Page 10 of Loud Hot Roomie
I play with the kids until I’m dripping with sweat. They’re full of energy and I love it. It’s the most fun I’ve had all week. Eventually, a woman with long red hair and a smattering of freckles emerges from her unit, wild eyed with worry.
“I told you two to stay in the house while Mommy naps,” she chides, shooting me an uneasy look. “Who are you?”
I try not to bristle at her tone. “Riko. I moved in with Derek next door.”
This relaxes her and she offers me her hand. “I’m Linda. These are my precocious children who don’t listen.”
“They’re awesome,” I tell her genuinely. “My new little soccer buddies.”
Both kids nod in agreement with matching grins. Linda tilts her head to the side and studies me as if I’m bullshitting her. “You’re being serious right now? Usually, I have to get onto them for bugging everyone.”
I chuckle because I’m sure my parents felt the same way about me. I’ve always been difficult. “Eloise told me all about her Barbie doll collection. She said she has three-hundred and fourteen dolls. Impressive.”
Eloise beams at me.
“Something like that,” Linda says with a grateful smile.
We both know Eloise has fourteen dolls. Topher already tattled. But, Linda likes that I play along.
“I was about to cook supper,” Linda says. “Want to eat with us?”
“Maybe another day. I need to make up with Derek. I think I made him mad this morning.”
She nods. “Well, do that. We need good people like you around. Do you mind watching them until he gets home? That would help me out a ton as I prep dinner.”
“Who wants to learn more soccer tricks?” I say to the kids.
“Me!” they both scream in unison.
Linda mouths, “thank you,” and then me and the kids get back to our fun.
I wanted to be waiting for Derek when he got home, but the kids wouldn’t let me leave when he pulled up. Linda saved the day when she told them dinner was ready. They both hugged me and then I was free to deal with my roomie.
By the time I get home and upstairs, I find that he’s already showered and is in his room with the door closed. I take a moment to quickly shower and then meander downstairs to find something to make for dinner since I’m indeed starving.
After locating some ground beef in the freezer, I start cooking it on the stove, annoyed at the slow process. If I would have used my brain, I’d have thawed it out earlier. My one-track mind, though, was dead set on cleaning the house for Derek. As I cook up some spaghetti, I’m careful not to make a huge mess.
“Something smells good.”
I nearly jump out of my skin from being startled. “Holy fucking shit, you can’t sneak up on a guy like that.”
“I didn’t mean to scare you,” he says, voice lighter than from earlier. “Someone’s been busy today.”
I finish draining the noodles and return them to the pot before finally eyeing him. He looks good in a tight black T-shirt and gray sweatpants. Too good. I chew on my bottom lip to keep from saying something to piss him off.
“I fucked up,” I admit as I toss in some olive oil with the noodles to keep them from sticking. “I’m going to do better.”
“I’m impressed to be honest. Didn’t expect to come home to all this.”
I can’t help but preen at his words, shooting him a bright grin. “Made you dinner, too, hubby.”
He snorts in amusement and I’m thankful he actuallycantake a joke. “Thank you. I’m hungry as fuck. My mouth is watering right now.”
It’s on the tip of my tongue to toss out something sexual to rile him up, but in a rare show of maturity, I bite it back. If I’m being honest with myself, I want Derek to like me. I don’t want him to treat me like my parents do.
“You grab the beers and I’ll set the table,” I instruct. “I swear I won’t tell your cop friend.”
He makes a chuffing sound that I think is laughter. It makes me feel high as a kite.
