I Got Together with My Boyfriend’s Roommate

The day Jake Miller confessed to the pretty transfer student, everyone thought I would lose it and run over to cause a scene.

But I never showed, not even after it was all over.

Jake had no clue that right then, I was sitting on his roommates bed, wearing his roommates hoodie, asking in frustration:

I got your bed all wet. How are you gonna sleep tonight?

Liam Carter looked away, his Adams apple bobbing as he handed me a towel.

Go dry your hair. Ill change the sheets before you crash.

Jake was going to confess to that pretty transfer student.

Hed told everyone to keep it from me. He didnt know some blabbermouth couldnt wait to spill.

Everyone knew Id had a thing for Jake forever, even dreamed about marrying him one day.

This time, Jake seemed totally head over heels.

People were betting Id throw a fit, cry, make a huge deal.

Everyone loves that kinda drama.

They were all waiting for me to snap and rush in to ruin it.

But nope. Even after Jakes successful confession, I was a no-show.

The crowd, three layers deep, started getting bored.

Jake himself didnt even look that happy.

He had his arm around his new girlfriend and pulled out his phone.

No calls. No texts.

Jake frowned a little.

Then he turned to the crowd. Drinks are on me tonight. Everyones invited.

The classmates whod been watching all cheered.

Id been standing behind some trees the whole time and finally stepped out.

Someone with sharp eyes spotted me and yelled, Mia! Mias here!

Knew it. No way Mia would stay away.

Jakes head snapped up. The second he saw me, the corner of his mouth twitched, almost like a smile.

I ignored all the people hungry for drama.

I walked straight up to Jake.

Mia.

Jake tightened his arm around his new girlfriend.

He looked at me, his voice flat. You cant force this stuff.

Weve known each other over ten years. I dont wanna say anything harsh, ruin what we had.

From now on, youre still like a sister to me.

If you need anything, you can still come to me.

Then he lowered his voice. With everyone watching, dont cause a scene here. Just go home.

Jake, I cut him off, taking a slow step forward.

He frowned again. Mia, be reasonable.

I smiled and held out the bracelet Id just slipped off my wrist.

I came to give this back.

Seeing the bracelet, Jakes face darkened. Mia, what game are you playing now?

Take it. I wont bother you after this.

Jake stared at me, his voice dropping. I dont care about the money.

If you dont want it, toss it.

As soon as the words were out, I turned and threw the bracelet into a nearby trash can.

You can throw out everything else I ever gave you, too.

With that, I walked away without looking back.

By the time I reached the river, it was pouring.

Standing there in the rain with an umbrella, I thought about the dreams Id been having.

In the dream, because Jake confessed to Chloe, I cried and made a scene. To force him to break up, I jumped into the river that night.

And how did that end?

I almost died.

Jake stayed at the hospital for five minutes tops before leaving.

The Foster family, who took me in, thought I was an embarrassment for trying to kill myself.

And with Jakes attitude, they decided I was useless.

They made me drop out and sent me back to my birth parents, who were into every bad thing you can imagine.

In the end, my life went downhill fast, and I died miserable, in a foreign country.

After I died, the person who gathered what was left of me was the one Id always been scared of, the one I kept my distance from.

And Jake, happy newlywed, never showed.

Lately, everything in the dreams had been coming true.

If not for those dreams, Id be blowing up Jakes phone right now.

Then Id be threatening to jump.

Im grateful for that dream. It feels like a second chance.

I can change the crappy fate that was waiting for me.

The third time I dialed the number, he finally picked up.

I clutched the phone, holding it to my ear.

The name sat on my tongue before I finally said it. Liam.

The heavy rain drowned out the whole world.

Only Liams voice, a little lazy, came through deep and low. Mia?

Liam, its pouring.

Im by the river. I cant get back. Can you come get me?

Silence on the other end for a few seconds. I nervously gripped the umbrella handle, my palm sweaty.

In the dream, when Liam was gathering my remains, I think he cried.

Tears fell one by one on what was left.

