AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He stands in my living room staring at me, and then he runs a hand through his hair.
“Alright, Doc, see ya.”
And then he’s out of my house, and I can breathe again.
But fuck, if it isn’t lonely.
When such a big presence is suddenly absent, you can’t help but feel the void.
I mess around on my computer for a bit longer, make myself something to eat, go for a run and do some push-ups, shower, play the piano, and then when the sun starts to set, I change into my pajamas. I switch on a documentary, trying to focus on what is being said about black holes in the galaxy, but then my phone pings, and my concentration is obliterated.
Luke:I’m outside.
My stupid heart flutters in my chest.
Me:I thought you went home hours ago.
Luke:Nah.
Luke:Changed my mind.
I push myself off the couch and walk to the window, moving the curtains aside and peering out. The silhouette of Luke on my porch has my lips twitching slightly.
Me:Well, have fun sleeping outside. I’ll toss you out a sleeping bag.
I see him glance down at his phone and run a hand along his jaw before his fingers fly across the screen.
Luke:How about I sleep inside instead?
Luke:We can share your giant bed.
Luke:I won’t even hog the covers.
I stare at my phone. He is insane. I need to buy new locks for my doors, extra strength ones, to keep this guy out.
Even as I think this, I walk to the front door and open it. In the distance, I can see a large truck with some kind of equipment in its bed. I wonder what he does for work. Does he even have a place to live, or is this guy homeless?
But I can’t analyze it all too much because Luke is standing right in front of me with a duffle bag in his hand. His bicep bulges from its weight. When he sees me, he smiles, squeezes past me, and makes his way through the living room.
“Knew you’d change your mind, lover.”
“I didn’t change my mind,” I reply. “You hovered on my porch like the boogeyman until I caved. Did you just lurk out there for hours?” I wouldn’t put anything past this guy.
“Nah, I drove around, got some food, took another nap in my truck.” Luke shrugs and then moves toward the bedrooms.
“I have a guest room,” I shout after him, and Luke turns to look at me.
“Yeah, but I’ve peeked in there. The bed is too small. I’ll hang off it and I’ll sleep terribly. I should probably just share yours.”
I need to protest, to tell him absolutely not. But instead, I watch him disappear into my bedroom and return a moment later without his duffle bag.
Apparently, I am sharing a bed with this ruffian tonight.
“What are you watching?” he asks, taking in my pajamas with a small smile.
I push my glasses up my nose. “A documentary about space and black holes.”
“Cool,” he says and then grabs the remote from the table and flops down on the couch. “I love space shit.”
