Page 20 of Roommate's Guide to Love

That makes me smile. “Thanks, Dad.”

He just shakes his head and mumbles something about pain-in-the-ass daughters as I make my way to my old bedroom.

I immediately fall onto the mattress, but sleep doesn’t come easy. My brain is running a million miles an hour.

Thoughts of Porter and I last night.

Admitting to my parents that I quit my job without any sort of backup plan.

My ass hurting from Porter spanking me.

Wondering what the hell I’m going to do with my life.

Porter coating my nipple in my own come.

Can I apply for unemployment?

My brain goes in a loop like that until I eventually fall asleep, with the last thought being Porter’s arm on me as I woke up this morning, holding me like he didn’t want me to go.

* * *

“Good morning, sleepyhead. Or should I say afternoon?”

I groan at Maeve’s words as I come down the stairs to see not only my mom and dad sitting in the living room, but all of my siblings. My eyes are still filled with sleep from the nap I took, but from the looks of it, the whole gang is here, minus partners and children.

Which kind of sucks. I was hoping I could use my niece or nephew as conversation shields.

“I didn’t realize I was walking out to a family reunion.”

“Well, we didn’t realize that you were coming home on a whim, so you can say we’re all surprised.”

I ignore my brother’s dig and bypass everyone as I go straight to the kitchen to get a glass of water. I stand at the sink, chugging the cold, refreshing goodness. Have I drank anything since last night? I don’t think I have. I usually live in a constant state of dehydration, but this is bad, even for me.

“There’s a Gatorade in the fridge and an iced coffee for when you need it.”

I turn to Ainsley, the caretaker of our group, who’s leaning against the breakfast bar.

“Thank you,” I say, polishing off the water before grabbing the two drinks. “How long has everyone been here?”

“About an hour,” she says. “We’re worried about you.”

I shake my head. “No one needs to worry.”

She gives me a look as if she’s not buying it. “But we are. Especially me.”

“You always worry about me. I’m going to be fine. Once I?—”

“Where did you go last night?”

I’m known to have the best poker face out of all the Banks siblings. But even I couldn’t be ready to steel my face from that statement. “What do you mean?”

“I saw you pull out of the driveway.” She pauses for a second to make sure no one else is in earshot. “I dropped you off and got a little ways down the road when I realized I had to go to the bathroom. I was not going to make the forty-minute drive back to Nashville and everything was closed. So I turned around to Mom and Dad’s, and that’s when I saw you pull out of the driveway. Where did you go?”

Fuck. Eight years. I’ve done this for eight years and have never been caught. Figures it’s Ainsley who finally catches me. It’s kind of poetic that the wild Banks child is busted by the angel.

“I’ll tell you later, but can it wait? I can only handle so many confessions in one day, and I have a feeling the gallery needs to know the important one first.”

She nods and takes my hand in hers. “Of course. But just let me know you’re okay.”

---