Cocky Roomie_ A Bad Boy Romance Novel(39)
“I don’t think Jake’s pillow is as fluffy as this one. His are flat guy-pillows he’s had for too long.”
She glances to me like a wounded deer. “You guys aren’t dating, are you?”
Oh shit. She still loves him. The feeling isn’t mutual, but I’m not going to break her heart by telling her that Jake and I have been getting to know each other…well.
“No, we’re not. I have to be honest with you, Bern. I do like him. Oh my gosh, that hurts to say it.” I give Bernie a nervous smile, but she stares at me oddly, not returning it, of course.
“You know their dad’s a congressman.”
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“You can’t trust politicians, Drew. They’re liars.”
Blinking at her, I argue, “He seemed like a nice man.”
Her eyebrows shoot up. “You’ve met Michael Cocker?”
“Yeah,” I shrug, defensively. “I’m Jake’s roommate. It’s no big deal. He invited me over for a BBQ tonight since he’s leavin’ town for…a while.”
Annoyance flashes across her. Or maybe it’s just downright anger. She looks back at the wall and her jaw is tight. “You went to their house?”
“Yeah.”
“Was it a big party like with other people, or just the family?”
I can see from her reaction that she has a reason for asking. “Why are you asking me that?”
“Just answer the question, Drew.”
“Besides some people who work for the Congressman, it was just the family.”
She looks at the floor. “Huh.”
Now I get it. She’s never been there. “It wasn’t a big deal,” I whisper, feeling guilty.
Her beautiful eyes cut me down to nothing, then something changes in her expression and she smiles. It’s so normal and without the rage I just saw boiling in her, that I’m thrown by the shift. “I’m tired. I’m goin’ to bed. Or to the couch, or whatever. Thank you for the good pillow, Drew.” She hugs me really tightly then kisses my cheek before she quietly whispers, “And for the shoulder.”
In my doorframe, she looks back and gives me a sad smile. I see nine-year-old, toe-headed Bernadette Lancaster standing just inside the front door of her Momma’s home, waving to me with her cheeks flushed from the daily race we ran against each other, trying to beat the other to the old Dogwood.
“Love you, Drew Charleybomb.”
Feeling empty, I offer a sad smile. “Love you, too, Bernie Casteroil.”
She closes the door.
The world didn’t give us what it promised.
DREW
I swear the vibration of my phone when a text comes through is hardwired into my brain. It’s all the way in the closet, stuffed deep in my purse and still I can hear it while I’m dreaming. It’s crazy.
I run to it and find the message is from Jake.
You were supposed to be here fifteen minutes ago.
“Oh my God!!!” I cry out, heart rate going from zero to sixty. “I forgot to set my alarm!” Scrambling through the hangers I find a dress that’s appropriate for work, and shoes that match. My nude bra and panties get thrown on and I rush to the bathroom as I’m zipping up my outfit and throwing my shoes at the front door where they clatter like awkward dice.
Basic makeup is all I have time for. Lipstick will be applied in the car.
“Where the hell did I leave my purse?!!”
Running back to my room, I grab it from the closet and dash out.
The door to Jake’s room opens which nearly makes me jump out of my skin.
I spin around to tell him that messing with me like this is SO NOT FUNNY, when my heart stops.
“Mornin’ Drew,” Bernie says, rubbing her eyes. She’s wearing Jake’s shirt he wore at the BBQ.
She yawns and stretches her slender arms way up. She’s got no panties on.
Someone just punched my soul. I step backward, jaw on the floor and eyes tearing up.
She leans against his doorframe and mutters to herself, “I really need some coffee. Slept all of twenty minutes last night. Well, actually, just since he’s left. How long ago was that? Half hour? No, maybe forty-five minutes.”
“Oh my God,” I rasp over a lump of anguish. My eyes are stinging as I turn away.
He fucked her. All night long.
And here I practically pushed them back together by asking if she could stay over.
I’m the dumbest person who ever walked the earth. Naïve, table for one. First Edward. Now Jake.
I know she’s beautiful. I know she’s incredibly sexual and experienced.
I’m sure their sex life was too hard for a twenty-five year old guy to resist.
“I have to go to work,” I groan, heading for my shoes. I have never felt so much pain.