Page 14 of Tapped By My Roommate
“So, you’re about the same as usual?” Rhett said, finally acknowledging my protests.
I sputtered in surprise. “Wh-what? Are you saying I’m always bad company?”
Rhett winced. “No. Bad joke. I just meant you don’t have to act any certain way. Just be yourself, good mood or bad, and I’m fine with it.” He patted the bed. “Come on, eat. You’ll feel better once you’ve got some food in you.”
I eyed him skeptically as he opened the pizza box and the scents of sausage, pepperoni, Canadian bacon, marinara, and peppers wafted out. My stomach clenched in need, rumbling loudly. I’d only grabbed a small, hurried lunch in between classes that day.
Rhett grinned and waggled his eyebrows. “Your stomach has spoken. Sit. Eat.”
I reluctantly sat beside him and accepted a slice of pizza on a thin paper plate. We took turns stocking the cupboards, and Rhett always bought bargain-price items. Money was tight for him, but he wouldn’t allow me to pick up any extra slack.
It was a minor miracle he’d admitted he needed to pay his half of the rent late so he could help his brother out. Then again, Rhett was probably the kind of guy who’d do anything for his family. It was nice, though. Seeing someone who cared about other people. He’d been amazing today, and I probably hadn’t acted very grateful, too busy moping about my crushed manhood or whatever.
“Thanks for everything,” I said before taking a bite. The flavors burst across my tongue, and I closed my eyes to savor them. After so long without food, this pizza was a gourmet delight.
“No problem.”
I swallowed and licked my lips. When I glanced at Rhett, he had a strange expression on his face.
“What?”
He shook his head. “Nothing.” He picked up his beer and took a big swig. “Just enjoying the pizza.” He hesitated. “And the company.”
I smiled to myself, feeling better about his comment earlier. I should give Rhett more credit. He was a good guy. Always kind, always supportive. My gaze flicked to my bowties. Nope. I wasn’t ready to put one of those on and make myself vulnerable to another opinion. Not even one as generous as Rhett’s.
I ate more pizza and drank my beer while Rhett filled the space between us with easy small talk. He asked about my Godzilla figurines without contempt. Told me he liked my poster. Admitted his own room was as plain as a prison cell.
“Really? I hadn’t noticed,” I said. “I thought you’d have soccer trophies from high school or something.”
“Nah. My school didn’t have a great team. I played for fun.” He shrugged. “Played basketball too, but I wasn’t tall enough to be very good.”
“Such a jock,” I teased.
He rolled his eyes. “Oh yeah. Such a jock I didn’t get a sports scholarship offer to any school. And I would have happily taken an offer to some other place, believe me. Hayworth was not where I saw myself going.”
“Why is that? I mean, I know you kinda hate college students…but you’re one too, so…”
Rhett gave me a pained smile. “Hypocritical, right?” He tipped back his beer, taking the last few swallows. “I grew up in this town, and there were a lot of times I was made to feel less important than the college kids here. I had less money. My whole family did. The students swarm in during the school year and take over the place, treating some of the retail and restaurant employees like crap, then vanish over the summer break. I don’t know. Something about that bugged me. As a local…”
I nodded slowly. “I guess that makes sense. Like it’s your town, then suddenly school starts, and they think it’stheirs?”
“Exactly.” Rhett stood up. “Want another beer?”
I glanced at my mostly empty bottle. “Wow, I’ve already had two? That’s not like me.”
“It was a tough day. You’ve earned it.”
I nodded. Ithadbeen a shitty day. I deserved to let some of the tension and regret go, if only for a few hours.
“Yeah, you’re right. Get me another. Get me two!”
He laughed. “You got it.”
* * *
RHETT
We’d each downed four beers by the time Ethan got off the bed, weaving his way to the coat rack. “Still want to see my dorky style?”
