People we're walking the street dressed in costumes, some heading the same way we are, other's stumbling off. There's parties up and down the street. Almost every house is decorated up with ghosts and goblins, Frankenstein and mummies. Dracula is laughing on the corner, while his victim with blood running down her neck is giggling at his joke.

When we drove up to the house it was already packed with people in the front yard, pouring out the front door and the music was blasting so loud the windows were vibrating to the tune of Monster Mash.. And we're at the one place I don't want to be.

Looking out the back window I wonder if I can get back to the dorm in these shoes. I've walked here before, I've walked home. Never on a full moon Halloween night where the streets are full of drunks and crazy people dressed in costume. But I could do it, I'll just use a heel as a weapon just in case.

"I thought we were going to your family's party?" I ask getting out of the back door of Hunter's car. Colby slides out behind me and grins up at me as she puts on her shoes.

I'm trying to be so careful. The costume I'm in makes me feel like I'm falling out of. Hunter put some sort of sticky stuff on my chest to keep me from spilling out but still I'm out of my element. I can guarantee there's no way anyone in there will recognize me, but I want to keep it that way too. If Aiden recognizes me he's going to be furious with me. It's not like I planned on coming to this party. I didn't want to go anywhere. The girls were the ones who convinced me to come with them. Only I didn't know that their family was part of Aiden's friends.

"Don't worry, it's safe. Our cousins live here." Colby replies as she adjusts my horns. "Out of all the frat houses this one is the safest to hang out at."

That doesn't make me feel better

I should have known that they knew these guys. They said it at that first party. These girls talk football and go to all the home games. They've got football on the TV every weekend and actually watch the games. I should have realized that they were related to one of the players. Blake Bradford is Hunter's dad for goodness sake. Of course she has family on the team.

It took an hour and a lot of costume changes before they deemed I had the right costume. I'm not sure if they got it right but I know no one will know me. With a black and gold sequin mask over my eyes and my forehead, my hair is extremely curly. Small tight ringlets accentuating my already curly hair that is piled up on my head and streaming down my back, with a headband and tall black horns twisting up to the roof of the car.

My black dress is so tight I can barely breathe. With the help of one of Hunter's push up bras, I'm about to pour my breasts out of the very deep V neckline of my dress. The sleeves are full and wide, the back of the neck fitted with a high dark purple collar and purple lining in the sleeves. There's a slit up my right leg almost to my hip and the skirt accentuates every curve. They poured me into black fishnet stockings and patent leather purple heels.

I don't show myself off this way and I'm so glad that my face is mostly hidden. I know my cheeks are hot, probably a bright pink from embarrassment. That would definitely not show any confidence in myself. Hunter thinks this will help me gain some confidence. I don't see how displaying my body off is confidence building. At least none of the guys will recognize me. I'd be mortified if they do.

We walk into the house, this time Colby wraps her arm with mine. "I went through my own fear, after a guy messed me up. I know you're scared of it happening to you. I'm right here, we'll stick together, okay?"

Nodding, afraid to even speak, we head deeper into the crowd. The lights flash in time with the music, there's a group of people dancing on one side of the room, a bunch hanging around a bar talking and the double glass doors are open to the backyard. I try to look around the room for anyone I know. I have to avoid the guys and Aiden at all costs.

"Hey sis! There you are!" I know that friendly voice and freeze as Harper comes over and hugs Emery. "I thought maybe you guys weren't coming."

So that's the family connection! Harper and Emery are siblings. I should have seen it. Looking at the two of them together I can absolutely see the resemblance between them. The wavy hair is the same sun bleached blonde shade, and their blue eyes are the same color as the Caribbean ocean. That bright blue the light seems to scatter in them.

"Harp, I want you to meet our new roommate." Emery turns him around to face me. "This is my older brother, Harper. He's on the football team."

His eyes dance with mischief when he turns my direction and his smile beams bright, lighting up his face. I can see his cheeks are slightly flushed and his eyes are brighter than normal. He's got a beer in his hand and a lopsided grin on his face. I think he's a little drunk. "It is an absolute pleasure to finally meet you. The girls have talked a lot about you. I have to say they left out some major details. You're fucking hot!"

