Page 57 of Accidental Roommates

“She asked if I was going to a party that night. A party at her friend’s sorority house. I told her no, that I didn’t know about the party. She insisted I go, but I told her I couldn’t.”

“But you didn’t mention you had a girlfriend.”

“I know I should’ve, but I didn’t.”

“Why? Why didn’t you tell her?”

“I don’t know. I guess it’d just been so long since another girl showed interest in me that I kinda liked it.”

“So your ego kept you from telling her?” I clench my hand, wanting to punch him. I held back with Kat, but with Liam? I’m really tempted to do it. I’d love to punch him and leave a black eye on that smug face of his.

“You have to understand,” he says. “It’s hard to be surrounded by girls and not be able to…” He looks away.

“Sleep with them?” I huff. “Yeah, I’m sure it was a hardship. And yet I managed to deal with it when guys were flirting with me and asking me out.”

His eyes snap back to mine. “You never told me guys asked you out.”

“I assumed you knew. I waitressed at a bar. You saw the skimpy uniform I had to wear. Did you really think guys weren’t hitting on me? Do you think I’m that unattractive?”

“No, I just didn’t realize it was happening. You never said anything.”

“Because I knew telling you would bother you. Maybe even hurt you. So I never mentioned it. And I never once went out with any of those guys. I never even considered it. When I was at work or school or home, all I thought about was you. Not other guys. Not what I could’ve had with someone else. Those thoughts never even crossed my mind.”

“So you think you’re better than me. Is that what you’re saying?”

“You don’t get it, do you? You’ll never understand that what you did was wrong. You’ll always find a way to justify it.”

“And you’ll always think you’re better than me,” he scoffs. “But you’re not, Kenzie. Just because you didn’t cheat on me doesn’t make you better than me. We both made mistakes.”

“Believe what you want. I’m done here.” I turn to go, then hear him talking.

“I stopped loving you.”

His words punch me in the chest and sting my eyes. I turn back and look at him, wondering how I ever loved someone like him.

His eyes lock on mine. “I stopped loving you a long time ago.”

I’d like to believe he’s just saying it because he’s angry and wants to hurt me, but I think that’s only part of it. I think he really did stop loving me. I don’t know when or why because he never said anything. He kept telling me he loved me and wanted a future with me, even when it was a lie.

“Why are you telling me this?” I ask, a tear slipping down my cheek. “I don’t need to hear this.”

“You do need to hear it because it explains why I did it. I didn’t love you, Kenzie. I haven’t loved you for a long time.”

I didn’t want to cry in front of him, but I can’t help it. Tears are trickling down my cheeks. I’m sure he can see them, but he doesn’t apologize. Doesn’t try to make me feel better. He just stands there, doing nothing.

“Kenzie.” I hear Jace’s voice and turn back to see him coming toward me, a big smile on his face. My tears stop the moment I see him. I don’t know what it is about Jace, but whenever he’s around, I feel better.

“I’m going to get a water,” he says, coming up beside me.

“Okay.” I try to smile but can’t.

His expression turns serious. “What’s wrong?”

“Who are you?” Liam asks.

“Liam, this is Jace,” I tell him. “Jace this is Liam.”

“You’re already seeing someone?” Liam asks, sounding angry.

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