The Next Contestant by Dani Evans, Okay Creations Page B

just criminal, but I’ve got to get out of here before Jax gets out of the shower and discovers me in his too big clothes. He’ll question me, no doubt. I can’t risk that or the fact he’ll want to introduce me to people… and he thinks my brother is my ex. What excuse will I come up with then? Right. None.
    I make it to the bottom of the steps, feeling like I’m home free, and I’m about to charge toward the front door when someone rounds the corner.
    KOLBY!
    I duck into the hall closet and pray he didn’t see me. I listen for sounds, Kolby’s footsteps particularly, and sigh when I hear him clomping up the steps.
    Whew! Peeking through the crack, I see no one. Time to go! And I do. I slip out of the closet, fight with the locks on the front door, and trip down the steps in my rush to escape. I catch myself by grasping the handrail, and once I hit the driveway, I run as fast as I can, away from the frat house, my heart hammering so hard I swear I can taste it. Once I’m close to the top of the hill, I glance at Jax’s black Jag and smile. I can’t believe he didn’t take advantage of my drunken state, and you know… And then I run up the hill, out of sight and stop to call Tiffany.
    Answer, answer, answer. Please! Answer the phone!
    “Hello?”
    Thank god! “Bitch! You gotta come get me. Like now.”
    She starts laughing. “Why do you sound like you’re out of breath?”
    “Because I am, and stop laughing! This is all your damn fault!”
    “What? Why is it my fault… and where the hell are you?”
    “Gee, Tiffany. I wonder. Where could I possibly be when my best friend was supposed to be my ride and somehow disappears with… what’s his name, Vincenzo? Yeah, bitch! He better be fucking fan-freaking-tastic for you to ditch me, or else…”
    I hear rustling of linens… bed linens specifically, and…! “Tiffany! You little slut-bag. He’s with you isn’t he?”
    Smooching.
    Giggling.
    “Um… yeah. But give me a few minutes to throw some clothes on and I’ll come get you.”
    “Hurry the hell up! I’m sweating my ass off in Jax’s sweats and hoody.”
    “Why are you… where are your—”
    “Don’t ask, and it’s not what you think. Just get your ass to the frat house and pick me up at the I-House steps.” I hang up and pray she hurries her ass up before Jax decides to hunt me down. Or come get his car.

 
     
     
    I STEP OUT of the shower, dry off, and exit the bathroom. The first thing I notice is the empty bed. Where’d she go? I enter the closet thinking she might be in here, but no Timber. What the hell? I’m finding it hard to believe she’d go down and mingle with the boys. After all, she’s stated time and again that she wasn’t comfortable here, especially since her ex, Kolby, lives here. But where else would she be?
    In the kitchen, Nick, Jaden and Kolby all raise their heads as I enter. Kolby’s lips are turned down and his brows are furrowed. He’s tapping his fork on his plate and I can tell by the way he’s eyeing me that he’s pissed. Maybe now is the time to ask if ex-girlfriends are off limits, but then I’m not sure what I’ll do if he says yes. I’m already too deep into this girl to consider ending it. No fucking way.
    “So,” Kolby says and points his fork at me. “Who’s the blonde who’s got you all pussy fucking whipped?” He grins deviously. Shit.
    “Ah. That. Well. Hmm. How do you feel about a brother dating a brother’s ex?” I grab a mug and distract myself by pouring a cup of coffee.
    Kolby laughs. “Not a problem as far as I’m concerned. I don’t have any strings tied in with any of my exes. So, whose ex are you dating?”
    The million dollar question. Who’s ex. “Yours,” I answer and slowly turn to face him. He’s just shoveled a bite of eggs into his mouth, his head raised, eyes locking on mine.
    “Hmm,” he grunts, then swallows his food and takes a swig of coffee. His eyes level on me when he asks, “Which