Even in the dream, I could feel that burn.

Later, he carried a little bottle of my ashes with him his whole life.

And he was alone his whole life.

My eyes stung. I choked back a sob.

Why are you crying?

Liams voice came through suddenly.

Still that indifferent tone, even a hint of annoyance.

I didnt say I wouldnt come.

So when?

Wait. Twenty minutes.

Okay. Ill wait, Liam.

He didnt say anything else, and the call died.

Fifteen minutes later, I gave my umbrella to a mom and kid hiding from the rain.

So when Liam showed up, I was already soaked.

Getting out of the car, his lips were a thin line, his face cold as ice.

I pushed my wet bangs back and looked up at him with a bright smile. Liam, youre right on time.

Mia, youre gonna catch your death being this dumb.

He coldly grabbed my arm and shoved me into the passenger seat.

Then he tossed a soft blanket at me.

Dry off. Dont get my car wet.

He glanced at me in the rearview mirror, then smoothly turned the car around.

Oh. I wrapped myself in the blanket.

Then I couldnt help sneaking glances at him while he drove.

When his face was blank, he looked cold, unapproachable.

Lots of girls at school liked him, but no one dared to make a move.

He was Jakes roommate.

I used to go to Jakes dorm a lot, and every time, Liam seemed to really not like me.

Even now, though he came to get me, he was still ice.

When he shoved me into the car just now, he used extra force.

My wrist still hurt, a red mark circling it.

Hard to tell hed secretly liked me all along.

I slowly lowered my gaze.

Everything in the dream came true.

But now, because I changed things, a lot changed too.

Would Liam still like me?

If he didnt like me at all, wasnt I just causing him trouble?

Back to the dorm?

Liam glanced at me suddenly.

My heart jumped. Yeah. Your dorm.

Liams grip on the wheel tightened. He let out a short laugh. Jake wont be back tonight.

I know.

I twisted the edge of the blanket. Im not looking for him.

The car braked hard, pulling over.

Liam turned to look at me, the ice in his eyes making me shiver. Mia, dont use me in whatever game youre playing with Jake.

Im not

He stared at me for a second, then pulled out his phone. Ill call you a cab. Go back yourself.

Liam

I bit my lip hard and snatched his phone.

Mia.

He looked at me. No anger, no disgust in his eyes.

Just deep. Like a whole storm was in there.

I suddenly felt sad.

Liam, I dont wanna go back to the dorm. Theyre all laughing at me.

Im scared to go home, too.

Can I just stay at your dorm tonight?

I hid his phone behind my back, my voice getting smaller. Of course, if you really hate me that much forget it.

Right on cue, tears rolled down my cheeks.

Quiet. Soundless.

Liam didnt say another word to me.

But he started the car again.

It headed toward campus, finally stopping at his dorm building.

I followed Liam inside.

He went to the closet, pulled out a clean hoodie, and handed it to me. Bathrooms there.

Hes tall, so the hoodie was huge on me.

It went almost to my knees, like a dress.

After my shower, I just had the hoodie on, bare legs.

Liam glanced at me, then looked away fast.

I walked past Jakes bed and sat on Liams.

My wet hair dripped, quickly soaking the sheets.

The shampoo, the soap on meit was all Liams smell.

In the small room, the same scent was everywhere, a weird, quiet intimacy growing.

Liam pulled out a pack of cigarettes, cleared his throat. Gonna smoke.

He went to the balcony.

I looked around Liams bed.

Light gray sheets, neat.

A computer and books on the desk, also tidy.

I was about to check out his desk stuff when my phone rang.

Jake flashed on the screen.

I didnt answer.

He called again. And again. Like he wouldnt stop.

I just put it on silent and tossed it back in my bag.

Liam.

I called toward the balcony.

He turned fast, put out his cigarette, and came over. What?

Sitting on the bed, I had to look up at him.

Liams eyes met mine for two seconds, then darted away.

But I saw the backs of his ears were red.

I got your bed all wet. How are you gonna sleep tonight?

