Page 59 of Accidental Roommates

“What happened? Why’d you leave without your stuff?”

“I punched a guy. I had to get out of there.”

“Who’d you punch?”

“Kenzie’s ex. He was being an ass.”

“So you punched him? I’m starting to think this girl’s more than just your roommate.”

“It’s not like that. I was just looking out for her. The guy said shit he shouldn’t have. He needed to be punched.”

“Whatever you say.”

“Let me know when you’re home and I’ll come get the stuff. Talk to you later.” I end the call and take off.

Knowing Troy, he’s going to grill me later about Kenzie, then tell me I’m getting too involved with her after just breaking up with Nikki. But I’m not getting involved with her. I’m just taking care of her, like any friend would.

“What do you want to do?” I ask Kenzie.

“Go home.”

“You sure? We could go do something.”

She points to her bikini. “I can’t really go anywhere like this.”

I smile. “I guess you’re right.”

That bikini. Shit. And that body of hers? It’s too damn much. I’m doing everything possible not to think dirty thoughts, but I’m pretty sure my dreams will go there tonight. And the night after that. I have a feeling I’ll be having a lot of dreams featuring Kenzie in that bikini.

“Let’s go home and change and then I’ll take you somewhere. Sitting alone in your room doesn’t sound like a good idea.”

“Probably not,” she mutters, looking down at her lap.

“You want to talk about it?”

“Not really.”

I think she does, but now isn’t the right time so I leave her alone.

She’s quiet until we’re almost home, then says, “I don’t get it. Why did he tell me he loves me when he was in love with someone else? Why would he talk about us having a future when he knew it wasn’t true?”

“Because he’s a coward. He was too afraid to tell you the truth. Or he thought if things didn’t work out with this new girl, he’d still have you to go back to.”

“So he was using me.”

“It’s just a theory. I don’t know the guy so I really can’t say.” I park the truck on the street and we walk to the house. As we go inside, Kenzie seems distant, like her mind’s still on Liam and what happened at the pool.

“Think about something else,” I say, stepping in front of her before she gets to her room. “I know it seems impossible right now but just try. Think of anything but him. He’s not worth wasting any more time thinking about.”

She looks up at me. “Are you thinking about Nikki?”

“I was at the pool, but only because I was worried I’d run into her. A lot of girls look similar to her so they’d walk by and I’d think it was her.”

“Did you wish she was there with you today? Assuming she hadn’t done what she did?”

I pause to think. “Actually, no. I didn’t. I’m still really angry at her so the thought of even being around her pisses me off.” I motion to Kenzie’s room. “Go change, then let’s get out of here.”

“Where are we going?”

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