Page 11 of Kissed By My Roommate

Kevin’s smile turns up a few fucking notches. “She’s great, thanks for asking.” He looks at Zoey again and I know the time of him being quietly curious is over. “Who is your lady friend?”

Zoey lifts her hands in an awkward wave. “I’m Zoey, but I’m not his lady friend, I’m his roommate.”

Kevin’s eyebrows shoot up and he gives me a look of understanding. He shakes his head as he puts our beers on the bar, and I go to grab my wallet. “This one’s on the house. Congratulations.”

“Congratulations?” Zoey sounds confused as fuck and it’s damn adorable.

“Yeah,” Kevin chuckles, “on finding each other.”

“We’re just roommates,” she speaks slowly as if talking to someone not too quick on the uptake.

“Sure,” Kevin placates her. He nods toward the family. “You should listen to some of the stories from the family and then come back here for another beer.” He winks at her. “It’ll be on the house too because I think you’ll be singing a different tune.”

I place my hand on Zoey’s lower back when she grabs her glass and I follow suit. “Okay,” my tone is a little sharp, “I think you’ve sufficiently freaked her out. I thought you were supposed to listen and not talk or something. Maybe be welcoming.”

Zoey smacks my chest and I look down at her in wonder. Her eyes are big and round like she can’t believe she just did that. Kevin’s laugh is loud and boisterous.

“What was that for?”

Zoey gnaws on her bottom lip as if she’s unsure how to answer before she straightens her spine. She hisses, “Be nice.”

Kevin’s words are filled with amusement, “Zoey, you’re going to fit right in.”

I scowl at him, and he raises up his hands in surrender. Even though she tries to hide it, I still see the secret little smirk my girl has on her face. If he amuses her, considering I know he’s a happy as fuck man with the other half of his soul and Zoey is mine, I’ll allow it.

“Come on,” I lead her away from the bar and over to the family where I’m finding quite a few expectant faces taking in our approach. I’m not surprised. I kiss her temple again and whisper, “Relax.”

To my surprise, she does.

We don’t even get to the table before Iris breaks away and waddles toward us. She’s ready to pop with my first niece any day now. Gavin is following close behind her. He might be a famous fucking rock star and covered in tattoos which most people would find intimidating, but he’s a softie for my sister.

Now that I know how it feels to have your heart beating within the body of another, I get it. I meet his gaze and give him a nod of respect; one I hadn’t allowed myself to completely feel until right this moment. Gavin’s steps falter, but then he’s back to being on his wife like a shadow.

He murmurs to her, “You promised you’d take it easy, little Rainbow.”

Iris huffs and rolls her eyes as she comes to a stop in front of us. She looks at Gavin and smiles as if his concern is adorable and not completely founded. “Iamtaking it easy. I can walk a few feet and greet my brother and his,” Iris trails off as she turns and looks at me expectantly.

“Roommate,” Zoey blurts out.

I clench my jaw so I don’t kiss her right here and prove to her I’m much more than a roommate. Gavin has a knowing smirk on his face and Iris nods slowly.

“I didn’t know that’s what the kids are calling it these days,” Iris says innocently.

Zoey blushes, but she laughs and shakes her head. I take over and make quick introductions. It takes all of two seconds before Iris is pulling my girl away from me and leading her back to the table. Amelia, who is married to Beckett Banks and the official-unofficial matriarch of the family, meets my eyes and flashes me a brilliant smile.

I can tell Gavin wants to follow his wife, but I stop him with a hand on his shoulder. When he turns to me slowly, I see the questions in his eyes.

“I get it now.” I shake my head and look at Zoey, feeling a lightness I’ve never felt before in my entire existence when I see her smiling at something Amelia and Andrea, the manager of the Banks businesses, is saying. I look back at Gavin. “I’m sorry I was a dick when you met Iris and I tried to get between you two. I know I apologized before and I meant it, but I didn’t really understand the depth of my disrespect to both of you.”

Gavin’s smile is so big he looks a little deranged. “It’s all good man.” He nods toward Zoey, and I look to find Walsh and Troy eyeing her as their wife, Ellie, rolls her eyes between them. I just know they’re going to try and give her shit. “Better go help your girl.”

Iris is practically jumping on the balls of her feet in excitement. My tone is teasing when I retort, “Same to you.”

Gavin lets out a groan before he starts to move toward her. I’m hot on his heels because I might be excited about Zoey meeting everyone, but I’ll be damned if she’s going to tell everyone we’re just roommates. Hell no.

I’m staking my claim. She’s mine.

---