His eyes scan down my body, lingering a little too long on my chest. I feel like he just undressed me with his eyes. My arms raise automatically to cover my exposed skin. Taking my hand away from my neck, he kissed it and held on tight. I try to politely pull it away but he won't let go. His smile stays in place as Colby and Emery motion to the bar.

"They did?" My whisper is met with silence. Harper only continues to check out my legs. I feel so uncomfortable with the way he's looking at me. Then he grins at Emery and Colby and I see the genuine love between them.

"Love the costumes. And I'm very glad you finally made an appearance. I was beginning to wonder if you actually existed!" Harper teases me then gives my hand a squeeze. "Come on beautiful. Let's get you a drink." He wraps my hand around his arm and guides me through the crowd and to the bar.

"Uh.. I don't drink." I tell him softly.

This is too familiar. Didn't I just go through this? I don't want this to happen again. I just won't drink anything. That's all there is to it. I can get through a few hours without a drink. When Harper realizes what I just said he spins around and frowns looking at me like what I just said means something to him. Tilting his head he squints his eyes like he's trying to imagine me out of costume.

"Have we met before?" His face gets closer to mine as he speaks.

Oh no, he knows it's me.

I frantically shake my head hoping he let's this go. "Are you sure we haven't had a class or something? Maybe we met last semester?"

"No, I'd remember you." I tell him quietly hoping he lets this go. "This is my first party."

Tilting his head to the side like he's trying to see through my mask. I swallow hard and bite down on my bottom lip. "A bottle of water it is, then. They're not opened and I suggest you keep it in your hand with the lid on it. If you set it down, just get a new one. We don't usually have problems but it's happened. Sawyer! A bottle of water for the magnificent Maleficent."

The two standing at the bar turned around and eye me up. I've met them both a few times now. Both of them have flirted heavily with me in a very sweet teasing way so I know their personalities a bit. They were nice guys but right now they don't know me. They don't know I'm not one of these girls more than willing to hookup with a football player.

Why oh why did I let Hunter talk me into this?

Landon and Sawyer grin at each other then back at me. Harper steps in front of me, guarding me from them. "Ah, ah, ah! This is the girl's roommate. You know the rule."

"That rule is for Aiden not us!" Landon protests against his comment. This gets a smack on his arm from Sawyer for it. "What? It's not my fault Aiden can't keep it in his pants!"

I know my expression has to say pure confusion. Why would I be off limits to Aiden? He doesn't know them does he? Maybe he's the reason they come to these parties.

"You know what happened last time. Blake had a fucking conniption over it!" Sawyer reminds him.

"What!? I'm just saying we aren't the ones who screwed their last roommate and messed up the situation for Hunter. Aiden knew she'd call her dad for it too. He's the one with that problem. I know how to keep it in my pants. And I don't have a girlfriend to worry about." Landon rambled on.

Oh my God! Hunter is Aiden's girlfriend?! How did I not know that?

"And with that mouth you probably won't. Blake took care of Aiden but that doesn't mean we can't be gentlemen. This is the girl's new roommate, we show her some respect. Em, Colby what do guys want to drink?" Harper turns to the two of them and gets their drink order.

Sawyer puts the drinks on the bar for us and moves down to help others while Harper stays with us. He gets into a conversation with another guy about football and I look around the room. I know Aiden is here somewhere, the best thing I can do is stay away from him.

"There you are!" Harper and I turn around at the sound of Hunter's voice and I suddenly feel sick. Hunter is grinning ear to ear with Aiden standing next to her, his arm slung comfortably over her shoulder. "Aiden this is our roommate. Hun, this is Aiden. He thinks he's the greatest quarterback in the history of UCLA but he's not. My dad is."

Hunter grins up at Aiden knowing she's knocked his ego but Aiden just covers her mouth with his big hand. Playfully stopping her taunting. Colby and Emery just laugh as Harper shakes his head. They don't know or realize that Aiden already knows me.

