Page 13 of Loud Hot Roomie
He flashes me a real grin this time that makes my heart race. As soon as he disappears, I shoot over a text to Reid.
Me: I don’t want to make it awkward but can you go borrow one of those ice wraps from Casey? Tell her it’s for you or something. I’ll owe you big. Meet me on the back patio.
When he doesn’t respond, I assume he’s busy with his woman, but then I catch movement out of the kitchen window. Reid strides across the grass toward my place, the blue ice wrap in hand.
Riko’s phone starts ringing and he answers with a grumble. “Hey, Dad.”
I figure this is as good a time as any to slip out of the townhouse to meet up with my friend. He hands me the ice wrap and frowns at me.
“You good, man?”
I nod and motion toward my place. “It’s my roommate. Injured hamstring. Flared up while playing with Linda’s kids.”
Reid’s eyebrows shoot up. “I guess he’s turning out okay?”
“Paid me up front and everything,” I say, nodding. “Just thought I’d help the guy out. I know Casey has a stockpile of these.”
“She does and she told me to keep it.”
“Thanks, man.”
He lingers, studying me intently. “Something’s off with you.”
A flash of heat burns across my cheeks and I wonder if it’s obvious I find Riko attractive. I’m sure I could discuss this shit with Reid, but it doesn’t feel right yet. Maybe once I figure out what’s going on with me, then I can let him in on it. For now, I’d like to hold this little secret to my chest.
“I’m good. I’ll catch up with you later.”
He frowns, but nods. “I’ll hold you to it.”
After leaving him, I stride back into the house. From the living room, Riko’s voice has risen and he sounds upset. With the ice wrap in my grip, I give him his privacy, though I can still hear every word on his end.
“I really thought you were calling because you missed me,” Riko bites out, words dripping with venom. “Of course not. Every conversation with you circles back around to what a fucking failure I am.”
He pauses and then makes a snarling sound.
“Dad, you can’t even get through a sentence without telling me what I’m doing wrong. I curse a lot. So what?”
Another silent beat.
“I already told you. I’m figuring out what I want to do. College isn’t for me.”
His dad must be arguing hard because Riko is quiet for at least a full minute.
“Sorry to end this,” Riko says, voice flat, “but I have a movie date. They’re waiting on me.”
A date? It’s not a date. We’re just roomies hanging out. Right?
My gut twists in ways I’ve never felt before. I don’t exactly hate it.
Just when I think the conversation is over, Riko roars with fury.
“Of course it’s with a guy! How many times do I have to tell you and Mom? Seriously, I get so sick and tired of you two asking me to bring home a sweet girl. I like men. Men like me. I’m gay, Dad. There’s no changing that just like I’m not going to suddenly decide to go back to college.”
He’s gay.
I deduced he was at least bisexual.
Does that mean he finds me attractive for real? This isn’t all some ruse to rile me up for entertainment? And why the hell does that have pleasure trickling through me.