He glanced at me, then at the wet spot on the sheets.

His Adams apple bobbed hard before he turned to the closet. Dry your hair. Ill change the sheets.

Then he went to get fresh sheets.

Holding the towel, thinking of his red ears, I couldnt help smiling.

When I came out, hair dried, Liam had already changed the sheets.

Go to sleep.

What about you?

He pulled out a chair, not even looking. Ill game.

Oh.

I sat on his bed, kinda dejected.

Liam put on his headset, was about to put it on, when his phone rang.

He looked at the screen, then at me, before answering. Jake. Whats up?

My heart squeezed. I held my breath.

Yeah, Im in the dorm.

Someone saw Mia at our building?

Liam looked at me again. I

In a panic, I didnt let him finish.

I got up, walked over, and climbed into his lap, my arms around his neck.

When Liam moved to push me away, I pressed my mouth to his ear. Liam, tell him Im not here.

Under my arms, Liams skin got hot, fast.

I saw a vein in his neck pulse.

His Adams apple moved, his heart beating wild.

I looked up at him. He looked down at me.

In his eyes, something dark and wanting spread.

No. Been here the whole time.

She didnt come. Yeah, ask someone else.

Liam hung up as soon as the words were out.

He tossed the phone aside, his long fingers gripping my waist through the hoodie.

Holding me tight, pressing me into him.

I felt it. The heat. The want.

My ears buzzed. My first thought was to run.

But Liam held me tighter. Mia.

His voice was rough.

His hot breath was on my ear, my neck.

I shivered, tried to move, but his kiss landed right on my lips.

Dont tempt me I dont wanna touch you here.

Liam

I squirmed, trying to adjust how I was sitting.

The heat between us felt dangerous.

When I could breathe, I finally got the words out. If you dont wanna touch me, why are you kissing me?

Liam lowered his head, his forehead against mine.

In the mess of our breathing, he closed his eyes, like he was trying to calm down. Also, do you even know how to kiss? My lips are swollen.

Mia.

Liam didnt open his eyes.

But his hands on my waist loosened a little.

His fingers were long, strong.

Holding me through the hoodie, it hurt and felt good.

Liam

I frowned, tried to push his hands away.

But Liam caught my fingers.

Mia, dont move.

Ill be gentler.

As he finished, his hands slid to my lower back.

He pulled me closer, tight against him.

This kiss was long. And soft.

By the end, he lost control, kissing me deep.

Liam

I pushed lightly at his chest, bit his lip between breaths.

Mia.

Liams voice was wrecked.

His whole body went tight.

The heat from his hands was almost burning me.

Liam buried his face in my neck with a low groan.

The tension broke, then faded.

But soon, it was building again.

Still, Liam gently pushed me away, stood me up.

I just thought his expression was strange.

And there was a new smell in the air.

I couldnt help asking, Liam, what just happened?

His ears were blood-red.

The guy who was always so cold now had eyes full of raw want.

I need a shower.

He stood, his eyes down as he fixed the hem of my messy hoodie. Sleep.

Before I could say anything, Liam was in the bathroom.

When the water started, I lay on Liams bed and curled up.

Then I pressed the back of my hand to my burning face.

I think I kinda guessed what happened.

But Liams tall, works out, all lean muscle.

Sharp jaw, strong hands.

However you look at him, he doesnt seem like the type whod finish that fast.

Maybe hed never had a girlfriend before?

Never been that close to a girl?

Thinking that, my heart felt fizzy.

I lay on Liams pillow and felt something under it.

A pearl earring.

It looked familiar.

It was one of a pair I wore all the time.

Once, at Jakes dorm, I lost one and never found it.

So Liam had it.

I remembered.

In those dreams, Liam always kept this earring.

After a minute, I put it back under his pillow.

The hair dryer stopped.

When Liam came out, he wore navy blue pajamas.

Steam made his skin look pale.

With his hair neat, that sharp coldness was softer.

Somehow, Liam looked cute.

