Forced Proximity (Bluebell House Duet Book 1)
Forced Proximity: Chapter 10

Andrew’s people had delivered what seemed like an entire restaurant worth of Thai food, but for some mysterious, inexplicable reason I’d totally lost my appetite. I said as much, then folded the contract copy into my pocket and went back to my room, ignoring Brodie calling out after me.

Ethan and Connor were still absent—presumably talking about me—and I was glad for it. I didn’t think I could handle another panic attack or meltdown right now.

To my intense relief, I discovered my room was equipped with a door lock. It was ancient and ornate, but it had a key. After some effort and jiggling, I even got the key to turn, and the lock bolt slid home in the frame.

“Small mercies, I guess,” I muttered to myself, crossing over to my freshly made bed and pulling the contract out of my pocket. “Let’s see what I just agreed to.”

Blowing out a breath, I sat down and started scanning the document. Part of me was terrified I’d just legally signed off on becoming some kind of shared house sex slave with a list of required services for each of the guys, so I was surprised to replace it was a very simple and standard nondisclosure agreement.

Whatever I witnessed or heard within the walls of Bluebell House, I was legally bound to keep it confidential. That was it.

What the fuck did they plan to discuss here that warranted an official nondisclosure agreement? God knew I couldn’t afford to break it, even if I thought I could prove it was signed under duress—which I doubted.

Maybe it had something to do with how friendly they all seemed with each other? Certainly, a far cry from the thick tension and animosity that’d sparked an all-out brawl in the dining hall just six hours ago.

A knock at my door tugged my focus away from the contract, and I put it down on the little bedside table. “Yes?”

“Evelyn, could we talk?” Ethan called back, and I groaned.

“No!” It was the only honest answer I could give. My face was already flaming with embarrassment, and I needed to process the fact that I’d now kissed my teacher twice. This time was totally worse because I knew he was my teacher. And everyone saw it happen.

There was a significant pause before Ethan replied, “Okay. Well, when you’re ready, just come downstairs. Connor will behave himself. I promise.”

I snort laughed at that, because I seriously doubted Connor behaving would be a huge improvement from his usual surly attitude. “Okay,” I called back, offering nothing further to continue the conversation. Sure, yes, eventually we’d have to address the huge kissing elephant in the room, but that day was not today. Not while my hands still trembled from the shock of having a gun shoved in my face.

Muffled footsteps faded, so I figured Ethan had given up and gone back down to join the guys for dinner in the dining room. Our dining room. Shit, this was my new home whether I liked it or not. Maybe I should have jumped on Ethan’s offer to speak with the dean again, but Andrew had cut him off before he’d even finished his thought.

Why?

Surely if they all required such intense privacy, they’d do whatever it took to get rid of me?

My skin itched with the uncomfortable feeling of being trapped, so I unlocked my door—quietly relieved it unlocked without much effort—then headed downstairs as silently as possible. I made it as far as the foyer before a floorboard creaked.

“Dammit,” I muttered.

“Going somewhere?” Andrew asked, popping out of nowhere like a creepy fuck.

Gritting my teeth, I turned to face him. “Yeah. Is that allowed, or are you going to pull a gun on me as well?”

He had the grace to wince slightly at that and shake his head. “I wouldn’t do that to you, Evelyn.”

There was an odd inflection in his statement. Almost like the to you shouldn’t have been a necessary qualifier but had been included for clarity. Would Andrew pull a gun on someone else, given the right motivation? The thought made me shiver.

“Am I allowed to leave the house, Andrew?” I asked carefully, my hand already on the door handle at my back.

His brow dipped in a slight frown and his jaw tightened noticeably. “Of course. You’re not a prisoner, Evelyn.”

A small breath of relief rushed out of my lungs, and I turned the door handle to open it.

“But since it’s after dark and the path back to the main grounds winds through the trees, it would be safer if you didn’t go alone.”

Irritation made my teeth clench, and I gave him a sarcastic smile. “Thanks but no thanks. I’ve taken self-defense classes. I’m sure I can handle any rabid racoons that might harass me on the five-minute walk.”

Not waiting for his reply—because like he said, I wasn’t a prisoner—I exited the house and pulled the door firmly shut behind myself. I could not make my point clearer if I’d written it into a legally annotated document for him.

