Page 1 of Accidental Roommates

CHAPTER ONE

Jace

“I can’t tonight,” I say, fumbling with my key while trying to hold the grocery bags.

“Why not?” Dax says. “Everyone’s going to be there. It’s the party that kicks off the school year. It’s gonna be epic.”

“You say that about every party.” I unlock the door and shove it open, then kick it closed, nearly losing the sack that holds the wine. “Shit.”

“What?”

“Almost dropped the wine. It’s Nikki’s favorite. It cost a fortune and I almost dropped it.”

“You spoil that girl too much. She doesn’t even appreciate it.”

“Sure she does.” I smile. “She shows her appreciation in the bedroom.”

“You shouldn’t need wine for that. You’ve dated Nikki forever. You shouldn’t have to bribe her to do stuff.”

“I don’t. It was a joke.” I set the grocery sacks down. “I got her the wine because tonight is our anniversary.”

“Anniversary of what?”

“We met two years ago today. I’m going to surprise her by making her dinner. I even splurged and got her that cheesecake she likes so much.”

“I don’t get you, man,” he says with a sigh.

“Just let it go, okay?” I set the wine down on the counter. “I know you don’t like her, but a friend would keep his mouth shut and just be happy for his friend who’s in love.”

“If that’s love, I don’t want any part of it. The bitch didn’t even remember your birthday.”

“Because she was sick. She spent the day in bed.”

“Yeah, watching TV while you waited on her. She had a cough. That’s it. And the next day she was fine. She faked an illness so she wouldn’t have to do anything for your birthday. She didn’t even get you a gift.”

“I don’t need gifts.” I take the steaks from the bag and put them in the fridge. Nikki loves steak so I bought the best they had. “I like taking care of her. That’s what you do when you love someone.”

“And yet she didn’t help you when you had the flu last year. You were sick for a week and she didn’t even stop by to check on you.”

“Because she didn’t want to catch the flu.”

“You’re never going to see her for what she’s really like, are you?”

“She’s my girlfriend and I love her. And I’m not going to spend another year having you tell me what a bitch she is, so if you can’t keep your mouth shut then I guess we won’t be talking anymore.”

“Fine. Be with her. Let her break your heart. What do I care? So what about tomorrow night? The guys next door are having a huge party. They even got a live band. You can’t miss it, Jace. We only have a few nights before classes start.”

“Yeah, I’ll go, but Nikki’s coming too.”

“Of course she is,” he mutters.

“What did I just say about being nice to Nikki?”

“Yeah. Great. Can’t wait to see her,” he says sarcastically.

“I gotta go and get ready for tonight.”

“What about Carter?” Dax asks. “Is he coming?”

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