3
Unwelcome Territory
Whyisthishappeningto me?
The world’s biggest jerk is standing in my apartment.Correction—he’s my roommate.My life officially can’t get worse.
Fox looks as shocked as I am, carton of milk in hand, staring at me like I’ve invaded his space.I glare back, my pulse racing.
“What the fuck!What are you doing in my apartment?”he barks.
“Your apartment?”I snap.The worst part is, despite his attitude, I still find myself checking him out.Why?Why am I attracted to someone like him?
For goodness’ sake, he’s a colossal asshole.A hot one, but still.
“What are you doing here?”he demands, stepping closer.He’s taller than I thought, towering over me with an air of intimidation I try not to acknowledge.
“Are you always an asshole?”I ask, irritation evident on my face.I’ve never been this irritated by another person.
“Are you going to fucking answer me or not?”he demands further.“What are you doing in my apartment?”
“This is my apartment, Fox.And if we’re going to be roommates, you need to stop treating me like I’m nothing.”I fold my arms and meet his stare head-on.
He laughs, loud and sharp, flashing perfect white teeth that make me momentarily forget how much I hate him.
“This has to be a joke,” he says, eyeing me up and down with obvious disdain.“No way you’re my roommate.”
He brushes past me into the living room, his expression annoyed.“What was William thinking?When I asked for a roommate, I wasn’t expecting a…” He trails off, biting his lip in frustration as he pulls out his phone.
I stand there, arms still crossed, trying to figure out how to survive this.He clearly hates me already, and we’ve barely spoken.
“I thought you wanted a roommate,” I say, trying to sound reasonable, though my patience is wearing thin.
“Yeah, a roommate,” he retorts, “not some fucking fag like you.”
I roll my eyes as he dials a number, probably Mr.William, the guy responsible for this living situation.Fox glares at me while waiting for the call to connect.
“Mr.William.It’s Fox.What the hell, man?There’s some weird kid in my apartment, says he’s my new roommate.Why would you do this without asking me first?”He’s practically yelling, his irritation palpable.
I push my glasses up my nose and sigh.This is going to be unbearable.He keeps shooting daggers my way, his face twisted in disgust, and I can’t decide if I should just pack up and leave or try to stick it out.
“I don’t care if my father approved it.This is my apartment, and I should’ve been consulted,” he snaps into the phone.“I don’t care if he’s ‘no trouble.’He has to leave.”
His words sting more than they should.I start to walk away, resigning myself to the fact that I’m not welcome here when his voice cuts through the tension.
“Where the fuck are you going?”he demands.
I pause and turn, wondering if he’s serious or if he’s high.“To pack my stuff.”
“Why?”he asks, looking genuinely confused for the first time.
I stare at him, wondering how he can even ask that.“Because you just told Mr.William I have to leave.”
Fox scoffs.“I don’t care if you stay.Just stay the hell away from me and my stuff.Don’t talk to me, and don’t rub your gay shit all over my stuff.”
“I’m not gay!”I shout, my frustration boiling over.“What’s your problem with gay people?You don’t like me, fine.But respect me, and stop calling me a fag.And while you’re at it, shove your homophobic attitude up your ass, you asshole.”
I turn on my heel and head to my room, slamming the door behind me.My heart is racing, and I collapse onto the bed, staring at the ceiling.Who does Fox Wilder think he is?Just because he’s good-looking doesn’t give him the right to treat people like trash.
