by Amy Brent
“You’ve found somewhere else that they’ll let you live rent free?” Mom asked sarcastically. “What, are you going to be sleeping on all your friends’ couches? I hear that’s what your generation thinks is acceptable.”
“No. I found a different place to live,” I told her. I knew she wouldn’t drop it until I told her where it was, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to tell her I was moving in with Zach’s best friend. For a moment, I debated lying to cover my ass, but the truth would come out sooner or later. She and I might not get along, but she and Zach talked nearly every day, usually while he was on his way to run errands.
“You aren’t moving in with Ian, are you?” she asked, her voice dripping with disgust.
So she had already heard about it.
I shrugged as nonchalantly as I could. “He offered,” I told her. “He has a spare room.”
“And how are you going to pay rent there if you couldn’t even afford this dump?”
“It’ll be cheaper since we’re sharing the apartment, and it’s rent controlled,” I told her. “Besides, Ian says he can help me out a little until I get back on my feet again.”
“I honestly can’t believe you,” Mom said, shaking her head. “We didn’t raise you kids to be like this, taking handouts from everyone. We raised you to work hard and support yourselves. And it must have worked since we all know Zach has his life together. He’s able to support himself, and he has a lovely girlfriend.”
I tried not to flinch. Mom and I didn’t always see eye to eye, but she usually wasn’t this outright cruel. To be fair, she hadn’t caught me at the best time, but I had definitely been trying to get a job. I just couldn’t seem to get one.
“We should have known this would happen with that degree of yours,” she continued. “I know you never had the best grades in school, but you could have at least made a pretty nurse or something like that. If you’d just studied something where you’d have had a guaranteed job after school, things would have worked out better for you.”
“Mom, I’m not dead,” I said exasperatedly. “Things are going to turn around.”
Mom gave me a look like she didn’t believe me. “I just hope Zach’s okay with the fact that you’re mooching off his friends now,” she said. “It would be bad enough if you went to your own friends for help. Then again, I guess Brittany and the rest of them know there’s not a snowball’s chance in hell of you ever paying them back. They know exactly how much they’d be risking, letting you in, and they want nothing to do with you. Doesn’t that say something?”
I couldn’t believe some of the things she was saying. I knew that underneath it all, she was probably just worried about me. And maybe she thought that if she said these things, it would galvanize me into doing something, into miraculously finding a job and saving myself from destitution. But it just felt mean-spirited.
I couldn’t believe I had ever considered moving back in with them.
“You don’t even have a response, do you?” Mom asked. “You know there’s nothing you can say to defend yourself because—”
“Mom, shut up.” To my surprise, she actually fell silent, but from the way she was staring at me in shock, it wasn’t because she thought I had something to say for myself. No, she was just surprised I had finally talked back to her.
I drew myself up to my full height. “At least for now, this is still my apartment, and I would like you to leave.”
Mom stared at me for a long moment, and I thought she was going to argue, but then she seemed to decide she had nothing else to say. She tossed her hair back over her shoulder, still looking at me as though I were some sort of bug to squash under her heel.
“You’d better not come begging your father for money again,” she warned on her way out. “Your father has worked half his life to support you, and now it’s time he and I have a little fun. It’s time for you to grow up.”
“Sure, whatever,” I said, rolling my eyes. I had only asked Dad for money once, and it had been because I was stranded in a foreign country during a study abroad trip. And I had paid him back every cent of that money with interest. I couldn’t help the other times he had given me money to help me out, and I couldn’t help that he didn’t spend more money on trips for the two of them or other things that Mom wanted.
I held the door open pointedly, exhaling gratefully when she finally walked out. I slammed the door shut behind her and flipped the deadbolt, though I knew she wouldn’t be coming back.
I went back to the couch, but I turned the TV off and stared up at the ceiling instead. I started thinking about what it would be like to live with Ian. Maybe it really wasn’t a good idea. Maybe I should call it off. But Zach clearly knew about the plan, and he hadn’t told me not to. Nor had he done anything to stop Ian from calling me or suggesting I live with him. So, I had to assume my brother was okay with it.
And now I knew for sure that I couldn’t move back in with my parents. I couldn’t suffer attacks like that from Mom every day. I was old enough that I should be able to support myself. They hadn’t sent me to college for nothing. It would be easier to get a job if I was already based here in the city, too, especially in the area where Ian lived. I wasn’t holding out for some great position; there were plenty of restaurants and office buildings in his area that could hire me for something like Ian had suggested—a secretary or a hostess, something unskilled and low-paying but something at least.
I was kind of excited about the idea of living with Ian, too. He’d always been Zach’s best friend, but we’d hung out together enough while we were growing up that I knew I liked him. He had a good sense of humor.
And he was hot. That was undeniable.
Would he walk around shirtless? Would I ever catch him sprawled out on the couch, his hand down his sweats?
I flushed at the thought of it, feeling that prickly sensation of lust course through my body. He was still Zach’s best friend even if he was going to be my roommate, and that meant he was totally, 100 percent off-limits. But the naughtiness of my attraction to him only made me even more turned on.
