Page 57 of Tapped By My Roommate
He was a little more rumpled tonight. His hair was messy, courtesy of my hands in it while he blew me, most likely. His blue eyes were striking, as always. And he wore a faded green T-shirt that went well with his light complexion and was a smidge tight, clinging to his shoulders in a way I hadn’t noticed with his other clothes.
Nothing about him screamedgeekright now. But that wasn’t why I suddenly realized how gorgeous he was. I loved him in those bowties, loved the way they drew my gaze to his throat. I loved seeing him express himself with nerdy T-shirts. The one he wore right now was rather plain by comparison.
No, it wasn’t what he was wearing. It was that I was finally looking at him as if I were seeing him for the first time. I wasn’t looking at my straight roommate or even the guy I’d agreed to help explore his bi side. I was looking at a guy, objectively, and he wasveryeasy on the eyes.
Apparently, Audrey agreed.
I cleared my throat. Time to redirect her attention.
“So, who was this date that bailed on you, Aud?”
She grimaced. “We don’t have to talk about that.”
“I don’t like the idea of a date treating you so disrespectfully,” I said. “I hope you don’t intend to see him again.”
“I don’t,” she said quickly. “He was immature. All the high school boys are. Maybe I need someone older.” She smiled at Ethan. “I bet you wouldn’t treat a girl that way, would you?”
Ethan looked surprised to be addressed. “Me? Uh no. I’m more likely to be the one getting ditched.”
She laughed. “Liar. Who would ditch you?”
“Audrey,” I said, with a note of warning in my voice.
“What?”
“You’re too young to date college guys.”
She huffed and crossed her arms over her chest. “Do you remember high school? The guys are jerks.”
“They’re jerks in college too,” I said. “Trust me on this. You don’t need to be going out with someone so much older than you.”
“Ethan’s not a jerk, is he?”
“Ethan’s not available,” I shot back. Then, quickly added, “For you. He’s not available for you. Because he’s twenty-two, and you’re sixteen.”
“Did I miss something?” Ethan asked.
Audrey raised her hands to cover her face. “Oh my god, Rhett, you’re so embarrassing!”
“Uh, yeah, I’m gonna go wait in the car,” Ethan said as he tossed a ten dollar bill on the table. “I’ll let you guys finish this chat alone.”
Audrey dropped her hands, glaring at me as Ethan walked away. “What is your problem?”
I leaned in over the table. “My problem is that you’re trying to flirt with a guy much too old for you.”
“You know Ethan. Are you saying he’dreallybe worse for me than the jerk who ditched me at a party because I wouldn’t have sex in a spare bedroom?”
I winced and grabbed her hand, squeezing. “Okay, no. Of course, Ethan is better than that. But so are plenty of guys your age. Go find a nice geek of your own.”
“Of my own…” She straightened, pulling her hand from mine, eyes wide. “Rhett! Are you sleeping with your roommate?”
I was a shit liar. I didn’t even try. I just shrugged helplessly.
She groaned and kicked me under the table. “You should have told me he was your boyfriend!”
“He’s not my boyfriend,” I said quickly. “He’s just…”
“Your roommate who you have sex with,” she said drily. “Nice. Maybe Ishouldask him out, then, since you obviously won’t do it.”
