The Best Mistake Read online

  With that Rose left, and I went to my bedroom. It was my one huge regret from the night I’d spent with Archer (besides calling him Baylor, of course). My beloved copy of Jane Eyre was still in his room somewhere, probably gathering dust. I’d had the book for years and noticed it was missing immediately after leaving the party. Maybe if I had more courage I would’ve gone back for it, but my humiliation had been too strong. Even Mr. Rochester’s brooding loveliness wasn’t enough to entice me back.

  Oh well, I thought, closing my eyes. Archer was a good person, so at least I knew it was in safe hands. I fell asleep to that thought and dreamed of his eyes gliding effortlessly over the words, holding his full attention, his hands caressing the pages.

  Never in my life had I been so jealous of a book.

  The next morning, I stirred awake at the sound of arguing in the living room.

  I’d been dreaming about books and baseball of all things, so I wasn’t exactly upset to be woken up. But that sounded a lot like Charlie’s voice. And boy, she did not sound happy.

  I opened the door to my room, closing it quickly and quietly behind me. Rose’s room was across from mine, and I always tried my best not to wake her.

  “I know you didn’t mean anything by it,” Charlie said to a small brunette, who I noticed had her arms crossed. “But he came into my room, uninvited, and we have a strict policy at Magnolia house.”

  The brunette frowned. “Oh, and what’s that?”

  “No boys allowed. Ever.”

  “You realize how absurd that sounds, right? You expect me to believe that with three female roommates, you’ve never had a member of the opposite sex up here? Yeah, okay,” she said sarcastically, and I watched Charlie’s eyes widen. Uh oh. So not the right thing to say. “I call bullshit.”

  “Honestly, I don’t care what you think,” Charlie said. “Who are you again? You haven’t even lived here five seconds, and you’re already breaking our only rule.”

  “The name’s Emilia,” the mystery girl said, “like I told you a minute ago. And it’s my house now, too, so I should get a say in the rules.”

  “One,” Charlie repeated, holding up a finger. “We had one rule, and you already broke it. You’re a freshman, right? I’m sure we can find a change of living situation. There’s usually plenty of room in the dorms.”

  “No. No way,” the girl said. “I signed a contract, Charlene, so you’re stuck with me.”

  “Like I told you, my name is Charlie,” my best friend said. “And nothing’s written in stone. But don’t worry. Some of the dorms are co-ed. You’d probably like it better there anyway.”

  “Been there already. The girl I was supposed to room with liked to cut up and burn my clothes for fun, called them ‘too promiscuous’. Ironically, I later caught her and her boyfriend having sex—on my bed. I’m never going back there.”

  Charlie and the newcomer looked like they were both about ready to blow, so I stepped in, hoping to keep the peace. Or create some peace because this was roommate war, right here.

  “Hey guys,” I said, walking up to them, settling on a spot between the two so that it didn’t look like I was taking sides. “What’s all the fuss about?”

  “I’m trying to tell the freshie here about our rule,” Charlie said, gesturing to the other girl, “but she’s not getting the message. Maybe she’s deaf in one ear or something. I don’t know.”

  “I can hear you fine,” the girl muttered, and I turned to her.

  “Hi, I’m Honor,” I said, holding out a hand. “You must be our new roommate. You’ll have to excuse Charlie, seems like she hasn’t had her morning coffee yet. It makes her irritable.”

  The girl glanced at my hand then took it in a firm grip. “I’m Emilia. My friends call me Emmy. I was told it was okay to move in today, but apparently it’s some big inconvenience.”

  Charlie grunted in agreement, but I shot her a glare.

  “It’s fine,” I said. “Our other roommate told us you were coming. I don’t understand what the problem is.”

  “The problem,” Charlie said, “is that she brought guys here. And I came out of the bathroom to find one of them twirling a pair of my underwear around his finger, saying ‘Look, what I found on the floor’.”

  My eyebrows lifted as Emmy blushed. “Is that true?”

  “Yeah,” she said quickly, “but I didn’t even invite him. He just showed up and was checking out my new living arrangements.”

