Hatred With Benefits novel Chapter 12

EVA.

There are five of them: Three guys and two ladies. I recognize one of them as Jaxon, one of Emerson's long time friends. How could he have made friends so soon?

"Will you keep staring at us, or will you move from that door?" The redhead by his side hisses and I scoff.

"I don't think we've met before. I'm not sure what Ford told you, but this is my fucking place and you don't get to speak to me that way. " I snap and there are loud whistles and laughs from the boys.

The redhead looks around before meeting my eyes again, a frown pressed to her face. I have a feeling she doesn't fancy me too much, and judging by the way Emerson snickers next to her; the fucker must have said something.

"This is his place too, bitch. " She cusses and dramatic gasps follow her words.

I clench my hands into fists as I keep my eyes on her, drinking in her appearance. She's in a short skirt just like mine with a cropped white top. She has the mean girl vibes attached to her, but if this bitch thinks she has a hold over me in my own fucking house then she has something else coming to her.

"His place, not yours. Who the fuck are you to tell me what to do? You should know you're his guest here, not mine so do not cross the line, redhead or I'll put you in your fucking place. " She parts her lips to speak, but no words follow through. Anger masks her expression as she pushes from her seat and tries to take a step forward, but Emerson grabs her wrist, giving her a slight head shake.

"Don't, " he says and the girl meets my eyes again before pressing herself tighter to his side.

"You might want to head to your room, Carson. " Emerson says with a blank face and I cock my brows, folding my arms against my chest. "And who are you to tell me what to do?"

Before he can speak, another beats him to it.

"Hey, Eva. I'm Jaxon. I don't think we've met just yet. " Jaxon smiles at me, extending his hand towards me and I stare at it for a few seconds before taking it in mine.

"I've seen you around. " I say and his smile grows wider, "Sharp of you to notice me. "

He keeps his hand in mine for longer than necessary before finally letting go and I move from the door.

"I think we should leave. " The third guy says, looking around his circle and everyone nods except the girl who's been quiet since I arrived.

"We'll see you at the party, yeah?" Jaxon nods towards Emerson and he nods. They all move from their seats and head towards the door, but not without a glance to my side and a dirty look from the redhead.

"Hey, " A voice says behind me and I angle my head to the sight of a pretty woman with brown eyes and short blonde hair.

"I'm Sage. " She smiles, moving closer to me.

"I'm—" I start, but she cuts me off. "Eva. I know. "

"Seems like I'm pretty popular, huh. " I joke and she laughs; the sound echoing around the room.

"I want to apologize for Paige. I promise she isn't always like that. " She speaks softly and I draw my brows in confusion. When she points behind her, I nod in realization. "Oh her. She doesn't seem to like me too much. "

"That's because of Emerson. " She chuckles. "She likes him, but he doesn't have much regard for her and you being his roommate is threatening her place, she thinks. She's afraid you'll get close to him, nothing more. "

"Then she's wrong, " Emerson and I being close? I don't see that happening in a thousand years. She hasn't been around for long if she doesn't know Emerson hates the sight of me just like I do to his. "We're far from close, trust me. " I assure Sage.

She raises her eyebrows, "He's your roommate. " Based on some circumstances.

"It's more complicated than you think. " I tell her and she nods. "When people say that, it's usually less complicated to the rest of the population. "

The silence stretches between us at her words as I think meaning to her words.

"But you don't have to worry about that. She goes a little overboard sometimes, forgetting she doesn't mean much to the said guy as she likes to think she does and it was nice seeing someone put her in her place. " She raises her shoulder and I hum, leaning against the couch. "I'm all in for that. "

Sage laughs. "I like you. "