10. Packing Party

Chapter 10

Packing Party

Leo

I really needed to stop working so hard. The restaurants I was invested in were doing the best they’d done in years, but I wasn’t. Working at the foundation five days a week, sometimes until late evening, and then working at night and on the weekends on my side ventures was starting to wear on me.

The truth was, I didn’t even need to work, but the alternative was festering in a pool of cash and self-loathing. Staying busy kept that from happening… mostly.

After the confusing and frustrating confrontation with Ethan, sleep had come hard and fast. I had no clue why Ethan had decided to hate me, but it was clear he was going to be a major issue over the next few weeks until my penthouse was done being remodeled.

At least I was only home to sleep.

Hushed talking from the hall woke me, and I rolled over, checking the time on my phone. It was barely nine, but way too early for Ethan, or anyone for that matter, to be having what sounded like a meltdown.

Groaning as I got up, I went to the door, throwing it open. “Can you keep the dramatics down? Sunday is supposed to be a day of rest.”

Ethan and Libby were at the end of the hall and turned toward me. Ethan did a quick sweep of my body before rolling his eyes. “Can we all agree on wearing clothes when you come out of your room?”

“Well, seeing as how this is apparently your room…” I stepped into the middle of the hall, not caring that my boxer briefs were rather tight in the crotch. “Why would you not want to see this beautiful display of masculinity every day?”

Ethan made a gagging sound, and Libby covered her mouth, her eyes lighting up in amusement as she tried not to laugh out loud. She had quite the fun personality when she wasn’t angry at me.

“This is not funny.” Ethan sighed dramatically, putting his hands on his hips. “I don’t need this added stress today.”

“I told you that the stress could be solved with a call to Ryker. He can be very scary to people who don’t know him. And you know Luca would be game to scare the shit out of your roommate.” Libby walked toward me, her eyes narrowing conspiratorially. “Or…”

She stopped in front of me, searching my face. I didn’t even care what she was considering because whatever shampoo or fragrance she used made me want to bury my face in her neck and breathe her in.

“Or what?” Ethan came to join us in the hall. Why did they both smell so good, and why was I even noticing? I didn’t notice people’s smells. “I don’t like that look. It’s the look you get when you have an idea that doesn’t end well for me.”

“What are you talking about? I only have great ideas.” She crossed her arms over her chest, and I couldn’t help thinking about seeing her without clothes the other night. “Leo has an SUV. We can probably get most of your stuff in there in a few trips and then worry about the bigger things later.”

Ethan shook his head. “If I don’t get it in one fell swoop, Eugene will probably destroy everything that’s left.”

I was still a little lost with what they were talking about, but whoever this Eugene guy was, he seemed to cause Ethan a lot of stress. Was it his ex? A roommate? His dog? Probably a cat. He matched a cat’s energy.

“Who’s Eugene?” I rubbed a hand over my face, needing to wake the fuck up.

“My roommate. He’s… a bit unhinged.”

“A bit? He’s threatened to shove a Swiffer up your ass, and to choke you with the vacuum cord.” Libby wasn’t joking; her face was more serious than I’d ever seen it. “You should have gotten a restraining order.”

Irrational rage bubbled in my chest. “You live with someone who threatens you bodily harm?”

Libby made a noise in the back of her throat. “He does more than that.”

I raised my eyebrows in question, looking from Libby to Ethan to elaborate. When they exchanged a look, I put my hands up in surrender. “I don’t need to know the specifics. I’ll come help.”

“Absolutely not.”

“That would be great!” Libby elbowed Ethan, more silent conversation passing between them with just a look. “We need to get boxes too.”

“You haven’t even packed?” I narrowed my eyes at Ethan. I wasn’t an idiot, and I was pretty sure he had decided only to move in now because I was staying for longer than expected.

“It won’t take me that long.” He shrugged.

“Bullshit,” Libby coughed out.

He looked at me, ignoring Libby’s dig. “We can just borrow your SUV.”

