He looks thrilled by this line of questioning, and I realize he’s far too social for my liking. Two complete opposites living together as roommates. Again, what the fuck was I thinking?
“Working out. Meeting new people. Not going to museums.”
He chuckles at that and then reaches out and nudges me. It makes me stumble back slightly, and our eyes meet.
“Sorry, that was a little too rough,” he murmurs when I rub at the spot his hand connected with my shoulder. “I forget some people aren’t as strong as me.”
I arch an eyebrow at him. I may not look strong, but I can manage just fine.
He rubs the back of his neck, and I turn my gaze toward the couch.
“Are we still chatting, or can I read now?” I ask when the silence looms a little too long.
“Yeah, guess you can read. Cool if I watch TV while you do it?”
I mean, no, but I don’t say that. I just nod and move to my chair, sitting down and diverting my gaze to my Kindle. Caleb flops down on the couch, hand down his pants once more, his other gripping the remote to flip through the channels. I try not to get distracted, but once more, my eyes peer out of the corners at him.
He’s oblivious to my staring, to my peeping.
He just grunts and groans, murmuring things to himself until I end up shutting my Kindle off completely and turning my gaze to the TV. It’s some kind of mechanic lifestyle show.
All I know is one man has an enormous beard that should probably be brushed, and the other has far too many tattoos.
“You know how to fix a car, Whit?” he asks, and I jump slightly.
“Do you think I’d know something like that?” I respond, and he grins at me.
I really need to not ask rhetorical questions. He thinks I’m trying to be cute, but really, I’m just being rude.
“Nah, I think you’d call a tow truck if something happened to your car.”
His hand leaves his pants, and he adjusts himself. “But these dudes are cool and super creative. Love what they do with the cars that people bring in. I’m not that creative.”
I turn my gaze back to the TV. I should really just do my homework in the bedroom with some earphones in my ears, but instead, I watch the entire episode with Caleb. Thankfully, he’s asleep when I finally turn to look at him. My lips roll between my teeth, and I push myself up quietly.
I only stare at him slumbering for a minute, and no longer, before I grab my computer, my Kindle, and my sanity, and make my way to the bedroom.
That was the most bonding I’ll do with Caleb. I can’t afford to be friends with him, and I’m pretty sure he’s not into men, so casual sex is off the table.
I shake my head and let out a frustrated huff.
I would never go there. Not ever.
Caleb isn’t even my type.
And common sense rule number one is never fuck your roommate.
I fall back on my bed and pull out my phone, seeing that email sitting unread in my inbox and feeling my heart twist.
Yeah, and even if he were my type and the stars somehow aligned, I just couldn’t. That’s not the way my life is supposed to go.
“So, how’s the new roommate situation going?” Kate, one of my debate partners, asks, her light brown hair pulled into a messy bun on the topof her head. When she speaks, it bobs slightly, giving me a subtle nod, like it knows the stress I’ve been under and is trying to give me some reassurance.
I glance over at Bev and see her waggling her eyebrows. I sigh loudly. I made the mistake of telling them at the last debate club meeting about my new roommate.
They had far too many questions.
I had far too many answers. They came tumbling out. One by one until I was breathless.
