Page 56 of Dear Roomie
I stand and flee into the hallway before he has a chance to argue. Forty-five minutes isn’t much, but it should give me enough time to go to the store to get the rest of what I need for tonight.
***
As I pull into a spot in the parking lot, the car fills with my boyfriend’s ringtone. I don’t hold back my groan; it feels like I’ve been hearing that sound nonstop since the blowup at the beach. Tanner has been more attentive in the past three weeks than he had been combined in the three years prior. He calls me anytime he gets a chance, even if it’s only for a few minutes, to check in or update me about his day. From what I can tell, he has been true to his word and has stayed sober; time will tell if he keeps that up.
I could let this one go to voicemail—it’s not like I didn’t talk to him this morning. Ignoring him will only start a fight I don’t have the time or energy for, so I answer the phone with a sigh.
“Hey, Tanner.” With a tight jaw, I wedge the phone between my cheek and my shoulder and grab a shopping cart.
“Ophie.” He says my name like a prayer. “I’ve missed your voice. What are you up to?”
“Yeah, missed you too.” The hollow reply falls from my lips as I walk into the store. “I’m just grocery shopping.”
It’s close enough to the truth that I don’t feel an ounce of guilt for lying. He has apologized more times than I can count for everything that went down thatweekend, except for attacking Morgan. It isn’t as if he’s been claiming that he was in the right, he just hasn’t acknowledged it at all.
“So close to the break?” he questions. “Speaking of, I had a thought. I could come pick you up if you want. I may drive up to Athens on Monday, and then we can ride back down together on Tuesday after your classes. It would give us some extra quality time together, and then I can drive you back up next weekend and maybe spend another night at your place.”
“I don’t think that’s the best plan.” My face scrunches in disgust at the idea, but I’m able to keep the feeling from leaking into my voice. I’ve gotten more “quality time” than I needed the past few weeks. We’ve talked multiple times a day, and he’s even asked to start doing video calls at night until we fall asleep. It’s just like freshman year when we first became long-distance, only it was romantic then. Now it feels like a hassle and is a bit cringey.
“You would have to take off work, plus that’s almost nine hours of extra drive time for you. It isn’t practical.”
“You’re right,” he concedes, “I just miss you.”
“I know, but it’s only three more days.”
“I can’t wait,” Tanner says. “Did you want to do a date night tonight in the meantime?”
“I can’t, I have plans with Chelsea tonight and won’t be home until late.” Another lie easily slips past my lips, leaving no trace of guilt.
“Oh,” he says, sounding crestfallen. “Well, I hope you have a good time.”
“Mhm,” I hum into the phone, only half listening while grabbing what I need from the shelves.
Tanner could talk forever if I let him. He only needs the occasional sound of acknowledgment and he will continue to ramble on, relishing in the sound of his own voice. I stay on the phone and let him prattle on while I finish my shopping. I don’t actually hear a thing he says, too focused on my roommate and making sure tonight is perfect for him.
“Hey,” I interrupt him, “I’m at the register. I’ve got to go. Talk to you tomorrow?”
“Yeah, of course. I love you, baby.”
“Mhm, love you too.”
Chapter 21
Morgan
James drives as though the speed limit is merely a suggestion. My knuckles are white from gripping the overhead handle as we barrel down the highway in her truck.
I’m pretty sure she’s trying to kill us.
In one quick jerking motion, she flings us into the next lane without signaling. My stomach flips with unease, and I clench my eyes closed. I’d rather not see this death coming.
Chaotic, heavy music blares from the speakers, so loud that it rattles the windows with its bassy thumping. She dances along with the beat, wiggling around in her seat while she screams out the lyrics, completely oblivious to my discomfort. It would be adorable if I wasn’t sure it was going to get us killed.
“Hey, James…” I try to get her attention, but my words meld into the chaos.
With a sigh, I turn the knob to lower the volume. She shoots a glare in my direction, and the car starts to veer into another lane before she jerks the wheel back to center the car.
“What the hell, it was about to hit the breakdown.”
