Just Another Series Book 1: Just Another Roomie
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Vesper Nadine
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She’s at rock bottom—job gone, nowhere to live, and not even a purse to her name. So when her best friend offers a lifeline in the form of her brother’s spare room, she doesn’t hesitate... even if that brother happens to be her longtime nemesis. He’s cocky, infuriating, and way too attractive for his own good. Neither of them wants this setup, but sparks start flying faster than they can dodge them. As the walls come down, attraction turns dangerous. He’s known as a player, and she’s known him long enough not to trust him... so why does her heart say otherwise? With secrets, grudges, and chemistry colliding, one wrong move could burn it all down.
Chapter 1
Book 1: Just Another Roomie
RACHEL
London rain is like a clingy ex. It just never goes away.
The morning storm poured over me as if it had nothing else to do but further ruin my day while I packed everything I owned into my small car.
You’re probably wondering what the bloody hell I was even doing outside in this weather. Well, you know how everyone always says good things come in threes. Well, guess what? Bad things do too.
I woke up this morning with a weird feeling. My roommate, Jessy, was all smiles and giggles, which should’ve set off some alarm bells. She’s never happy to see me.
But I just pushed it out of my mind and went to work. I was a personal assistant for a lawyer in one of London’s top firms. At least, I had been when I got up this morning.
A few weeks ago, I reported my sleezy boss to HR for sexual harassment. The scumbag was the kind of guy who thought my allowing him to “accidentally” touch my ass was just part of my job description. So, I filed a complaint, but people like him always seemed to figure out how to get away with this kind of shit.
Guess what this bastard did? He twisted the story and made me out to be the villain, telling HR I had been trying to seduce him since the day I started, and this was just me trying to get back at him for rejecting me.
The bloody bastard even handed over my termination personally, a malicious little sneer on his face as he did. So, I punched him. Security escorted me from the building without my final check or the one they still owed me for last month.
I sat heavily on the sidewalk in front of my apartment, putting my head in my hands.
Well, guess it’s not my apartment anymore.
On top of being fired, my bitch of a roommate decided to call our landlord and tell him I lost my job.
I was already late with last month’s rent because the asshole I’d been working for had been holding my paycheck hostage unless I slept with him. And now that I was unemployed, my landlord said I was in breach of my lease and evicted me. So now I was homeless, jobless, and drenched.
No wonder she was so smiley this morning. She’s been wanting the place to herself for a while, and now she has it.
“Fuck. I really could use some ice cream.”
I reached for where I’d left my purse on the concrete right next to me, but it was gone. I spun, searching all around me, but didn’t see it.
What the fuck?!
I looked around frantically, catching sight of a young man sprinting away with my bag tucked beneath his arm.
“Fuck!” I cried, starting toward him only to stop as he disappeared around the corner.
I pressed my palms to my forehead, taking a deep breath.
So, you see, bad things do come in threes. Or is this four? I guess I can’t really count London weather when it rains practically every day.
Clinging to my last bit of sanity, I grabbed my phone and called my best friend.
Becky and I have been inseparable since we were kids. Even though she’s a model now and travels around the world, we still text every day and call each other at least three times a week.
She picked up on the second ring. “Hey, babes. How’s life in London?”
I started crying immediately at the sound of her voice, managing to tell her everything between sobs.
“Damn, Rach,” she replied. “The universe really fucked you over today. What do you need, babes? Just say the word.”
I wiped my cheeks and sighed. “I’ll pull myself together. You know I will, but can I crash at your place for a few days or weeks? Just until I find a new job.”
“You know you can, babes. You have a key. Just get your ass over there and make yourself at home for as long as you need.”
“Thanks, Beck. I owe you.”
I had no idea how I got so lucky as to deserve a best friend like Beck, but I was grateful.
***
We talked for a few more minutes, Beck telling me all about the luxurious tropical location she was shooting in this week. I felt a bit better by the time I got behind the wheel of my car.
At least I have a place to stay until I get back on my feet.
My improved mood, however, only lasted until I put the key into the ignition and tried to turn it on. The engine coughed, sputtering for a second before dying with a clank and a high-pitched whine.
“Oh, you’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” I groaned, trying to crank it again without success.
I stared out the windshield, wondering what I had done to deserve this when I saw the glowing sign of my corner shop. The London rain was still falling heavily, but I could at least check one thing off my abysmal list while I waited for an Uber.
Not like I can really get any wetter, can I? I mean, I’m already completely soaked.
I shoved open my door, slamming it and stomping through the rain toward the store. I burst through the entrance, the little bell above the door ringing as I sloshed toward the freezers. My mind was set on one thing only.
ICE CREAM!
I grabbed three boxes of my favorite cookies-and-cream flavor and turned to head toward the register when I bumped into someone, almost dropping one of my cartons. Large hands caught me by the elbows, and I looked up.
“Oh my god! I’m so sorry…wait, Mason?!” I recognized my best friend’s older brother. “What are you doing here?”
He scowled, which was his usual reaction whenever he saw me, and yanked his hands away. “Rach? Why are you all wet?”
Not sure what I had ever done to make him not like me, but he definitely wasn’t a fan.
I rolled my eyes. “It’s London, Mason. It rains all the time here.”
He stared at me like I’d lost my mind. “Well, maybe you should be getting an umbrella instead of three pints of ice cream,” he said with a cocky smirk.
Did I mention that I kind of hated him too? I usually ignored him because Becky is my best friend, but today wasn’t that kind of day.
“You know what, Mason? It’s been a real shit day, and I don’t have the patience for your attitude right now.” I smiled sweetly, turning around and flipping him off as I headed for the counter.
His sarcastic laugh echoed down the aisle as I paid for my ice cream and walked out the door.
Please, universe. Just let me make it to Becky’s, and I swear, I’ll go straight to bed and not ask for anything else ever again.
***
The Uber driver was kind enough to let me pile a few things into his trunk so I would at least have a change of clothes when I got to Becky’s. I’d already called a mechanic to come get my car, not that I’d be able to pay to have it fixed.
Guess I’ll be dusting off the old metro card.
We pulled up in front of Becky’s flat, and I caught sight of a tall, scowling pain in my ass ducking inside.
No fucking way.
I quickly rang Becky.
“Hey, babes. All settled in with a pint?” she joked.
“No,” I huffed. “My car died on top of everything else.”
“Oh, babes. You can not catch a break today, can you?”
“Apparently not, which brings me back to the purpose of my call, Beck.” I glared at the doors of her apartment building. “Is Mason staying at your place right now?”
The line was quiet for a second before she let out a nervous little chuckle. “Oh yeah, I totally forgot to mention that he’s also currently crashing at my flat. The pipes burst at his, so he’s living with me for the next few weeks while they make repairs. That’s not a problem, right?”
I groaned, letting my head fall back against the seat. “Beck, your brother is an ass. He’s never liked me.”
“Well, you’ve never really been his biggest fan either, Rach,” she retorted. “Consider this an opportunity for you guys to get to know each other. Oh! Time for my shoot! Gotta run, babes. Don’t kill him or anything, okay? Bloodstains would be a bitch to get out of my carpet.”
She hung up, and I stared at the phone for several minutes.
“Uh, miss?” the driver asked. “Are you getting out?”
I sighed, my shoulders slumping as I nodded. “Yeah, guess I don’t really have much of a choice.”