So, Libby had told Ethan about my cars too? I snorted. “I don’t know either of your driving histories or driving skills, so I don’t think so.”

Ethan rolled his eyes. Man, his attitude was infuriating. “It’s a Kia.”

“Doesn’t matter if it’s a Kia or a freaking tank, you’re not driving it.” I walked into my room. “I’ll be ready in five minutes.”

There was a nervous energy in the car as I drove us to Ethan’s apartment. I couldn’t tell if it was because of Ethan’s roommate situation or because of me.

“So, this Eugene guy,” I said, breaking the tense silence. “Is he just your roommate, or an ex-boyfriend?”

Ethan let out an exasperated sigh. “No, just my roommate from hell. I stupidly found him on Craigslist. He seemed normal at first, but then his true colors started to show.”

Libby, who was in the front passenger seat, turned slightly to look at me. “He flies off the handle over the smallest things. Last week, the guy left a spoon in the sink and Ethan washed it. Eugene threatened to stab him with it if he ever touched it again.”

I gripped the steering wheel tightly, anger rising inside me again. “Why the hell have you stayed living with him so long if he’s dangerous?”

“I’m in a lease.”

“Leases can be broken. I can put you in touch with my lawyers.”

“Must be nice,” Ethan muttered under his breath.

“What was that?” I glanced in the rearview mirror to meet his eyes.

“It must be nice to call up your lawyers anytime you have a problem. Some of us can’t afford such luxuries.”

“I never said you had to pay them.” I looked back at the stoplight we were at, not knowing why the hell I’d offered to pay thousands of dollars on his behalf.

As I pulled up to the apartment building and surprisingly found a spot across the street, Ethan grew more anxious.

Libby reached into the back seat and gave his knee a supportive squeeze. “It’ll be okay. If I can handle a room full of kids the day before Christmas break, I can handle one unhinged adult.”

Ethan gave her a small smile, but I saw the worry in his eyes. “You say that now, but wait until he throws a wet sponge that was sitting in a bowl of rotting Cheerio milk at you.”

Gross.

After parking, we lugged the packing supplies to Ethan’s apartment. It was quiet when we got inside, and Ethan quickly led us to his room right off the living room. He unlocked the door and gestured for us to enter.

“I don’t think Eugene is here, so let’s pack fast. Maybe we can avoid him entirely.” Ethan immediately started putting together a box. “I’ll do my dresser. Everything else should be safe for you guys to touch.”

“What about your furniture?” I looked around the small room that was barely big enough for the three of us.

There was a lofted twin bed like a dorm room with storage underneath, a dresser next to it that acted as a nightstand, and a small desk. It couldn’t have been more than sixty square feet. My shower was about the same size, give or take a few feet.

“If he doesn’t destroy it, I’ll have to get it later this week once I find movers. All of the stuff in the living room is mine too.” He was referring to the loveseat, two-person table, and small entertainment center.

“We can get you new stuff.” I opened a drawer of his desk and started placing everything into a box.

“I don’t need new stuff,” Ethan said between clenched teeth. What the hell was his problem?

We worked quickly and quietly, packing boxes and the suitcases Ethan had under his bed. Before long, we had almost everything packed and in the living room so there was a bit more space.

I kept glancing out into the living room, half expecting Eugene to burst in at any moment. Libby seemed to be thinking the same thing, her eyes darting in the same direction. Despite his earlier unease, Ethan appeared calm, methodically packing as if he’d done this a million times before.

We were nearly finished with the bedroom when the front door slamming announced Eugene’s presence. Ethan froze, a partially folded sweater in hand, his face draining of color.

My protective instincts surged, and I stepped in front of Libby and Ethan, ready to be the punching bag—literally or figuratively.

“What the actual fuck is this? Ethan!” No introduction was needed for the owner of the voice that sounded like a male version of a mean girl, but with a heavy Brooklyn accent.

“I’ll handle this.” I stepped into the doorway, my voice low but firm.

