Theidea of living with her was by all accounts a bad one. It was torment, it wastorture. It would serve as themost evilof deeds paidto my body and heart, being even closer, and still so fucking far from makinganything work between us. Because I had waited too long. It was never the righttime. She was my best friend and I didn’t want to destroy a good thing withfeelingsandsex.
Thereasons were endless.
Butshe was right; I needed a place to go. I was desperate, and I knew I could movein right away.
“Iswear I’m a good roommate,” she said, smiling sweetly and laying her head on myshoulder. “You can ask Brooke, if you want. She’d vouch for me.”
Andto my heart’s disappointment, I nodded. “Okay.”
“Okay?”She lifted her head almost as soon as she had laid it down, and I missed theweight immediately.
“I’llmove in,” and those three words served as the biggestfuck youto myheart as she threw her arms around my neck, and I began to lose my mind.
CHAPTER SIX
2016
Devin
Kylie’s twenties had heldthepivotal moments of her life. The pieces that would define her as a person, thethings I had helped her get through, with friendship and love.
Forme, it was my thirties.
LosingtheapartmentI had called home for ten years of mylife was just the beginning. Kylie caught me before I could fall, and I movedin immediately. We quickly settled into a routine, and it was comfortable. IfI’m being honest, living with heractually helpedtoquell those feelings of lust I held for her. Because, while I couldn’t touchher in the ways I desperately wanted to, I started and ended my days with her,and most days, that felt like almost enough.
Almost.
?
“Youcame home late last night,” she called from the kitchen. The microwave whirredover her voice.
“Yeah,I know. Sorry if I woke you up,” I replied, instantly feeling guilty.
“It’sfine.” The microwave beeped. “I just hope it was good for you. I mean, I wasgrateful that you didn’t bring her back here at least. I slept like afreakin’ baby thanks to you.” I closed my eyes and groanedat the remark.
SometimesI hated myself for the dates I went on. Sometimes I hated that she went outwith other guys. But would it have been fair to assume either of us shouldabstain just because we lived together?
Trenttold me I should just tell her how I felt, but after so long, there was nothinggood that could come from that if she didn’t share my feelings.
“Okay,”Kylie said, dropping next to me on the couch with a bowl of popcorn. “What arewe watching?”
“IdownloadedSinisterlast night,” I said, leaning forward to grab theremote from the coffee table. “And since I know that one made you shityourself—”
“Ididnot,” she argued, slumping against the cushions with a pout.
“Youkind of did, but, whatever. Anyway, I also downloadedSharknado,so after you’re sufficiently freaked out, we can watch somethinglight,”I explained, as I kicked my feet up.
Shewobbled her head, pursing her lips with a look I knew to be satisfactory. “Okay,that works.”
Ihit play and leaned back against the couch, lifting my arm for her to tuckherself under. I knew she would, and she did, settling against my side withhalf of her face hidden. The opening scene rolled, and I inclined my headtoward hers, when she abruptly sat up.
“Why’dyou move? I was getting comfortable,” I complained.
“Iforgot to tell you what I was thinking about today,” she said, and with a sigh,I hit pause.
“Yes?”
Shelaced her fingers together and grinned. “I think we should get a cat.”
