saved me I’d be nicer to the girl he loves, even if I hate what she comes from. My stereotype of her rich, sorority, daddy’s girl proved wrong once I took the time to get to know her. She doesn’t fit the mold from the money and country club she came from, but she sure does fit in our misfit of a group.

Brady and Sadie disappear upstairs and I continue straight to the basement. Sectioning off a spot for only Paige’s belongings, I notice my unopened boxes in the corner. For the first time in forever, an urge to open one triggers inside of me. I stand on the concrete floor in the middle of the basement, dredging up what’s hidden in those boxes. Memories long gone, memories that haunt me every day. Maybe I should conquer the therapist’s advice and open them. Envision the good times, before I transformed myself into someone else. I step closer, my hand reaching out. My fingers linger on the rough cardboard, but when footsteps echo down the stairs, I yank my hand away and step back.

I glance up to find Paige standing in the middle of the stairs, peering down at me. Her intrigue is clear in her wounded puppy dog eyes. “I’m sorry,” she says, tentatively taking each step down.

“Sorry?”

“For interrupting.” She places the box down on top of her stack. “You look . . . lost.”

The chick has no idea how lost.

Shaking off the past, I close the distance between us until I’m two steps away from her. Already sniffing that flowery perfume, I shift my stance. “Lost before I found you.”

Thankfully, my intention to divert her works, and she finds amusement in my flirting.

“Please tell me you don’t use lines like that?” She shifts backward and I allow her to gain the reprieve of my nearness, temporarily.

“No, just wanted to hear you laugh.” Her laugh is as cute as the one dimple in her left cheek.

“I hate cliché pick-up lines, you know? Like, do you believe in love at first sight, or should I walk by again?” She shakes her head and I chuckle, inching one step closer.

“How about damn girl, you’ve got more curves than a racetrack?” I raise my eyebrows and she laughs harder.

“Seriously?” She shakes her head.

“Heard it last weekend at a race.” I’m so close to her now, there’s barely any space. Her eyes are an electrifying mix of brown and green, and I could quickly lose myself in her innocence. “I have to admit as cheesy as the line is, I would love to lean into your curves.” I draw back and watch her cheeks turn the sexiest shade of red. It’s addicting, propelling her to that level of heat that it embarrasses her.

“Nice, Rob.” She tosses my admittance off her shoulder. I’m guessing she’s not into the whole roommates slipping under covers thing.

“Remember, I never lie.” My eyes slowly drink in her body from head to toe, and when I focus back on her eyes, she swallows. “What do you say you—”

“Paige, are you down there?” Chrissy’s loud voice booms down the stairwell and Paige jerks back. Her reaction makes me recall when Carly and I got caught making out by her mom in sophomore year.

“Yeah, Chrissy. Just on my way up.” She steadily passes me, but I grab her wrist, forcing her to stay by me.

When Chrissy appears midway down the stairs, my promise to her comes to the forefront. No fucking the roommate. So, I release my grip and Paige rushes up the stairs. Chrissy’s eyes focus on me, and her lips do that little twisting thing she does every time she doesn’t believe me. I’m caught, red-handed.

“Let’s go, Chrissy. Thank you so much for helping me.” She bypasses Chrissy, venturing up the stairs without so much as a glance back.

“It’s no problem,” Chrissy says to Paige, while she narrows her eyes at me. Then her two fingers point to her eyes and then point to me.

Jogging up the stairs, I chuckle and swing my arm around her shoulders. “Calm down, Godfather.” I refrain from adding that I’ll keep my promise. Paige is way too tempting to stay clear of and I don’t want to lie to Chrissy.

“PAIGE, PIZZA IS here!” Chrissy yells up the stairs.

Opening my door, I scream, “I’ll be right down!” I shut my door to change into comfy pajama pants and a T-shirt.

My phone rings just as I have one leg into my pants, and I hop over to my phone, lying on my bed, struggling to get my other leg in my pants. I must admit the plum comforter makes the room a little more girly and homey, I think, right before I fall into the mattress.

Grabbing my phone, I check who’s calling before actually answering. When her name flashes, a sigh falls from my mouth and I stare up at the ceiling. Do I really want to endure her today, right before I’m about to spend time with my new roommates? She only leaves me in a bad mood with every one of her phone calls. But knowing she’ll only continue to call until I pick up, I decide I won’t delay the punishment.