Page 81 of Messy Strokes (Wrecked Roommates)

“We’re not getting married.” My spine straightens, my embarrassment threatening to swallow me whole as my gaze bounces from one confused face to the next.

Like a fish out of water, my mom’s mouth opens and closes, speechless.

My dad puts his hand on top of my mom’s trembling one and interjects, “Well, maybe not right now––”

“Or ever,” I clarify. “Who said we’re evendating?”

My mom reaches for her glass and gulps down her water while my dad mutters, “We assumed…”

“Because we had a kid together, we have to get married?” I shriek.

This is ridiculous.

And embarrassing.

How dare they assume Milo and I are together. Especially when the bastard doesn’t want me in the first place.

“You brought him with you to meet us,” my mom returns as she sets her glass of water back on the table and motions to the man beside me. “And you’ve been very nice, by the way,” she adds with a nervous smile.

I roll my eyes, the last few days of emotional warfare finally catching up with me. “Just because I brought him with me doesn’t mean we’re together.”

“Mads,” he growls, his voice low but lethal, while his warning is louder than a damn blow horn.

Ignoring him, I turn back to my mom. “Sorry to disappoint you, Mom.”

“But, you slept with him,” she starts.

“I’ve slept with a lot of people!” I yell. “And guess what? None of them wanted me afterward, so congratulations. You were right. No one wants to buy the cow after they’ve gotten the milk for free, no matter how much thecowhas made it clear she wants more. But thanks for the reminder.” My gaze shoots to Milo as my teeth dig into the inside of my cheek, hating how easily he can see right through me. How easily I could cry right now. How easily my mom stumbled into a no-win conversation within five minutes of us sitting down together.

With shaking hands, I tuck my hair behind my ear while attempting to avoid the stares from those around me, even though I feel like I’m underneath a freaking microscope. “This was a mistake.”

“Madelyn––”

“No. I’m done,” I inform them, pushing to my feet and grabbing Milo’s keys from the top of the table. His warm grip encompasses my wrist and doesn’t let me go as he stands with me and turns to my parents.

“Can you keep an eye on Penny while Madelyn and I talk for a second?”

“O-of course,” my mom replies, toying with her perfect pearl necklace while staring at me like I belong in a damn zoo.

My upper lip curls. “That won’t be––”

“Thanks.” Milo tugs me toward the exit without another word.

21

Maddie

When the cool air outside the restaurant hits my cheeks, I breathe in deep, convinced my numb legs will give out on me any moment.

“What the hell happened in there?” Milo demands, flailing his arm toward the restaurant’s entrance as soon as we’re out of view from everyone inside.

“Excuse me? Why did you drag me out here? Why did you leave Penny––”

“You completely lashed out at them!”

“You’re mad atme?” I jab my finger into my chest as my entire body vibrates with anger. “I was saving you!”

“From what?”

---