My jaw drops to the floor. “Are you serious?”
He shrugs in a boyish way, making my heart skip a beat.
“Sure. I can’t simply say no. Grandma likes you. That counts for something. Plus, you’re wearing that.” He pulls his cell phone from his back pocket and snaps a picture. “I can’t send Sailor Moon away.”
I cross my arms over my chest, feeling uber self-conscious. “Why did you take my picture?”
“Leverage.” He shoves his phone back in his pocket.
I roll my eyes. “Dude, do you think I’m embarrassed to be wearing a costume? I LARP, for crying out loud.”
“You what?” His eyebrows shoot to the heavens.
“Never mind.” I step closer to the kitchen counter. “Okay, here’s the gist. If you’re saying I can move in only to get back at me for writing that article, just tell me now. I don’t have time to engage in childish games.”
“Wait. Do you think this is all part of a retaliation plan?”
“I’m not discounting anything.”
He scoffs. “Girl, you’re too conceited for your own good. I don’t need to retaliate. Besides, your article has already been pulled down, and you’re currently the most hated person on campus. I think that’s plenty.”
I ball my hands into fists, trying to hide how much his offhanded comment aggravates me. Several choice words get lodged in my throat, but I bite my tongue and keep them bottled inside. I need a place to live, and this is the best I’ll get.
“Most hated person, huh?”
He shoves his hands into his hoodie pockets. “Do you want the room or not?”
“I’m assuming I’d get the one with the boxes.”
“Yep.”
“I do want it, but if you’re not doing this as some kind of sick joke, then why?”
“Unlike you, I don’t opt for below-the-belt retribution.”
“Oh my God. You’re so full of….” I trail off, almost forgetting that I can’t antagonize Troy.
“So full of what?” He quirks an eyebrow, smirking at me.
I purse my lips, hating fate for putting me in this situation. “You know what? Forget it. When can I move in?”
“Whenever you want. We have an away game next weekend, so I’ll be gone Friday.”
I don’t move from my spot as I keep watching Troy through slits, trying to sniff out the lie. But either he has a perfect poker face or he’s truly moved on from our feud. If that’s the case, he’s a better person than I am.
Anger is still simmering in my gut. I don’t care about all the bullies who came out to defend his honor. I’m pissed that he got the dean involved, which resulted in my article being removed from the paper’s site.
What happened to free fucking speech?
6
TROY
Coach Clarkson went hard on us during training, so now we’re licking our wounds at Tailgaters, a college bar two blocks from my place. I just told Andreas and Danny about my new roommate, and now they’re staring at me with matching stunned expressions.
“You’re joking, right?” Andreas finally snaps out of his stupor.
I take a sip of my beer before I reply, “Nope. It turns out Charlie is best friends with my grandmother. I didn’t think it was worth upsetting her over that girl.”
“Yeah, but she was horrible to you,” Danny argues. “What if she’s a bitch 24-7?”
“Then I’ll kick her out, and Grandma won’t be able to say a thing. Besides, she needs this room badly. She’ll be on her best behavior.”
“That doesn’t mean you have to behave.” Andreas raises an eyebrow.
“I’m not going to be an ass on purpose.”
He shrugs. “Whatevs. It’d be the easiest way to get rid of her.”
“Nah. She’ll move back to her old place once the landlord finishes renovations.”
I sense the lie as soon as it leaves my mouth. Charlie said her old place was a dump. She’ll never move out of her own accord. But I won’t resort to douche tactics. Maybe it won’t be as bad as everyone thinks.
Or maybe you’re just thinking with your dick, Troy. She sure looked hot in that Sailor Moon costume. Fuck.
My cock stirs in my jeans as I remember Charlie’s getup. It’s not helping my case that I took a picture of her… and I might have jerked off to it as well.
“Uh-oh. Troy has gotten the look,” Danny pipes up, bringing me back to the present.
My erection is now straining against my jeans, but if I try to find a better sitting position, the guys will immediately know about my situation.
“What the hell are you talking about?” I take a large gulp of my beer, hoping the alcohol will give me some relief.
“Oh yeah. The look. I think our friend is not telling us the whole story. Come on, Troy. Spill it already. Why did you agree to let Miss Stick Up Her Ass move in with you?”
I shake my head. “There’s nothing going on. I’m just helping her out.”
Andreas watches me through slits. “Right.” He turns his attention to his phone, and after a moment, a victorious grin splits his face. “Aha. Mystery solved.”
“What?” Danny leans closer to look at Andreas’s screen. “Oh. You didn’t say Charlie was hot.”
“She’s not hot. She photographs well.” I chug the rest of my beer, dropping the glass back down with excessive force. “I’m going home.”
“We just got here.” Danny glances at me.
Andreas elbows his arm. “He has a reason to hurry back. There’s a sexy nerd waiting for him.”
I get up and throw some money on the table. “You can be a real dick sometimes, Andy.”
With a knowing smile, he leans back in the chair, linking his fingers behind his head. “Don’t hate me because I’m right.”
“Whatever.”
I stride out of the bar, ignoring the hungry glances I receive from the girls I pass. If they’re looking for cock fun, Andreas and Danny will gladly provide that. I love sports, but banging as many chicks as I can is not one I care for. That’s Andreas’s department. I’m not a saint, of course. I do hook up; I just don’t make a game out of it.
When I turn on my street, I don’t see a moving truck. Charlie told me she’d bring all her stuff today. Maybe she’s done moving in. We don’t have a garage, and to my annoyance, Charlie took my usual spot in front of the house. Grinding my teeth, I drive a little farther until I find another parking space. The walk back to the house serves to turn my irritation down a notch. If I tell her not to park in my usual space, it’d be a dick move. Besides, it’s not reserved for me. Any of our neighbors can park there. They simply don’t out of courtesy.
I’m looking forward to chilling out and playing a video game, but when I walk into the house, I realize that’s not happening tonight. Charlie didn’t simply move in. She took over my entire living room. There are a bunch of boxes spread in the area, some still shut but others with spilling contents. Loud music is pouring from her room upstairs.
“Charlie?” I call out.