stuff I’ve done to her already. The thought helps me shake off my irritation.
I try to forget the encounter when I get into the house, but his pesky comments are still in the back of my head, tormenting me. Why are my friends and hers all of a sudden shitting on our parade? Andreas thinks Charlie is responsible for my busted shoulder, and even though he acts like a dick, I know he has good intentions. But Blake is an asshole through and through who seems to still have feelings for Charlie. He’d better forget about her. I’m not letting her go.
Jesus, where is this possessiveness coming from?
I have a ton of work to do for school, but I can’t concentrate to save my life. My relationship with Charlie has barely begun, yet it’s already turning sour all thanks to outside forces. That’s not what I intended when I cornered her in front of the cafeteria building earlier. I was only thinking with my dick, and that’s my punishment. I should have kept things private a while longer.
It’s getting late, and I keep anxiously looking at the clock and wondering when Charlie will get home. I have to stop myself from sending her a message. I don’t want her to think I’m needy or controlling her. I wouldn’t text her if she were only my roommate, and that’s what we agreed to be.
At a little past six o’clock, the sound of her key in the lock has me perking up in my seat. I look over my shoulder and try to keep a straight face. I don’t want to look too eager, but hell if a smile doesn’t break through anyway.
“Hey,” I say.
“Hi. Have you been home long?” She shuts the door with her foot since her hands are occupied with two huge bags.
I jump up from the couch and run to help her out. “I got home a couple hours ago.” I take the bags from her hands, frowning at their weight. “What do you have here?”
“Fabric and other materials to make props.”
“Oh, is there another LARP event coming soon?”
“Yeah, in a few weeks.”
I set the bags down and then pull her to me for a kiss. She melts into my embrace, clutching my left arm as if she needs help keeping upright. Quicker than wildfire, our breathing becomes heavy, and I want nothing more than to peel her clothes off and lose the bet.
She breaks the kiss before I succumb and steps back. “Is this how you usually greet all your roommates?”
“Only the ones who drive me crazy with need. Besides, you’re the only roommate I’ve ever had.”
“Really?” She arches her eyebrows.
“Grandma was adamant when she let me stay here that I wouldn’t have roommates, so I was surprised when she told me she’d be renting a room to you. You made quite an impression on her. She doesn’t like a lot of people.”
“Well, I’m very likeable. Only you thought otherwise.” She smirks.
“Because you had a bad attitude when we met.”
She puts her hands on her hips and glares at me. “And whose fault was that? You made me wait forty minutes and never apologized.”
Guilt takes over me. She’s not lying.
I rub the back of my neck. “I was a jerk to you. I shouldn’t have agreed to the interview that day knowing I’d have to meet my mother right before. She has the ability to suck the joy out of everyone.”
“I’m sorry. Your parents are divorced, right?”
“Yeah, for a while.”
A shadow crosses Charlie’s eyes, but she turns away and veers for the kitchen, almost as if she’s hoping I didn’t notice her change in demeanor.
“Is there something wrong?”
“No, nothing is wrong. I’m just sad about Bailey.”
“I’m sorry. I never had a pet, so I don’t know what you must be feeling,” I lie.
I know exactly how painful the grip of grief is. But I don’t tell her that. I have no intention of ever telling Charlie about Robbie. That’s my biggest shame, and I’ll take it to the grave.
When she looks at me, I have the feeling she knows I’m lying. She doesn’t make a comment, only smiles sadly before looking away again.
“Are you hungry? I can make dinner.”
“Yeah, I’m hungry.” I hug her from behind as she peruses inside the fridge.
She leans against me, pressing her sweet ass against my cock. Instant erection. “Hmm. You know all you have to do is admit defeat.”
“Tempting,” I whisper before biting her earlobe. “But I definitely do not want