Surprisingly, Ethan didn’t protest. He probably wouldn’t have minded seeing his roommate throw a moldy sponge at my head.

Eugene stood by the front door, his hands on his hips. He was shorter than I’d expected, with wild eyes and disheveled hair that made him look like he’d stuck his finger in an electrical socket.

“Who the hell are you?” he demanded, his nostrils flaring like an angry bull.

I leaned against the doorframe, crossing my arms. “I’m the guy wondering why you’re interrupting our packing party.”

Eugene’s face turned an impressive shade of red. “Packing party? What the fuck are you talking about?”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I thought it was obvious.” I gestured to the boxes and luggage. “Ethan’s moving out.”

“He can’t move out!” Eugene came toward me at an impressive clip considering how short his legs were. “We have a lease!”

I pushed off the doorframe, blocking his path into Ethan’s room, and stuck out my arm, which he ran right into with his chest. “A lease that I’m sure, doesn’t include threats of violence. Tell me, Eugene, do you often threaten to stab people, or is Ethan special?”

Eugene’s eyes widened, darting between me and the others behind me. “That... that was a joke! Ethan knows I was joking! I didn’t threaten to actually stab him with a knife!”

“Hilarious,” I deadpanned. “Now, if you don’t mind, we’d like some peace and quiet while we finish packing. We’ll knock on your door once we’re finished.”

Eugene’s face contorted with rage. “You can’t just come in here and-”

“Actually, I can,” I interrupted, my voice dropping to a dangerous tone. “Now, run along.”

Eugene’s eyes narrowed. “Who the fuck do you think you are?”

I wish I would have worn a suit, but instead, I straightened to my full height. “I’m the man who can make your life very comfortable or extremely difficult with a single phone call. Your choice.”

“Oh, please.” He rolled his eyes. “You’re probably just a-”

“Leonardo Caponetti.”

Given his thick accent, he’d lived in New York all his life and probably had heard the name. Rich Italian men tended to evoke fears about cement blocks and bullets to the forehead. While I’d never held a gun in my life, I did own a yacht.

Eugene gaped at me for a moment, and I patted his cheek a little harder than necessary. He backed up a few steps.

“Here’s what’s going to happen. You’re going to sign whatever paperwork is necessary to release Ethan from the lease without penalty. In return, we won’t pursue legal action regarding your threats or general psychotic behavior.”

Eugene snapped out of his stupor. “But the rent!”

What I really wanted to tell him was that he was out of luck on that, but I was also done dealing with this man. Ethan did have some legal ground, but since he hadn’t contacted the police as far as I knew, it would be harder to make a clean break.

“I’ll cover Ethan’s portion of the rent until the lease is up or until you find a new roommate—whichever comes first. And for your sake, I hope it’s the latter.”

“Is that a threat?” He narrowed his eyes. How the hell was Ethan intimidated by this guy? He was like a petulant teenager, not to mention Ethan was almost a foot taller than him.

“Does it need to be?” I pulled out my phone to message my legal team about what documents were needed to release someone from a lease. “Now, if you’ll excuse us, we’d like to move out without being harassed.”

Eugene harrumphed and marched off to his room, slamming the door behind him. I turned back to Ethan and Libby, their faces a mix of awe and amusement.

“That was an impressive display of alpha male,” Libby said, a small smile playing on her lips.

“I wouldn’t go that far.” Ethan unfolded and refolded the sweater that was still in his hands. “Thank you. I can still pay the rent, so no need to.”

I shrugged and was unable to fight my smirk. “It’s nothing. Think of it as a gift for letting me stay in your room.”

“I’ll have to stay in Libby’s bed until I can get my furniture.” Ethan smirked right back.

Libby cleared her throat, her cheeks pink. “We should finish up before Eugene gets a second wind.” She put her hand on Ethan’s arm and stared up at him. “What do you want us to pack next?”

I felt a twinge of something in my stomach. Jealousy? Longing? I pushed the feeling aside, reminding myself what was at stake.