Page 23 of Roommate
He stands very still. “Really. You’re kidding.”
“Nope. But they paid me for next month, too, so it’s hard to even be angry. So? Are you in? No pressure.”
“Heck yes.”
“Heads up.” She tosses the keys, and Kieran grabs them out of the air. “It’s yours whenever you’re ready, but your lease doesn’t start until December first, since the other guys paid for November.”
“Whoa, thanks.” Kieran stares at the keys in his hand as if she’s given him a treasure. “I’m not sure when I can actually use these.”
“Doesn’t matter. It’s something to look forward to, right?”
“You have no idea,” is his answer. Then he actually smiles, and it transforms his face. Damn, that smile is potent. “I’ll need furniture. Guess I’d better get on that.”
“And kitchen stuff. Towels. Sheets. It’s endless,” Zara says. “But who doesn’t love to shop?”
“Me,” Kieran says with a gruff chuckle. “I better post my listing, too. So I can pay for all of it.”
“For a roommate?” Zara asks.
“Yeah.” Kieran pockets the keys. “Lots to do. Later! Thanks, Zara.”
He’s almost at the door when Zara says exactly the wrong thing. “Hey, maybe you don’t have to hit up Craigslist.” She turns to me. “Roderick, are you looking for a place to live? Where are you staying, anyway?”
Kieran’s gaze flies to mine, panic in his eyes.
“Oh no, I’m all set,” I say quickly. “I’m staying with my parents for a while to save money.”
Kieran blinks, relaxing.
“Okay,” Zara says, nodding twice, as if she realizes she’s overstepped. “Put me to work Roddy. What needs doing?”
“We should make some cookies for the afternoon crowd. You want to bake or serve?”
Kieran slips out while we’re discussing it. I don’t even see him go.
A rented room is something I need very badly, but I am way too proud to say so.
Kieran
With Zara’s keys in my pocket, I feel like a new man. This is it. The rest of my life starts now.
I drive home, thinking optimistic thoughts. I need to order a bed to be delivered to the new place. I’ll do that right away, even if I’m not ready to move.
If you have a bed, it’s official, right? Everything else can come later.
Since it’s Saturday, I don’t have to go to my Burlington job. Kyle and I have plans to bale the oat straw, but it’s not even noon, so we’ve got five hours of daylight left.
While we’re out there, I’ll tell Kyle that I’m moving out. He can get used to the idea while I’m still here, working hard while my dad heals up from his surgery.
But eventually I’ll be a free man—free to live somewhere else and let Kyle take on most of the farm labor with dad.
And free to figure a few other things out, too.
I bump along our dirt road with the music blaring, feeling optimistic. And I just ate the chewiest, most amazing sesame bagel I ever tasted in my life. Even if part of me still hopes Roderick will turn tail and leave town again, I will miss that man’s baking.
When I park my car outside the farmhouse, though, reality sets in. Kyle’s pickup isn’t here, and neither is my parents’ truck.
Inside, I find my dad in his easy chair, looking uncomfortable. Actually, uncomfortable doesn’t even cover it. His lips are white with pain. “You okay?”