  Charlie’s eyes narrowed. “He was holding up my favorite pair of panties.”

  “The pink lace ones with the cute little bow?” I asked.

  Charlie nodded in the affirmative.

  I sucked on my teeth as Emmy buried her head in her hands. “This doesn’t look good,” I said to her. “That’s pretty sacred right there.”

  “Listen, I’m sorry,” she said, “but he’s my brother. Can you really hold me responsible for something my immature, deviant brother did?”

  “Ouch,” said a male voice, and all of us looked to the door…only to see one of the O’Brien brothers standing in the entryway. It could’ve been Baylor or Chase—they were identical after all—but I thought it was Baylor based on the mischievous twinkle in his eyes. He was holding a cardboard box, feigning a wounded expression. “That really hurts, Emmy. I always thought I was secretly your favorite.”

  Emmy just rolled her eyes, but my heart began to beat faster as another voice spoke up from behind him.

  “Move, Bay. I’m carrying like twice the weight you are.” Pushing his brother out of the way, Dex suddenly appeared, carting two boxes of his own. “And stop pouting. Everyone knows Emmy loves me best.”

  “But she called me a deviant,” Baylor said. “And all over a pair of panties.” At Charlie’s glare, he was quick to add, “A very nice, hot pair. They were just so colorful and right there out in the open. I was just curious and couldn’t seem to help myself. You understand, right?”

  Charlie sniffed. “I understand that you have no self-control, are completely ruled by your impulses and probably run after anything in a short skirt.”

  “Finally,” Dex said, the left side of his lip, the one with the scar, pulling up in a grin, “a chick that actually gets it.”

  “I love you, Bay,” Emmy said with a smile, “but you gotta admit. That’s pretty accurate.”

  Baylor nodded. “Oh, I see how it is. So much for family loyalty.”

  And there it was.

  Proof of what I’d been secretly dreading. This was Emmy’s family. Emilia, my new roommate, was an O’Brien. Which meant…

  I was so screwed.

  “Where do you want these?”

  A new girl appeared then, walking into the living room, followed by what had to be another O’Brien brother. He had all the same attributes as the others: dark brown hair, piercing gray eyes, nice bone structure—though his face was a bit softer, still holding onto a hint of baby fat. And I hadn’t seen him out on the baseball field the other day.

  “You’re my best friend, Emmy, and I love you,” the new girl added. Her blonde hair was pulled back into a ponytail. She wore a baseball t-shirt and jeans, no makeup and had a smile like sunshine. “But seriously, did you have to bring everything you own? I told you already I don’t think it’s all going to fit in here.”

  Emmy shrugged. “You never know what you’ll need, June.”

  June shook her head. “But all those books, your entire wardrobe and your movie collection?”

  Emmy shrugged again. “I might get bored. I mean, my best friend decided to stay at home instead of renting a place with me, so…”

  “Yeah, that wasn’t really by choice,” June said. “But it’s fine. I’ll still see you tons, and we’ll hopefully have some classes together. But let’s return to your crazy amount of stuff. Finn here’s already complaining about his back,” she added, patting the guy next to her between the shoulder blades.

  “I was not,” the guy, Finn, blushed, which was so adorable. He was carrying
a large suitcase and a lamp while the blonde girl had a smaller suitcase. “Despite my appearance, June, I can outlift any of these guys.”

  Dex and Baylor scoffed, started to rib Finn, but Charlie just sighed.

  “You see, Honor,” she said, holding out a hand to encompass the room. “Testosterone and Magnolia House just do not mix. This is why we never allow men into our sacred, private lady space.”

  Baylor smiled at that. “I’d like to get to know your lady space. Privately.”

  Everyone in the room seemed to let out a collective groan—except the new girl, June. I’d been looking between her and Finn and noticed her tense.

  “You want to go out sometime?” Baylor went on, eyeing Charlie.

  June seemed to be waiting with bated breath. There was obviously something going on there, I thought. I really hoped Charlie didn’t go against character here. Baylor was so not her type. Plus, he seemed to have an admirer in June despite his playboy ways.

