Chapter 4

CHAPTER FOUR

Jace

“I’m not going to quit the gym,” I say. “I like working there. It’s easy, and when it’s slow they let me study.”

“And it’s a good place to meet women,” Dax adds, finishing off his whiskey.

“I’m not looking to meet anyone. I’m taking a break from relationships.”

“Relationships yeah, but sex? That’s exactly what you need right now, and there are plenty of girls looking for the same thing. You just need to find them.” He pours himself more whiskey. “Why don’t you blow off work tonight and go out with us? We’ll go to the party, and if it sucks we’ll hit the brewhouse on Lantham. It’s ladies’ night.” He smiles.

“I don’t feel like it. Maybe some other time.”

“Jace, I’m telling you. The best way to get over a girl is to get another one, even if it’s just for a night.”

“That doesn’t work for me.”

“How would you know? You’ve never tried it.”

“It’s just not what I want to do, okay?”

“Jace?” Kenzie appears, holding a t-shirt. She’s still wearing that short skirt and tiny tank. Damn, she’s hot. Those long legs. That beautiful face. Those big brown eyes. How could her ex even think about cheating on a girl like that?

“Sorry,” she says. “I didn’t know you had company.” She turns to leave.

“Kenzie, wait. What did you need?”

She turns back. “I was putting things in the dresser and noticed there’s still stuff in some of the drawers.”

“Hold on.” I get up and go to the kitchen and grab a garbage bag from under the sink.

“I’m Dax,” I hear him say.

“Kenzie,” she says.

When I return to the living room, Dax gives me a questioning look.

“She’s my new roommate,” I explain.

“That was fast,” he says.

I hand Kenzie the garbage bag. “Throw anything you find in this. I’ll toss it out later.”

“I can give it to him,” Dax says.

“Seriously?” I glare at him. “Whose side are you on here?”

He holds his hands up in surrender. “Hey, I’m not taking sides. I still gotta play with him on the team and you know how pissed Coach gets when we’re not getting along.”

“You can fake getting along with him on the team. But being friends with him, knowing what he—”

“So how’d you guys meet?” Dax asks Kenzie, interrupting me to avoid a fight. It’s probably not fair for me to expect him to end his friendship with Carter but it still pisses me off that he won’t.

“My housing plans fell through,” Kenzie says.

“She needed a place to live,” I say, “and I needed a roommate.”

Dax looks at us both. “How’d you find each other?”

“I was sitting on his steps,” Kenzie answers. “I didn’t know anyone was home.”

“I came outside and saw her,” I say. “She said she needed a place to live so I asked if she wanted to live here.”

“You’re a freshman?” Dax asks.

“Junior. I did my first two years at community college.”

“What happened to your housing? Dorm mix-up?”

“She doesn’t want to talk about it,” I say.

“I should go finish putting stuff away.” She walks off, then turns back. “Nice meeting you, Dax.”

“You too.” He waits for her to go in her room and shut the door, then says, “What the hell?”

“What?”

“You’re letting a girl live here?”

“She needed a place to stay.”

“Yeah, but are you sure that’s a good idea?”

“Why wouldn’t it be?”

“A guy and a girl living together? Shit’s gonna happen. And when it doesn’t work out, she’ll be without a place to live.”

“It’s not like that. She’s my roommate. I’m not dating her.”

“And you don’t think you and her will become more than roommates? Seriously?”

“I can live with a girl without dating her.”

“I think you’re fucking delusional. Unless she has a boyfriend. Is she seeing someone?”

“She was, but she just broke up with him. That’s why she was on my porch steps. She found him cheating on her.”

“No shit? On the same day you found—” He stops himself before mentioning Nikki. “Do you know anything else about her?”

“Not really, but she seems normal so I’m not worried about living with her.”

“Even if you don’t hook up with her, having her here is going to ruin your chances with other girls.”

“First of all, I don’t want other girls, not right now. And second, why would they care if I have a girl for a roommate? A lot of guys do.”

“I just don’t think it’s a good idea.”

“It’s not your decision so it doesn’t really matter what you think.”

“You’re not doing this to make Nikki jealous, are you?”

“No. I hadn’t even considered that. Why would she be jealous? She has someone else now.”

