Page 45 of Loud Hot Roomie
Dad: Derek told us all about Casey being your physical therapist. I’m sorry.
I toss my phone away from me as if it’s covered in poison. Rhett laughs at my dramatic response. My father is a hardass. He’s not one to dole out compliments or praise. Why now? What the hell did Derek say to him?
Me: I didn’t know Derek was going to bug you guys. Mom is probably weirded out.
Dad: It was abrupt and he just walked inside like he owned the place, but your mother was quick to be hospitable. Especially when he praised her cooking lessons. You know how she gets about that stuff.
I’m in a dream. I can’t even imagine Derek in the same room as my parents, much less him waltzing in, blabbing about me, and sucking up to them. It’s totally what I planned on doing whenImethisparents.
My cheeks warm and my heart beats harder. I miss him. It’s barely been a couple of hours and I ache to be in his arms.
Me: Is he still there?
Dad: No, he left.
Me: Maybe we can come over one evening for dinner and catch up. Less drama.
I fidget awkwardly as I wait for his response.
Dad: We’d really like that. Tomorrow night?
Me: I need to find Derek first and make sure we can fix this.
Dad: I’m sure you’ll have it worked out very soon.
“Yo, Riko,” Cason says from Rhett’s doorway. “Package for you. You have to sign for it.”
Did I order something from that butt plug site and have it sent here so my mom wouldn’t open it? Wouldn’t be the first time I did some crazy shit like that.
I rise to my feet and pad out of the room, barefoot and trying to figure out what it could be. Rhett’s dad, Owen, and his sister, Addison, both smirk knowingly at me from the couch. Rubbing at my temple, I make my way to the front door. A man with a giant cardboard box stands there waiting. I immediately recognize the strong fingers gripping the box, even if his head is hidden.
How did he know to find me here?
Did my dad really rat me out?
My parents must’ve liked him if they gave up this information. I can’t help but feel a flood of relief at that thought.
“There’s nothing in this box,” the man behind it admits, shame in his voice. “I just wanted to see you.”
He sets the empty box down beside him and stares at me with such longing I can’t help but lean toward him. His eyes and nose are red like he might’ve been crying which makes my heart hurt even more.
“What are you doing here?” I demand, voice hoarse with emotion.
“I’ve come to beg your forgiveness.”
I awkwardly twist the rubber ring around my finger. His bloodshot eyes dart over to it and a dimpled smile stretches over his handsome face. “You kept it on.”
“I did.” I lift my chin to meet his stare. “Just because I was upset doesn’t mean I want to lose you.”
A rush of relieved breath escapes him. “Thank fuck. I kind of freaked out.” He steps closer to me. “I thought I lost you and I couldn’t bear it. I need you, Riko.”
His hand reaches out and gently takes mine as if to test the temperature of the water before diving in. I squeeze his hand, needing his touch more than ever. Then, roughly, he jerks me to him for a Derek bear hug that always puts everything back together for me. I squeeze his middle, tears forming and words escaping me for once. He rubs up and down my back as if to soothe the both of us.
“I love you,” he says against my hair. “So fucking much. You worried about being the one to break things and it was me. It’s always been me. I’m the destroyer of hearts. I’ve never been able to stop it from happening. But with you? I feel like I can. I have to because I need you.”
I pull back so I can see his handsome face. He cups my cheek and then leans forward to kiss me. I stop him with a shake of my head. His features crumple.
“I’m going to kiss you,” I say with a teasing tone. “You can stop looking at me like I murdered your puppy.”
