Page 45 of Roommate
His eyes widen a trace. “Hold that thought for a few hours,” he says. “I’m going next door, because Zara’s car just pulled in. I’ll see you over there a little later, unless you need help here?”
“I got it,” I assure him. “Text me if Zara needs anything else.”
He leaves, and I turn on some music while I finish the guac. Not country and western. I think I could go a lifetime now without listening to anything twangy. Been there, done that. Got the broken heart to prove it.
In fact, I put on some old eighties New Wave stuff. Depeche Mode, Erasure, and A-ha. Brian would hate it. That’s why it’s perfect. I haven’t listened to this stuff in ages. I like a lot of different music, so I always let him pick.
Of course I did.
When the guacamole is perfectly seasoned and nicely blended, I cover it with plastic wrap and take a shower and shave. I’m not in a rush, because it’s dawning on me that I won’t know very many people at this party. Except for Kieran, Zara, and Audrey.
I mosey over there around eight, letting myself in the kitchen door. Audrey is the first person I see. “Roddy!” she says. “Help me carry these trays into the living room?”
“Sure thing, sugar pop.” I grab a tray and follow her.
“Look who I found!” Audrey announces to the living room. “Roddy brought guacamole. And he said it’s all for me.”
“Sure he did,” Zara says from the sofa. “Pour yourself a margarita?” she adds without taking her eyes off the screen. “Dave’s shift is on.”
I guess that means he’s playing. All I see is a bunch of dudes skating around bumping into each other.
“Everybody, this is Roderick,” Audrey says. “Our newest Busy Bean.”
I receive friendly greetings as several heads turn, including Kieran’s. He and two other guys are sprawling on beanbag chairs. He gives me a quick smile that does nice things to my insides.
“That’s Kyle Shipley,” Zara says, “Kieran’s brother. But you probably know that already.” Kyle must be the one that Kieran argues with on the phone. “And you’ve met Griffin,” she says, pointing at the biggest lumberjack in the room, “whom Audrey was kind enough to marry.” Everyone laughs. “And Dylan, the sweetest Shipley.”
They all say hello, and I’m struck by how much alike Griffin, Kyle, and Dylan look. Kieran has the same build, but his eyes are different. Moodier.
Finally, I’m introduced to Zara’s brother Benito—a cop with flashing dark eyes—and a couple named Sophie and Jude who live nearby. It’s quite a crowd.
The Shipley boys have already turned the hockey match into some kind of drinking game. “There it is!” Griffin laughs.
“Drink!” someone yells. Kieran picks up his margarita and takes a sip, as do the others.
I resolve not to stare at my roommate all evening, because people will notice the raging crush I have on him. And I also resolve to drink slowly, because the first margarita always goes right to my social skills.
The men on the floor look like a happy pack of puppies. Kieran grins and nudges Kyle. “Go on, you lightweight. No stalling.”
“I’ll show you stalling…”
I make myself busy pouring a margarita while I eavesdrop on their patter. It’s fun watching Kieran in his natural environment.
“Butt shot!” Audrey yells. “Drink!”
I glance at the screen and note that the camera is, indeed, focused right on the goalie’s ass. It fills the screen. Zara, Audrey, and Sophie all take a drink. Audrey’s is ginger ale, though. Much of the furniture is taken, and I can’t figure out where to perch.
Zara notices my plight and scoots over. “Come here. We have the good cheese and charcuterie.”
I take a seat among the women just as the hockey game goes to a commercial. “Your baby is so cute,” I tell Zara.
“She is delightful, a perfect child,” Zara says with a cheeky grin. “And by the way, do you babysit?”
“No.” I laugh. “I mean, I have no experience. But if you’re ever in a bind, I’m always ready to help.”
“Our Roderick is a pleaser,” Audrey says, patting my arm. “So many chefs are.”
“What do you mean, a pleaser?” I help myself to a slice of brie on a cracker.