“Yeah, but she’s the type of girl who wouldn’t want you with anyone else, even if she’s not dating you.”

“Let’s not get into all the reasons you hate Nikki. I don’t want to hear it. And I don’t want to hear I told you so either.”

There’s noise coming from Kenzie’s bedroom. Drawers opening and closing.

Dax looks down the hall to her room. “She’s fuckin’ hot.”

“Didn’t notice.”

He looks at me and smiles. “Yeah, right.”

“Okay, maybe I noticed but that’s only because what she’s wearing doesn’t leave much to the imagination.”

“What if I asked her out?”

“No.” I shake my head. “You’re not dating her.”

“Why the hell not? If you’re not dating her, why can’t I?”

“Because you’re an ass. You don’t treat women well.”

“Bullshit. I buy girls flowers. Take them to dinner.”

“And break up with them after three or four dates.”

“Because I’m not a commitment type of guy. But who knows? When the right girl comes along, maybe that’ll change.”

“I get the feeling Kenzie is a relationship type of girl, which means she’s not going to date someone like you.”

“Maybe you should let her decide that.”

For whatever reason, it annoys me that he’s interested in Kenzie. She’s not even his type. He likes blondes or the occasional redhead. And Kenzie’s not ready to date again after finding her boyfriend with another girl. She needs time to recover from that.

“You get the key?” Dax asks.

“What key? What are you talking about?”

“Your house key. Did Nikki give it back to you?”

“No, and I forgot to ask. But it’s not like she’d use it. She won’t be coming back here again.”

“She might. I wouldn’t trust her. I’d get the key back. Why don’t I go over and get it from her so you don’t have to see her?”

“I’ll do it myself. I’ll call her and have her drop it off.”

“You sure? If you see her again, she might try to get back together with you.”

“She’s not going to do that. She has Carter now. Shit, I forgot to get his key. Would you get it for me?”

“Where’s he living now?”

“Who the hell knows? I’m kinda hoping he’s homeless.”

“I bet he’s staying with Craig. I’ll stop over there on my way home.” He stands up. “You sure you don’t want to ditch work and go out tonight?”

“I’d rather earn some money. I spent a lot on the anniversary night that never happened. I need to make it back.”

“You’ll be loaded now that you’re not dating Nikki anymore. The way she was always making you buy her stuff? I don’t know how you put up with her for so long.” He walks to the door. “Call me if you change your mind about tonight.”

“I will. See ya.”

When he’s gone, I get my phone out to call Nikki. I should’ve had Dax do it, but part of me wants to hear her voice. As angry as I am with her, I still miss her and probably will for a few weeks, maybe longer. When you’re with someone for two years, it’s hard to say goodbye, even though you know it’s for the best.

“Hey, it’s me,” I say when she answers.

“Have you finally calmed down so we can talk?”

“What’s there to talk about? You fucked my roommate. End of story.”

“Jace, just because we’re not right for each other doesn’t mean we can’t still be friends. We have those tickets for the concert. We’re still going, right?”

“Uh, no, we’re not going,” I say, thinking she’s crazy for assuming we would. “Actually, you’re not going. I’m still going.”

The concert is in a few weeks. The hottest bands in the area will be taking turns on stage. Tickets were predicted to sell out right away so I waited in line overnight to make sure I got some. Nikki’s been looking forward to the concert for months, but there’s no way I’m giving her a ticket after what she did.

“Jace, that’s not fair. Those are our tickets.”

“They’re my tickets. I’m the one who waited in line all night. And I paid for them.”

“Then let me buy one from you.”

“If you’d waited in line with me I would, but since you refused and went out with your friends instead, forget it.”

“You’re being an ass.”

“Really? Is that what you call a guy who treated you well, bought you whatever you wanted, and was faithful to you the entire time we dated?”

“You’re being an ass about the tickets. You bought them for us which means one of them is mine.”

“That was true when we were a couple, but now we’re not. If you really want a ticket, have Carter get one for you.”

“It’s too late. They’re sold out. Even if I had a ticket, Carter wouldn’t go with me. He doesn’t like concerts. He’ll only go to sporting events.”

“And yet you still chose him over me. Why? Because he’s still on the team and I’m not?”

