Page 29 of Messy Strokes (Wrecked Roommates)

“Stop telling me I don’t have to be a father. I’m here, aren’t I?”

Dropping my chin to my chest, I fist the comforter in my hands but stay quiet.

“We should set some ground rules,” he adds.

Again, I peek over at him. “Like what?”

“Jake said you want to get a job.”

I roll my eyes. “Oh, he did, did he?”

Traitor.

“Yeah. I think it’s a bad idea.”

“You don’t own me––”

“Who’s gonna raise our kid if you’re working all the time?”

“Who’s gonna pay the bills if I don’t have a job?”

He smirks. “I think we both know the answer to that one.”

“I don’t need a Sugar Daddy,” I argue.

And I already feel guilty enough.

“Who said I was offering? And you didn’t let me finish,” he counters.

“Fine,” I huff. “Finish.”

“I said I didn’t want you workingall the time. I never said you couldn’t get a job if you felt like you wanted to get out of the house more. I can watch Penny while you’re gone. I want to make sure we’recommunicating”––he drags out the word––“so I can keep my schedule relatively clear.”

“Oh,” I offer, surprised by how easygoing he’s being. It’s not exactly the norm for the guy. With a tight smile, I add, “Okay.”

“Good. Next rule. No sex in the house. If you wanna hook up with someone, do it at their place. Not here. And don’t worry. Same goes for me.”

Damn you, knife in my chest!

I rub at the ache above my heart, convinced I’ve been stabbed all over again as I try to keep my expression in check, though I doubt I’m successful. “You can’t be serious right now.”

“I’m sorry. Is that a problem?”

“Says the guy who brought a random girl home two nights ago,” I return.

He scrubs his hand over his face. “Look, I shouldn’t have done––”

“Damn right, you shouldn’t have. It was disgusting. Completely reprehensible. And repulsive. And disrespectful. And juvenile, I might add.”

“Which is why I’m making it a new rule.”

“Yet, I notice you haven’t apologized for it in the first place.”

“Look. I screwed up. What do you want me to say?”

“I want you to say you’re sorry.”

“I was trying to set some boundaries––”

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