Page 15 of Messy Strokes (Wrecked Roommates)

My jaw tightens, but I stay quiet.

“It’s her, isn’t it? Milo, you don’t know why she kept her pregnancy from you. She was probably scared.”

“She didn’t have the right to be scared.” Not when she’s the one who left.

“Try to put yourself in her shoes––”

“Maybe she should try to put herself in mine,” I counter, my frustration boiling over. “She fucking lied to me, Reese.”

“Yeah, but are you sure giving her the cold shoulder is going to fix––”

“I don’t care about fixing shit.”

I care about forgetting her. Keeping her in the fucking past where she was supposed to stay. She’s been haunting me for months, and now what? I’m supposed to welcome her with open arms? I want to make her hurt. I want to make her feel an ounce of the torture I’ve been living in since the moment she left.

“That’s a lie,” Reese whispers. “And we both know it. Youdocare about fixing shit. I might not have ever met her, Milo, but I’ve heard the stories. I’ve heard you cared about her before she left. Maybe you should stop looking at her presence like it’s a curse. Maybe it’s a second chance.”

“And maybe it’s all bullshit, and all I need is to get laid.”

“By her? ‘Cause I’m pretty sure she’s supposed to wait a little longer. But, hey, if she’s willing, I say go for it.”

Ignoring the memories assaulting me at the idea of Em lying naked beneath me, I scoff. “Not a chance in hell will I touch her again.”

“Oh?”

“You’re pissing me off, Reese,” I warn her.

“Someone’s touchy.”

“Stop being a little shit.”

“Stop living in denial.”

“You’re making me regret selling my bike,” I grumble.

She laughs. “Why? You don’t like chatting with your little sister while on your way to work?”

“Maybe.”

“Come on. I’m a delight, and we both know it,” she teases, unflustered by my frustration. I guess she’s used to it by now.

“But,” she adds. “I can see I’ve breached a sensitive subject, and I’m going to back off because I know you.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, when push comes to shove, you’re the most stubborn person I’ve ever met, and you aren’t afraid to dig your heels in, even if it means screwing yourself over to prove a point. Remember, you’re allowed to be hurt by her actions. You’re allowed to still care about her. And you’re allowed to give yourself some time to figure out what you want.”

“What I want is to get my dick wet, and it won’t be with her.”

“Ew! Milo!”

Turning into the parking lot of Etch 'N Ink, the rough brick pulls me in like a homing beacon. “Check your app. I’m at work. I gotta go.”

She sighs. “Fiiiine. Just…maybe go home early tonight. Pick up dinner. Maybe watch a movie together? Only you, her, and Baby Boo. It could be good for you.”

“I’m hanging up now.”

“It’s merely a suggestion. I love you, Milo.”

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