The Roommate

Chapter 2

The next morning I woke up with a massive headache. I groaned as I got up, noticing I was still in my dress, and putting pjs on. I walked out and grabbed my coffee mug, brewing myself a cup of coffee. I groaned as the front door opened, turning away from the light source. "Good morning sunshine." I grumbled, sipping my coffee to down a pain pill. "Okay then."
"My head is pounding. I don't remember what happened last night." I said softly and he nodded.
"How much do you remember?"
"I remember going on the dance floor. This guy tried to come onto me. You stopped him I think." He nodded. "After that, it's all blank."
"After that you just decided to get wasted. And about four hours later I took you home, and put you in bed."
"Oh my god, I didn't do something dumb did I?"
"No, not in particular." I nodded, sipping my coffee. "Well, why don't we have a quiet day?" I nodded.
"I'll drink to that." I sipped my coffee and we both laughed a little.
"Well I am a lot less hungover than you, so I went to the store and grabbed groceries for the week." He said. "I got the barbecue chips and cottage cheese you like." I smiled as he handed me the bag. I got myself a bowl of cottage cheese, grabbing my bag of chips and scooping the chips. "I still don't understand why you think that's good."
"Try it."
"No."
"It's your cheat day. And one chip won't hurt you." He groaned and tried it. "Well?"
"It's not the worst." He admitted. I smiled, and he shook his head.
"Oh can you take my portion of the rent over to asshat?" I asked, flopping my head over the back of the couch to look at him. He nodded. "You are the best. It's in my room, bedside table." He retrieved it, and left. We stayed inside the rest of the day, watching tv. The following day I woke up and smiled as I walked into the hallway. He looked over, waving. "Are you... watching TV?!" I said dramatically. He chuckled as he rolled his eyes.
"Yeah. Your coffee is all set just press go." I put my coffee thermos in and started it up, making me some toast. I ate before grabbing my coffee and heading to work. 10 hours later, I got off and went home. As I was walking up the stairs, a memory popped in my head.

"One more step."
"You're really nice." I said, giggling.
"I try to be. Let's get you to bed."
"My friends say you're hot. I deny it. But you aren't allowed to know that I agree with them. Okay, hot boy?"
"Okay, I'll keep that mind."

Oh my god, I did NOT. I walked into the house blushing like crazy, and hoping he was gone. No such luck.
"Do you want some?" He asked, in all his shirtless glory.
"What?" I said.
"Spaghetti and meatballs. Do you want some?" I nodded and took my shoes off.
"I'm gonna go shower." He nodded, but I could tell he noticed that I wasn't acting right. I walked into the bathroom, only to have another memory pop up.

"I think I'm gonna be sick." I slurred, and he took me to the bathroom. I felt him pull my hair back and I promptly threw up in the toilet.
"Easy, let it out." Once I was done, he sat me down, wiping my face clean. "You gonna throw up again?" I shook my head.

This keeps getting worse. I showered the day off of me, before walking to my room and getting changed.

"Okay. Let's get you to bed." He picked me up and I wrapped my arms and legs around his torso.
"You're so strong." I said softly, and he put me in my bed. I smiled to myself as he covered me with my blanket. "You know that?" He nodded. "Hey, why are there two of you?"
"My twin brother is here." He said and I giggled.
"What's his name?"
"Tyler." Jacob said.
"Hi Tyler. I go to sleep now."

