Page 26 of Falling for Them

“This is not funny.” Ethan sighed dramatically, putting his hands on his hips. “I don’t need this added stress today.”

“I told you that the stress could be solved with a call to Ryker. He can be very scary to people who don’t know him. And you know Luca would be game to scare the shit out of your roommate.” Libby walked toward me, her eyes narrowing conspiratorially. “Or…”

She stopped in front of me, searching my face. I didn’t even care what she was considering because whatever shampoo or fragrance she used made me want to bury my face in her neck and breathe her in.

“Or what?” Ethan came to join us in the hall. Why did they both smell so good, and why was I even noticing? I didn’t notice people’s smells. “I don’t like that look. It’s the look you get when you have an idea that doesn’t end well for me.”

“What are you talking about? I only have great ideas.” She crossed her arms over her chest, and I couldn’t help thinking about seeing her without clothes the other night. “Leo has an SUV. We can probably get most of your stuff in there in a few trips and then worry about the bigger things later.”

Ethan shook his head. “If I don’t get it in one fell swoop, Eugene will probably destroy everything that’s left.”

I was still a little lost with what they were talking about, but whoever this Eugene guy was, he seemed to cause Ethan a lot of stress. Was it his ex? A roommate? His dog? Probably a cat. He matched a cat’s energy.

“Who’s Eugene?” I rubbed a hand over my face, needing to wake the fuck up.

“My roommate. He’s… a bit unhinged.”

“A bit? He’s threatened to shove a Swiffer up your ass, and to choke you with the vacuum cord.” Libby wasn’t joking; her face was more serious than I’d ever seen it. “You should have gotten a restraining order.”

Irrational rage bubbled in my chest. “You live with someone who threatens you bodily harm?”

Libby made a noise in the back of her throat. “He does more than that.”

I raised my eyebrows in question, looking from Libby to Ethan to elaborate. When they exchanged a look, I put my hands up in surrender. “I don’t need to know the specifics. I’ll come help.”

“Absolutely not.”

“That would be great!” Libby elbowed Ethan, more silent conversation passing between them with just a look. “We need to get boxes too.”

“You haven’t even packed?” I narrowed my eyes at Ethan. I wasn’t an idiot, and I was pretty sure he had decided only to move in now because I was staying for longer than expected.

“It won’t take me that long.” He shrugged.

“Bullshit,” Libby coughed out.

He looked at me, ignoring Libby’s dig. “We can just borrow your SUV.”

So, Libby had told Ethan about my cars too? I snorted. “I don’t know either of your driving histories or driving skills, so I don’t think so.”

Ethan rolled his eyes. Man, his attitude was infuriating. “It’s a Kia.”

“Doesn’t matter if it’s a Kia or a freaking tank, you’re not driving it.” I walked into my room. “I’ll be ready in five minutes.”

There was a nervous energy in the car as I drove us to Ethan’s apartment. I couldn’t tell if it was because of Ethan’s roommate situation or because of me.

“So, this Eugene guy,” I said, breaking the tense silence. “Is he just your roommate, or an ex-boyfriend?”

Ethan let out an exasperated sigh. “No, just my roommate from hell. I stupidly found him on Craigslist. He seemed normal at first, but then his true colors started to show.”

Libby, who was in the front passenger seat, turned slightly to look at me. “He flies off the handle over the smallest things. Last week, the guy left a spoon in the sink and Ethan washed it. Eugene threatened to stab him with it if he ever touched it again.”

I gripped the steering wheel tightly, anger rising inside me again. “Why the hell have you stayed living with him so long if he’s dangerous?”

“I’m in a lease.”

“Leases can be broken. I can put you in touch with my lawyers.”

“Must be nice,” Ethan muttered under his breath.

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