6. Roman
Dabbing more concealer under my eyes, I glare at my reflection in the mirror.
It's been my first restless sleep in months. Try as I might to convince my brain it's because I'm here alone, it kept drifting back to Perry's reaction when I answered the door. The parted lips and dilated pupils. The rake of his gaze down my body.
And I can't decide how I feel about it.
Sasha shared Perry was openly bisexual, so I knew he could be attracted to me. And I also knew that until Sasha arrived, Perry used to make it a habit to flirt with guests.
I thought it was rather creepy at first, but Leaf knew and didn't seem to mind. It was never anything more than flirting that sometimes turned into one night of fun. Just like those trips to Mexico where you have beach flings with the bartender, except here, it might be blowjobs in the bushes for all I knew.
And last night I felt irrationally angry that I wasn't a guest he hit on. I would've turned him down, anyway. It's funny. I've never judged the men I sleep with on their intellect or jobs. As long as they were attractive and let me fuck them, I really didn't care. But now I'm writing Perry off because he had dirty hands the first day I met him and hideous fashion sense.
Entertaining that shallow train of thought would horrify my sisters. Of course, I've not even convinced myself that's the real reason for my anger, either. No wonder I can't seem to get along with the guy. If I can't even decide how to feel about him, how is he supposed to react to my hot and cold demeanour without being an asshole in return?
Satisfied with my makeup application and the reduction of the dark circles, I glance at the clock. He's due in ten minutes and I'd like to meet him in the lodge lobby if possible. I grab my messenger bag and double check I have my phone and wallet and I add the room key with the wooden maple leaf attached, which makes me smile.
In my rush to leave the room, I rip the door open and step square into a hard, broad wall of flannel-clad Perry. He smells like cedar and I linger a beat too long with my face pressed into his chest. Who knew the scent of the cedar could be so appealing when mixed with flannel?
"Sorry," I mumble and turn around to ensure that I lock the door behind me. And to deny that I need a minute to compose myself. Cedar and flannel shouldn"t rattle me that much.
"No problem. I'm just glad you're ready on time. I hate waiting."
He strides down the hallway, and I have to jog to catch up to him.
"Do you mind if we get a coffee on the way somewhere? I'm dying for my morning fix." Perry pauses at the door and looks over his shoulder at me.
"I have one for you already. Let's go. I want to make the city before lunch traffic gets too bad."
He waits with the door open for me and when I don't move he shrugs and lets it fall closed. It feels like I'm still dreaming. Why is he being so nice?
Finally coming to my senses, I walk outside to watch him climb into a huge Ford truck, similar to Sasha's. He starts the truck as I climb into the passenger seat and notice the one vast difference between Sasha's truck and Perry's.
"How long has it been since you cleaned in here?"
My nose wrinkles, taking in all the discarded garbage stuffed in the doors and the tiny garbage can in the back. You can"t see the back seat because it"s covered in all the... stuff. Literally just stuff. A bag of sand. An old parka. Three different snow scrapers. A bin of what I think is fake flowers and twinkle lights. And possibly tulle?
What the heck kind of hobbies does this man have?
"Does it really matter?"
"Don't you want to take care of it? Do you treat everything you own like this?"
He turns to me and for the first time since I slammed into his chest; I notice the dark circles under his eyes that are a lot like mine. And his pale blue eyes that usually glint with mischief are flat and dull. Not that I've paid attention to his eyes, but he has those laugh line crinkles I love. It just makes sense I'd notice that his eyes aren't smiling today.
"Has anyone ever told you it's impolite to point out obvious things to someone doing you a favour?" He points to a travel mug in the console between us. "Yours is the red one."
Perry throws the truck in gear, and without another word, we're driving. It's not until we're off the country road and onto the pavement that I reach for the cup and take a drink. And it's heaven.
"Wow. This is good. I was expecting the usual watered-down homemade brew."
He shakes his head with a snort and drinks from his own cup with a mutter I can't make out.
"Excuse me?"
