Page 23 of The Roommate Situation

Zach sneers at me. “This is cute,” he says, glancing back at Rory and then me again. “You got yourself a guard dog.”

“He’s my roommate,” Rory manages, but I can tell he’s barely holding it together. “And he’s right. Don’t touch me.”

Zach appraises him. “Wearing a fucking skirt, too? God, Rory, you’re such a fucking pussy. Is that the only way you could get a guy? Trade your dick in for a cunt? You fucking him, too? Does he know what a fucking whore you sound like when you get plowed? How fucking embarrasing it is?”

Tears are filling Rory’s eyes now and I’ve had enough. I take his hand and pull him with me down the hall as Zach laughs. I find the bathroom and sigh in relief when it’s empty, pulling Rory inside and shutting the door behind me. I wet a washcloth and remove his glasses, setting them aside, before I dab at his tears. His eyeliner is running down his cheeks turning his tears black and my heart breaks for him. I want to go out there and squirt lemon juice in Zach’s eyes for hurting Rory.

“Stop,” he says, sniffling and batting my hand away. “You don’t need to do that.”

I frown. “But I want to. He didn’t have any right to say those things.”

“Maybe he does,” Rory says. “Maybe he’s right. After all, I’ve never been with anyone else. I can’t even get a second opinion.”

“He’s an arrogant, stuck up, asshole who’s trying to make you feel like shit about yourself, because if he can make you feel small and like you don’t deserve better maybe you’ll go crawling back to him, or maybe you’ll just walk around miserable never trying to find someone better because you don’t believe you deserve it. He’s wrong, freckles. You’re amazing and you deserve everything you want.” I grip his chin and continue to dab at his tears. He blinks at me and his chest heaves slightly.

“You look incredible. You’re the prettiest one out there. He’s just jealous he doesn’t have control of you any more.” His eyes flick to my lips and I’m so tempted to close the space between us and kiss him like I’ve wanted to for weeks now, but I can’t. Not when he’s this upset. I haven’t made a move so far because I don’t want him to think I’m just using him for sex. He deserves better than that, and he’s been through a lot. But god, it’s been hard.

Instead I press a kiss to his curls and then turn his face towards the mirror. “Good as new,” I say, and he gives me a soft smile.

“Thank you. I’m really, really embarrassed about all the shit he said. I’m so sorry, Parker.”

I slip his glasses back on and shake my head. “No one in this room needs to be apologizing. Do you want to go?”

He shakes his head. “No. Then he wins. I can’t let him ruin every public gathering for me. Let’s get another drink.”

We make our way out of the bathroom and fortunately don’t spot Zach and his date anywhere as we move through the crowdback towards the kitchen. Rory grabs another cider but I stick to soda. I have a feeling I should keep an eye on him. He seems a little bit better, but I know Zach’s words had an impact on him and I wouldn’t be surprised if he drank more than normal tonight because of it.

I take out my phone and text Jackson and Lucy to make sure they know we’re here and that Rory is upset. I don’t give them details, just tell them that we ran into Zach.

I get a reply from Lucy right away. She says she’s outside, and we make our way in that direction after grabbing our jackets. There’s a fire pit set up in the backyard and even more people out here, drinking, talking, and some people are roasting marshmallows.

“Hey, Rory,” Lucy says when we reach the firepit. I turn, startled. I almost don’t recognize her since she’s dressed up as Gamora fromGuardians of the Galaxy, green skin and everything. She looks amazing, though, her normally curly hair straight and dyed red.

“Hey,” he says. “You look great.”

She smiles. “You, too.” She looks at me. “And you look very yummy.”

I flush. “Thanks.”

We talk for a bit and I mention seeing Jackson and Preston together, which sparks her interest. Apparently none of us knows what’s going on between those two.

“Time for another drink,” Rory says about fifteen minutes later. He’s shivering now, too, even with his jacket on.

That’s the same moment another girl slides up next to Lucy, dressed as Merida fromBrave, and starts flirting with her, so I take Rory inside and get him another drink.

“Last one,” I tell him. “You’re getting tipsy already.” I had no idea he was such a lightweight, but I don’t think he actually drinks that often, and he’s tiny.

He takes it, his words already slurring slightly when he says, “I’m completely fine. I am better than fine. I am soooo fine.”

I’m regretting letting him have the last bottle about ten minutes later when he's clearly not fine. “I think we should head home,” I tell him as I take the drink from his hand and set it on the counter. I put my arm around his back and drape his arm over my shoulder, hunching as I try to support him. We take a few steps before he trips over something, probably his own feet. He wobbles on his heels and his knees buckle, but I manage to grab him before he falls, and he giggles.

“You are so strong,” he says, his face turned towards me, the stench of alcohol on his breath. “So strong and so fucking hot.” He pokes my bicep. “I mean, wow, just look at these muscles.”

I move us through the crowd as he continues to jab me in the arm. “Okay,” I say, once we reach the front porch. “Let’s get you in the car.” I’m honestly not sure he can make it down the stairs so I scoop him into my arms and carry him instead, prompting a gasp and then another giggle as he kicks his feet in the air.

“See,” he says, “I told you you were strong. And hot. Soooo hot.” He starts to stroke my bare chest and I shiver. “And sweet.” His eyes meet mine and they fill with tears. “God, you’re so damn sweet.” He buries his face in my chest as he sobs. “You closed the chip bag in your room so I wouldn’t hear it.”

“Hey, it’s okay, little dude,” I try to soothe him. “You’re gonna be okay.” I set him down so I can open the car door and he wobbles again before his face pales and then he’s turning his head and vomiting near the rear passenger side door. “Oh, boy. Okay. You feel better now?” I ask as he wipes his chin and then reaches for my belt.

---