I was about to call to him when I heard voices outside the door.

My face fell. I froze.

One of the voices was definitely Jakes.

Liams face darkened, but he was faster than me.

By the time Jake pushed the door open, Liam had stuffed my clothes in the closet.

My shoes were under the bed, way back.

And Liam was just pulling back the blanket to get in.

Only a night light was on, dim.

I was hidden under Liams blanket.

Just a small bump.

Even if Jake came close, he wouldnt notice unless he looked hard.

Whys it so dark in here? Jake asked.

Got caught in the rain. Head hurts.

As Liam spoke, he gently held my restless wrist under the blanket.

The bed was only a twin. Liam was tall, took up space.

I was pressed against him.

My breath brushed his stomach.

I felt his muscles, tense.

Okay.

Jake didnt turn on the light.

He sat in a chair, pulled out his phone, made calls.

After a few calls with no answer, Jake was annoyed. Liam, you think Mias doing this on purpose?

What?

I just got with Chloe today, and shes already pulling this.

The news just said some girl jumped in the river over boy trouble.

Thought she did something stupid, ran over, left Chloe behind.

But it wasnt her they pulled out.

Been calling her all night. Nothing. Now shes vanished.

Jake slammed his phone on the desk. Shes doing it on purpose. Ruining my night.

He let out a cold laugh. Bet shes gonna cling to me forever.

Maybe not.

Liams voice cut in.

Jake sounded surprised. Maybe not?

Liam, youve seen it. How shes been glued to me two years.

You were annoyed by her too. Never gave her the time of day.

Hearing that, I bit Liams side.

He flinched, his hand moving to block me, but his fingers just brushed my lips.

I bit his finger, lightly.

Liams whole body tensed. A low hiss escaped.

You okay?

Leg cramp. Liams voice was rough. He coughed.

Alright, rest up. I wont bother you.

Jake stood. Just need the bathroom, then Im out.

When he pushed the bathroom door open, I remembered.

Earlier, Id washed my socks. Hung them in there.

Sure enough, less than two minutes later, Jake came out with a grin.

Liam, you got a girl in here?

Keeping secrets. Which girl finally got our ice prince?

Shut up.

Jake took a step toward the bed. In bed already? Hiding someone?

Jake. Liams voice went cold.

Okay, okay, I wont look. Jake stopped.

But he looked at the bed, interested. You got protection? I got extra.

Liams hand on the back of my neck under the blanket held me still against him.

He looked at Jake, his voice flat. Dont talk about girls like that.

You serious? Jake sounded surprised.

Liams lips pressed tight, his throat working. Yeah.

If the light were brighter, Jake wouldve seen the pain on Liams face.

He was holding my neck so I wouldnt move.

But the rest of me could move.

No one could see under the blanket.

So I got to know Liams abs.

Every time I touched, his muscles got tighter.

I moved my hand lower, to the V of his hips. Liams reaction was big.

It scared me.

Alright, I wont crash your night. Im out.

Jake turned and left.

The door closed. I threw off the blanket. Liam, I was suffocating

Liam leaned against the headboard, looking at me.

The dim light fell on his sharp features.

Making shadows.

I just stared.

They say you look best in lamp light.

Guys too.

A handsome guy in shifting light and shadow it does things.

Mia.

Liam sat up slowly.

He reached out, brushed the hair from my face.

Then, cupping my face, he said, serious, I wasnt annoyed by you.

And I didnt give you the cold shoulder.

Dont listen to him.

After, he let go.

He got up, got his cigarettes. Sleep.

What about you?

He pointed to the balcony. Gonna smoke. Sleep.

Right then, I sneezed.

Liam stopped.

I grabbed his pajama sleeve, making a face. I think Im getting sick. My head hurts.

Liam looked at me. Let go. Ill get you meds.

After the meds, I still held on. Liam, Im cold. The blankets thin.

But this time, Liam pushed my hand away.

Mia, Jakes been gone. You can stop now.

Whats he got to do with this?

