I hear her hurried footsteps on the wooden floor, and then she appears at the top of the stairs wearing an oversize T-shirt and nothing else that I can see. Her legs are long, tan, and lean, and they’re making my life seriously difficult at the moment.
Fuck me.
“Hi, Troy. Sorry about the mess. I didn’t know you’d be home early.” She runs down the stairs, pulling her hair back in a ponytail. The action lifts her shirt, revealing tiny jean shorts that barely cover her sweet ass.
“We have a six-hour bus drive tomorrow and a game on Saturday. Can’t really stay out late.” I stare at all the costumes and props that are covering my couch at the moment. “What happened here?”
She starts to collect the dresses that are draped over the back of the couch. “Oh, since I have so much more space, I decided to bring my stuff out of the storage unit. But I was doing a triage, and things kind of got out of hand.”
“No kidding. If you don’t mind, I’d like to have my couch back.”
Charlie winces, and that’s when I realize my words came out a little too harsh.
“Yeah, sure. I’ll get this cleaned up right away. I’m not a messy girl, I promise.” She quickens her pace, grabbing a load of clothes and tossing them back into boxes.
“Let me help you.” I bend over to grab one of the closed boxes to bring up to her room when the bottom gives out. A myriad of clothes and objects falls out but luckily nothing breakable. “Okay, who did the packing?” I stare at the mess at my feet.
“I did, and don’t give me that look. Some of those boxes got damp in storage.”
I set the damaged box aside and bend over to retrieve one specific item that caught my attention. “What kind of cosplay are you into?” I show her a wooden dildo the size of my forearm.
Her blue eyes widen behind her glasses, and her plump lips make a perfect O. “Oh my God. Give me that.” She snatches the dildo from my hand and hides it behind her back.
Her face is now brighter than a tomato, which makes me laugh.
“Hey, I’m not judging. But seriously.”
“This wasn’t part of a cosplay. This was a gag gift.”
“That you decided to keep.”
“Of course I did. It’s an antique.”
“If you say so.”
“Oh, shut up and help me clean up this mess.”
I arch both eyebrows. I can’t believe Charlie just gave me an order. “Excuse me?”
“You’re the one who dropped everything on the floor.”
“I was just trying to help. It’s not my fault you have terrible packing skills.”
“I don’t have terrible packing skills.” She throws her hands up in the air—one still clutching the megalodon of all dildos.
A burst of laughter hits me again.
“What’s so funny now?”
I stare at the object in her hand, making her roll her eyes.
“Oh, grow up.”
“That’s rich coming from the girl who still dresses up as fairies and princesses.”
Her eyes narrow as she throws me a death glare. “Are you calling me a child?”
I shrug, shoving my hands in my pockets. “If the shoe fits.”
“I knew things were too good to be true.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” My good humor vanishes in a flash.
I sense she’s about to blow a fuse, but whatever she was planning to blurt out gets stuck in her throat.
She shakes her head and says, “Never mind. Give me ten minutes. I’ll get everything packed.”
I was still willing to help, which is fucking crazy. But I sense that if I try, it’ll only make matters worse.
Damn it. It’s our first day as official roommates, and we’ve already argued over nothing. This will only lead to a bitter coexistence or angry sex.
My cock is totally on board for the latter.
7
CHARLIE
It’s been a week since I moved in with Troy, and we’ve managed to avoid each other. Our schedules have been chaotic, and we’re barely home. The beginning of our living arrangements was rocky, to say the least. It seems we can’t be in the same room for more than five minutes before we start to argue. I’ve never met anyone who can push my buttons without even trying.
Troy had a game yesterday and didn’t come home until the early hours of the morning. I only know the exact time because the jackass made a ruckus when he came in. At least he didn’t bring a girl with him. We don’t share a wall, but I’m sure I’d hear them getting it on.
I bet he’s good in bed.
Whoa. Where did that thought come from?
You probably need to get laid, Charlie. It’s been months.
Shut up, whore!
Ugh, my conscience is being such a bitch this morning. I’d better get my mind out of the gutter pronto.
I went to Golden Oaks yesterday, so I have Sunday all to myself. I hit the gym first—I still haven’t asked Troy if I can use his home workout room. Honestly, I don’t think I’ll ever ask. I’m in total avoidance mode.
The next stop is the grocery store. I load up, so I don’t have to make another run in the middle of the week.
When I get home around noon, Troy is still sound asleep. I can hear him snoring from the hallway.
I haven’t decided yet what I’m going to do the rest of the day, but a shower is the first order of business. I’m in the middle of washing my hair when the hot jets turn into drips, followed by nothing.
I glare at the showerhead while turning the knobs. “Are you kidding me?”
Cursing, I wrap myself in a towel and test the faucet. Dry. The toilet won’t flush. Did the water company cut our water supply on a Sunday? Fuck. It can’t be for lack of payment, and they warn you when they need to cut supply for maintenance work. I bet they did send a notice, and Troy simply forgot to tell me. Son of a bitch. I’m going to kill him.
Still dripping wet, I march to his bedroom. I don’t barge in, but I do knock hard on his door.
“Troy! Get up!”
He groans, then says, “Go away!”
“No. Get your ass out here.”
I hear the sound of sheets being tossed aside, then heavy steps stomping closer. He opens the door with a yank. “For fuck’s sake! Wha—” His eyes widen. “Why are you naked and covered in soap?”
“Because I was taking a shower when suddenly the water cut off,” I grit out.
“And how is it my fault that you forgot they were going to turn off the water for a couple hours?”
“I didn’t forget! You never told me.” I gesture widely with my hands, and the towel almost comes undone.
Troy notices, and his smirk is infuriating. “I attached the notice on the kitchen board. It’s really not my fault you missed it.”
“Ugh! You’re so annoying.” I turn around and stride down the hallway. Instead of returning to my room, I run downstairs.
I have to get the shampoo out of my hair, and the only water we have in the house is Troy’s sparkling shit. I grab a few bottles, then lean over the sink to rinse my hair with his fancy bubbly crap.
“What are you doing?” he asks.
Fuck. I didn’t know he’d followed me.