Roommates... with my Ex Boyfriend (Roommates Series: Book #1)

Chapter 8

The scent of something burning quickly fills my nose, and the ear piercing sound of the smoke detector enters my ears as I walk into my house. Because the smoke, and scent are coming from the kitchen, I can safely assume that all of this is because Lauren is cooking.

I slip off my blazer, and make my way into the kitchen to find a very flustered - looking Lauren Johnson. She turns the stove's fan on, and throws out her failed meal. It's so black, and crispy that I can't tell what it was supposed to be. Lauren's head, and body spins in my direction when she hears me chuckle. She blushes slightly. "I was trying to make you a welcome home dinner, but I clearly failed at that."

I can't help, but smile at her statement. She has always been a selfless person, she has always tried her hardest to please, and take care of people, she has always been perfect wife material. I am almost one hundred percent sure that the moment I first brought Lauren home to meet my parents was the only time my father was proud of me. Even though we were young, he hoped that she would become my wife one day. I hoped so too, but fate had other plans.

"It's the thought that counts," I say, only mocking her slightly.

She loosens up a bit, and chuckles. "I guess so, but I also should have known that I couldn't have pulled this off."

I walk toward the stove, and pull out leftovers of what we had yesterday, throwing it in the microwave. It won't be as good as a freshly cooked meal, but I don't have the time. I still need a long shower --- most of my body has a layer of dried blood on it. Fortunately, the skin that doesn't is visible.

The two of us stare at the timer. Neither of us are really sure what to say to the other. Things have been different between since Lauren found out what I've been doing when she's either with Jess, or when I don't have classes, and she does. I'm still infatuated with her, but a small part of me has given up hope. That part of me knows that she will never look at me the way that she did when we were teenagers.

Lauren's phone goes off a minute before the microwave's timer does. I peer over her shoulder to see that she set a timer for seven.

"Are you going somewhere?" I ask her.

She jumps slightly, looks at me, and nods. "Yeah, with Jess."

We've been watching since Lauren moved in with you when the two of you were foolish teenagers. We always have been watching you, and we always will be, his voice rings in my head. Since they haven't attacked yet, they definitely will soon.

"Where are you going?" I question.

She snorts. "When did you turn into my father?"

I frown. "I'm serious, Lauren."

All of the humour immediately leaves her face. "Oh, we're going to a bar, but we're meeting a few people there."

A bar? That would be the perfect place, and time for them to attack. She, and my sister would be vulnerable drunk, an easy victim.

I'm about to say something when Jess walks through the front door, clearly dressed like someone who wants to get laid --- or even a fūcking stripper. My eyes snap to Lauren. Was she going to dress like that too? If so, there's most definitely no way either of them are leaving this house. Ģød, I do sound like her father.

I quickly contact one of my men, ordering him to bring everyone over here, before pulling the two girls into the basement. I push them onto the couch, and toss a blanket onto my sister. "Cover yourself, would you? People will be here in a few minutes."

My two girls narrow their eyes at me.

"What's going on?" Jess asks.

I mumble an excuse, and begin to walk nervously back, and forth. I don't stop when I hear many footsteps walking down the stairs. I go to turn on my heel again, but Lauren stops me. She searches through my eyes, trying to find an explanation for my nervousness, but clearly doesn't find one. "You need to calm down."