Chapter 1

I suffered from separation anxiety.

In the middle of the night, I crawled into the bed of my childhood friend, Matthew Bristow, just wanting a hug.

He rolled over and had his way with me.

When I woke up, it felt like my whole world had collapsed.

Turned out that the guy I ended up sleeping with was Matthew's aloof roommate, Ryder Anderson.

Hugging Matthew's blanket, I whispered softly, "Could you please not tell Matthew?"

*****

Ryder narrowed his eyes. "After last night, you're still planning to go back to Matthew?"

I just nodded. What else could I say?

He looked at me, pressing his lips together. "So you really love him, huh?"

I nodded again.

He let out a soft laugh as he pulled on his pants. "Guess it's better for me. I don't have to take responsibility, huh?"

He turned and walked into the bathroom.

The dorm door opened suddenly, and I curled up under Matthew's blanket.

Matthew walked in, spotted me on his bed, and frowned. "Why are you here again?"

I looked at him, all aggrieved. "I missed you. I couldn't sleep. You said you'd be here, but you weren't."

So I ended up in the wrong bed in the dark.

"Can't you take a hint? I didn't want you bugging me at the internet café," Matthew snapped.

Matthew came over, annoyed, yanked the blanket off me, and was stunned.

"Why are you naked?" he asked, surprised.

I'd crawled over from Ryder's bed to his, completely naked.

Good thing my clothes were on the floor and not left on Ryder's bed.

I hung my head. "You know I can't sleep unless I can smell you. I've worn out your clothes at my place just from hugging them all the time, so I came here to soak up your scent."

He snorted, still sounding impatient.

But then Ryder suddenly walked out of the bathroom, shirtless, towel-drying his hair.

Matthew froze, his eyes darkening. "You slept here last night too?"

Behind Matthew, I frantically shook my head and waved my hands, silently begging Ryder not to say anything.

Ryder glanced at me and snorted, "I just got back this morning. Took one look at your bed and almost thought you'd turned into a girl."

He tossed the comment out carelessly, then started pulling on his clothes.

Matthew relaxed, scooped up my clothes from the floor, and tossed them at me.

"Hurry up and get dressed, then go back to your own room," he said.

I clung to my clothes. "I want to eat breakfast with you."

"I already ate. Go have yours," he replied.

He said that and headed straight for the bathroom, clearly annoyed.

I let out a sigh, hugged his blanket tight, and buried my face in it, breathing in his scent.

Only then did I start to pull the blanket off so I could get dressed.

But I could feel someone watching me.

I looked up.

Ryder, now dressed, gave a cold chuckle. "I touched every inch of you last night. You're acting shy now?"

I pouted.

He gave a dismissive snort, grabbed his phone from the desk, and walked out of the dorm.

By the time I made it down from the dorm, Ryder was already waiting for me.

He strolled over and shoved a bulging bag into my hands.

I blinked, caught off guard.

He frowned, impatient. "Didn't you whine about wanting breakfast?

"After hooking up last night, I can't just let you starve, can I? Just take it."

I really didn't want to bring up last night ever again!

"If you won't take it, maybe I should hand it straight to Matthew?" Ryder threatened in that frosty tone.

I snatched the bag. "Thanks!"

Then I hustled off, clutching my breakfast.

I was sore all over.

*****

That night, our classmates were having a get-together at a bar.

I followed Matthew into the private booth.

"Yo, Matthew, you brought your sidekick again?" someone teased.

Matthew snorted, "What can I say? She just won't shake off."

I just stuck close behind him. No way he could get rid of me.

Matthew suddenly stopped, his gaze landing on Ryder, who was sitting there all icy and didn't fit in with the vibe at all.

"Well, look who's here. Didn't expect to see you," Matthew said.

Yeah, Ryder and Matthew might share a dorm and a major, but their social circles barely overlapped.

Both of them were campus legends.

Ryder was the icy genius, totally unapproachable, but had a fan club that could fill a stadium.

Matthew was the basketball team's MVP, always hanging with his crew, and basically everyone worshipped him.

Outside the dorm, they were like two kings in their own realms, never crossing paths unless they had to.

Matthew's buddy, Jerald, chimed in, "Yeah, it's rare to see Ryder actually show up for a party."

Ryder smirked. "Guess I should come out more often, or I'll end up a stranger to everyone."

Matthew headed over to the other side, and someone quickly made room for him.

I followed him and obediently sat down right next to him.

Someone handed over two drinks.

Matthew grabbed one and said, "Give her some orange juice."

I thanked the guy and took the orange juice he handed me, taking a sip.

After that, everyone started playing party games together.

The game landed on Matthew, and the rule was he had to pick a girl and kiss her for a full minute.

Matthew had a sly smile, scanning the girls around the room.

Panic bubbled up inside me as I realized several girls were eyeing Matthew, especially the heartthrob in our department, Vivian.

Matthew didn't even look in my direction.

"M-Matthew, I'll do it!" I blurted out.

Panicking, I jumped up, wrapped my arms around him, and planted a kiss right on his lips.

"Whoa!"

Whistles and teasing laughter filled the room.

Matthew frowned at my sudden move, but in the end, he just went along with it, looking like he had no choice.

Finally, the minute was up.

I pulled away, my face burning, and shrank back beside him, too embarrassed to look up.

I could feel someone staring at me, and I figured it was probably the girls who liked Matthew.

Matthew just shrugged. "What can I do?"

"Matthew's little sidekick is gutsy and affectionate. I'm jealous," someone teased.

I blushed even harder, keeping my head down and staying silent.

Another round came up, and this time, it was Ryder's turn.

Same rule—he had to pick someone to kiss.

The whole room went quiet for a second.

After all, Ryder was the campus heartthrob nobody could get close to.

A few girls were practically holding their breath, hoping he'd choose them.

Ryder looked up, all casual, and his gaze locked right onto me.