Friend Zoned (Barnett Bulldogs #2) Read online

  You know when you meet someone, and right from the get go it feels as if you’ve known them for your entire life? That’s exactly the way it was with us. We just fell into an easy comradery. Sam is the only other person I’ve ever clicked with like that. Normally it takes some time for me to warm up and feel comfortable.

  But not with Mia.

  This is our third and final year rooming together. Quite frankly, I’m going to miss the crap out of her after graduation. Mia’s plans are to move to Philadelphia where her boyfriend, Carter, lives and right now, I have absolutely no idea where I’ll end up studying law. Worse, I won’t know until the spring when my (fingers crossed) acceptance letters start rolling in.

  Sam squeezes me to him so that I’m pressed up against all the hard defined lines of his body. I hate to admit that my pulse skitters just a bit at the contact.

  “Cool. Text me when you’re heading over.”

  Ha!

  I give him something of a noncommittal response because I know exactly why he wants to nail down my ETA. This is nothing new. Samuel J. Harper considers himself to be my unofficial big brother. Which basically means that even though I haven’t asked him to look out for me, he insists on doing it anyway.

  End result- the guy is a major cock blocker.

  In all honesty, he could lay off with the whole big scary brother act he’s got going on. I’m twenty-one years old and certainly no timid virgin. Sometimes I seriously have to wonder if he’s under the misconception that we’re living in Victorian England...

  And he needs to safeguard my virtue.

  Too late for that, dude.

  Much too late.

  What I actually suspect is that he enjoys frightening off potential suitors.

  I almost snort.

  Okay, okay, we’re talking one night stands here. I’m not exactly looking for a life partner at this point. I’m focused on finishing out my senior year before heading off to law school.

  But still… a girl has her needs.

  And really, I should be allowed to blow off steam just like he is. Unfortunately, because of his height and sheer muscle mass, it isn’t all that difficult for him to deter prospective candidates. Sadly, I’ve yet to find a dude who will stand up to him. And if they’re not willing to to do that, then they probably aren’t worth my time.

  The guy definitely needs a girlfriend to preoccupy him. Maybe then he’d leave my damn ass alone.

  “Alright, Vi, I’ll catch you later.”

  With that, Sam drops a quick kiss on the side of my face before taking off. As I watch his long legged strides eat up the concrete pathway, two girls sidle up next to me. For just a moment, all three of us silently watch Sam’s large retreating figure until he finally disappears into the thick crowd.

  They sigh in total male appreciation.

  The blonde wearing a beanie on her head clears her throat as my eyes swing curiously to her. “So, we were just wondering what the deal is between you and Sam Harper.”

  Not saying a word, I merely raise a brow.

  Yeah, I know exactly what kind of intel these girls are after. They want to know if Sam and I are sleeping together. Since we tend to spend a lot of time hanging out, people just naturally assume that we are.

  I may not be into Sam that way (I’m really not), but I’m totally aware of his finer points. He towers a few inches over six feet with a body honed by both football and weights. He’s got thick, dirty blond hair and bright piercing ocean hued eyes. But the real draw, in my opinion, is that he’s a seriously nice guy.

  One of the best you’ll ever meet.

  When I moved in with my grandparents, Sam was the only kid who went out of his way to pry me out of my shell. We spent that entire summer playing video games in his room, going to the movies, hanging out at the mall, and swimming at the country club his family belonged to.

  The blonde’s sly brown eyes dart to the brunette at her side. “You know… is he your boyfriend?”

  Letting them off the hook, because I recognize both of them from Rickets’ class and they seem like nice girls, I allow the edges of my lips to tip upwards before finally shaking my head. “Nah, we’re not together like that.”

  Looking surprised by my words, the blonde clarifies, “So you have absolutely no interest in him? Because I don’t want to poach someone else’s man.”

  See? I like her even more now. This chick has just solidified her position as the number one girl I’m planning to push in Sam’s direction.

