Page 25 of One Room Vacancy
“And how would you know that?”
“You mean other than the fact that we’ve had this conversationad nauseamabout me and Hannah?”
“Hannahdidhate you.” I roll my eyes before taking a sip of my soda.
“Doesn’t matter, because she didn’t really hate me. It was complicated. You and Sage, complicated. But she doesn’t hate you.”
I want to think he’s right—that this is just where we’re at, that being roommates has the potential to mend the damage I’ve done, that maybe we can get back to a place of friendship. But…I screwed up, colossally. If I were Sage, I don’t know if I would forgive me.
Sometimes, intentions stop mattering if the damage happens anyway.
“We’re not you and Hannah. You and Hannah had a lot more tying you to one another. Sage could choose tomorrow that she doesn’t want me in her life, and the only thing preventing that from being true is that we now live together.”
Liam lets out a groan before leaning forward in his seat and steepling his fingers in front of him. “Gabe?”
“What?” I snip.
“Sage is one of the most compassionate people I know. And for only God knows what reason, she clearly has a boundless capacity to forgive you specifically.”
I don’t think Liam realizes that I believe she’s found that boundary.
“I don’t know.”
“Just try, man. I know it sounds crazy, but it’s just crazy enough to maybe work. Try, put in effort. Be the good guy I know you can be. Also, block Kara.”
“I haven’t been talking to Kara.”
“I don’t care. She always manages to reel you back in, and if she does, you will lose Sage. She can say all she wants that she doesn’t care who you date, and who knows, maybe she doesn’t. But if you guys are going to work as roommates, it can’t be Kara.”
“I get it.”
“Good.” He takes a sip of his drink before leaning back in his seat, his previous serious demeanor shifting into amusement. “Now, let’s get back to the important topic here. Me.”
“You’re so humble.”
“Never claimed to be.”
We leave Andre’s an hour later, full of burgers and unsolicited advice. We return to my place, where Liam becomes fully entrenched in a high-speed police chase.
Liam pushes down with the pad of his thumb, pressing the joystick flush with the controller as he barrels through the streetin a game ofGrand Theft Auto. I’m just glad that, amidst our many fights, Kara didn’t break my PS5 in a fit of rage.
Silver linings, I guess.
As Liam skillfully navigates through the virtual city streets, I can’t help but marvel at his focus. His eyes are narrowed in concentration, his fingers moving fluidly over the controller buttons. The sounds of screeching tires and police sirens fill the room, causing the game to thankfully be the only thing I can focus on.
I lean back on the couch as I pull my soda to my lips, just relieved to have a moment where I’m not stressing over someone else’s bullshit.
Except, well…Liam’s.
Suddenly, a loud crash echoes through the game as his character careens into a police car, sending it spinning out of control. We both burst into laughter as Liam drops the controller onto the coffee table before grabbing his can of Sprite off the glass top and bringing it to his mouth.
My phone dings against the cold glass and I instantly move to grab it until I notice the name spelled out across the screen.
Kara.
I was hoping to avoid any contact with her. She had been out when I came to pick up my remaining belongings last week, and she hadn’t reached out since then. While there have been brief moments of concern, I have been mostly thankful for a period of abject peace.
Until now, that is.
