Never Let Go Read Free

“Pickles!” I cry out. The cat trots up to me.
    “Pickles?” Spencer smirks. “ That’s the cat’s name?”
    The remark makes my cheeks grow warm. Unlike with Andrew, I feel like Spencer’s is judging me for the name.
    “He was my grandma’s,” I mumble under my breath.
    “Well, I’m not a fan of cats,” he announces. “If I stick around too long they make my eyes water.” He pushes off the wall and starts for the door. He slaps Katy’s ass as he passes by. “Thanks for the good time, babe.”
    “Do you want your shirt back?” she asks uncertainly.
    “Keep it,” he winks from the door. “Think of it as a souvenir.”
    He walks out the door, wearing nothing but those loose sweat pants.
     
     

Chapter Two
     
    “So, who was that again?” I ask Katy once we’re alone.
    She looks at the door and sighs wistfully. “Spencer Ashford. Also known as Laurier’swalking one-night stand.”
    “Seems like sort of an asshole to me,” I note.
    Katy grins. “That’s part of his charm.”
    “I don’t see what can be all that charming about it,” I sniff.
    “You’ll learn soon enough. He’s got his eye on you. I can tell.”
    That’s so ridiculous I have to laugh. “Me? Nuh-uh. I don’t think so. I’m not his type. Besides, aren’t the two of you…” I trail off, searching for the right word while circling my hand in the air, “… together ?”
    Katy laughs this time. “I wish. There’s no way I can be the one to tame Spencer Ashford. Many girls have tried. Many have failed.”
    I cock my head to the side. “So that’s it, then? You’re not going to see him again?”
    Katy raises her eyebrows. She’s really pretty no matter what her expression is. “Hey, it’s not my fault, is it? I’m just lucky I got to spend one night with him.” She looks at me. “Despite being cut off early.”
    I clear my throat and shift my shoulders. “Yeah, um, sorry… about all that.”
    Katy laughs and embraces me in a hug. “I’m teasing ! I’d rather meet my new roommate any day.”
    That makes me smile. I feel better right away. “Thanks.”
    “Sure. Do you need any help unpacking?”
    “No, no, you don’t need to do that,” I say. “I’ll take care of it tomorrow morning.”
    Katy rolls her eyes and takes my hand. “Come on. If that story you told about driving all day is true, I doubt you want to wake up early to unpack. And I’m here anyway. I want to help and get to know my roomie.”
     
    ***
     
    It takes half an hour to lug all my suitcases to the bedroom and get them unpacked. But having Katy around energizes me. It’s good to make a new friend. Since we get along, we decide to bunk together. I mention my idea of a walk-through bedroom to her. She says the other girls can set that up between them if they want.
    Katy is from Canada. Despite that, I haven’t heard her say “eh” even once. She grins mischievously, and promises it’ll pop out sooner or later.
    Once everything is unpacked, and just before I head to the shower, Katy turns the conversation to Spencer again.
    I shake my head. “I really don’t see what is so special about the guy.”
    Katy laughs. “You say that now. Just be sure not to say it in his presence. It will only make him more interested.”
    “I don’t know why you think he’d be interested,” I say, digging a towel out of my bag. “I think he wanted absolutely nothing to do with me. Besides, doesn’t it feel kind of strange, knowing that you two… you know ?”
    “I’m nothing to him anymore,” Katy explains. “He’s had me once, and already he’s probably thinking about his next conquest. Hell, he probably has his dick between some other girl’s legs right now.”
    “Katy!”
    “What?” she laughs. “I’m a realist. I’m not degrading myself, if that’s your worry. I’m able to accept things for what they are. I know I’m never going to be anything more than another notch on Spencer’s proverbial belt.”
    I stare at her. “I