  “Nope, we went to high school together. We’re just good friends.”

  Shaking her head, a big smile reveals a row of beautiful white teeth. “How are you just friends with someone as hot as him?” She eyes me as if I’m crazy.

  Unfortunately that’s the precise moment the image of his shirt riding up during the middle of class, revealing those rock solid abs, nudges its way back into my brain. I clear my throat uncomfortably. “Just not interested.”

  I’m really not.

  Honest.

  So I feel a little zing of attraction between us every once in a while? So what? My guess is that it’s completely normal. Certainly nothing to get bent out of shape over.

  The brunette elbows her curvy friend before waggling her eyebrows. “Well, her loss is your gain, Allie.”

  Quickly my eyes run the length of her.

  Long blonde hair and deep brown eyes.

  Check.

  The thin, body hugging coat she’s wearing shows off a rather impressive sized bust.

  Another check.

  I can’t help but smirk, feeling good about what I’m about to do. “Actually, you couldn’t be more his type if you tried. Here,” I decide on the fly, “I’m going to give you his number. Text him. See what happens.” Sam seems to favor girls with long blonde hair, big brown eyes and curvy little bodies.

  He is such a typical dude.

  Her eyes widen like she’s just won the lottery. “Really?”

  I give her a little wink. “Absolutely.”

  I’m kind of hoping that hooking him up with someone else will put the kibosh on all these strange little bursts of attraction that keep zipping around within me. What I really want is for everything to just slide back to normal between us. And maneuvering this girl in front of him is the perfect way to do it.

  She beams. “Thanks! I’ll definitely text him.” Shaking her head, she introduces herself, “I’m Allie, by the way.” She cocks her head towards her sidekick. “And this is Lanie.”

  I give them both a smile. “Violet. Just tell him that I gave you his number. He won’t mind at all.” I give the pair a little wave. “Okay, well, I’ve got to hustle to sociology. But good luck with Sam.”

  “Thanks again!” They both wave in return before our small group splinters apart.

  I’m not going to lie, I’m kind of feeling like a pimp right now. Which I should probably feel bad about. Except that Sam is a hot, twenty-two year old, football playing college dude. My guess is that he’ll appreciate me steering this chick his way.

  Added side benefit- it gets him off my ass.

  Which is clearly a win-win situation in my book.

  Chapter Two

  Sam

  “Dude, I’m curious- when was the last time you got laid?” Dylan pauses for just a beat before forging ahead with the conversation, “I’m being totally serious right now.”

  Sadly, I know he is.

  Not bothering to answer, because doing so will only perpetuate the conversation, I glance around the Sigma party which is just as ridiculously jam-packed and out of control as I suspected it would be. We’re talking elbow to elbow crowd, music at an ear shattering decibel, a few games of strip beer pong already in progress, drinks galore from the makeshift bar, and, if my nose isn’t deceiving me, a few bowls of pot being passed around.

  Hell, it’s not even ten yet. This party is just getting started. But none of that stops me from zeroing in on Violet like a heat seeking missile. Even though she’s clear
across the room, I continue to keep sights locked on her.

  Hoisting the beer to my lips, I take a long swig. “What? You keeping tabs on me or something?”

  Because that’s not creepy…

  A knowing brow slowly slides its way across his forehead. “I don’t have to, dude. You’re coiled tighter than a freaking spring. It’s completely obvious what your problem is. You need to get all that poison out. Mark my words, it’ll end up messing with your mojo out on the field.”

  I nearly laugh at that.

  Fucking poison?

  Is he serious?

  Stupid question… of course he is.

  Hoping to stifle any more questions or unsolicited advice regarding my current poison situation, I shoot Dylan a look before my eyes bounce right back to Violet.

  And the fucktard trying to make moves on her.

  Christ… just look at him over there.

