Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 95559 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 478(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95559 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 478(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
To my surprise I find the kitchen is spotless. It’s obvious my roommates had the foresight to clean up before going to bed and I’m thankful. During the week we have an unwritten rule, I cook, and they clean, which works well for us, but I wouldn’t have thought it applied to last night given we had a huge party. I’m not complaining though, and I start making enough pancake batter to feed us all. Even if it’s only me and Adam at breakfast, I’m confident the others know how a frying pan works and can fend for themselves.
After breakfast, I take Adam on a quick tour of the campus. He’s already been to the hockey rink, having made a few visits with me last year to watch Jude play. I point out the dietetics block, the sports center, tennis courts, baseball field, and the dining hall and the outside of the dorms. Even though living on campus wasn’t an option for me, some of the accommodation onsite is pretty sweet, and there’s a block of townhouses nestled in their own little street toward the back of the campus. By comparison, the campus at Silver Lake is tiny and not for the first time, I thank my lucky stars I took the chance and changed my course. Adam doesn’t comment much on the grounds—in fact, he’s been pretty quiet all morning, which is unusual for him.
After the campus tour, we head to the Boardwalk to have some lunch. This is a popular area of Northport and it is bustling with tourists and residents here to spend a day at the beach. There are a few surf and souvenir shops. Best of all, there are a number of small independent restaurants and bars at one end, which makes a nice change from the usual chain restaurants you find in the town center. I decide to take Adam to Northport’s infamous crab shack, which is renowned for its clam chowder and crab buckets. Living in a small town like Silver Lake means not having the ability of eating at a place like this, so I’m hoping he’ll really enjoy the food.
We take a seat outside with a good view of the beach and place our order. On Millie’s recommendation, I opt for a sampler dish which has scampi, crab, and a range of dips, and Adam goes for the chowder. We order some sodas and fries and wait for our food to arrive.
“Did you have a good time last night?” I ask Adam.
“Yeah, I did. Millie’s quite the character,” he replies.
“Yes, she is. She has no filter, but I like the fact she says it like it is. You know where you stand with her, that’s for sure.”
“Your roommates seem like decent guys, especially Devon and Nolan, but Kyler on the other hand . . .” Adam trails off without finishing his sentence, but I can tell there’s something he wants to say and is holding back.
“Kyler on the other hand, what?” I prompt.
“I just don’t like the guy, Thea. There’s something about him. He sets me on edge.”
“He’s just quiet is all, and tends to stay by himself.” I don’t know why I have an urge to start defending Kyler, but I can’t stop myself. Adam doesn’t know him so isn’t in any position to judge.
“It’s not just that. You didn’t see him last night, standing in corners, just staring at you all the freaking time. Like, wherever you were, he was there, watching you like a hawk. I don’t know T, it just screams stalker or something,” Adam says with a shake of the head.
Our waitress brings our food, so I wait until she sets it all on the table before continuing the conversation.
“I think you’re overthinking it, babe. Ky’s not like that at all.”
“Yeah, well, I don’t like the guy, and I think you should keep your distance from him.”
I put down my fork, slightly taken aback, and stare at Adam. Surely, he did not just tell me to stay away from one of my roommates. He’s never been bothered by any of my friends or classmates before.
“Adam, you’re not seriously telling me to stay away from Kyler. We share a house, it’s not like I can avoid him. You’re fine with me living with Devon and Nolan.”
“Yeah, because Devon and Nolan don’t look at you like they want to either attack you or pin you against the wall. I’m not stupid, Thea, I’m a man, I can recognize a possessive, lust-filled guy when I see him and Kyler? His intentions toward you, whatever they are, are not the best-friends-look-out-for-each-other type. I’m asking you, as my girlfriend, to please stay away from him.”
I’m momentarily speechless. In our four years together, Adam has never been the jealous type at all. To see him react like this is completely out of the ordinary. And, out of character.