Page 21 of The No Touch Roommate Rule
“So, you say, but you really like my hugs.” He slowly closes the door between us, adding in a sing-song voice, “And you still really want to kiss me…”
“Go take drugs,” I say. “I’ll be ready to drive you wherever you need to go in thirty minutes.”
“Sounds good. See you in a little bit, roomie,” he says, shutting the door.
I stand staring at it for a long beat, telling myself that this is fine. I’m not catching feelings, let alone serious feelings.
Not even a little bit.
Chapter
Five
From the texts of Leo Parker and Baylor Nix
Nix:So, Torrance says you found a way to get out of summer conditioning. Tearing your MCL to avoid sprints is a touch dramatic, though, don’t you think? Even for you, Princess?
Parker:What the fuck? How did you hear about that already?
Nix:Team group chat is blowing up. Apparently, you tried to star in your own disaster movie and almost died saving that girl you’ve been crushing on for months? Are you okay? I knew I shouldn’t have left you at the wedding reception without a wingman, no matter how hot that bartender was.
Parker: The bartender who was old enough to be your mom?
Nix: If she had birthed me at fifteen, yes. But she didn’t, lucky me, and my dick. But seriously, how fucked are you?
Parker:Not that fucked. Doc says MCL tear, grade 2. Could’ve been worse. Much worse.
Nix:Also, could’ve been better. How long will you be out?
Parker:Somewhere between 2-4 months of PT, depending on how fast I heal. Have to baby it all summer, but I might make it onto the ice for the opener. If not, I’ll be back early in the season for sure. Assuming I don’t do anything stupid.
Nix:That’s a big assumption for a guy who DROVE INTO A FUCKING BUILDING.
Parker:Makena was trapped in there, dude!What was I supposed to do?
Nix:Call 911 like a normal person? Tell them to get a boat in there to grab her or some shit?
Parker:There was no time. The water was rising too fast. By the time I got there, it was already up to her chest.
Nix:Right. By the time you GOT THERE. Which means you were NOT already there. Which means she did NOT invite you home with her after humping your leg on the dance floor all night.
Parker:So? She should have been left to DIE because she didn’t want to fuck me? What the hell, Nix? Are you hearing yourself right now? Or reading yourself? Whatever?
Nix: I didn’t say that! I’m just saying she has a certain level of interest in you. And that doesn’t seem to be the same ‘risking her life and career to save you’ level of interest that you have in her. Obviously, I’m glad she’s okay, but this woman is toying with your emotions, man. And your career. And your life. YOU COULD HAVE LITERALLY DIED.
Parker:But I didn’t, and even if I had, I wouldn’t have regretted it. She’s important to me. And I’m more important to her than she lets on. I’m sure of it.
Nix: Can we focus on the near-death experience, please?
Parker: No, we can’t. I’m alive, and my career isn’t over. I just want to be grateful for that for a little while. I mean, not to be a complete downer, but the ten people confirmed dead this morning can’t say that. And a bunch of people are still missing.
Nix: Dude. Truth. It’s so fucked up. I’ve already volunteered to work on a clean-up crew. Least I can do. It’s no secret I’m not a fan of the shit-tastic New Orleans’ heat, but I love this city. Best people in the world. They deserved a better start to their summer.
Parker: Agreed. I can’t do clean-up with my bum knee, but I want to find a way to help out. So many people have lost everything. Like Makena. She was living at her restaurant, so she didn’t just lose her job, she lost all her personal belongings, her cell phone. Everything.
Nix:Jesus. That sucks. Where’s she staying now?
Parker: My place.
