Page 13 of Breakaway

“Did he ever hit on you before?” Roman’s jaw is set hard, and his eyebrows pinch together as he peers at me and stops at a traffic light. I put my hands in my lap, silently wishing for the moment when I can change into something more comfortable than this minidress I wore to the club.

“Never. Besides, when we met last year I was already with Travis. I introduced them to each other, and they were always friendly whenever we met. Sam was always respectful to me. I have no idea why it changed last night.”

“Maybe because you’re single now.”

“Well, he knows I broke…” I trail off, cursing myself in my head. My breakup with Trav isn’t something I want to talk about with Roman, ever. Damn. “It’s complicated, and Sam knew that. I never thought he’d try to take advantage of me.”

Roman’s eyes coast over my face, and then he looks away and focuses on the road again. “People’s lives are full of lies and pretense. So many hide behind fake facades, ones they built to tuck away their demons, and you’ll never know what’s behind the mask unless they let you see. Trust is overrated, because no one is ever one hundred percent honest. In my experience, I can name like five people who I’d really call a friend. Is Sam really your friend?”

I shake my head. “In school he was. Now? Hardly. I made a huge mistake, andinmy experience…I should’ve known better.” As I meet Roman’s eyes, his words play on repeat in my head. With an arched brow, I ask, “And you? Are you honest with your friends?”

He contemplates me for a moment, and then he shrugs. “I am.” He looks back ahead of him as he parks near Sam’s building. “But that doesn’t mean they know everything.”

I knockon Sam’s door and take a step back, bumping into Roman’s chest. A rush of blinding energy pierces through me, and I awkwardly shift to stand beside him. My cheeks feel warm as I throw him a subtle glance. Hands hidden in his pockets, he props his shoulder against the wall. His legs, in light blue jeans, are crossed at his ankles, like nothing in this world can frazzle him. Our eyes meet, and the ghost of a smile lifts his lips for the shortest moment, and then it’s gone. He pulls one hand out of his pocket and knocks again, way louder than I did.

We wait in silence until the door finally opens. Sam’s eyes land on me, moving all the way down my legs. A smug smirk forms on his face, and for the first time in a while, I ball my hands into fists. “Nev? I’m so glad to see you. I didn’t know what to think?—”

Roman clears his throat, and Sam’s gaze flicks to him. His smile transforms into a scowl, and his lips purse together tightly. He folds his arms in front of him and sticks out his chest in an attempt to look bigger. “What do you want?” he asks Roman.

“I’m here to get my things,” I say. I take a step forward, trying to get past Sam. It’s so tempting to tell him that he looks ridiculous thinking he can intimidate Roman, who is bigger andtaller than him, but I keep my thoughts to myself. All I want is to get my stuff and be done with this man.

Sam’s uncertain eyes run from me to Roman. With a resigned sigh, he steps back. I breeze past him and go straight to the room he showed me yesterday. My suitcase sits by the bed, right where I left it. Thank God I didn’t bring any boxes with me. Bending down, I pull out the suitcase handle, walk out of the room, and head back to the front door.

Roman and Sam are facing each other in silence; the only sound comes from Sam’s foot tapping on the floor. I step closer, and my eyes instantly find Roman’s.

He tilts his chin up. “You good?” I nod, and he switches his attention back to Sam. “You’re lucky I got to you before you touched her.”

“Fuck off, dude. I didn’t force her to drink; it was all her,” my former friend exclaims snidely, as I move past him out of the apartment. “Everyone in school knew she was always DTF if she was drinking.”

My jaw drops, and I wheel to my right, too stunned to say anything. Sam’s smiling face makes me sick to my stomach, and a wave of nausea washes over me. The guy I considered a friend just called me a whore, not even trying to deny what he was after.

“DTF?” Roman asks, the crease between his eyebrows becoming deeper.

“Down to fuck,” I whisper, the ache in my chest increasing. The longer I stare at Sam, the harder it becomes for me to breathe. Tears burn my eyes like acid.

The sound of a sharp hit rings through the air, followed by a man’s whimpers. I blink away my unshed tears as I watch Sam press his palm to his mouth.

“The fuck did you do that for?” he cries.

“Watch your mouth next time.” Roman shrugs, his thumb brushing over his knuckles. “I have a friend who was at the clublast night too, and he would confirm that we saw you taking advantage of a drunk girl. I don’t think anyone would want to work with a sex offender.”

Sam huffs, taking his palm away from his busted bottom lip. Emotionless, I stare at him. Not even pity crosses my mind. What goes around comes around, and he got what he deserves. He glares at Roman for a moment longer, and then he shuts the door of his apartment with a thud, leaving us alone.

I wipe away an unwelcome tear with my thumb and tighten my grip on the the suitcase handle. Turning to my right, I’m ready to leave, but a warm palm covering mine makes me pause. Roman is already by my side, gently taking the suitcase from me.

“Thank you,” I say quietly as we head to the stairwell.

“Let’s get you out of here,roommate.” Roman smiles at me, and we start to descend the stairs.

Chapter 6

Why Not?

ROMAN

The sunslowly begins to set, a golden glow bathing the streets, casting long shadows, and gradually cooling the air. The water in the pool below mirrors the sky, where soft hues of orange and pink blend together. I sit on a chair on my patio, my laptop on my lap and my phone pressed to my ear.

“How’s Michigan treating you?” I ask Colton, as I finish booking a hotel room in Vegas.

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