I shouldn’t be asking her that. It makes me sound desperate. She made her decision and it shouldn’t matter why. It’s not like there’s a chance to save this relationship. It’s over. I just need to accept that and move on.

“Why’d you call me?” she asks, sounding annoyed.

“To ask for my key back. Can you drop it off later?”

“I don’t have your key.”

“Yeah, you do. I gave you a key the day I moved in here.”

“That was over a year ago. I don’t have it anymore.”

“What do you mean you don’t have it? What happened to it?”

“I don’t know. It probably fell out of my purse, or maybe I left it somewhere.”

“You lost my key?” I sigh. “Great, so now some stranger could find it and use it to get into my house.”

“It doesn’t have your address on it. If someone found it they wouldn’t know what it’s for. Besides, I’m pretty sure I accidentally threw it out.”

“You better not be lying to me. If you still have it, I want it back. Can you at least look and see if it’s somewhere in your room?”

“Yeah, I’ll look, but I know it’s not there.”

“Let me know either way. Just text me.”

“Yeah. Whatever.”

She ends the call. It didn’t even sound like her. When we were together, her voice had this syrupy sweet tone, especially when she wanted something. Now she sounds cold and indifferent, as if I mean nothing to her. Maybe I never did. She doesn’t seem upset that we’re over. I doubt she even misses me. She’s moved on with someone else. She doesn’t need me anymore.

“You okay?” Kenzie asks, coming to sit beside me on the couch.

“Yeah. I’m good.” I fake a smile. “How about you?”

She drops her head and shakes it side to side. “I feel like my heart’s been ripped out and stomped on, then had acid poured over it. Then gas. Then lit on fire.”

I try to stifle a laugh but can’t. “Sorry, I shouldn’t laugh but that description was a little over the top.”

“It’s true.” She sniffles. “I can’t believe he did that to me. I loved him. So much. He said he loved me too. He said it every day. He said he wanted to marry me. And now it’s over.” She turns to look at me. “He didn’t even try to fight for me. He just walked away. Let me go.” She looks down. “He hasn’t tried to text me, or call me. It’s like he doesn’t even care how much he hurt me. Like I don’t matter anymore.”

“I know what you mean. When I found Nikki with… him.” I clear my throat. “She acted like she didn’t even care that she’d been caught. Honestly, I think she was happy I found them together. Now she can be with Carter without having to sneak around. But just like with your ex, Nikki didn’t care that she hurt me. She was only concerned about herself. She didn’t even consider what this would do to me. She didn’t care. She still doesn’t. I called her just now to get my key back and she acted like we had no history. Like I was just some random guy asking for a key.”

“I’m sorry.” Kenzie puts her hand on mine.

I take her hand and give it a squeeze. “I’m sorry too. I’m sorry he did that to you. Knowing how much it hurts, I’m sorry you have to feel this way. I wouldn’t wish this on anyone.” I let go of her hand and turn to her. “It’s going to be okay. You know that, right?”

She nods. “I know I’ll feel better, eventually. I just wish I could make it stop hurting so much right now.”

“I know. Me too.”

We both lean back on the couch and stare at the blank TV screen, lost in our thoughts. I don’t know what Kenzie’s thinking but my thoughts are about what should’ve happened tonight. If Nikki hadn’t cheated, we’d be having our romantic dinner right now and then spending the rest of the night in bed. It was going to be perfect. But it never happened. Our relationship is over. I can’t even wrap my head around that.

I glance over at Kenzie. She looks so damn sad. I wish I could make her feel better. I wasn’t kidding when I said I wouldn’t want anyone to have to go through this, but especially Kenzie, because she seems really sweet and caring and I can tell she really did love that asshole, more than she should have. I wish I could get her mind off of him, even for just a little while.

As I’m thinking that, I get an idea.

“Hey.” I nudge Kenzie’s arm and she looks at me with those sad brown eyes.

“Yeah?”

“You hungry?”

“Not really.”

“If I made something, would you at least try it?”

“Um, I guess. What are you making?”

“Some really expensive steaks and steamed asparagus. And if you’re not opposed to carbs, I could make potatoes and maybe some rolls.”

She crinkles her nose in the cutest way. “I thought you didn’t cook.”

“I don’t. But I was going to do it for Nikki. I even searched for recipes online. I already bought the food. I might as well make it. What do you say? Will you have dinner with me?”

