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Parker chuckled. “See you in a while. Remember, I like my bacon crispy.”
I rolled my eyes at his retreating back. As if I could forget. I liked my bacon well done too, but his version of crispy tasted like salty ashes. We still disagreed on doneness every time bacon was on the menu, which was not often considering our comprehensive nutritional plans courtesy of the TU football program.
Another perk my previous school hadn’t included. I’d balked at first, but Kelly, the nutritionist, was super nice and really knew her shit. She also knew the players wouldn’t stick to a strict eating plan without luxuries like bacon thrown in.
The living room was empty, but I found Eva in the kitchen blowing on a cup of steaming coffee.
“About time you two lovebirds got up. Mac’s at the store getting last minute stuff, and I’m not sure I should have let him go alone.”
“What about Noah?” I asked, grabbing a cup for myself and switching the coffee machine to hot water.
“Still locked in his room.”
I blushed thinking about Mac’s door lock theory. Before I could share it with Eva, a rustle in the hallway had us both peeking around the corner. Noah had the door across the hall from Mac, and I’d never been in his room, never even seen inside, not that I’d tried.
Usually when I was going down the hallway, I had a very specific destination in mind and Parker had his hands on my ass.
Noah liked his privacy, but this time, he stood in the doorway with his arms crossed as a brunette in a slinky dress trailed a finger down his bare chest. She said something to him, too low for me to make out, and he shook his head.
He didn’t look happy to be having the conversation, but sometimes it was hard to tell with him. Noah had resting blank face.
“Who’s she?” Eva whispered to me.
“You don’t know?”
Her eyes narrowed as she stared at the girl. “She looks like Chloe… if Chloe were desperate and Noah had a death wish.”
“Who’s Chloe?” I asked, invested despite myself.
“D’s sister. Used to visit a lot more when D and Soren lived here. Is this girl a regular in Noah’s room?”
“How should I know? I don’t live here.”
She stared pointedly at the mug in my hand, my favorite one that I’d started keeping at Parker’s. “Answer me this. How long ago did you stop packing a bag to stay the night?”
I opened my mouth, then shut it again when I realized I couldn’t answer her.
“Honey, I love you and I’m glad you’re still paying half our rent, but you live here now.”
I stuck my tongue out at her, and we both turned back to the brunette, who pouted at Noah’s stony face before tucking her heels under her arm and sauntering out of the apartment. She didn’t slam the door, but it was close.
“I can see you.” Noah’s dry comment made us both jump.
He didn’t wait for us to respond before going back into his room. The distinctive snick of the lock made me break out into laughter. Eva spared me a pitying glance as she plopped down in her chair.
“Are you making food, or should I text Mac to bring home breakfast burritos?” She tuned into the parade and held her phone up expectantly.
Not a tough choice. “Burritos.”
“Done.”
I grabbed a banana and eyed the weird mix of snack foods spread across the counter. Cut veggies and pre-made snacks were scattered among a truly obnoxious amount of fancy cheeses. My tea bags occupied their normal spot in the cabinet, wedged between a giant container of onion powder and a wok.
As far as I knew, Friendsgiving was an excuse for us to get together and share our favorite junk foods with each other while watching football all day. It sounded glorious, except Parker’s friends Soren and Vi would be here too.
Our roommates knew about the arrangement between Parker and me, but the others would be wild cards. Despite Parker’s words earlier, I wasn’t willing to expand the circle of people who could screw us over.
With a sigh, I dunked my tea bag in my water and joined Eva in the living room. “How long until Soren and Vi get here?”