Liam laughed, kinda bitter. Why were you at the river tonight?

I got it.

The news about a girl jumping. He thought that was me.

He thought I went to the river because I was hurting, wanted to end it.

Calling him, coming hereall to get back at Jake.

Honestly, I get why hed think that.

For two years, the Fosters pushed me hard.

After they found their real daughter,

they wanted to send me back.

Then they figured I still had some arranged-marriage value, so they kept me.

So Jake was my lifeline.

I thought, since we grew up together,

thered be something there.

Hed save me.

I put all my hope in Jake.

But to everyone else, it just looked like I was obsessed.

Especially to Liam.

He was Jakes roommate.

How much of my chasing did he see?

Liam

I wanted to explain.

But he was already up. Set an alarm. Leave early. Dont let anyone see you.

This kinda thing not good for you.

Liam.

He didnt stop, didnt look back.

I bit my lip hard. You kissed me tonight. A lot.

And you did that.

Youre not gonna take responsibility?

Liam stopped dead.

He turned to look at me.

I sat on the bed, eyes red, holding back tears.

I know you hate me.

Every time I came before, you ignored me.

But thanks. For tonight. For picking me up. Letting me stay.

If you really want nothing to do with me, Ill go now.

I got off the bed.

Didnt bother with shoes. Walked to the door barefoot.

Passing Liam, head down,

I was already crying, silent.

Mia.

Liam grabbed me.

I said, I dont hate you

Then will you take responsibility?

I shook off his hand, looked up at him, defiant.

You kissed me. Held me.

And you did that.

Liam suddenly gripped my chin and kissed me, hard.

Mia.

He sucked my lip, his breathing heavy. If youre gonna start this, see it through.

I hugged his lean waist, stood on my toes to kiss him back. Okay

During the fall break, I went to the city where my birth parents lived.

I stayed three days.

When I left, those twointo every vice

were already taken by the police, facing the law.

Trafficking. Gambling. Illegal stuff. Thanks to the dreams, I had proof for all of it.

I didnt need a next life.

This time, I got rid of them for good.

On the plane, I let out a long breath.

The biggest weight was gone.

I felt light. Free.

When the plane landed, I texted Liam I was safe.

He didnt know why I really went.

He thought it was a girls trip.

Ill come over tonight. Everything ready at your place?

Liam had moved off-campus.

He was a senior now, barely on campus.

Plus, living with Jake was complicated.

Ready. Want me to pick you up?

Sure.

Mia.

Yeah?

Its Jakes birthday. Hes having a party. Asked me to come with my girlfriend.

Id forgotten Jakes birthday was during the break.

Mia. You wanna go with me?

I didnt answer. My stomach twisted.

It wasnt that I didnt want us out in the open.

But the Fosters would cut me off soon.

Then everyone would know about my background.

I knew Liam wouldnt care.

But I couldnt stand him being talked about.

Like in the dream.

They said he was disloyal.

For a girl like me.

Breaking his familys heart.

But, like Liam said that day.

I started it. I should finish it.

Cant have it both ways, right?

Liam.

I took a deep breath. Do you want me to go?

Yes. No hesitation.

Then pick me up. Ill go with you.

I held my phone, saw my reflection in the glass.

When I said it, I was smiling. A real smile.

Mia, look outside.

My heart skipped.

I turned. It was like a movie scene in slow-mo.

My smile still on my face, the airport noise fading.

In the crowd, I saw Liam.

Just Liam.

I dropped my bag and ran.

Liam stood still, but he opened his arms.

I crashed into him, and he caught me, solid.

Didnt even step back.

I hooked my arms around his neck, looked up smiling. Babe youre solid.

He looked down at me, a low laugh. My cores not bad either. Wanna try?

I poked his rock-hard abs, whispered in his ear, Just a little quick, you know.

Mia

He sounded helpless, but his eyes were fierce, competitive. Just you wait.

Dont beg. Crying wont help.

For the party, Jake invited everyone, as usual.

Chloe had dressed up.