Page 20 of Catching Feeling

“That’s the only option there is.”

He pulls his pillowy bottom lip between his teeth as he leans forward on his elbows, those deep brown eyes finding mine. Finally, after a few silent beats, he nods. “Fine. Strictly roommates, then.”

Relief floods my chest, and I nod too. “Okay, good. Glad that part is settled.”

His eyebrow quirks.

“I know we talked briefly about the rent, but we still need to figure it out. I may need a few weeks to get something together for this month. How much are we talking?”

A laugh erupts from his lips. The same ones I’m having a hard time dragging my gaze away from. Since when are a guy’s lips a turn-on for me?

“I’m not fucking charging you rent, Vivienne.”

“Oooh, my full name. Guess you mean business.” I scoff. “I’m paying something, Reese. I’m not taking a handout from you.”

“No, the fuck you’re not,” he hedges, his jaw set firmly.

My gaze narrows. I’m not backing down on this. It’s one thing for me to be his roommate, and it’s an entirely different thing for me to be his roommate, free of charge. I’m paying my way. I always have, and I’m not going to stop now. Plus, I really don't want to owe him or anyone anything. And I damn sure won’t be his charity case. It’s embarrassing enough that I have to even rely on him for a place to stay.

“I’m not arguing with you. I can’t contribute much right this second because I just had to wipe my savings, and I’m trying to get out of the negative, but I’m paying you something, Reese. I’m not living in your freakin’ house for free. No. Absolutely not happening.”

Sighing, he falls against the back of the couch. “Look, I understand where you’re coming from. I do. I’m sorry, but you’re not fucking paying me rent. Doesn’t feel right. How about you handle… I dunno, groceries or something? It’s a fair trade.”

“How is buying groceries a fair trade for like hundreds of dollars in rent?”

His lip quirks into a cocky smirk, and he reaches down and lifts the hem of his T-shirt, showing off his six-pack of abs. “Do you see me, babe? I’m a six-foot-three catcher about to go to the MLB. I eat like a fucking horse to keep this physique up.”

My gaze lowers for only a second before flitting back up to meet his, a scowl twisting my lips at the same time. “Stop trying to take your clothes off, Reese. We literally just had the conversation about boundaries.”

Rolling his eyes, he drops his shirt. “I’m sorry that you’re so attracted to me you can’t control yourself when I show a little skin. I get it.”

If it wasn’t for the teasing grin on his face, I might actually throttle him. “Back to the subject at hand. Groceries in exchange for rent? And what about utilities?”

“My parents pay the rent, and I pay the utilities.”

I didn’t expect that. Him sharing the responsibility with his parents. It’s no secret that Reese is rich. I’m sure everyone on campus knows it by now. His parents are in oil, and that’s why he’s got everything he’s ever wanted or needed. It’s why he lives in this lavish house and drives a brand-new Range Rover. He’s never had to want for anything, and that much is obvious, so hearing that he pays part of the bills is surprising.

Apparently, I’m wearing my surprise because he adds, “I’ve got some sponsorships for a few athletic brands that bring in cash. I help my parents when I can, but they don’t necessarily need it, so…”

Of course, they don’t.

“Alright, so I can pay for half of those,” I offer.

“Nope, utilities are my thing. I insist. Groceries—final offer,” he says with a sly tilt of his lips.

“Fine.” I sigh. I don’t feel like arguing with him about it. “I’ll take care of the groceries and anything else that’s needed for the house. If there’s anything specific that you want, just let me know before I go to the store.”

Groceries I can handle, I think as relief floods my chest. It takes one small thing off my plate, knowing that I can hopefully stack my savings back up while still contributing a little bit for my room here. I need a safety net to fall back on.

“Sounds good. Practice is starting this week, so I’ll be out early and probably home late with study hall. And since we’re talking about our… arrangement, as much as your verbal abuse usually makes my dick hard, can we wave a white flag and make the house a neutral zone? I don’t thrive in hostility,” Reese says with rare timidness as he pulls the baseball hat off his head and tosses it onto the coffee table in front of him. I’m so used to seeing him with a hat that I forget how unruly his hair is. It curls at the nape and around his ears, and it’s so ridiculously sexy.

Who knew something so simple could be such a turn-on?

Why does he have to be so frustratingly sexy?

Although it’s physically painful to admit…I guess he’s right. I don’t want things to be tense and awkward while I’m living here either. Even though he annoys me to no end. But he is doing me the biggest favor by letting me live here and keeping my secrets to himself. I shouldn’t be a bitch to him when all he’s trying to do is help. It’s the least I can do.

I nod. “Okay. Yeah. That works, as long as you respect the boundaries. So… great. Everything’s settled, then. Um, I guess I’ll just take a shower and head to bed. Thank you for helping today. And for letting me stay here,” I tell him genuinely.

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