Leah Mitchell isn't the same shy, poor girl anymore. Now a college student, she is enjoying her life in the city and the freedom she longed for. She works hard and knows her worth. She has it all, but her heart aches for the only person from her pas...
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Jim's Audi rolls to a stop outside the Science building. "See, you're on time," he tells me, watching me unbuckle.
"Thanks. I don't know what I'd do without you." I exhale and face him.
I'm a thousand percent serious. The last two weeks have been hectic and stressful as fuck. I've been juggling my heavy course load with helping D at the garage, volunteering, and renovating the apartment, but I wouldn't have managed to do it all hadn't it been for Jim.
He used his free time to help me, and let's be honest; he knows way more than I do about construction and repairs. Maybe it's because of his own house he finished renovating not so long ago. I have yet to see it; Jim told me he wanted to have a big family gathering there after Christmas.
"It's nothing, Brian," Jim says. "I told you I'd help."
"It's a lot. Fuck, my stuff's in your trunk."
"I'll drop what we bought at the apartment now. Ava and I are meeting for lunch later."
"Okay. Let me get my things."
Jim and I get out of the car. He unlocks the trunk and rounds the vehicle to make sure I manage to find what I need in the sea of shopping bags. We went to get some things for my new place. I’ll buy the rest with Leah cause I want her to choose what she likes. I need her to feel the apartment is hers, too.
"You only had these, right?" Jim holds up two textbooks and a notebook.
"Yeah. Tell me to bring my backpack next time. I don't know what the hell I was thinking."
"You have a lot going on." Jim smiles, giving me a half-hug. "See you later, little fucker."
"See ya, big bro."
Jim grins and gets into the Audi after closing the trunk. I clutch my things under my arm and look around.
I didn't have the first two lectures, but those who did are still in class. I wouldn't have let Jim drop me off if the campus was swarming with students.
I'm proud of my brother, but I’m also protective of him. I don't want to draw attention to Jim knowing how much he values his privacy. Plus, none of my classmates realized I'm related to the green-eyed heartthrob from Rebellious Hearts.
Or so I thought.
My gaze snags on Chad standing outside the Science building with his phone in his hand, staring in my direction.
"Hey," Mr. Padded Package greets me when I'm next to him.
"What's up?”
"So, you're also famous." Chad's lips stretch into a smile that doesn't feel genuine.
"I'm not," I say. "Are you going to class?"
Chad nods. "Why didn't you tell anyone Jim O'Brien is your brother?"
