Page 4 of Resisting my Roommate

“He is. Isn’t he?” I remark, my nerves causing my words to come out in a rush.

“One of the best.” She holds my gaze with a reassuring smile. “Are you ready? The photographer is waiting to do the first look photos.”

I draw in another deep breath, pushing away the anxiety that threatens to suffocate me, blaming it on the wedding dress instead.

Giving Maia a small nod, I reply, “Let’s go.”

With a gentle tug, she leads me down the hallway and into the spacious main room of the rustic building perched on the edge of Lake Tahoe. The walls are made of reclaimed wood, giving off a cozy cabin feel while still maintaining an air of sophistication — one of the main reasons I chose this spot for today. The breathtaking view of the crystal-clear lake and majestic snow-covered mountains in the distance only adds to the romance of this place.

“Abbey…,” Jennifer, the photographer, greets us the second we emerge from the hallway. “You look beautiful.”

“Thank you.” I glance around the space to find the waitstaff busy setting all the tables in preparation for the upcoming reception.

“Let’s take a few solo shots before we bring in Carson.”

“Of course.”

Maia stays by my side, helping to maneuver my dress while Jennifer snaps away, capturing every moment against the backdrop of the shimmering lake. I’m grateful for the distraction. I don’t have to think. Just have to do what she tells me.

Once she places me on one side of a brick wall separating the lounge area from the main room, she looks at Maia. “Can you go fetch the groom now?”

Maia nods eagerly and scurries down the hallway, her footsteps echoing through the cavernous space. Jennifer continues snapping photos of me while I try to tune out everything else. The ever-present knot in my stomach. The anxiety making me lightheaded. The question about whether this is really what I want.

Of course it is.

Like Maia just reminded me. Carson is a good man.

“Where is she?” Jennifer remarks, pulling me back to the present. “It shouldn’t take her this long to find Carson. Should it?”

Now that the click of her shutter no longer echoes over the space, it’s eerily silent.

Well, that’s not entirely true.

In the distance, a steady thumping grows louder and louder with each passing second. My face heats, my heart dropping to the pit of my stomach.

“Excuse me,” I say to Jennifer, gathering the skirt of my dress in my hands as I walk in the direction of the sound. The rhythmic thud echoes off the walls, making my steps falter slightly.

As I grow near, it gets louder and more frenzied, a mixture of heavy breathing, hushed giggles, and labored grunts. But amongst it all, one sound stands out — a low breathy moan that is all too familiar.

A moan I’ve heard many times before.

I inch closer to the groomsmen suite as a soft voice calls out Carson’s name, leaving no question in my mind precisely who’s on the other side.

And what they’re doing.

I place my hand on the knob, expecting it to be locked. After all, it would be foolish of them to leave the door unlocked while sneaking around behind my back just minutes before our wedding.

But just like I was wrong about Carson’s faithfulness, I’m wrong about this, too.

The knob gives way, and I push the door open, revealing a scene that leaves me speechless. Carson’s tuxedo is disheveled as he thrusts into Maia like a man possessed.

For a moment, I don’t feel anything, as if my mind has disconnected from my body. I’m not sure why I’m surprised by this turn of events. My mother didn’t want me, abandoning me on my father’s doorstep when I was just fifteen. He wasn’t much better, since he already had a family of his own and didn’t know what to do with me.

Most of my life, I’ve felt like I’m not good enough.

Like I don’t belong.

I guess I don’t belong here, either.

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