I almost choke on my beer.
“Oh, well, that’s still fun. A roommate. I’ve only ever lived with Nora back in college, and I loved every minute of it. I sometimes miss it.”
Tobias returns, a new beer in hand.
“Babe, if you want a roommate, why don’t you move in with me?” Griffin asks her.
Oh shit.
Shit.
Simon and Zane both look like a deer in headlights, no doubt I have the same look on my face, and Tobias, well, looks like he needs another beer. He’s gone before Natalie has an answer.
“Are you being serious?” she asks him.
“Of course. I’m crazy about you.”
I do my best not to smile. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think any of this is funny or a good thing for Tobias. No, it’s more like this is exactly how I get inspiration for writing. Watching people. And this right here is gold for my plotting brain.
I need a story, stat, and friends to lovers just might be what I need. A love triangle perhaps.
“Alright then, let’s do it,” Natalie answers and then squeals when he wraps her in a hug.
I meet Simon’s eyes, and he mouthsholy fuck.
Laughter breaks up the intensity of the moment, and we all turn. Willa and Greer are all in a fit of giggles, while Calla looks annoyed.
Ha. I bet she just told them about our new roommate situation. Which, coincidentally enough, did not go as cheery as the one in front of me. At least I have both options to consider if I put it in a story.
“Thank you, by the way,” Simon says next to me. “I don’t think I said that earlier.”
“I think you did, but no problem.”
He chuckles. “I just hope the next few weeks aren’t too bad for you. She can be a handful. Growing up was fun as hell when I think about it, but that’s because Calla has always been full of surprises. I’d love for her to settle down and figure out life, but honestly, if she did, I’m not sure she’d be the same sister I love so much.”
“Settle down and figure out life?” I question back to him. “She seems fine to me.”
“I don’t mean it in a bad way,” he corrects quickly. “But she turns thirty next month. Everyone else here tonight has a steady job, owns or rents their own place, and has direction. Calla isn’t quite there yet.”
She must sense that we’re looking at her because she glances over her shoulder and locks her gaze on mine. She doesn’t wrinkle her nose or roll her eyes; she just watches me.
“She just needs someone or something to guide her where to go, I think.”
I know what it’s like to be a big brother and worry about your sister, but my back stiffens as an overwhelming irritation at how he’s talking about her consumes me. I keep my voice as calm as I can.
“Your sister is doing just fine, Simon. Have a little faith in her, yeah?”
He stops the beer bottle at his lips and narrows his gaze.
I expect him to say something right away, but he doesn’t.
“Dad!” Grey runs up, holding an old-fashioned root beer bottle that looks almost like the one his dad is holding.
Simon’s confused expression morphs into a wide smile.
“What is that?” he asks.
“Greer brought them for me.” Grey answers as she joins us.