I pulled my skirt up and rubbed at my clit through my cotton panties. The material was already damp from my thoughts and those shivery feelings I’d gotten earlier when Ian had touched first my back and then my hand. Those little touches had sent hot sparks of excitement shooting through me.
And it had been a long time since I’d had a guy touch me.
Suddenly, I found myself thinking of the more intimate details of living with Ian. I’d hear him in the shower. What if I walked in on him by accident? I could practically picture him there beneath the spray, water droplets coursing down his chiseled, naked body.
I’d strip off my own clothes and step in to join him, running my hands up his firm body, gliding over his abs and his pecs and down along his biceps. We’d kiss and our tongues would twist together as he tangled his fingers in my hair, his other arm dropping down around my waist, pulling me closer to him.
He’d slip his fingers inside my warm, wet pussy, working them in and out of me, bringing me closer and closer to a breathless climax.
My own actions matched the ones I was imagining for Ian. I spread my legs a little wider and pushed my panties out of the way. For a moment, I considered getting one of my toys to use on myself, but I was already so surprisingly and desperately impatient to come that I didn’t want to waste time.
Ian’s fingers inside me would feel so good, but it wouldn’t be enough, and eventually I’d find myself begging for something more, not even sure what I needed. But Ian would know. He’d spin me around and bend me over, thrusting inside me. Once, twice, and again. Each time, I’d moan, overcome with pleasure.
I drove my own fingers inside myself, imagining it was his thick, hard cock thrusting into me. Slowly, heat began to build in my core. I imagined Ian getting close as well, wondered how he would sound, how he would look.
I flicked my thumb against my clit as I kept working my fingers deep inside me. God, I w
as so close already.
The scene in my mind changed, and I imagined Ian on the couch with me. On his couch, though, in the apartment we would share. He was bending over me, using the arm rest to drag his body toward mine, his thrusts hard and rapid and—
The next thing I knew, I was coming, a hoarse cry issuing from my lips. My whole body flushed with embarrassment even though it was just me there to hear myself. For a moment, all I could do was lie there, my eyes closed as I tried to catch my breath. I slowly dragged my fingers out of my tight hole, shivering at the overstimulation that caused.
I let a breath out, long and slow, and forced my eyes open, my heartbeat still echoing loudly in my ears. I could hardly believe what I had just done. If Ian knew the kinds of things I thought about him, he definitely never would have invited me to live with him.
I’d have to be careful. I didn’t want to weird Ian out, and I definitely didn’t want to do anything I would regret. I needed this place to live more than I could believe. I pulled my panties back to where they should be and stood up, tugging my skirt down. I looked back toward the pile of empty boxes and then shook my head. I should take a shower first. Then I’d deal with all the packing.
Chapter 4
Ian
Early Sunday morning, I drove over to Abigail’s place with the rental truck. I felt bad for getting her up so early, but I had a last-minute booking I needed to get to a few hours from now. Abigail said she didn’t have much stuff to move, though, so I was sure we’d be done in time.
When I got up to her apartment, the door was already open, like she was waiting for me. I knocked anyway before entering.
“Hey,” she said, turning toward me after taping up one last box. She wiped hair out of her face, looking tired. “I think this is everything.”
I looked around. There were about a dozen boxes in the room with two more sitting off to one side.
“Those are the two that I want to bring with me to your place,” she said.
“Our place,” I corrected, giving her a teasing smile.
“Our place,” she agreed, looking away from me. I suddenly wondered whether she was having second thoughts about this, but I didn’t know how to ask.
“What about the rest of your stuff?” I asked. “Is it going back to your parents’ place?”
“Nah. I got a storage unit,” Abigail said. “The first three months were free. I figure that gives me time to sort out a more permanent place. Or, you know, if you find a paying roommate and need to get rid of me…” She trailed off, biting her lower lip.
“Hey,” I said, moving closer to her and rubbing a hand up her arm. “I’m not that much of a jerk. I’m not going to just kick you out.”
“You can, you know,” she said. “I know it’s pretty irresponsible of me to mooch off you like this.”
I frowned, wondering where this was coming from. I only hoped it wasn’t Zach who had said these things to her. I’d kick his ass if it were. I spared a thought to wonder why I felt so suddenly protective of Abigail. It was just because she was my best friend’s kid sister, though, and because she deserved more than the lot she’d been handed in life lately.
We started carrying boxes down the stairs and loading them into the truck. I wanted to make conversation, but Abigail seemed lost in her own thoughts. I imagined there was a lot going on in that head of hers right now. I knew she had lived here for a while now, and she was probably saying good-bye to the place while we carried her things down. I didn’t want to intrude upon that.
“Are you sure you want to put all this stuff into a storage unit?” I asked her once everything was in the truck. “I’m pretty sure it’ll all fit in my place—our place. And like I said, I don’t plan on kicking you out.
“I think it’s better that we just put it in the storage unit for now,” Abigail said. She gave a small laugh. “Gives me a chance to see what I don’t even miss, and maybe then I can downsize a little.”
