Page 39 of Mastered by Them
Once it’s over, we chat about what was good and bad about it. I’ve always loved movie nights with my roommates. Bickering over the plots and acting, talking about what’s good and what isn’t, keeps my brain engaged.
I wonder if I could do movie nights with Edmund and Troy. I can imagine some heated arguments turning into much more heated activities.
“There wasn’t enough murder.” Elias folds his arms across his chest, as if his word is final.
“Not enough murder?” Rita scoffs. “Like, a hundred thousand people died in that battle alone.”
Elias sighs. “You know what I mean. I like the mystery.”
“Elias, I’m a little worried about you, bro.” I root around in the nearly-empty popcorn bowl, searching for a stray piece among all the kernels.
“Not half as worried as you should be.” Wallace snorts. “You should see his new murder board.”
I raise my eyebrows. “Is there something you’d like to share with me, Elias?”
He leaps to his feet, fighting a grin. “I thought you’d never ask.”
I watch, half fear, half amusement, as he hurries to his room and comes back with a tri-fold presentation board.
I look over at Rita and Wallace. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.”
“We couldn’t stop him.” Rita laughs. “But we did talk him out of one of those giant rolling whiteboards like he sees on TV shows.”
The next hour passes with Elias arguing passionately about his “profile” of the killer.
While living with roommates was never a permanent desire of mine, I can’t deny I’ve grown to love these three with their bonkers quirks and idiosyncrasies. But by the end of an hour talking about serial killers, I’m starting to think that absence really does make the heart grow fonder, and I could use a little absence from Elias at this point.
“Do you want to come back tomorrow for another movie night?” Rita asks as I’m about to leave.
“I can’t—I’m going to Mirarosa tomorrow.”
“With Edmund?” She stretches out his name and waggles her eyebrows.
I laugh. “Yes, with Edmund.”
And Troy.
I know I came into this engagement kicking and screaming, but there are some parts of it I’m thoroughly enjoying.
Troy
The Mirarosa boardwalk is a weird mix of tourist traps and genuine fun. Riders scream from rollercoasters and lines form at food booths. A farmer’s market takes up one end of the boardwalk.
Dani exclaims in excitement over every new thing. She speaks seriously with a ceramist about his art, asking questions about his process and how he runs his business. He, and many others, seem half in love with her by the time she’s moved on.
I love seeing her so carefree. She’s even nice to Edmund.
I wish I could be as carefree as her. Amber keeps texting and calling. I would block her, but that would only make her more determined. Last thing I want is her showing up in person again.
“Come on, Troy!” Dani grabs my hand and starts hauling me toward a booth advertising gourmet cotton candy. “Maybe it’ll take my mind off my feet.”
I allow her to tug me along. “Are your feet tired after all the walking?”
She nods. “It isn’t bad, though.”
I stop short so she’s forced to whirl around. Then I face away from her. “Piggy-back ride?”
“Heck yes!” She hops on and wraps her arms around my chest.