  He’s so damn close, he’s practically mauling her. And watching him run his fingers up and down her soft-as-silk cheek has me grinding my molars together in silent aggravation. Not a moment later, her lips curve upwards before she laughs at whatever the hell he’s yammering on about. She may be a good forty feet from me, but I can still tell she’s got those damn fuck me eyes going on.

  Yeah… that is so not going to happen on my watch.

  “Uh oh,” Dylan chortles, “looks like it’s just about time for you to run off another one.”

  My head snaps towards him.

  Finally.

  That’s got to be the first sensible thing that’s come out of his mouth all night. “You’re abso-fucking-lutely right.” I down the rest of my beer before shoving the empty plastic cup into Dylan’s hand. “Good call.” Not wanting to waste another minute, I clap him on the shoulder before taking off.

  “Dude, I was freaking kidding! Get your pathetic ass back here before you embarrass yourself even further!”

  I don’t bother responding. I think we both know that it’s too damn late for that. At this point, I’m a man on a mission. And that mission is to get the encroaching usurper away from my girl.

  Now, whether or not she wants me to is totally up for interpretation.

  After all, this isn’t the first time I’ve run off some dude and it certainly won’t be the last either. Now, don’t get me wrong, I totally understand the attraction. I’d have to be blind not to. Violet Winterfield is absolutely gorgeous. She’s got all this long thick blonde hair. Not to mention big brown almond shaped eyes fringed with dark lashes. And I’m not even going to start talking about the sweet little body she’s rocking because getting a woody at this point in the evening would only further solidify my pathetic status.

  And I don’t really need that.

  Uh-oh.

  The guy looks to be making a move.

  The move.

  He’s on the verge of leaning in and planting one right on those luscious lips of hers.

  His face is lowering, inching closer. Hers is turned up towards him. Her eyelids are starting to lower. People scurry out of my two hundred pound way as I barrel through. I have to consciously flex my balled up hands a few times because I just want to punch that douchebag in the face for daring to touch what’s mine.

  Unfortunately all that will do is piss off Violet. I’ve learned through a whole lot of trial and error that I can’t come in all hot, ready to tear some guy limb from limb.

  Nope.

  I have to be more subtle than that. Trust me, it’s a fine art I’ve perfected over the years. This guy won’t even know what’s happening until it’s much too late.

  Something must alert Violet to the fact that I’m incoming, because her deep mocha colored eyes widen as they ensnare mine right before I wedge my way in between them, snaking an arm around her body in the process.

  As I do, everything within me settles. Her proximity has a way of doing that. It always has. My life can be a raging fucking mess, but when I’m with Violet, when she’s in my arms or I’m just touching her, the world around us quiets to a barely perceptible hum.

  It’s more addictive than crack.

  And I crave that stillness like nothing else.

  With a lazy smile tilting my lips upward, I press a kiss against her temple before hauling her even closer. With that simple action, I feel my pulse begin to settle. Rational thought slowly seeps its way back into my brain as my tense muscles instantly release.

  And then I nearly swallow my tongue at the feel of her soft full breasts pressed up rather deliciously against my t-shirt covered chest.

  Damn… but that freaking gets me every single time.

  At the moment, I’d give my left nut to just toss her over my shoulder and stroll right on out of here. Take her back to my place and immerse myself in that gorgeous body of hers for a full forty-eight hours. I don’t even know if that would be enough time. I really don’t. I’ve never wanted anyone the way I want her.

  The way I need her.

  But first things first.

  “Hey, babe.”

  Not waiting for Violet to respond, because I know precisely what kind of retort my greeting will elicit, I immediately turn my attention towards the jack-wad whose jaw looks slightly slack at my sudden arrival on the scene. It takes almost everything I have inside not to snort with laughter because he looks completely confounded by the fact that the girl he was just hitting on is now wrapped around some other dude.

