Page 19 of Dear Roomie
“I didn’t close the shower curtain good enough,” I cut in for Nathan’s sake.
“Damn, didn’t have that one on my bingo card.” Karis relaxes back into her seat. “I think she’s running out of ideas. At least you didn’t leave the remote on the wrong side of the coffee table this time.”
“I’d rather she just leave me be,” I grumble.
“But then what would we talk about? Before you, Nathan would just lament about his flavor of the week.” Her nose crinkles in disgust.
“How are things going with Chelsea?” I take the opportunity to shift the focus away from me and the she-devil.
“Things are great.” Nathan slouches into his seat with a dopey smile, and his sandy hair flops in his eyes.
“Here he goes,” Karis mumbles under her breath and pins me with a half-hearted glare.
“I know it’s only been a week, but she is something special,” he answers, not acknowledging her interruption.
“That’s what he always says.” Karis rolls her eyes and goes back to studying.
“I mean it this time. She might be the one.”
“That girl is so far out of your league, it should be criminal.”
“I know,” he says with a love-sick sigh, letting her dig slide off him like butter. “I’m inviting her out with us this weekend. Want to hit Cutter’s again?”
Karis doesn’t even look up as she snarks, “I’m in. Can’t wait to see this one blow up in your face.”
“Sorry, but I’m out. I’ve got too much to catch up on this weekend.” And I don’t want to risk running into James again. “Rain check?”
“Are you still up to meet at Ramsey later for a few rolls?”
“Yes, we are still on for Ramsey.”
Nathan decided that if I wouldn’t go to Double Teep, he would at least meet me at the university’s gym a few times a week for reps.
“We could meet up with Gage if you would come to Double Teep with me. Coach David would be willing to work with you if cost is the only concern.”
We’ve had this argument at least four times over the past week.
“I promise I’ll talk to Coach next semester. I just need to find my footing with school first.”
Nathan hums like he doesn’t believe me but doesn’t push me any further. I pull out my laptop and settle in for another evening of staying as far away from James Clarke as possible.
***
Like every night, the small bulb under the microwave is the lone source of light in the otherwise dark apartment when I return. It’s the only welcome I ever get. Even the hellhound has stopped reacting when I slip in through the door each night. I’m not sure if James leaves it on out of habit or if she is doing it for me.
Why would she leave it on for me?
It’s definitely a habit, or for the dog, but I appreciate it anyway. It’s nice not to come back to darkness every day.
I head toward my room and pause to see if there’s any light spilling from beneath James’s door. Thankfully, the gap is dark. My whole body relaxes, knowing there’s no risk of an encounter with the she-devil tonight. I step into the bathroom and glance at the mirror, half expecting to see another note, but it’s empty. The tension I’ve been carrying lessens even more. Those two-note days always wind me up, making sleep more elusive.
I take my time showering and going through my nightly routine. Without the looming threat of James interrupting, I’m able to get in a rare moment of peace. Afterward, though, I pay extra attention to make sure the shower curtain is pulled tight, my toothbrush is put away, the toilet lid is closed, and there is no trace that I was ever here at all. I find her demands excessive, but maybe tomorrow, she won’t find fault with my mere existence. Maybe tonight, I can actually do something right in her eyes.
My body is exhausted as the endorphins that remained from my earlier workout flee, and I’m left blissfully sluggish. I chase that bliss, crawl into bed, and slip into what I pray is a night of dreamless sleep.
***
I wake with a gasp, my heart racing and my body drenched in sweat. My hands fumble in the dark, searching for my phone. The display shows what I already knew: it’s way too late—or too early, depending on how you look at it. It’s 4 a.m., and I know I’m not getting back to sleep anytime soon.