Oh my god. How was I ever going to face him? He seemed to act like it didn't bother him. As I walked into the kitchen, he looked over. "You okay?"
"Never better." I quipped, a little too fast.
"You are lying." He said, smirking. "What's wrong?" He backed me up against the wall, and I blushed.
"I remembered." I whispered. He nodded.
"What do you remember?" He said, leaning against the wall.
"You helping me inside. And to bed."
"All of it?" I nodded. "Thank you for being honest." He backed off and I let out a shaky breath. "Come on, dinner will get cold." He said. I looked at him, slowly walking over to the bar and sitting down. He handed me a plate.
"Do you have a twin?" I asked and he smiled, shaking his head as he sat down beside me.
"Tyler was my best friend in high school." I nodded, blushing. "So am I really that hot?" I choked on a meatball. He laughed, and I glared at him.
"Not anymore." He laughed, smirking at me. We ate in silence, but it seemed surprisingly comfortable, all things considered.
"I'm going to head to the gym, you're free to join me." He said.
"Don't you work out in the mornings?" He seemed to tense in the moments before his answer came.
"Not today. I had something personal get in the way of things." I thought for a moment.
"I guess. Do I have to work out?"
"Unfortunately you do. My gym doesn't allow lallygagging."
"I guess I can go."
"You said a couple weeks ago you used to work out."
"Yeah. In high school."
"Now is always a good time to get back into it." I changed and we headed to the gym. As we walked in, I took a big whiff of that familiar smell. Sweat, metal, and rubber mats. I used to love it, why should now be any different? We walked up to the counter.
"Jacob, who's this? Client?"
"A friend. Put her on my tab."
"Your tab?" I asked. He chuckled.
"This is my personal gym but I do my weightlifting with clients here too. I put them on my tab, and at the end of the week I pay the tallied up fee which comes out of my clients payment for services. I've been coming here for years, that's the only reason why they let me." He explained. I nodded. The guy smiled at me as we walked in. I put my hair up as he started to warm up.
"I feel awkward." I said, laughing nervously.
"Don't. The vibe here is chill." A guy walked past us, fist bumping Jacob. "Hey Damien." I slowly began my warm up, and my stretches. "You didn't tell me how flexible you are." He joked, watching me strain to get into a lunge.
"I haven't worked out in seven years!" I defended, shoving him. He put his hands up as he laughed. I stood up and turned to him. "Stop laughing at me."
"I'm sorry, okay? I shouldn't have laughed." He said. I nodded and sighed.
"I don't really know what I'm doing anymore."
"I can walk you through. What do you want to work on?" I looked at myself in the mirror behind the weights. My legs used to be toned, now they're flabby. Same with my arms. And my stomach has pudge I don't like.
"I used to be toned." I said softly. He nodded.
"Okay. Let's get to it." He said, and I looked at him. He mainly focused on me, but also did some stuff while I took breaks. "Okay last one, squats."
"You are going to kill me. I feel like jello."
"Well that tells me you're putting the work in. One last thing and then you are done." I nodded, walking over to the machine. "We'll start you off with just the bar, see what you can do, and get form right. Then we'll kick it up a little." I nodded and he got behind me. "I'm going to spot you just in case, since you are almost jello." I chuckled and took the bar off the hooks, squatting down. "Adjust your weight back a little. More on your heel, good. Okay try again but remember your heel." I let out a breath as I squatted again. "Perfect." I have to admit, he was a good trainer. After he put some weight on and I squatted until my legs nearly caved, he lifted the bar onto the hooks. "And you are done." I sat on the nearest bench, putting my head in my hands.
"Oh my god."
"How do you feel?" I looked up him. He was kneeling down in front of me. I took that moment to try to punch his shoulder. He chuckled. "I'm going to get my squat in, and then I'll get us home." I nodded and watched as he put the weight on. "Yo Damien?"
"Yeah brotha?"
"Can I get a spot?"
"Yeah." He finished his workout and drove us home.
"Hey, why don't you hit the showers first?" He said.
