Jock Reign: Jock Hard Book 5
Page 22
“What’s wrong with her—why doesn’t she like my baby?”
“Nothing is wrong with Eliza. I think the problem is—I think she’s secretly worried I’ll kick her out and she won’t have a place to live. Because that’s what happened with her last set of roommates—they kicked her out.”
“Why on earth would they do that?” Mum is hanging on my every word as if this were a soap opera. “What did she do?”
“She didn’t do anything—her roommate was smitten with me. It wasn’t her fault. Couldn’t tolerate the girl after a while, and Eliza is more my type.”
“You have a type?” Mum asks. “How did I not know this?”
“Because I was with Caroline most of my adult life.” I roll my eyes.
“Speaking of Caroline…” she begins. “I ran into her mother at the market last week. Seems Caroline is still devastated.”
“She’s still not over the breakup?” It’s been eight months; she needs to get over it. Start dating someone new, someone with more money and better connections, no doubt, since that’s the only thing she wants.
Little gold-digging shrew…
“Guess not.” She chews. “Shocking, really.”
“Mum, I’d love it if we didn’t talk about her at the moment—I don’t want to have nightmares when I go to sleep.”
“Ah yes, you’d rather talk about this Eliza then.”
I laugh low into the mobile. “Not her, either.”
“Because you like her?”
Yes.
I’m silent.
So silent Mum has to ask, “Jack? Are you there?” a few moments later.
“I’m here.”
“Well…” Her voice is a heavy sigh. “I guess my only piece of advice would be: do not take the girl to Vegas, do not get drunk, and do not get married. Not that I don’t love my daughter-in-law, but perhaps this go-around my son will do it the proper way.”
“I’m not going to accidentally marry my roommate. How many times do I have to say it?”
“Mm, can’t hurt to say it again, can it? To be certain.”
I hadn’t realized my mother was such a smartarse, but we learn something new every day, don’t we?
“Eliza and I are just mates,” I repeat hollowly.
“Say that over and over again, dear. You might actually start believing it.”
We talk a little longer until she is finished with her breakfast and wants to leave the house. After we disconnect the call, I lie in bed and stare up at the ceiling, thinking about our conversation and my roommate sleeping a few doors down.
It’s going to be a very long night.
Eighteen
Eliza
Of course it’s a shitty day outside, overcast with not a single ray of sunshine in sight—the perfect weather for a run-in with Kaylee on campus, Lilly in tow, in the quad.
Could the day get any worse?
They’re coming toward me on the sidewalk, and it’s a long trip to nowhere; I can’t turn left and I can’t turn right—the sidewalk doesn’t go that way. But then again, why should I hide from them?
I did nothing wrong, but try telling them that.
“Well, well, well, look who it is—the boyfriend thief.”
Boyfriend thief?
That’s a stretch, even for her. Regardless, it stings, causing me to blush.
I clamp my lips shut so I don’t say something sarcastic in reply, nearly two weeks of emotional turmoil brewing inside me and threatening to spill out.
Frozen in the center of the sidewalk like a deer caught in headlights, I halt, students swerving and diverting to avoid crashing into me.
“Hey, guys.”
“Hey, she says.” Kaylee flips her blonde hair and purses her lips. “I would ask how it’s going, but—I already know.”
Her typically pretty face contorts into a look I haven’t seen on her before, mocking and arrogant. Is this what it’s like feeling her censure? I’ve never been on the receiving end but imagine other girls have.
It’s chilling, to say the least.
“You do?”
How could she possibly know I’m living with Jack? I haven’t told anyone but my friends from back home. Not even my mother and father know yet—which reminds me, I should call them tonight…
“Duh. We’re the ones who kicked you out.”
It seems she loves reminding me of that nugget of information, bringing up the fact that she elected to leave me homeless toward the middle of the semester knowing I’d have zero options for living arrangements.
My eyes stray to Lilly, who’s been awkwardly standing by silently. She looks ashamed, hiding her gaze when I look at her.
“Thank God for Jack,” I say under my breath.
Not quietly enough, for my ex-roommate laughs. “Jack,” Kaylee scoffs. “He’s the one who got you into this mess—why would you be thanking him? Oh, that’s right, you’re probably dating him now.”
“I’m not dating him,” I correct her. “But he did take me in out of charity.”
“Take you in…what does that even mean?”
I decide to wipe the smile off her face. “Took me in as his roommate because I was desperate.”
“You live with Jack?” Lilly asks in a hushed tone.
My other ex-roommate isn’t as subtle.
“You’ve living with him now?” Her voice is a screech, reaching an octave usually only sopranos can attain. “Are you fucking serious?”
I feel like a mean girl myself, giving her this information, knowing it will upset her. It feels petty and spiteful, though it is somewhat satisfying seeing the stunned look on her face.
I can’t say I’m at all proud of the way this conversation is going, and ugh! What a mess!
“And how did that all come about?” Kaylee pries for information. “Did you go crying to him about what a jerk I am for kicking you out? I meant what a jerk we are for kicking you out,” she amends, including Lilly to give her half the blame.