  He’s blinking his eyes all slow-like as if he’s trying to play mental catch up. You can almost see the gears in his head gradually shifting as he processes the fact that his odds of getting laid tonight just plummeted into the single digits. For just a moment, it seems like he might actually put up a fight before taking a good long look at me. And yeah, I’m not going to lie, I flex my biceps just a bit so he won’t get any foolish ideas that will end badly.

  For him.

  Although, in all honesty, I might just enjoy channeling some of the pent up sexual frustration currently careening through my ramped up system by plowing my fist into this guy’s face. Because even though he isn’t going to get laid tonight by Violet, neither am I.

  I see the precise moment recognition dawns. “Harper, right?” He shifts his weight from one foot to the other before the pissed off look completely vanishes from his face.

  I give him an easy smile. “Yup, that’s me.”

  “Dude,” he shakes his head apologetically before jerking it towards a now frowning Violet who is still smashed up against my body, “I had no idea this was your chick.” Rather hilariously, he shoots her a look rife with silent accusation. “She didn’t say a word about it.”

  Because this is usually the part where Violet will try to protest, I tug her just a bit closer. “No worries.” I smack another kiss against her head. If the low growling noise emanating from her small body is any indication, then my guess is that she’s pretty pissed off that I’ve managed to foil yet another hook up attempt on her part.

  I can only grin evilly at that.

  Because you bet your damn ass I have.

  “So what do you think your chances are against Miami Ohio this weekend?”

  As her no-longer-going-to-happen one night stand begins to question me about the upcoming game, Violet slides an arm around me before snaking her hand beneath my t-shirt. Under different circumstances, that kind of thing would be entirely welcome, except I know exactly what she’s up to. I have to steel myself for it right before she proceeds to pinch a huge chunk of my flesh between her forefinger and thumb before twisting the shit out of it.

  Think massive titty twister minus the titty.

  Fuuuuuck!

  I hiss out a sharp breath as her fingers continue digging into me. I can only imagine the considerable damage she’s doing to my body. “I think our chances of coming out of it with a win are solid. They’re running a tough offense but there are some holes in their defensive game that we’ll be able to exploit. Especially since they have a few injuries right now. We’re operating at on
e hundred percent and King is playing the best ball of his life.”

  By this point, the guy has all but forgotten about Violet as he rapid fires questions at me. He’s talking stats, playoff picks, and bowl games. And hey, I love talking ball as much as the next guy but Violet is clearly steaming over here.

  Plus, she’s bruising the shit out of my skin.

  When I can’t take another damn moment of those brutal instruments of torture, I extricate us quickly from the conversation. Luckily for me, Violet is more than happy to exit the situation which, thanks to yours truly, has now been thwarted. My arm is still wrapped tightly around her. I’m thinking about attaching myself to her like a barnacle for the rest of the evening. That way no one else will get ideas in regards to her availability.

  Leaning down, I murmur softly in her ear, “You can stop pinching me now. I’ve sufficiently saved you from the fumblings of that drunken idiot.” I wait a heartbeat before adding the kicker, “You’re welcome.”

  I know my words are only going to crank her up at this point. But I kind of like when she gets all heated up. I like the way her eyes flash with fire and the pulse in her throat thrums. It’s fucking hot.

  Violet doesn’t disappoint either.

  My words have her screeching to an abrupt halt, refusing to budge a single inch further. Her dark brows lower over eyes that are sparking with anger. Her hands actually fist together like she just might throw a punch. Goddamn sexy alright.

  She grits between clenched teeth, “He was not a drunken idiot! He was actually a really nice guy and you chased him off.”

  Fine… maybe he was.

  But still...

  I give her a look before stating the obvious, “He didn’t seem to mind that I stole you right from beneath his nose, now did he?”

  Violet makes that little growling noise deep in her throat again. Damn, but she’s adorable when she’s all riled up. She really is. It makes me want to wrap her up in my arms and carry her right on out of here. But I don’t. She’s liable to cause even more physical damage to my person if I were to attempt something along those lines.