“If you’re sure,” I said, shrugging. I hoped she didn’t think I was going to kick her out the second I found someone else for the place. I didn’t even plan on looking for someone else. As far as I was concerned, it was her home as much as it was mine. Like I’d said the previous day, I was just relieved not to have to weed out all the creeps to find someone decent to live with.
We took her things over to the storage unit, and then we drove over to our place. “I guess I’ll leave you to your unpacking,” I said, glancing at my watch. “I’ve got a couple work appointments today, so I have to run.”
“No problem,” Abigail said. “And thanks for everything. Seriously.” She looked around the room, biting her lip.
I knocked her lightly under the chin and was happy to see her grin at me. “Chin up,” I told her. “Things are going to be good.”
“Yeah,” she said, exhaling heavily.
I wished I had more time to cheer her up, but I had to get to work. Maybe I could take her out to dinner later, though. I started making plans, just hoping she would agree.
Sure enough, that night we found ourselves on our way over to a local restaurant. “I figure you have to know all the best places in the neighborhood,” I joked. “You know, now that you live here.”
Abigail laughed, but I could see something else in her eyes. “Are you sure you don’t mind paying for me?” she asked anxiously.
“Relax,” I said. “It’s one meal, and we have to celebrate you moving in.”
“Okay,” Abigail said.
Fortunately, I saw her relax as we ate. “So, you’re a bit of a foodie, aren’t you?” she asked.
I laughed and took another bite of my chicken. “You could say that,” I said. “It kind of goes along with being a personal trainer. I started out just being a gym rat, and then I started trying to get creative with my meals so I was eating healthy and getting into the best shape I could be in. Then I started sharing some of the recipes I liked the best with some of my clients, and then they started asking for recommendations for good, healthy restaurants in the area.”
“Are there are a lot of healthy restaurants?” Abigail asked in surprise. “I mean, obviously this is one of them, but isn’t that one of those things everyone says about America, that there aren’t any healthy options here when you eat out?”
“That’s an outdated stereotype,” I said, shaking my head. “There are plenty of healthy options if you know what you’re looking for, especially now that it’s so normal for people to be counting their calories and dieting and whatever else. You’ll notice that a lot of restaurants now will even tell you how many calories are in each dish. So, if you know what you’re looking for, you can definitely find good places.”
“So, what, you’ve tried every restaurant in the area?” Abigail asked, a teasing note in her voice. “You take all your dates out to different restaurants just so you can try someplace new?” Instantly, she clapped a hand over her mouth. “Not that this is a date,” she added hurriedly. “I just meant that it’s just the two of us, and you’re not eating alone, and I know you sleep around a bunch.” Again, she looked mortified at the words that had just come out of her mouth. “Not that there’s anything wrong with that.”
I laughed and poured her another glass of wine. “Relax,” I said, not for the first time that night. “Your brother is my best friend, and I’m sure you’ve heard about my reputation from him.” I frowned. “Not that I’ve been sleeping around that much lately.”
“You have a girlfriend?” Abigail asked.
“Nah. I just haven’t been interested in sleeping with anyone lately,” I told her. That wasn’t exactly true. The more I got her to relax and the more I heard her laugh, the more I started thinking about sleeping with her.
But Zach would kill me if he found out I had slept with his little sister. And besides, we were roommates now. The last thing I needed was to make things awkward.
“Oh fuck,” Abigail said, ducking down in her seat.
“What?” I asked, looking around to where
she was looking. There was a guy on the other side of the room at the bar, staring at the two of us. He looked vaguely familiar, but I couldn’t place him. “Who’s that?”
“Do you remember my ex, Jason?” She shook her head. “It’s like he’s stalking me or something.”
“Didn’t you guys break up a while ago?” I asked, confused.
“Yeah, and then he moved away, and now he’s back. I ran into him the other day while I was having coffee with Brittany.” She paused, giving me a guilty look. “I told him I was engaged.”
I had to laugh at that. “Was he really trying to get back together with you? The guy should have moved on by now.” I winced. “Not that I think you’re super easy to move on from. You’re great. I just figure it’s been months now.” I felt like I was digging the hole deeper and deeper, and I wondered if this was how she had felt when she was talking about me being a player.
Fortunately, Abigail didn’t seem to notice how flustered I was making myself. Her full attention was on Jason, who was on his way over to the table. Immediately, I reached over and grabbed Abigail’s hand. I wasn’t sure why I did that, but Abigail shot me a grateful look, and I was glad I had.
“Imagine seeing you here!” Jason said when he reached us. “Abigail, I didn’t realize you ever came over to this side of town.”
“I live over here now,” she said.
“Oh really?” Jason asked, raising an eyebrow at me. I could tell he was about to say something snide to me, and I didn’t want to hear it.
“Jason, why don’t you get out of here?” I suggested icily. “Abigail and I would really rather be alone.”
Jason frowned, and I thought for a second that he was going to challenge me, but he seemed to think better of it. “Whatever,” he muttered, turning and stalking off, shooting one last dirty glance at me as he left.
Abigail sighed when he was gone. “He probably thinks you and I are engaged now,” she said. “Sorry.”