So why in the fuck did Brodie come jogging after me before I’d made it fifty yards down the path?

“Are you serious?” I exclaimed when he caught up. “I can walk myself just fine.”

He quirked a brow like he didn’t understand my animosity. “I’m sure you can, Evie babe. I’m heading to Aster Hall to…uh…visit a friend.” His sexy grin said exactly what kind of friend he was going to meet with. “Seemed creepy if I was just following fifty feet behind instead of walking with you, since we’re living together and all.”

“All of it is creepy,” I deadpanned. “Don’t get confused about how this situation reads.”

Brodie just grinned good-naturedly, and I wondered how this famous, gorgeous, rich-as-fuck guy could appear so down-to-earth. If anyone ever questioned his acting skill in my presence, I would be setting them straight without hesitation. Because he was good.

By the time I made it to the main campus grounds, I found an empty cafeteria, and most of the students were either in their dorms or studying. I hadn’t really thought through my intentions in marching out. Mostly it was to prove that I was in fact not a prisoner, and there might have been a secondary thought of catching up with Nina.

What could I tell her though? I guess I could let her know I wasn’t in the main dorm rooms any longer, but everything that went on in the house was firmly covered under the NDA, so if she asked me any questions, I probably couldn’t answer them.

It’d be better to not mention anything until there was no other choice. She could just assume I was gone from the dorm every time she stopped by.

“Everything okay?”

I jumped about a foot in the air because I’d completely forgotten my stalker. “Shit, Brode,” I said, slamming my hand against my chest to hopefully calm my heart’s frantic beat. “I forgot you were even there. We need to get you a bell or something.”

His lips twitched. “I have to say, you’re hell on a guy’s ego, Evie babe. I’m not sure I’ve ever had a chick forget I was there before. Though I do like the new nickname. Pretty sure that makes us besties now.” He bopped me on the nose. “And besties don’t forget besties are standing there.”

“Please stop saying bestie. You’re making it creepy and weird now.”

Brodie just shrugged, like he was okay with that assessment. “Did you change your mind about coming to campus?”

Needing to conceal that I had nowhere to go and no one I trusted enough to talk to, I deflected. “Weren’t you off to blow some woman’s mind?”

He was suddenly a lot closer to me, his expression serious as he brushed back a strand of my hair, tucking it behind my ear. He let his fingers linger along my cheek for seconds longer than was required in the circumstances, and I felt that gentle touch all the way to my core. “I don’t believe I said anything about blowing a woman’s mind, but if you’d like to volunteer, I’m happy to change your entire existence. All you have to do is say yes.”

Half of me was being seduced, while the other half was trying not to laugh, because there was no way he didn’t use those lines all the time. The trail of women behind this guy would be longer than the distance to the moon.

Deciding he needed a little fucking with, I leaned in closer. He stilled, and I was glad to see that move take him by surprise. Letting my lips graze near the corner of his mouth, I whispered, “There’s not a fucking chance I’ll ever be another notch on your well-used bedposts, Brodie Keller. But nice try.”

A desperate rumble escaped him, but I was already gone, heading back for the house. A few seconds later, a pounding of steps sounded behind me, and this time when Brodie strolled beside me, he remained quiet, but I caught him glancing my way a few times with an intrigued expression.

I’d wanted to deter him, but I got the sense that I’d just challenged the movie star, and he was about to show me the full force of his efforts. Efforts I wasn’t sure I’d be able to resist.

To my relief, once I was back inside the house, Brodie left me with a kiss on the cheek, wandering into the living area where I could hear a few of the guys setting up the television. Or possibly a gaming system. I heard some shouts about Call of Duty and how can we fucking shoot someone on a screen that size as I headed for the kitchen.

I wanted a glass of water before I headed up to hide in my room for the rest of the evening.

When I stepped into the brightly lit room, I was surprised to replace Haze, aka not a janitor, already standing at the sink, staring out into the darkness beyond the window. Trying my best to ignore the giant of a man, I focused on the kitchen itself. It was a large room but as run-down as the rest of the house. What was once a beautiful home had been left to fall into a ruin, and the thought of having to live here with these men was too much to deal with tonight.

There were a lot of cabinets, so I decided to ask. “Do you know if there are any glasses?”

