Can't Let Go (38 page)

Authors: Michelle Lynn

Tags: #Literature & Fiction, #Genre Fiction, #Coming of Age, #Romance, #Contemporary, #New Adult & College, #Can't Let Go

MY ARMS OVERFLOWING with plastic bags of groceries, I sigh at the sight of Chrissy straddling Dex in the kitchen chair. Their lips locked and his hands half way to her tits. “Have some respect, this is Mrs. Fletcher’s home,” I interrupt them, and Chrissy laughs, pushing back from Dex’s embrace.

“Do you need some help?” Chrissy swings her legs from across his lap, earning a groan from Dex. When she wipes her mouth of his left over saliva, I debate if moving my ass in with them was a huge mistake.

“Nah, I got it.” The jars and boxes slam on the table when I release them from my grasp.

“Sounds like it,” Dex comments and grabs a beer from the fridge. Twisting it open, he returns to his seat, watching Chrissy and I unpack the bags and put the food away.

“You could help,” Chrissy says, but Dex shrugs.

We moved out of Brady’s two weeks ago when Mrs. Fletcher offered us her place. She was looking for renters, since her new permanent residence would be in Salt Fork Lake, and offered it to us. With Brady and Sadie’s upcoming nuptials, we all knew it was time to part ways, if even just across the street. It’s bad enough that Sadie and Chrissy both teared-up when Dex walked the last box over. Chrissy’s phone and our doorbell ring incessantly, although, I’m fairly certain Sadie has a key, even with my persistent disagreement on that topic.

When I leave Chrissy to cook dinner since it’s her turn, I disappear into the garage. I have a race tomorrow night to prepare my Mustang for. Once in the silence of the garage, I absorb the melancholy feeling that usually overtakes me when I start working on the car. The memories of times long gone, too hard to forget. The laughs, the razzing, the companionship that was built alongside souping up cars when I was younger. Then it abruptly stopped and I couldn’t pick up a wrench without flinging it into the drywall. The heart wrenching and loneliness suddenly replaced the self-fulfillment of it all.

When I received that call while on the road with the Beatskulls and Krypto, it was the second call in my life that veered me down a different path. The difference with this one was, it was a better one. A brighter one that held a future with it.

Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t get some calling from God and I’m not becoming a monk, but it had been a long time since I felt cared for. That she wanted to see my face, wanted to hear my voice. Wanted us to mend our relationship and forge ahead after everything that happened. That I wasn’t the forgotten one left behind to fend for myself.

Cutting my ties with Beatskulls and Krypto fueled the rumor mill and since my reputation wasn’t stellar, people chose to believe what they did. Not like other people’s impression of me has ever mattered, well, not since everyone turned their backs on me years ago.

Shoving my phone into the iPhone player, “In the End” by Linkin Park blares from the speakers and I slide under my car to tweak the throttle, remembering my first race. How intimidated I felt, but instantly faked my confidence and learned how quickly people believe the persona you portray. Have I taken it over the top over the years? Maybe.

The music lulls and my phone dings from a text message. Sliding out, I wipe my greasy hands on a towel and toss it on the chair. My thumb swipes across my screen and a small smile crosses my lips.

Mom: You’ll be there tomorrow, right?

Me: Yeah. Ten o’clock.

Mom: See you then. Love you.

Me: Love you too.

It’s short and sweet, but more than we’ve had over the years so I’ll take it. Just as I’m about to put my phone back into the player, a black Infiniti pulls up the driveway. Cocking my head, I leave the safe confines of my garage to see who’s visiting. Figuring it’s one of Mrs. F’s friends, I wait patiently for them to climb out of the vehicle. What I don’t expect is a pair of long legs to step out first.

Eager to see the rest of the body attached, I cross my arms and plaster my cocky grin in place. By the time she fully divulges herself, I’m staring at what might be the hottest piece of ass I’ve seen in a long time. Skin tight jeans and snug t-shirt cover up a body I’d love to reveal in the naked form for my hands to manipulate. Her hair a wild mess of brown curls, and her face so adorable and innocent, I curse myself for the dirty thoughts that just crossed my mind.

“Hi,” she says.

“Hi,” I respond, giving her a head nod, always remaining my arrogant self.

“Is Chrissy here?” she asks and I wonder if this is some school friend of hers.

“Yeah. Is she expecting you?” I ask, not moving from my stance and I can see her shuffling her feet and biting her lip, obliviously uncomfortable.

“Um … yeah,” she answers.

“Right this way,” I swing my arm over to lead her to the back door. “Are you in a class with her?” For a reason I don’t even know, I make conversation to make her feel welcomed.

“Yes.” She answers and from how near her voice is, she’s right at my heels.

“So, you guys are studying or something?” I ask, keeping the conversation going.

“Um … no … I’m here to take the spare room,” she admits and I spin around, causing her to run smack into my chest. My hands fly out to grip her arms and I hold her firm a few inches away. Her eyes blink a few times, gaining her balance before stepping back away from me.

“Roommate?” I question because we had talked about not being able to afford the house, but no one had actually said for sure we were getting another roommate, let alone a girl … a girl that I’ll want to fuck every time I see her.

