Page 71 of Messy Strokes (Wrecked Roommates)

It’s hard to remember he isn’t mine anymore when he looks like this—all concerned and effortlessly sexy. I hate how he still affects me. He slips past my defenses so easily, and I feel like I can talk to him, even when I don’t want to.

I dig my teeth into the inside of my cheek, hoping the bite of pain will be enough to break the spell as I look back down at Peanut, still nursing away, her little hands clenched into tiny fists near her cheeks. “Dove thinks I should meet up with them and introduce them to Penny.”

“And what doyouwant?”

“I have no idea.” After pushing my messy hair away from my face, I rub at my tired eyes. “You know how my relationship is with them. And when I reached out to them about being pregnant, and they shoved my nose in it?” I sigh and shake my head. “I dunno. I don’t think I want to sit through their condescending stares by myself again, ya know?”

“I’ll come with you.”

Convinced I’ve heard him wrong, my head snaps in his direction. “What?”

“I’ll come with you,” he repeats. “You won’t be alone.”

“Milo––”

“When are you going?”

I pinch the bridge of my nose, trying to focus on our conversation instead of losing myself in memories from last night and how easily he seems to sweep them under the rug. He’s so damn frustrating.

“I don’t want you to come with me,” I tell him.

“And I don’t give a shit.”

My nostrils flare. “Why do you want to come?”

“Why do I need a reason?”

“Because I’m tired of this rollercoaster with you,” I return. “One minute, we’re enemies. The next, we’re friends. Then, we’re enemies again.Then, we’re freaking kissing,” I choke out, waving my hand toward the front of the room like a damn lunatic. “Right before you decide to throw it in my face I’m not worth the risk––”

“That’s not what I––”

“It’s exactly what you meant,” I breathe out, tearing my gaze from his to stare blankly at Penny’s little round cheeks.

“Mads––”

“It’s fine, okay? I can’t handle the rollercoaster anymore. Not right now. Not when my parents are apparently in town and want to see me.”

“When are you going to meet them?” he asks, surprising me with the kindness in his voice.

Again, I peek up at him. “I, uh, I don’t know. I haven’t spoken with them yet.”

“Let me know when you do. I’ll be ready.”

He heads toward the door, but I call out, “Wait.”

Looking over his shoulder, he holds my gaze but stays quiet.

“Do you think Ishouldreach out to them?” I ask, hating how vulnerable I sound. But I don’t have anyone else. Not anyone who would understand where I’m coming from, anyway. “Even after all the shit they put me through?”

“I think if I screwed up with Penny, I’d want her to give me another chance.”

“But what if it were your parents? Would you give them another chance?”

He shakes his head. “No.”

“So, why should I?”

“You said so yourself. In a different world, you’d love to mend your relationship with them, and the ball was in their court. Now, they’ve called. So, isn’t it in yours?”

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