“I don’t know. I’m not really hungry.”

“You still have to eat. C’mon. I don’t want to eat alone, especially the dinner that was supposed to be for Nikki. I’ll just sit there thinking about her. I’d much rather spend the time getting to know my new roommate.”

She smiles. “Then yes, I’ll have dinner with you. Can I help?”

“You can pick the music.”

“Music?”

“I like to play music when I cook. I usually play it really loud, but you can keep the volume down if you want.”

“I like it loud too when I cook.”

“Then find some music and crank it.” I get up from the couch. “I’ll get the steaks out of the fridge. They’re supposed to warm to room temperature before you cook them. I learned that online.”

She laughs. “You really did do your research. I thought you were kidding.” She follows me to the kitchen. “You sure I can’t help?”

I take the steaks from the fridge. “Music first. My speakers are in the cupboard next to the sink.”

“Why are they in the cupboard?” she asks as she takes them out.

“Because Carter was a slob and kept splashing water on them when I had them on the counter.”

She gets her phone out. “What kind of music do you like?”

“You pick.”

“I will, but tell me what you like so I can at least find something we’re both okay with.”

Nikki would never ask for my input on music, or anything else. She just did what she wanted, which I was okay with because I loved her and wanted her to be happy. I want Kenzie to be happy too. After what she’s been through today, I want to make her feel better.

“It really doesn’t matter to me,” I tell her. “I like a lot of types of music. Just pick what you want.”

She scrolls through her phone, then syncs it with my speakers. Country music fills the room.

“You okay with country?” she asks.

“Are you kidding? I love it. But none of my friends do so I can never play it around them. Carter used to yell at me to turn it off. And Nikki hated it. She refused to let me listen to it.”

“Liam didn’t like it either. I never listened to it when he was around. He likes classic rock so that’s what we’d always listen to.”

“Sounds like I made a good choice in roommates.” I smile at her as I grab a cutting board. “Turn it up.”

She does, and then comes up beside me. “I really want to help. I don’t like just standing here.”

“You drink?”

“Yeah. Why?”

“You can be the bartender.” I nod toward the last cupboard. “Booze are over there. Pick what you want. I’ll take a whiskey on ice.”

“Straight whiskey? Nothing else?”

“After today? Straight whiskey. And keep it coming.”

She pours me some, and then pours a little for herself.

I down the first glass but slow down on the next one, realizing it’s not a good idea to be getting drunk. It could lead to things happening. Things roommates shouldn’t do.

“You got cheesecake?” she asks as she looks in the fridge.

“Not just any cheesecake. That’s Vinilli’s Bakery cheesecake.”

“Is that good?”

“It’s more than good. It’s the best. That cheesecake cost fifty bucks.”

“You paid fifty dollars for cheesecake?”

“I got it for Nikki. It’s her favorite. You like cheesecake?”

“Love it.”

“Go ahead and have some.”

“Now? Before dinner?”

“Sure. Why not? I’ll have some too. We’ve had a shitty day. We deserve some cheesecake before dinner.”

She gets this excited look on her face that makes me smile. She takes the cheesecake from the fridge and goes to find plates.

“Just eat it from the container,” I tell her. “We’re being rebels tonight.” I take two forks from the drawer and hand her one. “Dig in.”

We each take a bite.

“Oh my God, that’s the best!” she says, going for another bite.

I love that she’s so excited about the cheesecake. Nikki never got excited about anything. When I’d surprise her with jewelry or flowers, she’d act like it wasn’t enough. Like I should’ve done more. So I kept trying, hoping I’d find something that would make her show some excitement over what I’d done. But I guess she’s just not that type of person.

I look over at Kenzie, smiling as I watch her dance around the room to the blaring music while licking cheesecake off her fork. I think she’s already drunk.

“You having fun?” I ask as she pours us more whiskey.

“Are you kidding? This is the best!” She races over to get more cheesecake. “I’m glad you suggested this. It’s so much better than spending the night crying in my room.”

If Kenzie weren’t here, I’d be doing the same. Crying in my room over someone who doesn’t deserve my tears.

I’m really glad Kenzie showed up on my doorstep today. I get the feeling we’re going to be great roommates.