Page 252 of Worthy

“We can help you move it over. As you can see, the last guy only left a desk and a lamp. If you don’t need them, we can figure out what to do with them.”

“No, it’s cool. I just have a bed, dresser, and nightstand. Plus my clothes.”

I nod, standing in the doorway. “Okay.”

“I also have some kitchen items I can bring over unless you guys already have them.”

“Feel free to scout the kitchen.”

He sighs, pushing his hands into his pockets. “Are we gonna address the elephant in the room?”

I glance down the hall and still hear Dame on the phone.

With a sigh, I start talking. “I’m not sure what to say. We kissed. We’ve been naked together. Like, it’s weird, right? To be roommates now and just go about everything like those things didn’t happen.”

“We don’t have to act like they didn’t happen.”

“Yes, I do,” I say, cutting him off before he can say anything else. “I’m…I’m not…like you.”

He cocks his head. “What do you mean by that?”

“It doesn’t matter. Obviously, nobody knows what happened between us yesterday, and I’d like to keep it that way. I can’t explain it to people when I don’t even know how to explain it to myself.”

He nods once. “I won’t say anything.”

“Thank you.”

“But I want you to know you can always talk to me. About whatever. Maybe it’ll be easier since I’m not really in the dark about…well, you know.”

My eyes slide to his. “Yeah.” I take a deep breath and blow it out. “Do you think I’m an asshole?”

He looks genuinely confused. “Why would I?”

I step into the room and close the door a little. “Because of how I was acting with you and Victoria. Weird about you touching me and stuff. And because I was so adamant about being straight,” I whisper. “And then I’m making out with you in the bathroom.”

His lips pinch together briefly. “Aiden, we’re more alike than you think. I was in denial for a while, too. I think when you’re aware, even slightly, that you may be attracted to the same sex, you go out of your way to prove you’re not. I think a lot of homophobes are in the closet, so busy yelling about how gross it is, in order to try to convince themselves.”

“I’m not homophobic.”

“I didn’t mean you. The fear manifests in different ways. Dating multiple girls, usually at the same time, being defensive about any little comment, or scared of any little touch from a guy…that was me. It’s a lot of people.” I just stare at him and he grins. “But no, I don’t think you’re an asshole. I think you’re confused and probably dealing with a lot of feelings and emotions. All of which are normal.”

“You guys good?” Dame calls from downstairs.

I scramble back to the door, opening it up. “Yeah. Just talking about furniture. We may need to use your truck when he moves in.”

“That’s fine.”

I jerk my head at Oliver, telling him to come back downstairs.

“So, you’re in?” Dame asks him when we get to the bottom.

He looks at me briefly. “Yep,” he answers with a smile.

Once again, my heart starts beating out of control.

Chapter Six

A week later, Oliver is my newest roommate, settled in right next door to me. When I’m on the way to the bathroom, I overhear him on the phone.

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