Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 83039 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83039 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
“I’ll take good care of them both.” Monroe sounded all responsible, which perversely made me that much more eager to tell him all the ways he could take care of me. And problem? Nope. I couldn’t speak for Wallace, but I was determined to be the best damn roommate Monroe had ever had.
“Rob? Can you help with the ice cream?” Jessica came to the patio door.
“Oops. Gotta go.” Dad gave her a dopey look before nodding at Monroe and me. “Glad everything’s all settled.”
I waited until he was back in the house before turning to Monroe. “Is it all settled?”
“Guess so. See you Tuesday. Not too early because that’s one of the days I run in the morning, but it should work.” Monroe sounded all businesslike, not at all the same guy who’d been no-way, no-how an hour ago.
“What made you change your mind?” It was a dicey question, but I had to know. Please don’t say pity. People didn’t understand how weird it was to be on the outside looking in with two families. However, the only thing worse than false praise or cluelessness was people who did understand.
“I felt sorry—”
“Don’t.” I held up my hands. I wasn’t too proud to accept his offer of a place for the summer, but I didn’t think I could bear another syllable of sympathy. “Please. I’m used to the weirdness that comes with a blended family.”
“Me too. But that’s not what I was going to say. I feel sorry for Wallace. Poor giant baby cat.” He laughed, eyes going soft. He was lying. It wasn’t about Wallace, but I let him continue. “Tiny laundry room. Hard-looking futon. I can’t promise much better, but at least the cat won’t get woken up by the dryer cycling on and off or someone needing a shirt.”
“Yeah. Cat needs his rest.” I kept my voice light, but I held Monroe’s gaze firmly.
“He needs taking care of.” To his credit, Monroe didn’t glance away, instead matching my intensity with a message I wasn’t sure I liked.
“Eh. He’s pretty tough. Survived on the cold streets.” I made a dismissive gesture before turning my tone more pointed. “So, I take it we’re not telling anyone about Friday?”
“God, no.” Monroe’s voice dropped to a spooked whisper. Yup. I was still a mistake, just one he felt sorry for now. “Apologies. That came out—”
“Honest. I like that you’re honest with me, even if I don’t like being some shameful mistake—”
“I’m sorry I put it like that.” Monroe huffed out a breath, expression pained, and for a split second, I thought he might touch me, but he balled his hand instead. “The club wasn’t a mistake. And if there’s any shame, it’s that I probably should have asked more questions, but I was just having so much…”
“Fun?” I suggested when he trailed off. “And you don’t want more fun?”
“We can’t. You know that.” His whole body slumped, military posture giving way to a defeat I absolutely hated for him.
“Do I?” I’d never wished harder to be older or from a different family. Something. Anything so Monroe would stop looking so kicked and see this as an opportunity instead of an obligation.
“You should. I would hate to come between you and your dad. You seem pretty close. I’m not going to be the thing that wrecks your relationship.”
“Fair enough, but I know how to keep things on the down-low.”
“Knox…” More of that pained voice, like my flirting might do him in. “I’ve done the down-low thing. I did my time under Don’t-Ask-Don’t-Tell. And it’s not that I’m looking for serious, but I simply can’t go there with you. I can’t hurt you or Rob either one.”
“Fine, I’ll stop pushing.” Much as I liked baiting him, I wasn’t going to be a source of agony for the guy. “We can be just roommates if that’s what you want.”
“It is.” Monroe firmed his jaw, eyes unnaturally still. He was a terrible liar.
“Well, cheers to a good summer, roomie.” It would undoubtedly be a long one, and my lust might spontaneously combust at some point, but at least I was out of the basement.
Chapter Six
Monroe
“I hear you have a new roommate.” Looking up from his laptop, Holden greeted me from his usual table at the coffee shop as I arrived for my post-workout coffee on Tuesday morning. At least this time, I’d made it through the front doors of Blessed Bean before being heckled.
“Good lord, the gossip mill in this town moves fast.” I was low on groceries and craving cold brew, but maybe I should have skipped the coffee trip. Again.
“Have a seat.” Our mutual friend, Sam, waved from behind the counter, signaling me to sit with Holden, which I did. Way back in high school, Sam had been the annoying eighth grader who kept showing up at the worst moments, but now he was a man with a mission and a coffee shop, irritating tween days long past. He’d also been the first to invite me to the regular trivia nights at the local sports bar he and Holden made a point of attending. I enjoyed the inclusion, although it did open me up for more teasing.