Page 19 of The Roommate Situation

I don’t want to overstep, so I wait for Rory to say something. When the woman taking his blood asks him to sit he clears his throat and says, “Um, actually, could I lie down? I don’t handle needles very well and if I’m not lying down there’s a good chance I will pass out.” He looks embarrassed but I am so stinkin’ proud of him for speaking up and advocating for himself.

“Oh, of course, hon,” the lady says. “We’ll do our best to make you as comfortable as possible.”

He tugs me over to the table and climbs up on it before removing his jacket and handing it to me. Then I take his right hand again as the phlebotomist steps towards him and wraps the tourniquet around his upper arm on the left side.

“Do you know which arm is better for this?” she asks, tapping the underside of his elbow and having him make a fist.

“I don’t think it matters,” he says. I can tell his voice is shaking slightly but he’s doing so well.

The woman gives him a warm smile. “I think I found a really good one. Go ahead and lay down, sweetie.” He does, his head resting near mine. I scoot a little so I don’t have to reach so far to keep hold of his hand.

“Do I need to move?” I ask, worried I’m in her way. I don’t want to make it harder for her and thereby harder for Rory.

“No, you’re fine,” she says. I see her prepping the needle and then moving back by Rory’s side.

“Just a little poke,” she says. Rory closes his eyes and takes a deep breath in, his body tensing up when she inserts the needle, his eyes closing tightly as he squeezes my hand.

“You’re doing amazing, hon,” the lady praises. “Worst part is over, okay? Just keep breathing. We’re almost done.”

She fills a few different vials with the blood, and Rory takes deep breaths in and out. I never let go of his hand.

“All done,” she says, cheerfully, backing away. She returns with a cotton ball and some medical tape. “You can sit up when you’re ready, but no rush.”

He nods and stays still for a moment before he opens his eyes. “I think I’m good.”

I stand and help him sit, so damn proud of my roomie I could squeeze the stuffing out of him. I don’t, though. Just help him back into his jacket and let him hop off the table.

I do hug him to my side when we’re walking away after thanking the nice phlebotomist. “You were great!” I tell him, then ruffle his hair as he smiles and squirms.

“Thank you for coming,” he says, his cheeks flushed. “For making me feel safe.”

“Of course, little dude.” I hope I can always make him feel safe, that whatever happens he knows that with me, there’s nothing but acceptance and love.

My sweet little rabbit.

RORY

Damn, I want to kiss this sweetheart of a hunky man so bad. He was so amazing. I’ve never felt more at ease with someone than I do with Parker.

After my appointment he offered to take me out for breakfast because I was fucking starving. I’m trying not to think of it as a date because I know it’s really not, but god, I really wouldn’t mind if it was.

Would he want someone like me, though? I mean, I know he finds me attractive, or at least he did until I lost it on him and left him with a hard on in a public bathroom. Maybe that attraction went out the window just like his orgasm. But even if he does find me desirable still, hooking up with me is one thing. Being friends with me is one thing. Being more, I don’t know that he would want that. It’s only been a month since I broke up with Zach and moved in with Parker, but I can honestly say it's been the best decision I ever made. The trouble is, I find myself wanting things with him that I’m not sure he wants, or will ever want. But I’m also realizing how much better my life is without Zach in it, and how much Parker’s words and actions are invading my thoughts, to the point where Zach’s aren’t taking up the space they used to.

I pull out my phone as we sit at the booth in the local breakfast joint Parker took me to. There’s not much on the menu that I can eat, but there are a few things. He’s got a mouth full of eggs when he mumbles, “Whatcha doin?”

“Something I should have done a long time ago,” I say, tapping at my screen before I set my phone down and look up at him. “Blocking Zach’s number.” I shake my hands out and let outa breath. God, I’m nervous, but I also feel incredibly liberated. I stopped reading any messages from him a long time ago, and honestly he hasn’t sent me any in a while, but even though I know he’s shit and I am better off without him, the idea of closing him out of my life for good was still scary. It’s less scary now, though. Because I realize how much happier I am each and every day that he isn’t in the picture.

“Hell, yeah, little dude,” he cheers, raising his hand, and I smile widely as I give him a high five. I finish my oatmeal and coffee and when the waitress comes by with the check and hands it to Parker I flush.

“I can get mine,” I tell him. He shakes his head.

“Not a chance. You were brave as hell today and you aren’t paying for your own breakfast.”

I bite my lip to keep from smiling, but don’t argue with him as he pulls his wallet out. “Thank you,” I tell him, and he grins at me.

I usually love my classes, but today, for whatever reason, okay, I know the reason, I’m eager to be finished and back home with Parker. I’ve missed him since we went our separate ways this morning.

It’s late afternoon when I get back to our apartment, and Parker isn’t there yet, so I decide to get some homework done and a little bit of cleaning. I vacuum, wash the dishes in the sink, and change the sheets on my bed. Then I decide that I’ve been sweating way too much and don’t smell the best, and if I am going to be snuggling up against Parker tonight while we watch a movie, which I’m hoping will be the case, I need to shower.

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