Page 15 of Force Play
“What about rent?”
“I’m not worried about rent. I’ve already paid for the place outright. Just save your money, and you can find your own place sooner.” I finally stand up from the booth. “You know my address. Let me know when you move in.”
She agrees, and I say my goodbye before heading back out into the cold.
I officially have a roommate.
For the first time since college.
I’m sure this won’t be a disaster at all.
six
Ari
“Lasttimewe’llbehere with Ari as a solo man,” Cole snickers, flopping down onto my sofa.
“Fuck off,” I chide. “This is a temporary arrangement.”
“Temporary until it becomes permanent,” Lane teases as he stretches out in the chair.
I throw my head back and groan. “Why the fuck would I want it to become permanent?”
“Because you don’t actually hate her?” Josh states.
“Of course, I don’t hate her. I’ve literally told you guys I don’t hate her. I don’tlikeher.”
“How about this?” Knox adds with a devious smile. “Because you’re going to fall in love with her.”
I choke on my laughter. “Yeah, that’ll happen. I’ve never fallen in love, and I’m certainly not going to fall in love with Lucia fucking Torres.”
“Yeah, I don’t believe that,” Cole chimes in, a smug grin on his face.
“Why the fuck are you allsocertain about this? You’ve been on both of us for fucking years at this point.”
“Honestly,” Lane shrugs, “because we see what you two don’t.”
I level him with a look. “What could you possibly see other than contempt?”
Josh takes a sip of his beer. “You two are far more alike than you think. Once you both stop pretending to not like each other, things are really going to change.”
“I’m not pretending to not like her,” I scoff. “Idon’t.We’ve never gotten along.”
“And two years later,” Knox chides, “neither of you has told us why.”
“Because it’s not my story to tell,” I sigh. “We got off on the wrong foot, and Lucia has to be the one to decide if you guys get the whole story. It’s not up to me.”
“Wait a second,” Cole says, sitting straight up. “You’ve been nice to Luciathis entire time?!”
“Not airing something out is being nice?” I question, cocking my brow.
“Uh, yeah.”
I just shrug. “It’s not a big deal. But can we please talk about something else? I’m leaving for Korea in a few days, so this is the last time we can get together here without me having to share the space with a woman who loathes my mere existence.”
Josh looks at Lane. “How’s the adoption going?”
Lane looks at us with the brightest smile. “Finalized yesterday.”
