Page 32 of Resisting my Roommate

“Is that right?” Dylan floats her curious eyes from Abbey to me, as if trying to unravel a puzzle. But there’s no puzzle to unravel. Abbey needed help. End of story.

“Between the job and his spare room, he’s been a life saver,” Abbey continues.

Dylan’s smirk grows wider with every piece of information she shares. It’s not the fact that she’s working here and staying in my spare room that has my sister acting this way. It’s the fact that I obviously tried to keep it from her. Why, I’m still not sure.

“So you’re staying in his spare room.” Although her statement is in response to Abbey, I can tell it’s actually directed at me.

“Just until I find somewhere else to live, so if you hear of anyone who’s looking for a roommate, let me know.”

“I’ll be sure to keep that in mind,” Dylan responds with a sly grin in my direction, which I return by shooting daggers at her, the two of us engaged in a silent argument, much like we often did as kids when we didn’t want our parents to yell at us for fighting again.

Some things never change.

“Thanks.” Abbey looks between Dylan and me with confusion, then grabs the two beers I just poured for her. “Great to meet you, Dylan.”

“Oh, it is absolutely fantastic to meet you, Abbey.”

The crease in her brow deepens in response to Dylan’s tone, but she doesn’t question it, turning and heading out to the patio instead.

“So…” Dylan sidles up beside me and leans against the stainless steel counter once we’re alone.

I ignore my sister, continuing to polish each piece of glassware with focus and precision, as if it’s the most important task on my to-do list. Pretending I’m too busy to talk is my only defense against my sister’s incessant nagging, albeit a weak one.

“You not only hired the runaway bride, but you’relivingtogether?” She lets out a low whistle. “Talk about moving fast.”

“Stop being so damn dramatic, Dylan. It’s not like that.”

I place the freshly polished glass onto the shelf and grab a new one, sneaking a quick glance toward the patio.

“From where I’m standing, it kind of looks like that.”

I snap my head forward again. “I’m just helping her out. As if her ex cheating on her isn’t bad enough, when she called her father for help, he refused.”

“Really?”

“Wouldn’t let her stay with him or send money.”

Dylan’s jaw drops and she shakes her head. “Wow. That’s… What a douche.”

“Tell me about it. Could you imagine if you were stranded in the middle of nowhere with no money after learning the man you were supposed to marry has been cheating on you, and when you called me for help, I essentially said ‘sucks to be you but I’m sure you’ll figure it out.’”

“Pretty sure I’d be bailing all of you out of jail for murdering my ex. Provided I didn’t get to him first.”

A small laugh escapes my throat. “You probably would be.”

We may be joking, but there’s no doubt in my mind I’d do whatever it takes to protect my little sister. The idea of her going through something similar played a big part in why I offered to help Abbey in the first place. I couldn’t stand the thought of my sister being in Abbey’s shoes with no one to turn to.

“I’m proud of you, Jude. This could be good for you. Could be exactly what you need to move on.”

“What are you talking about?”

Dylan pauses in the midst of slicing an orange, pinning me with a knowing look. “I’m talking about finally moving on from Krista.” She swallows hard. “And?—”

“Don’t,” I bark out, my voice reverberating against the walls, drowning out the rock music being piped in through the speakers.

A few of the patrons glance our way, and I give them an apologetic look before returning my attention to the glassware.

“I’ve moved on,” I tell my sister, although my voice lacks any conviction.

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