Page 302 of His Virgin Romance Series

“They all seem that way in the beginning,” Seth said ominously.

“Hey, don’t say that!” I said. “You’ll jinx my nice, normal roommate.”

“Okay, okay, sorry,” Seth said, laughing at my panic. “I really hope that works out.”

“Do you?” I asked suspiciously.

“Well… it’s what you want and if it makes you happy then that’s all I care about.”

“Thanks, big bro,” I said, feeling a burst of affection for Seth. He had always been there for me… sometimes even more than Mom. He was my big brother and my surrogate father, and I was so grateful he was in my life.

We chatted a little while longer while I made my way to the apartment. I was climbing up the stairs and I realized that the music that I was hearing was getting louder and louder. Was it possible someone was having a party on my floor? I paused as I reached the landing. I had a sinking feeling in my gut as I walked down the hall. Shit… the party was in my apartment. This was exactly the kind of thing I had wanted to avoid.

The apartment was teeming with people. Everyone was drinking, and a few people were even dancing. The coffee table had been set aside to create a small dance space. I walked in, and someone tried to offer me a beer. I politely declined and tried to find Miles. Then I heard someone call my name and I turned to find Miles walking up to me.

“Hey,” he said. “Surprise.”

I frowned. “What?”

“I thought it would be nice to give you a proper welcome,” he said.

I looked around in disbelief. “This party is for me?”

“Yep.” Miles nodded. “Surprised?”

I gaped at him, wondering how I was even supposed to react. He thought it would be a good idea to throw me a raucous party with a bunch of people I’d never met before? He knew nothing about me; what made him think I would like this kind of thing? Still, I was willing to acknowledge that however misguided it was a nice gesture. And I really didn’t want to start this relationship off with an argument, so I just smiled and nodded.

“Very surprised,” I said.

“Come on,” Miles said. “Let me introduce you to some people.”

I spent the next hour following Miles around as he introduced me to his friends. Most of them were in the art community like Miles was, and I might have had a few nice conversations with some of them if it weren’t for the fact that everyone seemed more interested in getting drunk and dancing. The moment Miles disappeared for a second, I raced into my room and locked the door.

I was desperate for some peace and quiet, but I knew that that wasn’t happening tonight. I would just have to try and shut out the sound and try and get some rest. As I lay on my mattress, I tried to keep my attitude positive, but I felt the strain of disappointment weighing me down.

I had thought that Miles and I were more alike than different. I had assumed I wouldn’t have to deal with parties and alcohol and pot and all the other shit that came with it. But apparently, I had been wrong. What had seemed perfect from the outside had turned out to be anything but and I wondered if my attraction to Miles had blinded me from that truth.

I sighed in frustration, realizing that my roommate curse was still in full effect. Maybe it was a bad idea to have made a decision so soon. I was forced to face the fact that maybe moving in here with Miles had been the wrong decision.

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