Page 9 of Dear Roomie
“The long-distance thing must be tough.”
That’s an understatement. We went from seeing each other every day for years to only seeing each other a few times a month, and it sucks. It’s been over four years, and it’s never gotten easier. I miss him. Even more now that his job keeps him too busy to visit as often. Ever since he graduated, it barely feels like we are in a relationship. When we are together, things are good, but finding time for that seems to be growing rarer and rarer as the election approaches. Things will be like they were before once I graduate and we close the gap. I just have to get through this year.
“It is, but we make it work.” Melancholy swells for a moment before I shake it away. “What about you? Anyone special in your life?”
“No, I haven’t dated since undergrad. After I graduated, I joined the Peace Corps and haven’t had time for relationships since then.”
“What brings you all the way from Peru to Athens, Georgia?”
“Law school. It was time for me to go back to school, and the University of Georgia offered the best financial-aid packet. It was a no-brainer, really.”
We fall into a comfortable conversation throughout the rest of dinner and continue even after our plates are clear. I tell him all about my dad being in theAir Force and how I spent his deployments with my Grandma Anne in Savannah. That’s where I met Tanner for the first time when we were seven. Morgan tells me about his time in Peru, and I learn he is originally from Michigan but got his bachelor’s degree at Arizona State University on a wrestling scholarship. Neither one of us pushes for anything more than surface-level information, but it’s nice, and the contrast to our first interaction is a welcome surprise.
The conversation hits a natural lull, and we fall back into silence, but this time, it lacks the oppressive edge. I start to clear the table, but he stops me before I can lift a plate.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Morgan asks. His voice is stern, but there is a playfulness behind the tone.
“The dishes,” I tell him, but it sounds more like a question than a statement. Oh God, he’s a slob, isn’t he? I knew it was too good to be true. He got points in the green-flag column for offering to help and not being weird about Tanner, but this might ruin it all.
“No you aren’t. You cooked, I’ll clean.”
Oh.Make that three points in the green-flag column.
“Thank you for dinner, James, and for the company, but I’ve got it from here. Go relax and enjoy your night.”
I’m too dumbfounded to do anything but listen. I can’t remember the last time Tanner cleaned up after a meal, and I don’t think he ever has without me nagging him first. I’m going to have to check his work in the morning, but for tonight, I’m content to let him handle it. If things stay like this, living with him might not be so bad.
Chapter 5
James
By the time the first rays of the morning sun start to peek over the horizon, I’m already drenched in sweat. Grover trots alongside me as my feet pound into the sidewalk that zigzags across the idyllic fields of North Campus. We keep pace with the music blaring in my ears; the brain-rattling bass and hardcore riffs clash in comparison to the tranquil scenery around me. Early mornings are my favorite time to run. The sweltering summer heat isn’t nearly as unbearable, and, more importantly, it’s one of the few times the campus isn’t swarming with other people. It’s peaceful, and you don’t find that often in Athens.
Normally, these runs would put me into a meditative state, but I can’t get Morgan out of my head. Everything would be so much easier if he was an asshole, but instead, he has the gall to be decent. He’s fun to talk to, he cleans up after himself, and overall, he seems to be respectful and well-mannered. It’s awful.
I think I actually like him.
I expected to have to do a second pass on the kitchen this morning, but I found it spotless and damn near swooned. He would be the perfect roommate if his stupid smile didn’t make my stomach flutter.
Shaking my head, I try to force those traitorous thoughts from my head.
A robotic voice cuts through my music, announcing an incoming call from Tanner Nicholson, causing me to stumble over my feet. His call is a welcomesurprise, especially since he wasn’t able to talk last night. He had a late night with his team from work; it sucked not hearing from him, but I understand why.
My heart swells as two overexcited voices greet me as soon as the line connects.
“Ophie,” Tanner’s sisters shout into the phone. The twins, Kinsley and Raelyn, are only nine and are the closest things to siblings I have. Tanner’s parents didn’t plan them—they were happy with their picture-perfect family of three—but, as they like to tell everyone, “God had other plans.”
“What are y’all doing up so early?” I ask.
“Tanner took us to breakfast—”
“And now we are going to the mall—”
“He said we can get our nails done—”
“And have ice cream—”
“But we aren’t supposed to tell Mom ’cause we had waffles too.”
