Page 15 of Touch Me

Oh shit.

I take a step back to give her some space. Or to give me some space? Whatever, I just feel like space is a good idea right now. “Okay, listen. I, uh, I just need some time to adjust. This is new for me. I don’t have people over often and I... need to acclimate.”

“You don’t have toacclimate. Not for me. It’s obvious this isn’t going to work. You don’t like people in your home, orat all, as far as I can see. And I can’t take one morefuckingperson that doesn’t want me around, okay? I’m going to pack up what little belongings I have and go. Not your problem anymore.”

She darts around the corner and slams the door. I let out a long sigh and rest my forehead on her closed door, listening to her gathering her things.

Fuck.

“Cassie, listen, this isn’t a matter of me not wanting you around. Not at all. I just have some... someissues.I’m not good with people, obviously,” I say the last part quieter, mostly to myself.

The rustling on the other side of the door stops. Does that mean she’s listening? Or is she done packing? “I do want you here. Maybe I actuallyneedyou here.” This is so much easier talking through the door. I don’t know if I would have the courage to say some of this if she could see my face. I drag my finger down the door until I find a bubble in the paint and fixate on picking at it. “Like I said, I’m not good with people. Maybe you can... help me with some of those things. Like talking, and being comfortable in a room with someone. What am I saying? This isn’t your problem. You have your own shit to deal with. Starting a new job in a new city. Worrying about whereyougoafter this.”

Great, now I’m rambling.It’s not as cute as when she does it.

“And to top it all off, your best friend dumped you off, and your new roommate is an asshole.”

The door swings open. She looks at me with a little less fire in her eyes. No tears, thank fuck. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her cry, and I don’t want to start now. I certainly don’t want it to be because I’m a dumbshit.

“I’m sorry,” I say at the same time she says, “You’re not an asshole.”

We both smile.

“Look, this is all new for me. I think Jess knew you were the only one who could handle my... assholery.”

She smiles bigger. A full megawatt smile.

Damn, that feels good.

She bites her lip, a small grin playing on her mouth. “So, you need me, huh?”

The implication sends heat rushing to my cheeks, and my groin.Need.My needs are something I’ve ignored to my own detriment. “Jesus.” I flinch. “I don’t remember you being evil.”

“Just say it.”

I scoff. “Say what?”

She leans on the door and crosses her arm over her chest. “That you need me.”

I run my hands through my hair, staring at the floor. “Is that really necessary?”

“I mean, if you don’t want my help...” She gestures with her thumb to the boxes on the end of the bed. “I got half of my stuff packed up before all your guts spewed out on the other side of this door.”

My face heats and I divert my eyes to my feet. “Like I said, evil.”

She walks back into her room and gathers a few things off the end of the bed. She looks over her shoulder at me expectantly, and our eyes meet. She shrugs and grabs the tape gun to close up one of her boxes.

The thought of her leaving sits heavily in my gut and urges me to step into the room. “Okay, okay, fine.”

She raises one brow. “Fine, what?”

“I need you,” I mumble.

She cups her hand around her ear and leans in. “What was that?”

“I said I need you, okay? Geez. I need you. I need you to help me. I fucking need you. Happy?”

She smiles the biggest smile I’ve ever seen, and this weird pang beats in my chest.

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