Wolfe | ARCHER HIGH SERIES BOOK 1

2

NICOLE

Of course it was raining.

Michelle made an apologetic face at me as she climbed in her brother's car, safe from the rain.

It was alright for her—her brother cared about her.
But my piece of shit step brother wouldn't care if I lived or died.

I buttoned up my coat and cursed myself for not bringing an umbrella, and started walking in the direction of the nearest bus stop, which was miles away.

I used to live close by, but that was before Mom met Jason Knight, and my whole world was turned upside down.

The wind whipped around me as I put my head down, trying to avoid being splashed by the traffic slicing through the deep puddles in the road.

A car slowed and I groaned inwardly, praying it wasn't some psycho-murderer.

"Nicole? Is that you?"

I sighed with relief at the familiar voice, and I crouched down to see Liam Stone peering at me.

"Hey." I waved awkwardly, standing in the rain as he leaned over, opening the door.

"Want a ride?"

I didn't hesitate—Liam had been in my classes last year before he'd left for college, and he lived close to my new house too, which was a bonus.

I dropped into the seat gratefully, tugging off my steamed-up glasses as I sighed.

Liam glanced at me before easing the car back into the traffic, his strong jawline more defined than it was the last time I saw him up close.

Hell, his whole physique was different. He'd bulked up, and he looked good.

"Are you crazy?" Liam mumbled, switching the wipers on full pelt. "It's bad out there. Anything could've happened to you."

"I know. I was walking to the bus stop, but you know how far it is."

Liam frowned. "Why didn't you ride home with Wolfe?"

I made a face as I stared out of the window.
"He was busy."

Liam didn't say anything, but his gaze hardened.
"Listen, you shouldn't be walking home on your own in the rain. Couldn't you catch a ride with anyone else?"

"No, Liam. Look, I'm grateful for the ride, but can you drop the lecture please? I've had a long day." I exhaled, cringing at my outburst. "I'm sorry."

Liam shrugged, glancing at me again.
"It's cool. Hey, I've got a way you can make it up to me, if you want to, that is?"

I cleaned my glasses on my wet shirt, pushing them back on before looking at Liam.
"Oh?"

Liam was hot, there was no denying that. A college guy, no less, and a decent one. Well, he was a neighbour, and I'd had a few classes with him...he seemed decent enough.

"Come to a party tonight. Bring your friends."

My eyes widened, a nervous laugh escaping my throat. "I don't think so, like I said, I've had a long day."

Liam glanced at me again, his blue eyes holding mine captive briefly.

"Come on, it's in our neighbourhood. You could walk."

"Yeah?" I perked up at this. I didn't mind going if I could leave and walk home. "Where?"

"You know Jagger, right?"

Of course. Who didn't know Jagger Knox? Son of a famous actress, so cool he didn't need to go to school. Also best friends with my dickhead stepbrother.
"Yes."

"Okay, well it's there. His parents are outta town."
Liam slowed the car as we reached a set of lights, and he turned to look at me properly.
"So what do you say?"

A horn blared behind us as his eyes flickered to the rear view mirror, letting out a chuckle.

"Still got those pretty green eyes, Nicole." Liam smiled as he drove me home, and I felt warm despite my soaked clothes.

"Thank you," I whispered, sending a text to Michelle.
I wanted to be at that party tonight.

Some time later, Liam pulled up at the end of my drive, cutting the engine as he jumped out of the car.

"What are you doing?" I asked, my brow furrowing with confusion.

Seconds later my door opened, and Liam held an umbrella over my head, getting soaked in the process.

"Keep it." Liam grinned, closing the passenger door behind me. "Or bring it to the party later."

Liam winked at me, and stopped before climbing in his car. "I'll message you the address."

Our eyes locked before he climbed back in the car, and even the rain couldn't wash my smile away.

The umbrella saved me from the rest of the rain, and I shook it out when I walked into the ridiculously large house I now called home, leaving it on the floor to dry out.

Michelle would be here in a few hours, so I had time to get some food and a long, hot shower.

I made a sandwich, eating it while watching reruns of Friends on the cinematic screen in our lounge.
You can call it a lounge; it was four times the size of our previous lounge, and filled with such pretentious junk I barely spent any time there.
Deep bass thudded through the upper level of the house, and I rolled my eyes.

Fucking Wolfe.

Mom wasn't home—she was on a 'date night' with Jason.
Like most nights.

I sighed, stacking my plate in the dishwasher before dragging my backpack behind me up the stairs. I turned left at the landing, making my way towards my wing of the house.
Yup, wing.
It was pretty cool to have a walk-in closet and a full bathroom to yourself, not to mention a bedroom that took up half of the wing.
But the Devil himself shared this floor with me, and I'd rather live in a box than here with him.

Wolfe Knight.

The reason I was soaked, but also the reason Liam had asked me out tonight, I thought with a grin, stripping off my wet clothes. Dumping them into the laundry basket, wrapped myself in my robe and headed for the bathroom.