Page 41 of Roommating

“I mean everyone, but that includes your father.”

“I still can’t believe he cut you off when you told him you were bi. What century is he living in?”

“In your father’s defense, I didn’t take his feelings into consideration when I came out to him,” Marcia says.

“It’s nothisfeelings that mattered!” Adam and I say at the same time.

Marcia’s eyes crinkle at our loud twin protest. “True. But I brought a woman to his house as my date without any warning. Since he didn’t know I’d started dating again at all, it was a double whammy.”

“I remember that day. It was July fourth, right? We had a pool party.” Adam scratches his neck. “It’s the last memory I have of you from before times.”

Marcia pops a grape in her mouth. “That’s right. Wendy was the first woman I ever dated. I had my crushes in high school and college, but it wasn’t something anyone talked about back then, and because I was also attracted to men, it was safer to lean into that side of my sexuality. But it didn’t go away, and after your grandfather died, I had a crush on my female dental hygienist. It occurred to methat the world had changed. I was afraid, of course… after you hold something in for so long, it’s very scary to say it out loud, but I saw an advertisement outside a temple of all places for an LGBTQIA support group for seniors, and that’s where I met Wendy. I knew my son well enough to predict he wouldn’t be thrilled, but I didn’t think he’d shut me out the way he did.” She inhales deeply and whooshes out a breath. “I thought he’d come to his senses, andhethought I was going through a phase or a delayed midlife crisis. It turns out we were both wrong. And then he stopped taking my calls.” A blanket of sadness crosses her face as she looks at Adam. “I often ask myself if I should have kept it a secret from him to have those ten years with you.”

“Please don’t give that another fuck.” Adam shakes his head. “I’m sorry, Grams, but screw my dad. I’m so glad you stayed true to yourself. Basically all you missed were my gangly, surly, pubescent years anyway.”

“And what exactly has changed since then?” I joke.

Adam tosses a grape at me, but the tension is gone, which was my intention. The conversation closed for now, Marcia takes back her phone to write her bio, Adam cuddles on the couch with Rocket and a bag of Cheetos, and I read for class.

All things considered, the day turned out not so bad.

Later that night, after a quick dinner of leftover build-your-own salad from Chopt over the sink, I buckle down in my room with classwork on quick reads. When I finish, I immediately reread one of my own favorite quick reads in teen literature,Kindred Spirits, an oldie but greatie by Rainbow Rowell.

I close the book and check the time. It’s almost one in the morning. I decide to shower before bed so I can sleep a little later tomorrow morning. Thanks to blackout shades, I can barely see whereI’m going in the living room as I carefully tiptoe to the bathroom. I don’t want to risk waking Adam, so I wait until the bathroom door is closed behind me before flicking on the light.

After my shower, I wrap a towel around my body, letting my wet hair drip down my neck. Then I turn off the light and open the bathroom door.

My entire life flashes before my eyes at the sight of an imposing figure looming in front of me until I realize it’s Adam, who must have been reaching for the doorknob as I opened the door and somehow grabbed onto my towel instead, right over my right boob. He’s close enough that I see his eyes are open but glazed, like he’s sleepwalking. I hold my breath knowing I should pull his hand away even as my nipples harden traitorously. “Adam?” I say his name softly. I don’t want to freak him out.

He smiles, his fingers splayed across my breast. “Sabrina.”

“Yes. It’s me.” My voice comes out like I’m grasping for air.

His eyes open wide and he blinks at me. “Sabrina?” He drops his hand. “What the fuck.” He scrapes a hand down his face. “Shit. I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay,” I say in a soothing voice. “Were you sleepwalking?” I reach behind me to flick on the bathroom light. When I turn back around and get a closer look at Adam, a pool of heat settles in my center. His chest is bare, and his gray sweatpants ride low on his hips and leave little to the imagination. I summon the strength not to rub against him like a cat.

“I’m not sure. I don’t think so, but I wasn’t fully awake either.” He yawns and stretches his arms over his head while my heart races like a horse in the Kentucky Derby as his sweatpants fall an inch. “I’m sorry if I did anything…” His eyes drop down the length of my body and his Adam’s apple bobs as he swallows.

I hitch my towel more securely over my tits. “I was trying not to wake you, so I didn’t turn on the light.”

He runs a hand through his multihued hair. “You’re usually a morning shower person.”

This is true, and I can’t think of a damn thing to say in response. We stand rooted to the spot in silence. I’m still wearing only a towel and he’s wearing gray sweatpants and nothing else. The heat coming from his body is torture.

My choices are escaping to my room or pulling him to the bathroom to relieve the tension. The former is my only real option, but he’s blocking my path. I clear my throat. “I should…” I look over his shoulder. “… go to bed and let you use the bathroom?”

His body jolts into motion and he steps to the side. “Oh. Right. Sorry.”

I nod. We’re getting somewhere. “Okay then. Goodnight. Sorry again.”

“Me too. Sorry. Goodnight.”

Seriously?How many times are we going to apologize before this torment will end? Has anyone ever died of awkwardness?

More silence.

Enough.“Okay. Goodnight.” At last, I scurry past him and manage to walk, not run, into my room. I close the door behind me and lean against it for balance. The image of his sweet smile and the sound of his sleepy voice saying my name while his big hand cupped my tit will most definitely haunt my dreams.

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