After placing his cup back, he inhales and risks a quick glance my way.
"I said you're unbelievable. Was that clear enough for you?"
My spine straightens, and I inhale.
Don't snap, Roman.
"I don't like your tone."
"You're not supposed to. That's the point."
"The point? What point?"
He blows a breath, puffing his cheeks out.
"Jesus Christ, Roman. I don't want to spend the next two hours fighting with you in my truck."
"Then maybe you should stop using such an insolent tone."
"Maybe you should stop insulting me with every damn word out of your mouth. That would probably help."
His fingers flex on the steering wheel and I think back to what's happened in the last seventeen minutes because it was enough to make him bitchy.
"Is it the coffee comment? I'm sorry. It was just a statement. Not that you always make shitty coffee. It was…" With a sigh, I stop talking. There's no use. His jaw clenches so hard I worry for his teeth.
"Just forget it."
There's a sag to his shoulders and I feel a pang in my chest for whatever is bothering him. But I'm only staying quiet for now because he is doing me a favour and if my talking is pissing him off, I'll just stay quiet.
The truck tires hum along the pavement and I turn my attention out the window at the countryside rolling by. It's still horribly dreary, with all the patches of dirty snow melting and the lack of grass in most places along the highway. Not that the city didn't get snow, but it felt more civilized than this.
More… people-y.
Perry continues to stare straight out the windshield, likely wishing he hadn't offered to do this, and for the first time since I moved out from my sisters, I feel alone.
Pulling out my phone, I find Josie's contact and send her a text, hoping she's awake and well.
Roman:Hey, sis. Just thinking of you. I hope you're well and I miss you.
There's only a brief pause before the dots dance with a reply.
Josie:Hey, Ro. Puking like a champion. This baby is kicking my ass. I miss you too.
Roman:Shit. I'm sorry. Can I do anything to help?
Josie:*picture of her pale and tired with a can of ginger ale and crackers*
Josie:This is my life for the next while. Send crackers.
A small sound escapes my lips as I both laugh at her photo and miss her terribly. I fire off a reply and send her a selfie of me in the truck.
Josie:You look tired, my sweet. I know you haven't been gone long but are you ok?
Roman:Mostly. It's harder than I thought, not having someone in the same room, you know? Like it's a lodge and people will eventually be across the hall, but that's different. There are a lot of doors between me and Sasha's place.
Josie: Can you stay with Sasha until you find a better place?
With a loud sigh, I shake my head as I reply.
Roman:He has Leaf and no extra room. I won't impose. I hoped our being in the same building would help. It still might. I'll give it more time.
Josie:Put yourself first, Ro. You don't need to consider every single outcome to do that. Promise me.
Roman:I'll try.
Josie:I'm gonna try to have a nap but keep in touch, okay? I love you.
Roman:Love you too.
With no one else to talk to, I sip the coffee and stare out the window some more. And then I sit forward and bash my head on the window in my excitement.
"Oh my god! Are those wild turkeys?"
Perry grunts a yes, and to my surprise, slows down.
"Do you want to watch them for a bit? They're far enough away. They shouldn't scatter immediately."
He pulls onto the gravel shoulder and backs up to where we first spotted the turkeys amongst the decaying crop of whatever was planted here. Seven of them just peck around, and I've never seen a real one in the wild before. I thought they"d be bigger.
"Did you know they can fly up to 60 miles per hour? I'd have never thought a bird that looks like that could fly that fast."
"I didn't know that, but I've seen them fly." Perry clears his throat after a moment and adds, "Did you know they sleep in trees?"
The birds spook and move from the field into the tree line. They"re crazy fast and disappear in an instant. Perry pulls us back onto the road and a giant grin fills my face.
"That would be so cool to see them fly."
He glances my way before returning his attention to the road.
"I didn't peg you as a wildlife person."
There's a hint of disbelief in his voice, and I prickle over his tone. My excitement from a moment ago disappears as fast as the turkeys in the trees.
"I'm not just a pretty face. I have interests other than fashion."