"Hush woman! I am the best and you know it." Aiden smiles with so much love in his eyes at her and kisses her forehead. His mannerisms are so relaxed and at ease. It's nothing like the guy that I saw in my rearview mirror.

"Don't mind him. Aiden thinks every woman is in love with him." Emery teases him.

"They are! Except for one, but I'm working on her." Aiden grins down at Hunter. "You love me, don't you, sweetheart?" He asks her and my stomach twists making me feel sick.

"Ugh! I guess if I have to. Not that I have much choice." She pushes at him but Aiden doesn't budge as he wraps her up in a big hug. "You're such a big bear! Get off me!"

"Nope, you're holding me up." He laughs with the guys as Hunter struggles to push his arm off her shoulder and moves to get herself a drink.

Those bright green eyes turn to mine and shine down at me. I feel dread and panic immediately set it. Dressed in a red velvet cape and a leather chest plate with no shirt underneath showing off every bulging muscle and his interesting tattoo. A pair of black leather pants and ankle height boots. The big hammer he swung in his hand hit against his thigh. Aiden sways and leans against the bar next to him.

"Doing better?" Harper asks Aiden as Hunter walks away with Emery.

"I guess. A bottle of whiskey in me and I still feel like shit about what happened." Aiden talks to Harper like I'm not even standing here. "I should have handled it better than she would have heard me out. Maybe she wouldn't be so pissed off right now." Aiden drinks and looks over to Hunter. She didn't seem that pissed off to me.

"Or maybe you should have not gotten in this position in the first place. You've got a girl, man. You need to deal with that." Harper tells him then looks at me. "Sorry, just a little house drama happened today."

I can only nod and drink my water. He kissed me once and he's dating Hunter. How could I be so stupid. Of course he'd go for a girl like her. She's confident and smart and beautiful. Why would I believe he was remotely interested in me? I've got none of her qualities. I was afraid to just walk in here, where Hunter walked in like she owns the place. I don't think I knew him at all now.

Lost in my own thoughts, I vaguely hear them talking. I see Aiden looking at me but I'm not paying attention anymore. I need to leave. This was such a mistake. I glance up under my lashes and notice those green orbs looking my way. His eyes stay on my face but I just can't look up to meet his eyes.

I'll have to change rooms again. When I tell Hunter how I know her boyfriend, she's not going to want me to stay around. It was probably just a house dare that night. All of them were flirty that first time I was here. It was probably all of them betting on who could get the geek.

Frowning down at the water bottle in my hand, it's just that's not what it felt like at the time. Aiden was nice to me at that party, he took care of me. And I left as soon as I realized where I was. I wasn't the one trying to reach him. Aiden was texting and calling me for the last couple weeks. He did keep me away from the others in the house and maybe it was just not wanting them to know about me. But maybe it's because of Hunter. Of course, it was, they're all friends with her.

Harper touches my back and I look up, giving him a halfway smile but not listening to them at all now. Sawyer talks to his sister and Harper asks me something but I don't catch it. Then Aiden touches my hand sending an electric current up my arm. Both of us jolt back, and I jerk my eyes up to his.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't listening." I admit getting a chuckle from Harper.

"Yeah, it's not important. Sorry, about that..uh... I said it's nice to meet you... I'm sorry, it's really loud in here. What was your name again?" Aiden leans his head close to mine as he speaks and I can smell the alcohol on his breath.

I think he's a little drunk as he sways then grabs hold of the bar to keep his balance. His eyes are still trained on mine as he waits for a response but his eyes brighten, then his brows draw down closing down on those gorgeous emeralds and a frown creases his forehead. He's studying me just like he did the legal cases we read last night.

My eyes meet his and it only takes a second for him to recognize me. I see it in his eyes as soon as it clicks. I see the change in his eyes, the worry on his face and I step back. First one step then another. What have I done? He's dating my roommate and I basically told her I had feelings for him!? How could I be so stupid?! A guy who has someone like Hunter isn't going to be interested in someone like me. What a fool I am!

"Riley?" He whispers as I shake my head at him.