"I'm going to take a bath, go ahead." He nodded and took a brisk shower, before walking out and motioning for me to go ahead. As I started the water, I noticed that one of my bath bombs had been put out for me. He even peeled off the pain in the ass plastic wrap. My leggings dropped to the floor, then my shirt, then my bra and panties. My hair fell to my shoulders as I pulled it out of its ponytail, and I turned to the tub, before stepping in. I sighed as I slinked into the water, smiling. It took me an hour to convince myself to get back out, and when I did, I wrapped myself in a towel, and quickly went to my room. I put on some baggy shorts and a old shirt, walking out to the couch. He was skimming through channels, having trouble finding something good. He looked up, and blushed as he turned his focus back to the tv.
"I um... what do you want to watch?" I gave him a weird look as he handed me the remote and pulled the couch blanket over himself in one fluid motion.
"Hmmm, I'm feeling superhero."
"Marvel?"
"Thor?" He nodded. "What about the new one?"
"Sounds good to me." He said, and I put the movie on. During the movie, I felt my thoughts drifting to Jacob. I glanced over at him, noticing he was fully engrossed in the movie. It was really cute. Every reaction made a different part of me happy in a weird way. He glanced over, noticing I was staring and I blushed, trying to act like it hadn't happened. "What? Do I have something on my face?"
"No I don't think so."
"Then why were you looking at me?" I blushed. He scooted over next to me, and leaned over me, looking me in the eye. I could feel his breath on my face. "Why?"
"No reason." I managed, trying to look anywhere but his face.
"If that's the case, you wouldn't have been staring." I blushed. "What?"
"I can't." I whispered.
"You can't what? You already told me I'm hot." He said with a boyish smirk as I blushed. I felt my brain shutting down and he quickly backed off. "Shit I'm sorry." I looked up at him. "That was out of line." I looked away as he sat back down. "Fuck." He said to himself.
"You looked..." He looked over at me. "You looked cute." I blushed as I turned away, biting my lip.
"What?"
"The way you were watching the movie. It was... cute." I said.
"Can I ask you a question?" I nodded. "Do you secretly like me? And you just don't act on it?" I looked at him, blushing madly as I turned away. After a moment of silence, I nodded. "Why?"
"Because... because I won't throw myself at a man." I said softly.
"Admitting you like someone, isn't throwing yourself at them." He said softly. I looked at my lap, twiddling my thumbs.
"I'm afraid to get involved with someone."
"Why?" It took me a little to answer that question.
"Because the last man I was with, I was with him for three years. And the time I thought he would propose, he broke up with me. I was ready for that step. And he picked up my heart... and he shattered it." I looked at him with tears in my eyes. "It's been just me ever since." He took my hand gently. "Sorry, it's dumb."
"I don't think that." He wiped my tear away. "I might be able to find some glue and tape for that broken heart. If you want." I blushed a little.
"That's a lot of pieces."
"Well good thing I've been looking for a good puzzle to start on." He pulled me into a hug. "Come on, let eat ice cream and watch bad movies." I laughed a little as he pulled away and toddled off to the kitchen, grabbing my pint of Neapolitan ice cream, and his own frozen yogurt. He pulled up a movie and I cringed.
"Oh god, you were serious about the bad movies!" He laughed, smiling at me. "Okay then." Three movies in I was all cringed out. "Okay please! One good one." He pulled up Purple Hearts. "I haven't seen this."
"Oh cuddle up." He said and I leaned into him, giggling a little bit as he pressed play. I ended up falling asleep. I stirred as I felt myself being put down, and looked up.
"Jacob?"
"Shh, go to sleep." I smiled.
"Cuddle." I said, giggling.
"You sure?" I nodded and he crawled into bed with me. I rolled over, pressing my face into his chest.
"Stay? All night?"
"Okay." He said, his arm wrapping around me. At that, I drifted back off to sleep. When I woke up, my alarm was going off. I rolled over to turn it off and got up, noticing him still asleep in my bed. I blushed as I smiled, grabbing clothes and changing in the bathroom. I got my breakfast and went to work. When I got home, he wasn't there. I frowned, but started making dinner. Two hours later, I called him.  Straight to voicemail. This was really weird. He never did this. Concerned, I went to the bar I knew he used to hang out in. I found him drinking with some guys in a booth. As I walked over they all looked over. They looked interested, and he looked concerned. "Hey, is everything okay?"
"I was going to ask you. I came home from work, almost three hours ago, and usually you're home by then. I tried to call you, but your phone is off. But I see you're okay. I'm gonna head home." I turned to leave but I felt his hand on my wrist.
