Page 51 of Just Forever

“Uh…”

“It’s fine,” Lake says from next to me, flashing a quick smile at me before he climbs in the back.

I grit my teeth and get inside. A few minutes later, we’re driving back to the city. Kian turns to his side and sets his sights on Lake.

“Nice to finally put a face to the name,” he says.

“Likewise,” Lake replies with a hint of hesitance.

I’m somewhat confused because I’ve only ever mentioned Lake in passing once. Maybe twice. I think. It seems one of thoserare mentions was to Kian. It’s not that I want to hide Lake. It’s just that I don’t want to lie either and calling him my roommate is a big one and feels both wrong and borderline insulting.

“What do you do, Lake? Cool name. Where does that come from? Is there a story? How long have you known Ryker? You live in the city? I mean, duh. Clearly.” Kian barks out a loud laugh.

“I… uh…” Lake’s wide gaze finds mine in the rearview mirror for a moment before he focuses back on Kian. “My mom named me? She read it in a book and liked it, so no story, really. Ryker, I’ve known him since…” He flashes me another look, this one filled with warmth now. “What’s it been? Twenty years or something? We went to the same kindergarten. Same primary school. Same middle school. And so on.”

“Lifelong friends. Nice.” Kian holds his hand up, and Lake gives him the high five with a dubious expression. “And now you’re roomies?”

Lake shrugs. “He has the extra room.”

I take a deep breath and try and loosen my grip on the steering wheel.

He’s my husband.

I love him more than life itself.

Husband. Not a fucking roommate.

“I’m in med school,” Lake says.

“No shit? Mad respect, dude. What kind of doctor?”

“It’s just my first year, so no kind yet.”

Kian nods and turns his body even farther toward the back seat. “When do you decide? I’ve always wondered.”

“End of third year or so. It’s when we have to start preparing the residency applications.”

It’s a perfectly typical get-to-know-somebody conversation, and I really wish Kian wasn’t here hogging my husband’sattention. I haven’t seen Lake in almost a week. I want him all to myself.

Wow.

I’m an asshole.

Doesn’t stop those thoughts though, which is annoying because I consider myself a pretty easygoing guy. I adapt and adjust and find the silver lining. It’s always been a reliable default setting of mine to remain calm and have a positive outlook.

I’m not usually petty or antagonistic.

Now, though…

Now I’m annoyed.

It’s so unexpected it takes me a while to even name the emotion.

But I am.

There are thorns underneath my skin that stab me every time I glance at Kian.

I know it’s unfair and unreasonable and unearned on his part, but I still can’t help resenting him just a little bit right now.