Loud: The Complete Series (A Bad Boy Alpha Male Romance) by Claire Adams Page A

whatever reason the Ice Queen next door popped into my mind. I found
myself wondering what she was going to be studying and if I'd see her around
campus. I wondered if she had a boyfriend and maybe that’s why she was so
stand-offish.
    I stopped shaking the bottle and caught a glimpse of
myself reflected in the kitchen window. I raised a skeptical eyebrow, looking
at my reflection disapprovingly, and started to talk to myself.
    “Dude, what are you doing? Why are you thinking about the
Ice Queen again? Seriously, you have nothing in common with her. As a
matter of fact, stop wasting your time thinking about girls, period. You gotta
get focused on school. Ration your partying time accordingly. And while you’re
at it, try to be a good friend and help Chris do the same. God knows he needs
it even more than you do. Not that he seems to understand that. And for
Christ’s sake, stop thinking about the girl next door. Brooke isn't gonna help
with any of that. In fact, a chick like her will only make your life way more
complicated than you can afford for it to be.”
    I stared at my reflection for a minute and then gave
myself a respectful nod.
    “Thanks for the pep talk, man.”
    “No worries, I got your back.”
    I chuckled, thinking that if anyone had been watching my
little exchange, they'd surely think I was insane. But I'm sure everyone does
that sort of stuff when they're by themselves…right?
    I chugged down the protein shake and then washed out the
bottle really thoroughly. I learned the hard way that stuff gets real nasty if left overnight. Leave it over a few days and you've got a nuclear
situation the scale of Chernobyl on your hands. Not even joking.
    I shuffled to the bathroom, turning off all the lights
except one dim lamp in the living room so Chris would at least be able to see
when he stumbled around like a blind man after he returned home from his
alcohol-induced evening. I then headed to the bathroom to brush my teeth and
wash up before bed.
    I got it all done in record time, then headed off to
my room. It was only ten o' clock – plenty early for me. I switched off the
light and was asleep in seconds.
    ***
    I had no idea what time Chris had made it in, but his
door was shut and I could hear his snoring when I got up nice and early the
next morning. I showered and had a healthy breakfast of granola, fruit, and a
protein shake. I was feeling pretty great. I'd done my mandatory reading, got
my prep-work done, and I was looking forward to the first day of classes. The
sun was even shining when I opened the door to head out. It seemed like a
pretty perfect day: blue skies, warm but not uncomfortably hot, and crowds of
fresh-faced, eager students milling around outside the apartments.
    After locking the place up and heading to the parking
lot, I put on my helmet, climbed on my bike, and fired her up. I loved that
sound! It was going to be a great day. After my bike was suitably warmed up, I
clicked her into gear and tore off down the road. I could have easily walked,
but any excuse I got to ride my mean machine, I took it. Not to mention, it
definitely made more of an impression arriving on campus riding a bright red,
howling motorcycle than it did walking.
    I pulled into the parking lot and dismounted after
parking my bike in the spot I had dubbed my “usual spot” the previous semester.
I locked my helmet to the tank and headed to the science building. My first
lecture of the day was chemistry. I won't lie, I was feeling pretty stoked
about it until I realized the west wing of the building was more than a little
empty. There should have been a steady stream of students walking in, hurrying
to the lecture, which was set to begin in five minutes. Instead, it seemed I
was the only person there.
    I was trying to find my class schedule in my backpack
when it hit me and panic made the blood in my veins run ice-cold. I lifted
smacked myself in the forehead, cursing at myself for my stupidity. I had been
going on