Because Rory told me that's all Connor wanted? "I mean, isn't he like Rory? Doesn't he like...sleep around?"
"Connor? I mean, maybe now. I'm sure he isn't looking for anything serious, but he's not an asshole."
"What do you mean maybe now?"
"Well, he got divorced last year. When I met him in college, he was already dating Cindy. So maybe he's only into one night stands when he's single. I just can't really picture that." Jackson shrugged.
"Oh." Why had Rory lied to me?
Rory came back out of the bathroom. He looked back and forth between me and Jackson.
"Jackson, do you mind giving Rory and I a minute alone?" I said. "I wanted to discuss some roommate stuff with him."
"Sure. I actually need to get going anyway. I have a fitting for this divine new Armani suit."
"Very fancy."
"I have one every Wednesday. Just the usual."
"Are you serious?"
"No." Jackson laughed. "See you guys later."
After he closed the door I looked over at Rory. He was staring at me. He walked over and sat down on the couch.
"Your friends are interesting," I said.
Rory laughed. "Yeah." He leaned back and put his feet up on the coffee table. It wasn't my table, but I still cringed. "So, you wanted to talk?"
"Mhm. I was thinking maybe we should set up a few ground rules. So that this works out."
"Okay. Have I done something wrong?" He looked genuinely concerned. But for some reason it seemed like an act.
"No, not really. It's just that your friends are over a lot. I didn't realize that all three of you would be moving in." I laughed awkwardly.
"I know what this is about, and you have nothing to worry about. I already asked Connor to stop bothering you. It won't be a problem again."
"He wasn't bothering me."
"Oh, my misunderstanding then." He scowled slightly.
"Anyway, that's not what this is about. I just mean in general, are they really going to be here all the time? Is it never just going to be us? Or, just me I mean. Because it would be weird if it was just us. Not that I want to be alone with you. I didn't mean that in a sexual way at all. Like, not at all, Rory. Obviously." What the hell?
"Obviously." He took his feet off the table and put his elbows on his knees. "They won't be here all the time. They helped me move in. And I told you about poker Tuesdays. And today I had off, so I asked Jackson to come over. Besides, you weren't even here."
"Yeah, about that. I felt like I had to sneak out of here this morning because of your sexual escapades."
"Is that what you classify as a sexual escapade?" Rory laughed. "You need to get out more."
I could feel myself blushing.
"Oh, and by the way, you were kind of rude to Kelly this morning." He hesitated for a moment. "Or was her name Kim?"
"Come on." I didn't know her name either, but I also hadn't slept with her. I had been rude though. "Okay, fair point. I'm sorry, I just felt really uncomfortable because I had to listen to you two banging all night. I'll apologize the next time I see her, if that makes you feel better."
"You probably won't be seeing her again."
I rolled my eyes. When I said he could move in, I thought he was a nice guy.
"And I probably won't see Jackson or Connor again until the party on Friday."
"Okay." This conversation wasn't going well. "I just want to get a heads up when you're having people over."
"No problem."
"And about last night. It was really inconsiderate of you to invite me to a game of poker and then change it to strip poker without even telling me. It was really uncomfortable."
"I told you that you didn't have to play."
"That's not the point. If it's happening in my home, I'd just appreciate a heads up."
"Okay, I will let you know in advance whenever I'm going to be having fun."
"You're being a little dramatic."
"Am I? You're attacking me."
"I'm not attacking you, I'm just trying to make it so that we can live comfortably together." Crap, I am attacking him.
"Look, if you're just going to make up a bunch of rules for no reason..."
"I've told you all the reasons."
"Right. Well maybe I want to set some rules too. Is that okay? Or is one of the rules that I'm not allowed to make up any rules?"
"Yeah. Of course."
"Great." He stood up. "I'd prefer if you didn't hook up with my friends."
Chapter 11
I lay awake in my room, staring at the ceiling. Why doesn't he want me to hook up with Connor? He had stormed off before I had gotten to ask him about it. First he had lied about Connor being a player, and then he had asked me not to hook up with his friends.
Does he like me?
This was stupid. We were both adults. I looked at my alarm clock. It was only twelve thirty. He was probably still up. I climbed out of bed and pulled on my silk robe. Before I lost my nerve, I knocked on his door.
A moment later he opened it. He was only wearing boxers. And glasses. I hadn't really been serious when I told him I liked guys in glasses. But they were so sexy on him.
"So, you wear glasses?" I asked. Obviously.
"Sorry," he said. "I should have told you. But it's only when I'm not wearing my contacts."
"Oh, no, that's fine. I was just rambling the other day anyway. I mean, who doesn't like tall, dark, and handsome? Glasses are nice though. They look good on you."
He lowered his eyebrows slightly.
"I like what you've done with your room." Are those handcuffs on his bedpost?
He lifted his arm and put his hand on the doorframe to block my view. "Thanks."
"Why did you lie to me about Connor? Jackson told me that Connor doesn't really sleep around."
"I guess I was just rambling."
"It doesn't seem like you ever ramble."
He shrugged.
"Why don't you want me to date Connor?" I didn't really want to hook up with Connor, but I wanted to know Rory's reasoning. I needed to know if he liked me, because this tension was driving me crazy.
"Well, if you two dated and then broke up, things would be awkward here."
"Right." I tried to keep my eyes on his face, but I found his abs really distracting. "No other reason?"
"Look, Keira, you're a cool girl. Hell, I don't know any other girls that would have joined in on our Nerf battle."
"Thanks."
"And I don't want to fuck this up. I'll follow your rules. And I know that I can't stop you from hooking up with my friends. I'll revoke the rule if that's what you want."
"That's not what I want."
I saw his Adam's apple rise and fall. "So what do you want?"
You! I could feel myself gaping at him. I bit my lip. I wanted to tell him to forget about our pact. I wanted so badly to kiss him.
He smiled at me. "Look, it's late. I'm going to get some sleep."