Page 24 of Messy Strokes (Wrecked Roommates)

“You have nieces and nephews?”

“Why’s it so surprising?”

“From what I gathered, being estranged from one’s family was kind of in the roommate agreement.”

He laughs. “Not for me. My family’s pretty awesome. I have two older siblings, Bree and Luke. Both are married with kids now.”

“And your parents?”

“Are awesome.” He smiles, his eyes crinkling in the corners before he turns melancholy. “I haven’t seen them in a while.”

“Seems like you miss them,” I murmur. “But if you guys are so close, what made you want to move away from them?”

“Honestly? I dunno,” he admits. “It’s not so much I wanted to move away from them. It’s more like Milo wanted to get away from where he grew up, and we always talked about rooming together after high school. With LAU having a good computer science program, it made sense.”

“It does make sense.” I reach for my cup of coffee and bring it to my lips, praying he can’t see right through me as I ask, “Has he, uh, has he seen his parents lately?”

Jake’s strong jaw tightens as he scratches it, his suspicion oozing from every pore. Like I flipped a switch or stumbled upon a minefield, and I have no idea how to backpedal out of it.

“How much do you know about Milo and his family?” he demands.

Chewing on the inside of my cheek, I give him a one-shouldered shrug. “I know enough.”

With a solemn nod, Jake grabs the empty glass and heads to the sink, refilling it with water, sprinkling in the same magical strawberry powder, and giving it a good stir.

“Did anything new happen?” I prod. “Since last year?”

He stops stirring. “You know about what happened last year?”

“Who do you think bailed him out?” I whisper.

His eyes widen in surprise, and the spoon clatters into the sink. “He called you?”

“Yeah.”

“Interesting.” He lifts the fresh glass to his lips and takes a sip, still deep in his thoughts.

“Did Jos ever find out about it, though?” I ask, anxiety gnawing at my lower gut as my voice breaks the heavy silence surrounding us.

With furrowed brows, he looks over at me from above the rim of his cup. “Why would Jos’ve found out?”

“I dunno. I’m…curious. I thought he had a rule––”

“About staying squeaky clean under his mentorship at the tattoo shop, or Milo would be kicked out? Yeah, I know. But how didyouknow about it?”

My lips pull into a thin line, but I stay quiet.

“He really did trust you,” Jake notes, his voice quiet as he sets down his cup, “to tell you about his parents, Jos, and the possible repercussions of losing everything he’s been working for.”

“But he didn’t, right?” I prod, holding Jake’s gaze.

He shakes his head. “No, Mads. He didn’t. The only thing he’s lost that he actually cared about is you.”

9

Maddie

My eyelids are heavy, and my feet ache as I rock Peanut back and forth. She’s been bawling her eyes out since 4:30 in the afternoon, and it’s now after midnight. My back hurts. My head hurts. My eyes hurt.Everythinghurts.

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