He didn’t show a lick of surprise by my presence, as if he’d known I was there all along. “High shelf next to fridge.”

I’d forgotten how low and rumbly his voice was, and how few words he used to get his point across. As scary as he was, Haze still intrigued me, and I found myself searching for a reason to pry more words from him. “I’m surprised that you’re part of this punishment.”

That caught his attention as he turned away from whatever he’d been staring at in the darkened grounds beyond the window. Leaning back against the old silver sink, he crossed his arms over his chest and raised an eyebrow at me.

Okay then.

“I just meant, that you don’t really seem like the group activities kind of guy. Unless of course the only ones you do jump in on are fights?”

There was no change in his expression as he observed me. His unwavering attention was disconcerting, and I found myself wondering if I’d ever get used to his intensity. “I protect my friends.”

That was it. The only explanation. I didn’t have a clue which of the douchebags out there were his friends. Although I had a sneaking suspicion that there was a lot more to the relationship between all five men than anyone else knew. Even in my short time amongst them, I’d noticed a familiarity. Not to mention, why else would they need an NDA?

The intensity of Haze’s gaze was different from Brodie’s. He quietly assessed, and I had no doubts that if asked, he’d be able to identify every part of my clothes and features if he had to describe me to the police.

“Guess I better get to bed,” I said with a shrug, having no idea what else to say.

“It’s not even nine.”

Did that mean he didn’t want me to go to bed, or was it a simple noting of the time?

I decided to try and lighten the mood. “Yep, but some of us had a very stressful day and need our beauty sleep to recover.”

No response, but his expression remained assessing as he continued to unwaveringly stare at me. Deciding it was now or never, I headed for the cabinet with the glasses and grabbed a dusty one down. He was still in front of the sink, so I slowed my steps when I got closer, giving him a chance to get out of the way. He took a massive step to the side, leaving a large gap between us, as if he was afraid I’d throw myself at him.

Yeah right, buddy. He was well over a foot taller than me and built like a freakin’ linebacker. Sure, he was gorgeous, as was every other man in this house, and all of them were more approachable than Haze. Even Connor, the gun-toting psycho.

Lowering my cup under the faucet, I reached out to get the water going. It took two hands for me to turn the stiff tap, and with an ear-piercing whine, the faucet finally started to drip water. Turning the tap harder, I screeched when the water sputtered, spraying me in the face.

Jumping back on instinct, I threw my arms out to the side and accidentally brushed my hand against Haze’s arm. A guttural snarl filled the kitchen, and choking on my panic, I spun from the spurting sink to replace Haze with his fists raised, looking like he was about to start throwing punches. The threat of violence hung heavy in the air as I lifted my shaking hands above my head and crouched to make myself smaller.

Not even a second later, Brodie sprinted into the kitchen and threw himself between me and the big man.

“Haze, hey, buddy. You’re okay. No one is touching you. It’s okay.”

He started to talk him down, in this low, soothing tone, and it weirdly worked on me as well, as I felt myself relaxing. Maybe that was part of the intrigue I felt around Haze—we both dealt with invisible demons.

When Haze lowered his hands, I caught sight of the minute tremble in them. The rage in his face faded until he wore that mask of indifference, though his eyes were screaming chasms of darkness. “Fuck. Sorry.”

That was the second mumbled apology I’d gotten from him, and then he was out of the room so fast it was hard to believe anyone his size could move like that.

Before I fully processed what had happened, Brodie had spun around to wrap his arms around me. His hands were frantic as they ran over my shoulders and down my arms. “Are you okay, Evie? I’m so sorry. We should have told you to never touch Haze, no matter what the circumstances are. He didn’t hurt you right?” He pulled back to look me over, and even in my dazed state, I managed to answer.

“No. He didn’t lay a hand on me.”

I turned to the now-empty doorway Haze had just disappeared through

Brodie wrapped one arm around me and, with his free hand, turned off the tap. “Come on, sweetheart. I’ll drop you in your room and make sure nothing else happens.”

The fact that I needed an escort in the house I had to live in, and I’d signed an NDA to not reveal anything these guys did here, didn’t bode well for my future.

My family had sent me here to be safe, but I might have wandered from one gunfight into an entirely different deadly situation.