Page 22 of My Three Roommates

I stop myself right before I’m the one to crack a joke about him acting like a straight guy, fucking then running off without a backward glance. Right now, he’d definitely take it the wrong way.

I pause for a moment, trying not to think of Cody picking up some other guy tonight. I hate that idea.

All I can do is go to bed and try to shut my overactive mind off with some sleep.

Turning to head back, I freeze. The TV’s running in the living room. It wasn’t on before.

Tanner’s back, stretched out on the sofa with his hands folded behind his head. Casually watching the game he set to record before he went to work.

He could have heard everything that Cody and I just said. Hell, he could’ve seen us.

I can’t breathe.

CHAPTER 13 TANNER

“WHAT WAS THAT all about?” I ask Brad as he sits down beside me in front of the TV, staring blankly ahead.

Brad clears his throat and fidgets. “Oh, you know. Just Cody being Cody.”

“Oh yeah? So what's up with you guys hugging like that?” Those two aren’t normally the type of guys to get along with each other. Brad and Cody have never exactly been the best of buddies. In fact, Brad has made it pretty clear that he only puts up with Cody because of Kenna. “You guys friends now or something?”

That’s all I meant, but it’s as if I touched a live nerve instead of asking a casual question. If it was possible for a guy to turn purple, that would be the colour of Brad’s face right now. He makes a choking sound. “Not exactly.”

I turn my head to stare more fully at him. “What’s with you?”

Brad won’t meet my eyes. After a very long pause, he takes a deep breath and exhales loudly.

“Look, man, there's something I need to tell you.” Brad folds his arms across his chest. “We’re all roommates now and knowing Cody, it’ll come out sooner or later.”

“Yeah?” My palms start to sweat. Brad must’ve found out about what happened between Cody and I. I don’t want it to come between us. I try to play it cool. "Okay, shoot."

“I’m just going to say it straight up. Cody and I hooked up.”

“You’re kidding.”

Brad twists his fingers together. “Nope.”

I burst out laughing. He blinks at me, hurt.

“I’m not laughing at you.” I was going to keep my secret to myself forever, but if Brad can come clean, so can I. I laugh again before I can stop myself. Brad’s starting to look mortified and so uncomfortable that he might bolt out of the room.

“I’m really not,” I reassure him. “It’s just that I can say the same thing.”

Now it’s his turn for his jaw to drop. “You did not. Are you making fun of me?”

“Of course not. It’s the truth.” I give my head a shake. “That Cody’s one hell of a persuasive guy, isn’t he.”

Brad’s still stunned. “You’re actually serious.”

“Yeah.” I hold up my hands in surrender. “I was curious, he was there and willing. Why did you do it?”

He thinks for a moment. “Same thing, I guess.”

“But I’m single,” I remind him. “Are you keeping this from Kenna? That’s not cool, man. She doesn’t deserve that.”

“Truth?” Brad asks me.

“Truth.”

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