  The girl had hearts in her eyes for goodness sakes—not that Baylor seemed to notice.

  “Aw shoot, but you’ve already seen my best panties.” Charlie shook her head in feigned dismay. “The mystery is totally gone. What would we even have to talk about?”

  Baylor threw Charlie a wink. “Oh, I’m sure we could find something.”

  That move might’ve worked on ladies all over campus but not my bestie.

  “I’ll pass, but thanks,” she said.

  “Your loss.” Baylor shrugged, and June visibly relaxed. “So Emmy, the boxes, where do want them?”

  Before she could answer, a door opened, and Rose poked her head out of her room.

  “What’s going on in here?” she said, clad in her silk pajama set and open comfy robe. Her words were raspy with sleep. “Everything okay? I heard voices.”

  “Everything’s fine,” I said.

  “Yeah,” Charlie added for the first time looking a bit sheepish. “Sorry for waking you, Rose. I know you’ve got to get some sleep.”

  “S’okay,” Rose covered her mouth on a yawn. “But if it’s all good, I’m going back to bed. See you ladies again when I’m not so dead.”

  “Sweet dreams,” I said as she shut the door.

  All was quiet a moment—and then suddenly the sound of something hitting the floor broke the silence.

  We all looked to the source of the noise, only to find Finn, standing there, his mouth slightly parted, his eyes glued to the place Rose had just been standing. He’d dropped the suitcase he was holding. If the look on his face was anything to go by, the guy was spellbound. And I could totally understand why. Our roommate didn’t know it, but her natural beauty paired with that curvaceous figure was a two-punch shot to the gut. One that Finn was currently trying to recover from as Dex laughed and elbowed him in the arm.

  “Close your mouth, Romeo,” he said. “She’s gone, and you’re drooling.”

  Shaking himself, Finn blushed again, pushed his brother away—but I thought I caught him sneaking another glance at the door to Rose’s room.

  “Come on, Junebug,” Baylor said, missing the wince June directed his way. “Let’s put this stuff down. There’s still more to unload.”

  “Ugh, I hate that name,” she mumbled, but he didn’t seem to hear. “And of course, you’d choose me to do the grunt work and help you unload more stuff.”

  “Don’t be silly.” Taking the suitcase from her, placing both it and the box he’d brought up next to the couch, he pulled June to him in a one-armed hug. “These women desire me to leave their sacred lady space,” he said. “Plus you know, I’d rather move boxes with you than anyone.”

  “Alright fine,” she sighed, though she was smiling as she said it.

  Baylor seemed oblivious to that as well as they left the room.

  “Listen,” Emmy said then took a deep breath, “I know you guys have this big rule and everything, but…” She lifted her chin. “They’re my brothers. And I didn’t even call them; I only told June and Dex, who must’ve spread the word.”

  “Hey,” Dex scoffed, “I only called Finn because I thought we could use the help. Not to be rude, Emmy, but you do have a lot of stuff for such a little person.”

  “Yeah,” Finn said, “and Bay kept bugging me about where we were going until I finally told him. The way he gossips I’m actually surprised Chase and Archer aren’t here, too.”

  My heart skipped a beat at the last name, and I almost missed what was said next.

  “They had extra practice with Bear,” Dex said. “I’m guessing they were too tired to come.”

  A sense of calm washed over me at that, but I also felt a sting of disappointment. Had I actually wanted to see Archer again? And risk the embarrassment that had followed each and every one of our encounters so far? The answer was a bit surprising even to me.

  Emmy shook her head at them. “You’re lucky I love you all so much.” Then turning back to Charlie and me, she added, “I promise, I never intended break any rules or invade your space. Sorry about that. It won’t happen again.”

  I looked to Charlie, and after an eyeroll, she nodded.

  “Okay,” she said. “But if I catch another one of them with my underwear, somebody’s losing a finger.”

  Emmy laughed. “Agreed. Though they’re not so bad once you get to know them.”

  Footsteps sounded on the porch, and suddenly, more people filed into the room—but it wasn’t who I expected.

