Page 23 of Trust Me

I lifted a brow and smiled, which seemed to confuse him. “Alright, Broku. Guts is waiting for us.”

He blinked a few times. Shaking his head, he crossed his arms. “Guts? Broku?”

I twirled my keys around my finger. “Guts is my car. You’re Broku because—” I dragged my eyes down his body, but he still looked confused, so I shrugged. “I’m saying let’s bounce.”

“Um . . . Looks like you’re off driving duty, actually.”

My stomach flipped. Had I freaked him out too much?

“I’m lost,” I admitted.

“Someone fixed my car for me.”

I thought that was a good thing, but there was a frown on Dean’s face as he stared past me. Admittedly, I felt a little bummed too. I’d been planning to offer him a ride to classes during the week, but I doubted he’d be interested in carpooling if he had another option.

“No biggie. I’ll help you with your stuff. I’m already here,” I added when it was obvious he’d dismiss the idea.

With a grunt, he turned and walked into his room. I followed, looking around curiously. It was super tiny for two full-grown men, and I couldn’t blame him for wanting the hell out. I’d lived in close quarters with other dudes on more than one occasion, but it seemed inhumane to make someone pay for it.

The roommate was on his bed, and he blatantly scowled at me.

I snorted a laugh. “Careful, brotato. Your face’ll get stuck like that, then you’ll regret it.”

His eyes narrowed even further. “Imagine that. A jock making threats.”

“Threats?” I shook my head. “Just saying, you manifest your own destiny. It’s like dressing for the job you want, not the job you have.”

With a scoff, he turned away from me. I wasn’t sure how he thought he’d make friends with that attitude, but that was his cross to bear.

Moving closer to Dean’s side, I picked up a box. It was open and had a bunch of random stuff in it. Maybe it wasn’t random to him. I had the urge to pick through it all, but I just looked at him.

He had his backpack slung over both shoulders, along with a duffel bag, and there was a large box in his arms.

“Ready?” I asked.

“Mhm.”

I headed to the door first, shooting his roommate a smile as I passed. “Take it easy, man, and remember not to judge books by their covers.”

Dean and I continued into the hall. It was still silent as we left the building, but I saw him look over at me, so I glanced at him.

“Sorry about that,” he said.

“Why?”

He looked up at the sky as a few drops of rain fell. “Jay’s a dick. Not sure what his deal is, but he’s been like that since the start.”

I lifted one shoulder. “Some people just aren’t meant to be part of our journey. Doesn’t bother me.”

“Alright, so you’re one of those Zen people.”

“Zen?”

“Like, yoga and mindfulness and all life has meaning.”

Looking at him again, I found him smiling. “Yoga, no. Mindfulness, maybe a little. Life having meaning, absolutely.”

“At least I know my new roommate isn’t a psychopath, right?”