Free Every Which Way (Sloan Brothers) by Calia Read Page A

run five miles, but I promise you’ll feel so much better.”
    “I’m not going.” With that statement, Severine dropped onto her bed, and rolled into a comfortable position.
    “Yes.” Anne stood up and threw a pair of workout clothes at Severine. “You are. How many times have I gone to some lame-ass party with you?”
    Severine lifted her head to lazily look at Anne. She had a point.
    Anne knew she was close to talking Severine into it and quickly went in for the kill. “Besides, there is a crap-load of tasteful dudes to stare at.”
    Her eyes busted wide. Anne smiled. Severine wasn’t thinking about any tasteful dudes, except Thayer. There was a slight chance he’d be there.
    Last night materialized back into her mind. It had driven her nuts all day and was somehow making another appearance. Severine wasn’t going to pretend she didn’t want to see him. She did. That’s what disgusted her.
    “It’s our personal Hunk du Jour,” Anne offered with an artful smile.
     
    *    *    *    *    *
     
    Sweat dripped down her neck. Severine wiped the perspiration away and focused on the dummy in front of her. All her frustration went into the next kick. Her legs backed away, and she repeated the process.
    Anne was right. This was a great way to blow off steam. Before she had started harassing the blameless dummy, she was liable to snap on an innocent bystander. And so far, she hadn’t seen Thayer. She lifted her leg and kicked as hard as she could.
    “Uhh, you okay there? I think Bill’s head is ready to fall off.” Anne looked at the dummy they had lovingly named Bill.
    Severine took a deep breath and stepped away. Her legs burned, and her muscles felt like jelly. “Your turn.”
    Anne gave the dummy a skeptical look. “Uh, I don’t think there’s much left for me kick.”
    “Okay, well let’s use the treadmill next.”
    “We’ve already done that,” Anne pointed out, as she silently offered Severine a bottled water.“Besides, we’ve been here for almost two hours. I think I’m gonna have to use a wheelchair tomorrow to get to class. Can we please go back to the dorms? Please?”
    Severine wasn’t in control of her feelings. Her breath came out in pants, and she concentrated on poor Bill in front of her. She didn’t want to talk about it, but what other choice did she have?
    “I think I like someone I shouldn’t.”
    It was hard to shock or surprise Anne. She spun the cap of her bottle quickly and practically ran to Severine’s side. “Who? Details!”
    “Macsen Sloan,” Severine stated quietly. It was a lie. She meant the other Sloan brother. Thayer.
    Anne looked at her, confused. “Mac? You like Mac?” She rested her hands on her hips and peered at the people around them before glancing back at Severine. “That’s a good thing, right?”
    Severine nodded before going back to kicking the dummy repeatedly.
    “Then why shouldn’t you like him? Macsen’s not off-limits. He’s a great guy.”
    “I know that,” wheezed out Severine. Her heart wasn’t pounding from the exertion that was pouring out of her body. It came from an internal struggle. The truth was hard to keep in when it was begging to be set free.
    “You should go for it,” Anne winked.
    There was nothing else to do but nod. Severine knew he was the safer route. He made her laugh. Being around Macsen gave her a calmness that normally never stuck. It made sense. For once, Severine needed to follow her logic and gut.
    “I can’t take it,” Anne declared with fatigue shading her words. “I’m going to walk to the locker room, while I still can.”
    A short burst of laughter escaped Severine. “Go. I’ll be there soon.” She picked up her water and took a long gulp.
    “I feel like I’m gonna see you on Cops in a few years.”
    At the sound of the voice, Severine bit into the plastic rim of the bottle. Thayer was behind her, watching her with a mixture of respect and interest. This wasn’t Severine’s top