  “Aw love you, too, sis,” Chase said, Baylor and June following close behind. Archer came in last, bringing up the rear. Even with his head down as he adjusted the box in his arms, he was just as beautiful as I remembered.

  “What do you have in here, Emmy? Rocks?” Archer said as he stopped just inside the door. My heart began to beat triple-time as our eyes locked.

  Beside me, Charlie threw up her hands. “And they just keep multiplying!”

  I wanted to laugh and cry as Archer’s lips turned up at the corners. But strangely, I couldn’t do either. My fight or flight response should’ve kicked in, but instead, I just froze. Waiting for…well, I didn’t exactly know.

  His steps were sure as he walked toward me, and that’s when I realized.

  Him.

  I’d been waiting for him to make the first move, so I could figure out how to proceed, which was all kinds of stupid because he looked completely okay with that role. More than okay. Unlike me, Archer looked confident as heck as he stopped right in front of me, wearing a barely-there smile that could make a girl do crazy things.

  The only thing I knew for certain: Guys like him and girls like me didn’t mix.

  This couldn’t end well.

  My brain was in full agreement, but by the fluttering of my heart, she hadn’t gotten the message. Ugh, my heart was such a hopeless romantic.

  I couldn’t believe it.

  My little sister was rooming with the bookworm who had fully captured my attention since the night she’d decided to seduce my brother and ended up in my bed instead. I knew myself, and I knew I’d find her again. There were no two ways about that. Coach and Bear always said I was the most stubborn person they’d ever met—well, besides my dad. That I never knew when to let things go. I’d been planning to look Honor up in the school registry and ask around about her.

  But it seemed like I wouldn’t have to.

  Here she was standing in front of me, the girl I hadn’t been able to get off my mind, like some kind of gift in a Harry Potter t-shirt and yoga pants, her hair tied up in a messy bun. I was staring which I knew was rude, but I just couldn’t stop drinking her in.

  The only bad part was she didn’t look as excited to see me as I was to see her.

  I’d have to fix that.

  Right after I got my fill of her—which was looking like it might be never.

  “Why are you looking at her that way?” Baylor said with his usual tact. “Did she murder your favorite puppy or something?”

  “Why do you say that?” I said, never removing m
y eyes from Honor.

  “Because you’ve been staring at her for at least a full minute without saying anything. There are definitely some weird vibes going on over there.”

  Honor shrugged. “Plus, you’re frowning at me again.”

  “I am?” My brow furrowed. “Sorry, I didn’t realize.”

  “It’s okay,” she said, gesturing toward my face. “Though I see now why you’re so good at sports. With a frown like that, one look, and it probably scares the crap out of the other team. Totally intimidating.”

  “Do I scare you?” I asked.

  “No,” she said, and I exhaled in relief. Then she muttered, “Though you probably should.”

  “Oh, why’s that?”

  “Well, look at you,” she said. “You’re all tall, dark, broad-shouldered and broody. Plus, you pretended not to know me yesterday which means you’re either clever or devious.” I choked as she went on. “Probably a bit of both. God help us if the good-looking jocks are smart, too. That’s like girl kryptonite right there.”

  There was a beat—and then suddenly her face turned red.

  “Oh my God,” she said, covering her mouth. “Did I just say all that out loud?”

  Out of nowhere, a sound exploded from my lips, my eyes widening a moment later.

  “Did he—” Dex tilted his head.

  “I think he did,” Emilia said.

  “It sure sounded like one to me,” Chase confirmed.

  Finn grinned, nodding his agreement.

  “Holy shit,” Baylor said, “she made Arch laugh! It’s a Christmas miracle.”

  Chase sighed, sounding put out. “It’s the end of January, dumbass.”

  Baylor waved him off. “Yeah, I know,” he said. “Season’s about to start. But doesn’t it feel like Santa just entered the building or something? Arch, I don’t think I’ve heard you laugh like that since—”

  I shot him a glare, and he got quiet real fast.

  “What?” he mumbled a second later. “I was just saying you don’t laugh much anymore.”

  “Yeah?” I said. “Well, I think you laugh enough for the both of us, Bay. Somebody has to take life seriously.”