“No, I didn’t go crying to him about the two of you. He happened to text me at the moment I was trying to figure out what I was going to do, and I mentioned to him that I didn’t have anywhere to live.”
“Well how convenient.” Her tone implies that she doesn’t find it convenient and isn’t happy at all that I found a place to live. Knowing her, she would prefer me on the streets at night.
“Yeah, it is kind of convenient,” Lilly says. “Funny how things work out when you least expect it.”
Her smile is wan.
I love Lilly, always have. Sweet, caring Lilly. I know she probably had little to do with my leaving the house, and judging by the look on her face, she feels absolutely horrible but glad I have a place to stay.
“We call the situation irony,” she adds. “The fact that you live with the guy who got us in the fight in the first place.”
“Shut up, Lilly,” Kaylee tells her rudely.
“Hey, don’t tell her to shut up—that’s so rude.”
Seriously, what the hell? What has gotten into her lately?
“You must be so happy you got what you wanted all along.” She smirks.
“This isn’t what I wanted at all. I never wanted us to fight over a guy—he and I aren’t even a couple and never were. We’re roommates, that’s it.”
“If you don’t include the fact that you were caught kissing in public,” she snorts.
I mean, there is that small detail. “Oh. I didn’t realize we were automatically in relationships with people we kiss. How many boyfriends do you have right now then?”
If she wants to dish it, she better learn how to take it.
“I’m done with this conversation,” she announces, beginning to walk off.
In an attempt to salvage this wreckage, I call after her. “I didn’t mean to hurt you—I told him that from the start. I even told him about girl code.”
“How cute, you told him about girl code.” Her nose goes up at my attempt at an olive branch. “He’s not a very goo
d listener then, is he?”
I let out a sigh, defeated. “Are you going to hold this over my head forever?”
“Yes.”
Lilly and I watch as Kaylee stomps away, stopping short a few times to turn around, checking to see if Lilly is behind her and finding her lagging.
“Aren’t you coming?”
Lilly holds up a finger. “One sec—I’m going to run inside for a protein bar. You don’t have to wait.”
It’s enough to appease my old roommate, who has no patience and no desire to wait. Still, she hedges, unsure. Walk off, or stand here. Walk off, or stand here…
Decisions, decisions.
“Go. I’ll be right there,” Lilly urges.
“Where are you headed?” I ask her.
“The gym, for practice. We’re doing a thing for Greek week.”
“Even though you’re not Greek?” Greek as in a sorority.
“Yeah, we always have a blast, so why not? We’re helping them coordinate dances for some skit night they have at the end of the week.” She shifts on her heels, rotating her backpack to the other shoulder.
Lilly steps closer, leaning in and whispering, “I want you to know it wasn’t my decision to ask you to move out.”
No one asked me to move out. Kaylee demanded it.
“It wasn’t?”
Lilly nods. “No, Eliza. It was totally Kaylee’s decision, and you know how she gets.” Actually, I had no idea she got like this. “I had no idea any of the drama was going on—I barely knew who Jack was until she couldn’t shut up about it after you moved out. You’d think you stole her man, and I know for a fact she was seeing at least two other people at the same time she claims she was in love with this Jack dude.”
My brain reels, clicking pieces of the puzzle together and coming up short. “I don’t understand why you’re just telling me this now—it’s been two weeks. Why didn’t you text me or something? I’ve felt like complete shit since I left.”
“I’m sorry. Kyle and I are on a break. Or broken up, I don’t know. I’ve spent the last week feeling sorry for myself and crying and eating my feelings.”
I gasp at this new information. “You and Kyle broke up?” I embrace her in a hug. “Lilly, what happened?”
Who broke up with who? What does it mean that they’re ‘on a break’?
I have so many questions.
Questions she isn’t in the mood to answer. “I can’t talk about it or I’ll start to cry.” Lilly sniffles a bit, though no tears are coming out of her eyes. “I lost five pounds. I’m miserable.” More sniffles. “Anyway, that’s why I didn’t text or call. I’m sorry, Eliza. I haven’t been a good friend.”
Hasn’t been a good friend? “I’m the one who wasn’t there for you!” She and Kyle were inseparable; I cannot imagine what happened to split them up—I’m sure it’s only temporary. “Have the two of you spoken since?”
“A little.” Her eyes scan the commons area, searching, as if hoping Kyle will come walking toward us and drop to his knees and say he’s been miserable and missing her, too. “I think he met someone else.”
I wait for her to elaborate. “Why would you think that?”
Lilly shrugs her dainty shoulders. “Why else would he pick a fight? It didn’t make any sense, and he was so quick to agree to a break.”
“You told him you wanted to take a break?”
Why would she tell him that if she didn’t mean it?
First rule of fighting: Don’t say things you don’t mean. They will only serve to bite you in the ass when they backfire.
Case in point: Lilly.
“Well, yeah—I didn’t know what else to say!” She flaps her arms helplessly. “He was being stupid, and I wanted to make him mad.”
Sounds like it worked.
Too well.
“Oh Lilly…”
Her head drops. “I overreacted, obviously.”