“Um … yeah,” she says and my heart beats faster with the thought of seeing her in skimpy pajamas or better yet catching her out of the shower. Her wet skin as the water droplets fall down her body.
Damn, get yourself together.

I’m positive she’s freaked out by my imagination of her naked body for my taking that thankfully, Chrissy emerges out the door. “Paige!” she exclaims and I allow this gorgeous creature’s name to roll off my tongue. “This is Rob.” Chrissy gives me a thumb motion and then grabs her hand and swipes her away from me.

Venturing into the kitchen, I try to appear as though I’m just here for a beer. The footsteps upstairs igniting an urge to follow, if only to stare at her ass while she walks in front of me. Dex saunters into the kitchen, smirk in place. “What’s up man?” He grabs a beer and twists it open, flinging the top into the trashcan.

“I didn’t know we were getting a roommate.” I mention and he shrugs.

“You knew we couldn’t afford it. We have the space so might as well get a few more.” He’s right on one account, especially if it’s Paige.

“I could have gotten a guy or two,” I remark and Dex laughs.

“Hell no. I’m getting too damn old for a bachelor party, not to mention, I don’t need Chrissy yelling every time your friend leaves the toilet seat up.” He laughs because Chrissy’s the coolest chick I’ve ever known and I’m pretty sure she’d never do that. But my friends would cause rifts for sure if they moved in. “This one seems nice,” he says, flipping through his phone. “Oh, dinners in the fridge. Chrissy made you a plate,” he reminds me.

“Thanks.” I stand back up and pull out the foil-covered plate Chrissy left for me. Opening the drawer, I pull out a fork and venture back to the table. “What do you mean this one? Have there been more?” I can’t help but feel out of the loop.

“Yeah, Chrissy’s had a few come and look all week. Some don’t want a co-ed situation, others she’s not so hot on.” He never glances up from his phone.

“When do we get a say?” I ask, piling a fork full of food into my mouth.

Dex chuckles. “We don’t man.” He confirms my suspicions.

“I like this one,” I tell him and he raises his eyes to me and arches an eyebrow. “What?” I ask.

“If you like her, she’s off the list. We don’t need any complications here.” His attention focused back to his phone.

Chrissy comes down with Paige five minutes later and I lean back in my chair with my beer in my hand, as though she might be more compelled to take the room if I come with it. Chrissy scrunches her eyes at me and Paige glances but disregards me immediately.

“So, are you interested?” Chrissy asks Paige and her vision darts to me and Dex before looking at Chrissy.

“Um … yeah I think I am,” she answers and I sit up a little straighter.

“Okay, we’ll let you know then.” Chrissy shuts her down and I tilt my head. What is she thinking?

I stand and spot Chrissy’s eyes on me the whole five steps it takes me to reach them. “If you like the room, it’s yours Paige,” I tell her and Chrissy’s shoulders deflate and Dex swings around in his chair, shocked by my actions.

“Really?” Paige excitedly asks, looking at Chrissy whose mouth is ajar and currently giving me a death stare.

“Sure,” Chrissy agrees and Paige hugs her.

“Thank you so much.” She digs in her purse and pulls out a checkbook. Scribbling a few things, she tears it off and hands it to Chrissy. “Here’s the first month’s rent and security deposit you mentioned.”

Chrissy takes the check from her hand and stands there speechless.

I go to the drawer and take the extra key out of the drawer. “Here you go, Paige.” I hand it to her and she grabs it from my grip.

“Thank you.”

“Move in whenever you want,” I tell her and Chrissy moves to say something, but I cut her off. “We’re all happy to have you,” I say, wrapping my arm around Chrissy’s shoulders.

Chrissy pinches my back and I squirm to the side. “Yeah, welcome Paige,” she says.

We wait for Paige to leave after discussing she’ll move in tomorrow at some point. I curse myself since I won’t be around, but happy to know she’ll be nice to come home to.

“What the fuck, Rob?” Chrissy swears and I laugh because it doesn’t happen very often.

“Why weren’t you guys consulting me?” I ask, washing my dish off in the sink.

“Because of what just happened. You only selected her because of her looks,” Chrissy argues and Dex watches the show from the table.

“So?” I ask.

“So, we need someone long term, not for you to fuck them and then they move. I don’t want a revolving door of roommates.” Chrissy continues her rant as I place my plate in the dishwasher.

“It won’t be. She’ll want me again after she’s had me once,” I assure her, but she smacks me across the back of the head.

“Hey now,” I warn and face her, noticing how upset she really is. “All right, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have made the decision for all of us. But you seemed excited for her to be here,” I comment and she cocks her head.

“I am. I like Paige … A LOT. She overheard me talking about needing a roommate and asked, otherwise I never would have offered. I want to keep her as a friend and I have a feeling if she moves in here, that won’t happen.”

I grab her and wrap my arms around her, earning a disgusted look from Dex. “Don’t worry, I’ll be a complete gentleman,” I assure her.

“Doubtful,” she murmurs and shakes her head. She knows me all too well.

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