"It's not like that." He defended.
"It isn't like what?" I said, ripping my hand free and walking away. Before I made it to the door, I was pinned to a wall. I looked up at him.
"It isn't like that. I didn't have a phone charger in your room. It died while I was at work. And my buddies asked me to come to the bar and catch up after I got off work. I didn't have time to come home and tell you." He said, taking my hand. "I was serious last night. I'd like to show you that. I'd like to get you that bottle of glue." He handed me his phone. "Press the power button." I did and saw it was in fact dead. I nodded. "Come sit with us?"
"Okay." I whispered softly and he smiled. "You aren't forgiven." He nodded with a grin and led me back to their table.
"You must be Harper." The blonde said as I sat down. I nodded. "I'm Tyler."
"The high school best friend?" Tyler nodded.
"Wow you told her about me?" He asked and I laughed.
"Not exactly." Jacob looked at me and I nodded, appreciating that silent question.
"She and I went to the club and she got super fucking drunk, and while I was walking her to her bed, she asked me why there was two of me. I jokingly said it was my twin brother. And then I had to give my fake twin a name." They all snickered.
"Wow, okay. Noted." Tyler said, sipping his alcohol. I giggled as the waitress came over.
"Can I get y'all something?" Jacob looked at me and I nodded.
"A peachy keen and scotch neat." She nodded and turned to the others.
"Beer for us." Tyler said and she nodded as she walked away.
"I'm Luke." The brunette said.
"And I'm Walt." The redhead said.
"Hi. Sorry about my outburst."
"I haven't seen a girl go off on him before. It was pleasant to watch." Luke said and I smiled.
"That wasn't going off." I said.
"What? Wait you've done worse?!" Luke asked.
"To him?" Walt chimed in.
"The second night I was in our apartment, I brought a girl home with me. And we ended up on the couch." Jacob said.
"Oh no."
"Oh yes. My couch. The one I bought with my own money." I said.
"Wait what did you say?!"
"Oh god that was a month ago. Longer than that." I dismissed.
"Your sexcapades happen in your room. You do not come out in the mornings in just a towel. And if you stain it, you replace it. That is word for word what you said to me." They all busted out laughing at him. Luke and Tyler high fived me. The waitress came by with our drinks and I sipped it, nodding in approval.
"Holy shit that's good." He chuckled.
"I'm going to go order shots for the table." Walt said.
"If I do shots, I'm going to do or say something dumb. So I'll pass." I said, shaking my head.
"I got you." Jacob said and I blushed. Walt grinned and returned quickly with shots, smiling as he put them on the table. "To new and old friends." We all took our shots and I shook my head, putting my glass down. The guys were groaning a little and I giggled. "They hate vodka." Jacob commented and I smiled as I sipped my peachy keen.
"Eww bourbon and vodka don't mix." I said, grimacing.
"You shoot like a man and I mean that in the best way." Luke said. I smiled.
"Aww thanks." After a few hours of chatting, Jacob told them that he should be getting home. "Oh shit it's like 10:30."
"Fuck I gotta be up early." He said. I giggled as he helped me up. I stumbled but caught myself, laughing a little. "You are a lightweight."
"I take great offense to that, hottie." I said, laughing at him. He rolled his eyes, smiling softly.
"Come on, firecracker." I leaned into him as we walked outside. Once we got a cab and got home, he helped me inside. "You feel nauseous?" I shook my head. "Okay, then bedtime for you." I stopped in front of his door, making him turn to give me a weird look as I toddled into his room, plopping myself on his bed. "Firecracker, this isn't your room." I giggled.
"I know." I kicked my shoes off, climbing up his bed, and laying down. "Cuddles." I demanded.
"You gotta ask for that. Orders get you nowhere." I giggled.
"It gets me food in a restaurant." He rolled his eyes as he grinned.
"Do I look like food in a restaurant?" I gave him a once over, giggling to myself. "Well do I?"
"I refuse to answer the question." I managed to say between giggles. He walked over, smiling as he kneeled in front of me. His eyes were dark as he took my hand, making my brain short circuit a little.
"Answer the question, firecracker." He said it softly, but there was a sense of finality in his voice. I bit my lip as I nodded softly. "Words."
"Y-yes." He kissed my forehead gently.
"Good girl." I blushed. Tonight was going to be long.