Obviously. “So what are you going to do?”
“Nothing! He has to apologize to me.” Her chin tilts up stubbornly.
“But wouldn’t you rather get the fight over with than drag it out?”
“Yes. But I want him to apologize first.”
“Is it a contest?”
Lilly gives me a confused look. “What do you mean?”
“I mean—why are you being so willful? You’re wasting time when you could be having fun with Kyle instead of crying yourself to sleep.”
She seems to consider my words of wisdom. “You’re probably right.”
“I am right. Text him right now and tell him you want to talk.”
“You think so?”
“I know so.” I nudge her toward a reconciliation, the same kind I wish I had with Kaylee, though I’m not quite sure she deserves it with the way she’s acting.
I stand on the sidewalk, moving over a few feet so people can get by, as Lilly taps out a message on her phone to the boy she loves so very much.
“What should I say?” Her gaze is questioning.
“Just say ‘I miss you and I want to talk.’”
“That’s it? It feels too easy.” She worries at her bottom lip.
“That’s it.”
“You think it will work?”
“Lilly, he loves you—he will want to talk. This fighting is stupid, you don’t even know what it’s about. It’s a nothing fight.”
“If you’re sure…” She’s still hesitating, and I don’t blame her.
“Hit send.” I laugh, the nerves I felt earlier dissipating as I help my friend, grateful she’s still standing here with me. Grateful she doesn’t hate me like the other one does.
One less person to avoid on campus…
Phew.
“Here goes nothing.” I swear she holds her breath when she pokes the send button, closing an eye as she launches it into cyberspace. “Oh god, what if he hates me?”
“Please—the hating game is my department. Leave that to me.” Ha ha.
We continue to stand there as we wait for Kyle to reply, and it doesn’t take very long—her phone pings within a minute, and she squeals in delight as she reads.
“What does it say?” I lean in to see the screen.
“It says ‘I miss you too, I’ll meet you at my place in ten minutes.’” Another squeal, and we hug on the sidewalk, students and faculty passing by, a few of them shooting us odd looks, but for the most part, nobody cares that we’re jumping up and down like fools.
“Aren’t you glad you texted him?”
“Yes. Thank you—I wouldn’t have done it otherwise.” She’s smoothing a hand down her hair. “How do I look?”
Like she’s sleep-deprived and miserable. “You look beautiful.”
“Liar.” Lilly looks me up and down. “What are you going to do?”
“Me? I’m done with classes so I’ll probably hit the coffee shop. I also have to call my parents. They have no idea I’m living somewhere new—I should definitely give them a buzz.” I glance up at the sky. “Plus it’s going to rain, so maybe I’ll watch a movie and eat my feelings.”
“I have all the ice cream you need if you want me to have Kyle drop it off.” She giggles.
“Speaking of Kyle, you’re down to what—eight minutes? Get going!” I swat at her, shooing her away. “Go!”
“I’m going, I’m going.” She kisses me on the cheek before running off, excitement palpable. “Eek!”
I remain in my spot on the sidewalk after both of my friends have walked away, leaving me there alone. I’m mollified by the steadfast relationship between Lilly and me but troubled by the one I have with Kaylee. I’m doubtful we will ever be the same or that we’ll even speak again, and for that I am regretful.
A rumble in the sky catches my attention and has me watching a gray cloud rolling above; I should head home before the storm comes. It’ll take me at least ten minutes to get there since I now live farther from campus in the residential part of town.
Sigh.
I trudge that way.
“Hey roomie, is that you?”
Roomie.
That makes me smile. The American slang he is using doesn’t make him sound any more American than he did yesterday.
“Yeah it’s me, not some murderer.”
“Phew. Thank Christ.” His laugh carries into the kitchen, and I follow it to the adjacent room. “I’m resting in the den—have my leg up.”
Yes, I can see that.
My roommate is stretched out on the couch, his long body taking up the majority of it, his leg propped up on a set of stacked throw pillows. The television is on and he’s watching an action flick I’ve seen at least four times.
“You’re not hurt, you weirdo.” Why is he pretending to be injured? We already established he was full of shit when he left his recent game, and it’s been days—how is he laid up on the sofa? “What’s your deal? Why are you acting like you broke your leg?”
“What if someone from the team drops by unexpectedly to check on my progress? I can’t be doing weights in the garage, now can I?”
“No one is dropping by.”
“You don’t know that for sure.”
“Um, I’m quite sure.”
“You’re being really pessimistic about this.”
“You’re being really dramatic about this.”
“So you’ve been reminding me.”
“I just think it’s important that you stay in reality and not in your parallel universe.”
Jack gasps indignantly, eyes never leaving the television. “I’m affronted.”
“No one our age uses that word.” My hands go to my hips and I stare down at him. “Do guys drop by their friends’ houses unexpectedly to check up on them? Last time I checked, dudes aren’t as sensitive as girls.”
“Don’t know, but they might. I would. I’d bring soup, too—wouldn’t that be delightful?”
“In your dreams, pal.” I plop down next to him, shoving his legs off when he tries to put his feet in my lap. “Ew, get them off.”