The Girl Next Door
The Boy Next Door Chapter 2

Spring of freshman year of college...

"Do you have any idea how badly I need coffee?" At this time of the morning, I'm barely coherent. A girl walking in the opposite direction knocks into me as we make our way through the throng of student traffic moving across campus. I bare my teeth, ready to snap. "Watch where you're going!" "Easy, tiger," Mia says, grabbing my arm. "Unfortunately for you, we don't have time to stop."

"Ugh." I'm so blurry-eyed, I can barely see straight. I was up until the b**t crack of dawn this morning working on a paper that needs to be turned in for this class. If it had been any other instructor, I would have shown up at their office and attempted to charm my way into a twenty-four-hour extension. But with this guy?

No way. Professor Mendelson refuses to accept late work. I've heard horror stories about him. And so far, I can say with absolute authority that they are all true. He's already made a couple of students cry. In front of everyone. So, I do my best to fly under the radar where he's concerned.

Plus, I've been spending a ton of extra time in the studio rehearsing a dance solo I choreographed for the annual showcase at the end of the semester. Between that and keeping up with my classes, I'm exhausted. "Hey, isn't that Colton?"

Just like that, I blink out of the thoughts I've become mired in. My head whips up and any haze clouding my eyes instantly evaporates. "Where?"

Colton Montgomery sightings have become increasingly rare on campus. There are times when I have the sneaking suspicion that he's deliberately avoiding me.

I mean, how crazy is that?

"Well," Mia chuckles as we continue to traipse across campus, "that certainly woke you up. Probably more than a straight shot of caffeine to your veins."

The girl isn't wrong.

Trust me, I kind of hate myself for the infatuation I have with the blond football player. I've been crushing on him for four years. Deep down, I was hoping there would be so many new guys at college, that I would forget all about him. That, unfortunately, hasn't turned out to be the case.

Sure, I've met a lot of guys in the two years I've been at Wesley. In classes, at parties, and during football games. I even allowed a friend to talk me into a blind date with her cousin. That, by the way, turned out to be a huge disaster. Not one single guy has been able to obliterate Colton from my mind.

It sucks.

I haven't figured out how you get over and move on from someone who wants nothing to do with you. It's painful. And a little bit humiliating. I can have anyone I want...with the exception of Colton. He's made his disinterest clear. And yet...here I am. Still lusting after the guy.

What I need is a twelve-step program.

Like an addict, my gaze roves over the crowd before zeroing in on him like a heat-seeking missile. He's a little taller and broader than everyone around him. His hair is cut short on the sides and left long on top so that it flops over his forehead. It's a constant struggle to keep the golden strands out of his blue eyes.

I've been tempted on more than one occasion to do it for him.

That is if I could get close enough.

I narrow my eyes as hot licks of jealousy burst to life inside me. It's not even nine o'clock in the morning and he's surrounded on all sides by jersey chasers. My God, it has to be at least three deep.

"I bet he's slept with every girl on campus." I grumble in irritation.

"Everyone but you," my bestie oh-so-kindly points out.

The reminder isn't necessary.

I can only grunt in answer.

The only time we've gotten together had been at one of Beck Hollingsworth's over the top parties. I thought for sure we were going to go all the way. We'd been in the pool. The making out had turned decidedly hot and heavy. I'd taken off my top and panties (don't judge me, I'm a girl who goes after what she wants) in an effort to move things along.

Trust me when I say that the boy knows exactly how to use his mouth. It had been amazing. Amazing enough for the rowdy party around us to fall away. Just when I thought we would seal the deal, Colton had pulled the plug and left me high and dry. Well, not so dry.

More like wet and sexually frustrated.

I've heard many-a-story surrounding the s****l exploits of Colton Montgomery. None of them ended with him walking away. It's funny-in a not so amusing kind of way-that the one guy who has a reputation for being a manwhore won't even look at me much less have s*x with me.

Go figure.

"And me, of course," she tacks on quickly.

My jealousy melts away as I flash her a grin before looping my arm through hers.

Mia Stanbury has zero interest in meathead jocks with a penchant for sleeping with every girl they come in contact with which means she's definitely not into Colton or his best friend, Beck. Although, I'm pretty damn sure the guy has a major thing for her. In fact, I have my suspicions that something might have happened between them at Beck's graduation party, but Mia has never mentioned a word about it no matter how much I've interrogated her. And you better believe that I asked all sorts of questions.

As we walk past Colton and his entourage, I can't resist throwing one last look in his direction. After all, who knows when I'll see him next. Electricity sizzles through my veins as our gazes collide. It takes everything I have inside to keep moving forward. Only when I'm past him, does the air rush from my lungs.

And that's when I realize that until I can replace another guy who makes me feel the way Colton does, I won't be able to move on from him.