Learning to Live (ILS Series, Book One) *SAMPLE*

Chapter One

Topher

"Yes...yes...yes!" Sophia screams underneath me as I thrust deeper. She is breathing deeply, one might even think she is actually enjoying herself. But I know Sophia better than that. I know she's faking it. I glance at the clock on my wrist. Twenty more minutes.

"Topher!" Sophia cries from underneath me. I flick my eyes to meet hers. "God, are you even in there?"

She pushes me off of her roughly, and then gathers the sheets off my bed, covering her body. "Sorry," I reply, running my hand over my face, and falling flat on my back.

"Sorry? Really?" she exclaims angrily, her brown eyes appearing black. "What the hell is up with you lately?"

A lot. But nothing I want to discuss with her. "Nothing," I lie. "I have to get ready for dinner. My father is finally going to introduce me to his secret girlfriend."

Sophia sighs loudly and then hops off my bed, running straight into my bathroom, and then closing the door behind her. I grab my boxer-briefs and slide them back on along with my jeans, belt and polo. A few minutes later she returns, dropping the sheet to the floor idly, and tossing her clothes back on as well.

Before, the sight of my girlfriend naked could make me hard in a nano-second. Now, it just annoys the crap out of me. She snatches her purse from the ground and gives me a quick peck on the cheek. "See you later?"

"Sure." I shrug, not even bothering to feign excitement. She whips her head around and takes off.

Sophia Thompson, cheerleader, queen bee, socialite, and my girlfriend of four years. Most guys would kill for the opportunity to date her. I'm not most guys. Over time, I have grown to hate almost everything that makes up the person she is and I've mastered the art of faking it.

She is stubborn, opinionated, rude, condescending, vain, and completely self-centered. She wasn't always like this. I met her at the end of middle school and she was funny and fun to be around, sweet and even endearing. A lot has changed. Mainly, her popularity skyrocketed and her personality flat lined.

I know I should break up with her...but I've grown used to our social status and the hierarchy. Everyone in school wants to date us or be us. Knowing this, makes it hard to dump her like the trash she is. Power has always been something I love controlling.

The problem is, I've been hiding my true feelings for her for so long...I just don't give a shit anymore. Faking it feels normal, so I continue on with the charade. I found out six months ago Sophia was fucking my best friend, Joe. It wasn't even a surprise to me. I actually felt relieved. If he was giving it to her good then maybe I wouldn't have to try so hard. It's a fucked up situation...I know, but I feel numb about it all.

I head downstairs and quickly begin setting the table. It feels like forever that my father has been sneaking around with his new girlfriend. I always thought I would have met her sooner, but good for him for getting the chance to act younger than he is.

My mother died when I was just a baby. I don't even remember what she looked like. My father has showed me plenty of pictures, but she's always felt like a stranger due to the fact that I was too young to remember her. He's dated a few women since, but it's mainly just been the two of us. He owns a couple of car lots and is rarely ever home, so I've grown accustomed to being on my own.

After setting the table, I help myself to a glass of water and glance at the clock on the stove. They should be here any minute. I wonder if his new lady will have kids. I wonder what she will look like. His past choices in women have been very eclectic. I'm not even sure what to expect this time around. I hear the garage open and my eyes lock on the door. Any minute now.