Accidental Housemate

13: testing

The weekend had come.

I woke up on Saturday morning feeling energised by the mere thought I wouldn’t go to work. When I approached the kitchen, I saw Dave on his phone by the island and drinking coffee.

“Good morning,” I announced my arrival.

He lifted his head from the phone’s screen and faced me. Flipping the phone anxiously, he mumbled back the same words and told me I could use the leftover hot water to make my tea. I made mint green tea.

“What are your plans for the weekend?” I asked him, leaning against the counter by the window.

“Nothing specific,” he replied shortly, killing my attempt to initiate a conversation.

A minute after, he took his mug and left me alone in the kitchen. I sensed his lingering discomfort from yesterday was the reason. My lips opened to say something before he left, but no words came out. If he intended to avoid me, how was it possible for us to live together?

That was my fault. I made Dave uncomfortable, and when he wanted to leave for Kyle’s, I pressed him to stay.

I left the kitchen and went to the living room. He sat there, watching some morning shows, although he was on the phone. I figured he was talking to his sister by the name he called.

“Melissa will come to London for a few days,” he announced after the call was over. The little frown on his face implied he wasn’t joyful about it.

“I see. Where will she stay?”

“With us, here. Is it okay if she stays with you in your room? More comfortable for her… I think.”

I nodded. “Yeah. That’s fine.” Welcoming Melissa was the least I could do to repay his favours.

“Thank you, Perrie.” Dave gave me the first smile of the day.

I decided to take my chance while he sounded less uncomfortable. “Can I ask you something?” I probed.

Dave gave me his attention.

“What’s the text you unsent?”

He blinked at me, his jaw clenching and Adam’s apple bobbing. I might’ve pried into something I shouldn’t have asked about. If he unsent it, he didn’t want me to see it.

However, Dave leant closer, against my expectations, and challenged me, “If you repeat your question from the previous night, I’ll tell you.”

My interest in the unsent text vanished, replaced by my curiosity about whether the two matters were connected. “Let’s not get into that then.”

He retreated and chuckled. An unfamiliar vibe took over him as he locked his eyes on mine and tried to read through me. He smirked. “Do you watch porn, Perrie?”

So, he remembered but wanted me to repeat it. I didn’t expect my question to backfire on me, but a sense of curiosity filled me to know what his reaction would be when I said, “Yes. Sometimes.”

My honesty left him in awe.

He broke the eye contact we had and rubbed his nape. “Oh, ummm… Do you self-pleasure?”

“No, I watch porn for entertainment,” I joked, returning his smirk. I hoped he understood I was merely messing with him and didn’t indulge in that type of entertainment.

“Uh, got you. Why did you ask me that, though?”

“I don’t remember. Forgot the context,” I lied.

Dave leant one elbow on the armchair and spread his legs a little, almost touching me on the other side of the sofa. “Let’s make this more exciting. Ever watched porn with a partner? Your body count?”