Begin Again (Again #1)(8)

“You could just give us a hand for a second, instead of being such an asshole,” suggested Dawn with a sweet smile. She could be a little devil if she wanted to.

I liked this side of her, but damn, if she didn’t start being nicer to Kaden, I’d have to strangle her. I hated his rude attitude as much as she did, and wished I could’ve tossed one nasty retort at him after the next. He’d have to be given a reality check one of these days. But however unbearable I found him, I still had to spend the coming months in close proximity with him. So I preferred not to get him riled up if I didn’t have to.

“I can do it myself,” I insisted and moved to take the tool case off Kaden’s hands.

“I’ll help,” Spencer said, leaping to his feet. “Where’s the offending item?”

I ignored Kaden’s angry glare and followed Spencer to my room. At least someone was willing to help. The door was open, but before he entered, he cast a questioning glance over his shoulder. I nodded.

“Oh wow! Things have changed since Ethan moved out.”

Spencer took in the perfumed candles and strand of lights, glanced behind the door and noticed the chest of drawers and shelves, on which I’d already placed some of my things.

“It smells like someone ate tons of vanilla ice cream and then threw up in the middle of the room.” Kaden was right behind me.

I turned.

His nose wrinkled in disgust, Kaden surveyed the room, then pushed past me and squatted in front of the sofa bed sections.

“Some holes are missing,” I explained. “We already tried turning the pieces around but that didn’t work either. So I thought we’d have to drill some holes over there,” I said, putting down the tool kit and pointing over Kaden’s shoulder to the faulty section. “I think it would fit together then. But there’s still a piece that’s too long.”

“Maybe we could saw it off,” Dawn suggested.

I shook my head. “I don’t think it would work. That wooden piece would just split and break. This thing has to hold me up all night. I won’t be able to do anything on that bed, as it is!”

Kaden looked up at me from below. Under his thick lashes his twinkled. “Now that would be too bad.”

I rolled my eyes. Spencer chuckled, and I sent him a withering look as well.

“I don’t want to be blamed if Allie’s afraid to do certain things on her bed,” Spencer said with a sigh, placing a hand dramatically on his chest. “We’d better do something about it, man.”

For the first time ever, I saw Kaden White grin. An actual non-sarcastic grin. It was nice—really honest. He didn’t just smile with his mouth; his caramel eyes crinkled up mischievously. “You’re right, we don’t want to be blamed for that.”

With these words, he pulled the toolbox toward him, opened the clasps and reached for the drill.

“My God, that wiped me out,” I groaned, letting myself sink into the living room couch. Dawn plopped down as well, leaning her head on my shoulder.

“Me too. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to move again.” She lifted her head slightly and let it fall again. “See?”

“Well, that’s too bad,” Spencer said, sprawled out on the other side of the u-shaped couch. “I thought I heard something about Kaden inviting a few people over later.”

“Oh.” Now I started to worry about what that meant for me. What exactly did “a few” people mean? Would I have to hole up in my room? Back in Lincoln “inviting a few people over” was code for throwing a party.

“Don’t worry. I don’t think he’s planning an orgy.” Spencer winked.

“Actually, I’m so tired I could just hit the sack,” I said, in all seriousness. “How about you?”

“Oh, I’d jump right in,” answered Spencer with a grin.

Dawn and I looked at him, eyebrows raised.

He lifted his hands in apology. “Sorry, but I wouldn’t miss an opportunity like that.”

I rolled my eyes, grinning back at him.

Dawn yawned loudly. “I’m afraid I have to get going. I wanted to call my dad tonight.”

“No problem; should I drive you home?”

“Don’t worry about it. It’s only a ten-minute walk from here. Clean up and settle in.” She sat up and stretched her arms over her head. “Oh, man—my muscles are already sore.”

“I know what you mean.” Moaning, I rubbed my aching shoulders. “Good thing we have tomorrow off. Otherwise I’d be walking into class like a robot.”

Dawn laughed, and together we walked out to the hallway. I gave her a big hug at the door. “Thank you. You saved me. I could never have managed all that on my own.”

“Oh yeah, you would’ve. You’re a strong, independent woman,” Dawn insisted—and I had to smile again. “Text me about Monday,” she added, “Then we can grab a coffee before class.”

Dawn was also majoring in English, but she’d picked out other electives from mine. I was already looking forward to our joint lectures. At least I wouldn’t have to roam that huge campus alone the whole time.

“Of course, I’ll call. And my offer remains: If your roommate gets on your nerves, just come over here.”