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My shoulders relaxed. “I miss you, Ma,” I whispered.
“I miss you too, baby,” she choked out, and I immediately felt bad.
I knew being away from Alex and me was hard for her. Usually, our phone conversations were light and fun, and I made sure to save the heavy stuff for when I saw her in person. Sometimes shit just slipped through the cracks when I didn’t know what else to do with it.
“Now, don’t get all worked up before your hot date, Ma,” I teased and laughed a little for emphasis. I didn’t want her to picture me sulking outside my apartment in my Jeep, even though that was exactly what I was doing.
“Oh.” She sniffed, and a chuckle escaped through the phone. “I’m not worked up. Just miss my boys, that's all. But I do have to—”
“Catch yourlimo?” I emphasized. Dad always ordered her a limo to the house so she could meet him for their date. He worked a lot running his business but never failed to show her how much he still loved her.
“Make sure you get your V-Day gift, and don’t let those boys eat it all,” she said sternly.
I got out of the Jeep and crossed the parking lot. “Well, it was either Jared or Bryson who brought whatever it is in because Connor is out with Katie. So the odds could go either way.”
“Oh, that sweet boy! I forgot he was dating that girl—”
“Go catch your limo!” I cut her off, and we both laughed.
She took a deep breath, and I felt her smile on the other end of the line. “Happy Valentine’s Day, J. I love you.”
“I love you too, Ma.”
We hung up just as I reached the door of the apartment. When I walked inside, I was greeted with the familiar scene of Jared playing Call of Duty. A giant bouquet of chocolate-covered strawberries sat right in the middle of the bar counter. It took up almost half of the space.
“Jesus, Ma,” I murmured and double-checked the card. Sure enough, it was an Evelyn Hayes original, complete with gift wrap and all. I swatted the bright pink ribbon that kept the cellophane wrapped around the bouquet and shook my head.
“Now that you’re home, can we have some of that?” Jared asked.
I grinned. “Go for it, man.”
As soon as I rounded the corner of the counter, Bryson emerged from his bedroom, followed by some broad I didn’t recognize. I shook my head and stifled a laugh at Bryson’s usual “I’m ready for this girl to get the fuck out” face. He had wide eyes, and his mouth made a straight line. Jared looked up long enough to witness the scene and laughed.
Bryson’s guest stopped right in front of me and pointed at my chest. Her eyes narrowed, and she pursed her lips. “I think you slept with my roommate.”
“Probably.” I rocked on my heels and casually went around her. There was a knock on the door, and Jared, Bryson, and I all exchanged a look. It was clear that none of us were expecting someone.
“My ride's here.” Bryson’s hookup walked to the door, and when she opened it, my blood immediately boiled.
Heather stood on the other side of the door. We made eye contact, and I was positive I snarled at her. Bryson patted my shoulder and rounded into the kitchen for a drink—but I knew he wanted a front-row seat to the madness that quickly unfolded in front of me.
“Jaxon?’ Heather said casually, like she had no idea I lived here. She took a few steps into the apartment, and I pointed back into the hallway.
“Nope,” I deadpanned and emphasized my extended arm.
Jared cackled from behind me, and Bryson hid his amusement by pretending to take sips of his water. I hated both of them right now.
“Get out,” I exclaimed when Heather looked at me like I spoke French. She rolled her eyes and turned to head downstairs. The other girl followed her and slammed the door behind them.
I ran my hands over my face, and the laughter around me grew. Eventually, I gave in and rested my elbows next to the giant bouquet of fruit that still sat untouched on the counter. “Ugh,” I groaned and laughed at the same time.
“Honestly, bro,” Bryson said, “I had no idea they were roommates.”
I shook my head. “We need like a ten-mile radius of caution tape around that fucking house.”
Bryson and I now officially slept with every girl at that address. I didn’t know the one I just saw, but Heather and Reagan ran close to the crazy train, so I imagined she had to be equally nuts to make it on the lease.
Bryson stared at me. “Well, to add to that shit.” He widened his eyes like he did when he had to tell me something he knew I wouldn’t like.
