Chapter 2

• Xavier
• Xavier paused in the open doorway to Emma’s room and Emma looked up from her book.
• “It’s called reading, asshole. You should try it sometime.”
• “Nah. I’ll leave the nerd shit to you.”
• “Yes, because reading is soooo nerdy. What do you want?”
• “Mom said it’s time for dinner.”
• “I’m not hungry.”
• “Don’t care. She said we both have to come down.”
• “Why?”
• “No clue.”
• Xavier glanced around Emma’s room and resisted the urge to roll his eyes.
• His perfect stepsister’s room was immaculate. The tiny space held a single bed, a bookshelf, a dresser, a hamper, and a night table. Everything was neat and tidy, and nothing was out of place. Even the clothes in her hamper were folded.
• Who did that?
• “Why are you still here?” Emma looked up from her book and glared at Xavier.
• “Just soaking in all the nerd energy.”
• She picked up his pillow and chucked it at Xavier.
• It landed on the floor about a foot away from where Xavier was standing.
• “Nice throw.”
• “Fuck off.”
• Xavier bit back a smile as Emma slammed her book closed and tossed it onto the bed next to her.
• Pissing Emma off was Xavier’s favorite pastime. It was so easy too.
• Emma wore her emotions on her sleeve, and Xavier could always tell when he was getting under her skin.
• She would narrow her eyes and purse her pouty lips as a blush spread over her cheekbones.
• Emma was cute in a girlish way. Her blond hair was cut in a similar style as Xavier’s, except longer on top.
• She wasn’t much shorter than Xavier, only about two inches, but her lean frame made her look much smaller. Her brown eyes were deep and flecked with gold, and her lips were full, especially the top one, which gave her a perpetual pout.
• Emma had horrible self-esteem, so while she was hot as fuck, nailing down that adorkable sexy nerd look, she thought she was plain. She walked with her head down, her shoulders hunched, and never seemed to know when people were flirting with her.
• It was endearing, and Xavier hated that he thought so.
• “Get your ass downstairs so Mom doesn’t get mad at me for you being slow as molasses.”
• “Yeah, right. Like she’d ever get mad at her perfect baby boy.” Emma swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood.
• Xavier glared at his stepfather, his anger simmering beneath the surface. His straight-A, golden girl stepsister believed that Xavier was the favored one in their dysfunctional blended family. The irony of that statement wasn’t lost on him.
• “Come on, hurry up,” Xavier snapped, his frustration evident in his tone.
• Xavier turned away from her door and stalked down the hallway to the stairs. His phone buzzed in his pocket, and he pulled it out as he grabbed onto the railing and started his descent.
• Darren: party at McKennas tonight.
• Ash: I’ll be there.
• He shoved his phone back into his pocket and headed toward the kitchen at the back of the house.
• “Where’s Emma?” Ken, his stepfather, asked from his seat at the head of the table, as if he were king of the castle.
• “Coming.” Xavier slid into his place next to Riley and winked at her.
• “She’s probably studying.” Ken gave him a pointed look. “Getting a jump on her fall classes.”
• Mom smiled at Ken with hearts in her eyes. Six years after ruining his life, she still looked at him like a lovesick teenager.
• Riley poked him in the side, and he leaned closer so she could whisper something to him.
• “Riley, we don’t whisper at the table,” Mom said. “It’s rude.”
• “Sorry, Mommy.” She dropped her eyes.
• He patted her leg and schooled his features. Glaring at his mom wouldn’t do him any good.
• “Emma,” Ken said.
• “Hey.”
• Emma slid into her seat next to Mom, her eyes on her plate.
• “We’re glad you’re both here,” Mom said. “We need to talk about school next year.”
• Xavier stared at Ken. They were a week away from the start of fall term. Both Xavier and Emma went to the same college, about two hours away.
• “What about it?” Xavier asked when Ken paused to look at Mom.
• “It’s about your living arrangements.”
• “I don’t understand.” Emma looked between them. “I’ve already got my dorm info.”
• “And I’m rooming with Tripp and some of the guys again.”
• Xavier had already paid his first month’s rent to Tripp. Tripp’s parents were filthy rich and had bought a house for him to live in during school. He rented out rooms for beer money, and it was a 24/7 party. Xavier had lived with him for the past two years.
• Their parents exchanged a look.
• “This year is going to be different,” Mom said. “Your father has refused to pay for your room and board.”
• “What?” Xavier gaped at her.
• His dad was court-ordered to pay his tuition. He’d also paid for his living expenses for the last three years. He had a shit ton of money, and since he’d spent Xavier’s childhood ignoring him to make his fortune, he could damn well pay for his education.
• “And the costs of dorms have gone up,” Ken said. “We’ve priced it out, and it would be more cost-effective to have you two share an off-campus apartment.”