I turn the opposite way. I need to work off some of this anger by running on the treadmill, but it’s completely packed by the time I get to the room. Every treadmill and elliptical is taken. Change of plans. I’ll do some weights but that room is full of guys that could bench press me and Jessa together. So I make my way down the hall, hoping to sneak into the girl’s locker room without notice from Brady and Kara.

Thankfully, when I walk by the same spot, they are gone. I get my bag and switch my shoes out, rushing to get out and back to the dorm.

“I thought I saw you.” Kara comes around the corner.

“Oh, hey,” I say and give her a small wave of my hand.

“You were at Aces the other night, right?” she asks.

“Yes, I was. Sadie Miller,” I introduce myself.

“Kara Billings,” she shares and limply shakes my hand.

“It’s nice to meet you.” I smile.

“Just so you know, he’s mine.” Her lips go straight and her eyes bore into me.

“I’m sorry, what?” I ask, dumbfounded.

“You heard me. Stay away from Brady Carsen. He’s mine,” she repeats herself.

“Are you two dating? Are you in some sort of relationship?” I question her, praying she says no.

“No, but we will be. We would have already if it wasn’t for you,” she admits, her eyes narrowing, and she places her hands on her hips.

“I’m sorry, Kara, but Brady is a grown man and he will make the decision as to whom he dates.” I walk by her.

She grabs my wrist and holds it tight. “Listen. Don’t think you can come here and take something I have been working on for two years. He was ready to be mine this summer, but then you prance into town and he pushes me aside,” she spews, her grip getting tighter with every word.

I yank my wrist free, holding it with my other hand. “Obviously, if it has taken two years, Brady isn’t interested,” I curtly respond and try to get out the door. She rushes by me and I can finally see that tattoo. On her left shoulder blade it reads The Invisibles in a calligraphy script with black hearts for dots on top of the I’s. Oh, this girl has it bad, which makes me want to know exactly what her and Brady’s relationship is.

I shake my head and walk out of the rec center, thankful I don’t run into Kara a second time. Walking up the hill to my dorm, I notice the same homeless man asleep on the bench, wearing the same brown corduroys and plaid shirt. Someone has already left a bag of food next to him, so I reach into my wallet and tuck twenty dollars in his front shirt pocket. I wonder what he will do when winter comes. His clothes are not nearly warm enough to last through the cold and snow.

Continuing down my path, I pray that Rob has left my dorm room. I don’t need or want his snide comments. Suddenly, goose bumps cover my body when I see Brady standing on the sidewalk directly in my path to the dorm. He looks inquiringly at me, but smiles when I get closer.

“Fancy meeting you here,” I grin. I notice he still has those athletic shorts on, but sadly a sweatshirt covers up his chiseled chest.

“Don’t do that, Sadie,” he demands with a firm tone I have never heard from him before.

“Do what?” I tilt my head, confused.

“You shouldn’t be leaving money for the bums. You shouldn’t go up to them like that.” He motions with his head to the homeless man on the bench.

“Oh Brady, he’s harmless. I’m thinking about getting him a jacket for the winter.” I start walking past him, ignoring his comments.

“Sadie, listen to me. They call that one Vodka Vince because he usually has a bottle of Vodka with him.”

“Why do you think he would harm me, or anyone else for that matter? Just because they don’t have a home and might have a drinking problem doesn’t mean they are violent,” I spit out. I turn around to him, surprised he can be so judgmental toward people less fortunate than himself.

“Please, just keep your distance. Alcohol can make people do things out of character.” He gently touches my arm and heat rises through my veins.

“Alright,” I shrug. I wonder if he is talking about himself.

“Thank you. It’s nice of you to leave money, though.” He smiles and I question his numerous mood swings.

“What are you doing out my way, anyway?” I try to change the subject.

“Well, I was on my way back from your dorm. Jessa told me you were working out. Sorry I missed that sight,” he says, his eyes roaming over my legs and shorts, finally landing back on my face.

“Yeah, I finished my class about a half hour ago. I was going to do more but the place is packed.” I decide not to inform him I saw him there as well.

“I was lucky, I got there just in time before class change. You should tell me next time you go.” He starts to follow me back to the dorm.

“Do you want to come to my kickboxing class with me?” I laugh.

“I might surprise you some day, but I’m actually more of a runner.” He puts his arm around me and I’m amazed at how comfortable it feels.

“Oh,” I say and inch a little closer to him.

“So, when are you going to mention that you saw me there?” He grins down at me.

My face must be red from the flush that flowed through my body. “Um…you seemed preoccupied,” I admit, biting my lower lip.

“Sadie, I’m never preoccupied when it comes to you.” He squeezes my shoulder tighter, drawing me closer.

“What exactly is your relationship with her?” It’s none of my business, but it’s driving me crazy.

“Our parents worked together.” He stops walking and looks down at me. “Sadie, I have no interest in her.”

“Are you sure? She’s cute,” I reveal and meet his eyes.

“Cute is for puppies and kittens, Sadie. I prefer this stunningly sexy woman I have been seeing recently.” He winks down to me and butterflies flutter in my stomach.

“Really?” I ask in disbelief.

“How many times do I have to tell you?” He holds my arms with his hands. “I’m a one-woman man, Sadie, and you are her.” He bends down, letting his lips graze across mine while he moves his arms down to my waist, pulling me closer. Our chests rise and fall against one another and he sucks my bottom lip into his mouth before his tongue enters with purpose. His tongue finds mine and they engage one another while my hands move to his head. I twirl his hair with my fingers. Like every other time I’m with Brady, everything fades away and it’s only us standing on the sidewalk in the middle of campus.

Chapter 9

Friday comes in the blink of an eye. The Invisibles have a show tonight, but I told Brady I’m not feeling well. I know I won’t be much company tonight and I would never want to bring him down with me, especially on a night when he is performing.

I pull on my pajama pants and a t-shirt, curling up in my chair after I pop in a movie. Jessa is applying another coat of mascara when there is a knock at the door. I sigh heavily. I wish Rob would have just waited for her outside. Jessa opens the door and kisses him in greeting. He grabs her ass then gives it a little tap before he walks into our room. You could cut the tension with a knife. I decide to ignore him. If he wishes to address me he can, but I’m through with being polite.

“Hey, Gucci. You look like shit. What? Daddy didn’t pay someone to develop a cure for the flu yet? I’m sure he doesn’t want his little girl to suffer,” Rob remarks snidely.

“No, Rob. I guess I’m not important enough to him,” I sneer back.

“Surprise. Gucci has Daddy issues.” He puts his hands up in the air.

“Go to hell.” I turn back to my movie. I wish I could come back with some sort of smart-ass comment but Theo was always better at that than me. He would have known what to say to Rob to make him shut his mouth.

“Alright you two, stop it.” Jessa playfully hits Rob in the chest and pushes him toward the door. “Call me if you need me, okay?” She glances back at me.