##Chapter 12: DaisyMy mind tumbles back to freshman year. Even though Noah's parents live close enough for us to commute to school, Marnie and Craig thought it was important that we live on campus to get the full college experience. Noah roomed with Carter. And I would pop over all the time.I didn't have a problem with Carter right off the bat. When we first met, I thought he was sort of good-looking. Fine, I thought he was hot.There. I admitted it.I was a smitten kitten just like all the other stupid freshman girls on campus.But then he opened his big fat trap, said something jerky, and the lust that had rushed through my veins disappeared. Every time I saw him after that, he would go out of his way to be a dick. Plus, he was a major player, hooking up with different chicks every weekend. One right after the next. The guy is like a carnival ride that never stops punching tickets.Gross.Know what else I've noticed?He doesn't treat anyone else the way he treats me. The

##Chapter 14: DaisyNoah pats his flat belly. "Yup. Did I mention how delicious they were? Almost as good as Mom's."I doubt Aunt Marnie's secret ingredient is chocolate-flavored laxatives."Yeah," I admit, my voice cracking on that one syllable. "You did."I wring my hands, trying to come up with a plan. Well, another plan. After this, there are no more plans. I'm officially resigning from plans.Should I come clean and confess that I doctored up the brownies or stay silent? I gnaw my lower lip in silent debate. I mean...it's possible the stimulant won't have any effect on Noah. He easily weighs over two hundred pounds. Probably more like two-twenty or even two-thirty.I narrow my eyes and look him over more carefully. Yeah, he's definitely packed on a few pounds. That should work in my favor.Just as that thought scampers through my mind, Noah shifts on the couch. His brows draw together as he lays a hand on his lower abdomen and rubs it. "I think I overdid it on the b

##Chapter 16: Carter"Dude, that practice sucked ass." Noah drops onto the bench that runs parallel to our lockers. "You heading back to the apartment after this?"Most of our teammates are busy bitching and moaning about the grueling workout Coach just put us through, but not me. I welcome the suicides and hitting drills. I want my muscles to scream bloody murder when all is said and done. I want to be so freaking tired that when I fall into bed an exhausted heap, I won't dwell on the girl sleeping twenty feet down the hall from me.Or the curve-hugging tank top and short shorts she likes to torment me with.I push those thoughts away and shake my head before they can do further damage. "Can't." I focus on the inside of my metal locker. "I need to stop at my parent's house."Noah falls silent for a moment and then asks, "Do you want me to come with you?""Nah," I mutter. That would only make matters worse. Just thinking about what I have to do makes my shoulders tense up.He

##Chapter 18: DaisyMy current relationship with Carter can be summed up in one word.Awkward.We've gone from constantly sniping and taking shots at each other to this bizarre formalness. It's like we're strangers. Strangers who unfortunately live together and are forced to, upon occasion, interact.I dread when Noah takes off and leaves the two of us alone at the apartment. Within minutes, I find excuses to hide out in my room. I spend way too much time there. Which has led to the realization that I need more artwork on the walls. This place is boring. I've created a whole new Pinterest board with ideas.I might crash at Olivia's place for a few days because I need a break from the forced cordialness. Maybe then we can get back to normal. Well, not normal-normal. I don't think we can go back to the way it was before. But we need something better than these painful interactions.I slide the key into the lock and push open the door. My head tips to the side as I listen for

##Chapter 20: DaisyHe stares at her for a long moment before his gaze swings to his wife. My uncle has a pretty good poker face, but I know he doesn't enjoy Mom's visits. She can be a disruptive, pain in the ass (per Uncle Craig during her last visit). Aunt Marnie's shoulders shake with unconcealed mirth as she turns back to the stove to check dinner. Sixty minutes later and I'm planning my escape. Mom has the tendency to make me feel claustrophobic. While everyone is busy talking after dinner, I quietly excuse myself and sneak out the back door. The sun has just dipped below the horizon as I settle onto a lounger near the pool and stretch my legs out in front of me. I close my eyes and suck in a breath before slowly exhaling. It takes a conscious effort to release the tension from my tightened muscles.Thank God Mom booked a suite at a nearby hotel and isn't staying at the house. I think Uncle Craig would probably pack his bags and vacate the premises if that were the case.