My Brother's Roommate

s e v e n t e e n

Chapter 17 : His Day Part 1

An older version of Jay stood before us. Graying hairs and a wrinkled forehead showed his age.

"Hello, son. It's awfully late." He starts off in a stern tone.

"I had work tonight and went for a workout afterwards." Jay replies formally, somewhat challenging.

"Glad to know you are taking care of yourself son. It's been a while since we've seen each other."

Jay rubs the back of his neck. "It's been a while. Considering the time, I'm surprised you aren't in a hotel or something."

Don't mind me just standing here.

"Well, I arrived earlier this evening and a tall fellow said you were at work. So, I assumed you'd be home in a few hours, but I was mistaken." Jay's father explained.

Sweaty girl.

"You didn't think to get a hotel room for the night?" Jay responds shortly, irritation lingering in his tone.

No?

"I was so engrossed in my work that by the time I realized how late it was, I decided I would wait for you and camp out here." He's talking like he owns the place.

Alright, guess I'll make my escape then.

I fidget a bit them start to back up, a move not unnoticed by the two men next to me. Old man Jay looks at me and smiles.

"I'm sorry, I've been so impolite." He held out his hand. "I'm Robert Drago Romano, Jayden's father."

I shake his hand. "Nice to meet you, I'm Aubrey Parker."

"Well, Aubrey Parker, I want to thank you for taking care of my son. He can be a real handful sometimes."

"Oh yeah, of course."

He turns to Jayden. "You didn't tell me you had a girlfriend, son."

We both pause for a second before saying random things along the lines of 'We aren't together' and 'He's not my boyfriend.'

I clear my throat. "I am just his roommate's sister. We also happen to work together."

Mr. Romano nods his head. "Well thank you anyways, Miss Parker, and thank you in advance for letting me stay through the night. I can assure you I won't be a bother."

Well make yourself right at home, why don't you?

"Oh, yeah." Should I bow? I feel like I should bow. "Make yourself at home."

I could sense Jay was not too happy about his dad staying the night like a kiddy sleepover.

I, on the other hand, was laughing internally. That laughing made its way out in a form of my stomach rumbling...loudly.

The two men stare at me, and I stare at the empty space. I then realize I forgot to eat dinner. The dinner rush didn't allow for a very soothing break, so I was too tense to eat. It has caught up now.

I'm getting out of here, now. I let out a nervous chuckle. "Please excuse me, I am going to my room for the night". I grab a protein bar from the basket and start to walk off, but Jay's voice stops me.

"Che-Bree." He caught himself. I look back at him. "Peanuts. That bar has peanuts."

"Ah. Thank you, kind sir." I quickly switch out the bar and walk quickly to my room.

My back hit the door and I let out a sigh of relief.

That was so embarrassing. Nothing could top that.