Page 51 of The Roommate Situation

I wonder if he’ll reply or not, but my phone buzzes again a second later.

Parker: Can I Facetime you later tonight? We’re heading to Amy’s dance recital soon but I need to hear your voice.

Holy shit.

Me: Yes

Parker: smiley face emoji

I’m a little bit more chipper after that and enjoy the evening with my family. After the Christmas festivities we head to a restaurant for dinner, then back home to watchHome Alone, an annual tradition for us.

Parker calls while I’m in the kitchen grabbing a snack and I answer it so fast he probably thinks I was staring at the screen.

“Hi,” I say, my cheeks flushed and unable to keep the smile from my face. He looks tired but good.

“Hi,” he says, smiling back. It looks like he’s in his room sitting on the bed.

“How are you?” We both say at the same time, and then laugh. We talk for a little bit about his flight and my drive, then what each of us did that day and what we’ll be doing over the rest of the break.

“Hey, dude, I’m on the phone,” Parker says, looking away from the screen.

“Ooh, is that the boyfriend?” I hear another male voice say, and feel my cheeks heat. The next thing I know Parker’s face is gone and I’m looking at who I assume is one of his brothers. Whether it’s Aaron or Archer I have no idea. He’s big, like Parker, but not quite as bulky, and his hair is longer. He’s not bad on the eyes, but he can’t hold a candle to Parker.

“Hey, give it back,” Parker says, and I watch as he reaches for the phone and struggles with his brother, who holds the phone away and uses his other arm to hold Parker at bay.

“Hey, boyfriend,” Aaron/Archer says.

“Seriously, Archer,” Parker says, “give it back or you don’t get a single bite of my pumpkin pie tomorrow.”

“Ouch, that’s harsh,” Archer says, but the next thing I know I’m looking at Parker again.

“And go away,” Parker adds, shooing his brother.

“Hey, this is my room, too, barf brain.”

“It hasn’t been your room since you moved in with Aaron. Now get out.”

“Fine but Mom and Dad said dinner’s ready so you need to get off soon. Bye hottie!” He shouts, and I flush crimson, realizing he’s talking to me.

There’s the sound of the door closing and then Parker runs his fingers through his hair, his cheeks flushed.

“Sorry,” he says.

“It’s okay. He seemed nice.”

Parker chuckles. “He’s a giant turd, but I love him.”

We talk for a couple more minutes before saying goodbye, and I find that I miss him even more now. Though I did notice that Archer called me Parker’s boyfriend and Parker didn’t deny it, which felt really good. Does he consider me his boyfriend? We never really had that talk, just the “we’re not sleeping with anyone else” talk. But I don’t know if that’s like a “we’re dating” thing or a “friends with benefits but with exclusivity” kind of thing. And I guess there’s still a part of me that doubts that Parker would want more than just sex with me, or friendship, even though I want everything with him.

The following day is Ava and Addison’s martial arts graduation, and then shopping.

I text Jackson that evening because I’m still worried about him after what happened at the party.

Me: You okay? I’m worried about you. You don’t have to tell me anything but I’m here if you need someone to talk to.He doesn’t respond right away, which has been happening a lot more lately, but eventually my phone buzzes with a reply.

Jackson: Hey, babe. I know I’ve been acting weird lately, sorry. I honestly am not the best right now but I will be okay. I’m not ready to share yet, but I promise I will when I’ve figured things out more. Don’t worry about me. Have a good Christmas. Love you Kissy face emoji.

Me: love you too

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