"I'm sorry, I have to go." I can't do this. No one can hear me because of the music but that's fine.

Making a mad dash for the front door, I weave between people, pushing my way through the room until I reach the front door. Just as I reach for the handle, a big male hand comes down over mine stopping me.

Halloween is one of my favorite times. I love getting everyone together, seeing the cool costumes and enjoying the moment. Fuck if I can enjoy it tonight. I'm trying, but I can't get my mojo going. There's girls barely in costume, gypsies, harem girls, witches and sexy nurses. None of them are even making me twitch down low.

I can't get into this party. Girls are grinding on me as I try to walk through the room. I only give them a distant smile and try to get away from them. Grabbing a beer, I escape through the opened back door. The cool air hits me and I can breathe. I found my little corner of peace outside in the yard. Making the excuse that I overdid my workout and my throwing arm is sore, I hide. I hang out with a few of the guys, Roan and Wyatt are keeping me company. I know they're just hoping for a cast off.

They can have all the girls tonight. The only one I want, I've screwed up with. I should have followed her. I should have jumped in the car and stopped her. There's just so many things I should have done looking back at the situation that it frustrates the hell out of me.

The guys are teasing me about what girl I'm gonna tap. I shrug them off trying to act like it isn't bothering me, but it is. Have I really been that much of a dick? I can only hope for a distraction and quick or I'm going to have to resort to bailing on my favorite party of the year.

When Hunter bounced over to me, it made me feel a little better. She's the distraction these guys need. I know for fact that Wyatt has a huge crush on her. She doesn't see it and just keeps flirting with him. I chuckle a little listening to these two banter back and forth. He actually blushed at her and she didn't notice. I swear she's blind. Hunter brightens the gloom of my night more by teasing me with her new roommate.

"I got her here! You have to meet her and please Aiden, just be your charming sexy self! She just got her heart broken by some dick who doesn't appreciate the woman she is and needs a nice guy to make her feel better. You are perfect for that!" She encourages me when we both know I'm not supposed to 'engage' with her. "She needs a big confidence boost, Aiden. Just flirt a little and make her feel special. I know you can do that."

What the hell! Why not!

It's not like I'm going to get with anyone tonight, especially the forbidden roommate. I'm still working what happened earlier through my head and how I'm going to fix my situation with Riley. I can't believe I was such an ass! I swear I can't get the look on her face out of my mind. Those big brown eyes looking so lost and hurt. The bits of gold in them that seemed to sink into that deep chocolate. It's like the light in her eyes just faded out in front of me.

Something inside me broke when I saw that. I have to fix this. When Hunter introduces me to her she just stares at me like I'm going to eat her. I will say this, this shy little roommate of Hunter's is sexy as hell. Any other time I would consider eating her. But there's something familiar about her I can't put my finger on.

I was asked to be a polite gentleman. To flirt and tease and make this gorgeous creature feel confident and strong. Shit just looking at her, there's not a man here that wouldn't want this task. Looking around I see plenty of guys watching her. Their eyes moving up and down her body.

Whoever screwed with her was a fucking idiot!

As I extend my hand to greet her, maybe kiss her hand and give her the smile I get the shock of my life. As soon as I touch her hand I feel that shockwave tremble through my system. Both of us jolted from the contact. I gotta say there's only one girl I've felt that spark from and she's pissed at me.

"Please just talk to her, Aiden. Flirt be the sweet guy I know you can be." Hunter urges me on with a kiss on my cheek. "She's been really hurt." Hunter bounces over to Landon and I hear her laugh.

"So what are you studying?" Harper asks her but she doesn't hear him. It's loud in here and she looks so uncomfortable.

"Hey, you're safe here." I try to assure her. "We're nice guys, we only nibble a little bit." I tease her but she looks past me, her eyes search around the room like she's looking for someone.

Shit, is the asshole that hurt her here?!

I start looking around myself for someone that I might know who messes with nice girls. Then I keep glancing back at her to see who gives her the creeps. "If you see the asshole, let me know. We'll take care of him."