Roommates with Benefits [COMPLETED]

Chapter 38 - Truth or dare

Emma

Classes are a blur the next day. But I get through them. And when they're over, I have a message from dad, asking me to call him.

I wait until I'm alone in my room.

"I've called a therapist," dad says. "I've made an appointment for Monday. It was the earliest she could see me. But I want you to know that you don't have to worry about me anymore."

"You know I'll always worry," I say with relief flooding my chest.

"Well, you don't have to. I don't know why it took me so long to see what I was doing. But something just snapped last night, and I realized you lost your mother. That you've spent most of your life without her. She's been gone for eleven years. That is such a long time. And for some reason, I was just waiting for her to come back."

"Me too," I say gently.

"I couldn't sleep last night. My mind kept running over everything that happened. How you took care of me. How you've always taken care of me. And you took care of Noah when I couldn't."

"Well, someone had to." I smile and wipe away a tear. My emotions are so raw and sensitive I almost broke down when I couldn't find my charger.

"But it should never have been you. And now I keep worrying that I robbed you of a childhood."

"You didn't."

"No more. I need you to go out there and have all the stupid college experiences that you'll remember for the rest of your life. Get drunk and dance with your friends, hoist someone's underwear up a flagpole, get a tattoo that I'll have to pay to get removed. Be a college student."

I laugh a little. "I don't think you're supposed to encourage me to do those things."

"As long as you're safe about it. Don't go off with strange guys, or walk down empty streets and don't drink more than you can handle."

"I promise. And I don't think I'll be getting a tattoo, but it's good to know you'll pay for the removal if I do."

"You think I'm joking, but I know you, Emma. You're sensible and responsible, a bit irreverent at times, but I trust you. And now I'm worried that you grew up too fast and haven't gotten to be as wild as you should have."

"If it makes you feel better, I'm actually going out tonight, and I promise I will drink a bit too much and do at least one stupid thing."

I don't need to tell him that the stupid thing will probably be having sex with my brother's best friend.

"Good, then I'll let you get ready."

"Ok, let me know how the appointment goes on Monday."

"Will do. Have fun."

I wipe at my cheeks, surprised to find new tears there, but tears of relief this time. Dad will be ok. The smile on my face is real, but it doesn't feel quite right.

Eager to have some fun, I put on black jeans and a black t-shirt that I tie in the front, revealing some skin. I pair it with loose, wavy hair and go heavy on the eye make-up.

When I'm done, I feel confident. It's different for me, but I feel like being different tonight. And I want Knightley's eyes on me. I want him to lust after me, because that's all it is. Lust. It's sex and nothing more.

My efforts pay off as soon as I step out of my room. Knightley's eyes darken and for a moment I think we might be late. I love that he's also in dark jeans and a t-shirt. Almost as if we planned it. My breathing speeds up and I bite my lip. The lust is definitely there, and I don't want to keep it caged. But before I can say anything, he swallows and puts on his coat as if it will shield him.