"Are you always so full of yourself?"
Once again, I'm going to battle with Perry and I can't help it.
"It's confidence in how I look. I'm not conceited. I'm aware of it and I was born with it, so I embrace it."
Perry snorts and drinks from his coffee, which infuriates me more. Reaching forward, I switch on the radio and I don't even ask him for permission because fuck him for trying to take me down a peg.
"You should have satellite radio. You'd not have to listen to all this talk radio bullshit."
"Is there anything else you'd like to tell me how to do properly? Am I breathing correctly or is that wrong too?"
Perry's voice doesn't raise. It's deathly quiet and I swallow the response, waiting. Instead, I shut off the radio and stare out the window again. Two more hours in the truck with him and uncomfortable silence. Great.
Why can't I seem to do anything right with this guy?
"Would you like to take a test drive?"
The salesperson approached me right away. Perry leaned against his truck, scrolling through his phone and feigning interest. I was happy about the distance between us and I wanted him to just leave me here, but he insisted he wouldn't do that.
From the corner of my eye, I see him approach while I ask the salesperson questions.
"What's the difference between models for features and price?"
Carl, the salesperson, knew his stuff and cited the major differences between all the models and I asked to see the super-loaded one. With leather seats and all the bells and whistles you could ever want, it was an amazing vehicle. I was in love with it based on looks alone.
Perry still hovered at the vehicle next to us, and just as I was about to tell the man to do up the paperwork, he pipes up.
"There are reports the new model of SLE has an issue with the drive train and the four-wheel shift. What can you tell us about that?"
Carl stutters and pauses. "There are a few bugs with the shifter, but I'm told it's on its way to being resolved."
"And how would we know if this one has an issue or not?"
"Well, the comprehensive warranty would cover any repairs."
"Even if he lives somewhere without a dealership? What if he gets stuck because it doesn't work and it causes other damage? He's living in a rural area and his vehicle needs to be trustworthy, Carl."
Perry continues to grill Carl over things I've never heard of, but I can tell they're things I should have brushed up on by the way Perry argues his point. And Carl is rapidly losing brownie points from me.
"If the luxury model has so many issues, I'll take the first trim package down, then."
"It's really not that big of a deal. There's only been a few complaints from people with the four-wheel drive."
Perry sniffs, clearly not impressed with that answer.
"Roman, you need that to work properly. If he's going to fuck you around, pick another vehicle you like and I'll take you there instead."
"Carl, could you give us a minute, please?"
After Carl walks away, I stand close to Perry and ask him to bend closer so I can whisper. That cedar scent hasn't faded.
"I admit I don't know half of the stuff you were asking this guy about. Do you really think I should buy something else? I was told Land Rovers are top in class for off-roading."
"You won't be off-roading. You're just driving with it, but you could do just as well with something domestic. Why are you opposed to a half tonne?"
"Well, I…I guess they feel like too much for me and if I'm shipping packages or picking up fabric, I don't want it in a truck bed. That's why I like SUVs better."
He nods along and purses his lips in thought. "Okay, that makes sense. So why don't you look at a Mitsubishi Outlander? They have a great reputation and the higher model has loads of room for that and you'd still have a decent four-by-four for the lodge road. It's only bad in the springtime but if you're still here in the winter it comes in handy then, too."
Perry's gaze stays on me and I can tell this means a lot to him for me to not only listen but also to take his advice. And oddly enough, I want to please him.
"Okay. Can we go to Mitsubishi instead? You don't mind?"
A smile appears on his lips as he shakes his head.
"Not at all. I want you to drive safe." He takes me by the elbow and guides me back to the truck with a wave to Carl that we're not buying today. I want to snap at him to let me go, that I'm perfectly capable of walking to the truck. But he opens the door and genuinely smiles at me. Whoa.
And in the three seconds I have to collect myself before he slides into the driver's side, I know there's more to Perry than plaid, scuffed work boots, and stealing strawberries.
I'm just not sure how much I want to know.