The Roommate, Kiersten Modglin [best books for 20 year olds .txt] 📗

could go on her first date with this boy. I knew you’d want to meet him first, so I told her as much, and that we’d want to meet his parents—parent. His mom passed away a few years ago, so it’s just Matt. Anyway, he had an unexpected break in his schedule today and asked if he could come by. Apparently he’s just as nervous about Brody dating as we are about Rory. He said he’s had a really hard time putting himself out there since his mom died.” She paused. “I’m sorry you weren’t able to be here. He was supposed to let me know about a day and time soon, but he called me around lunchtime and asked if he could swing by for an hour during his break. I didn’t see the harm. I had Tina cover my class for an hour and swung by the house. And, of course, I told him I’m sure you’ll still want to meet him. I haven’t told Rory that she can date him for sure, but she really likes him and I’m trying to give her a little bit of extra leash.”

I stared at her in shock, feeling sick to my stomach. “She’s not old enough to be dating. We agreed about that. And you should’ve called me. Even if I couldn’t have made it, you should’ve let me know that it was happening. You should’ve given me the option of being here.”

“We still aren’t in a great place, Wes. And I told you, I didn’t have the time to call you.”

“You had the time to kiss him,” I argued, my jaw tight.

She laughed, slapping her thigh. “Kiss him? Where are you getting this information?”

“That doesn’t matter. Are you denying it?”

“Have you been spying on me?” she asked, her brows furrowed.

“Answer the question, Addy. Did you or did you not kiss him?”

“No, I didn’t, for the record. I mean, sure, I might’ve kissed him on the cheek when he left. I was being friendly when he hugged me. It was nothing. He’s a really sweet guy going through a hard time.”

“How can you be sure he’s such a sweet guy? You’ve only just met him.”

She folded her arms across her chest. “Does it matter? Why are you so angry about this? We’re both going to be meeting Brody before we make a decision about her dating him.”

“When?”

“I haven’t heard yet. Rory is supposed to be letting me know.”

“Well, I want to meet Matt, too.”

“Fine,” she said stiffly. “Whatever you say.”

“And I don’t want him over here when I’m not home. I don’t like that.” Indignant rage swelled in my chest. I hated Matt. I hated everything about him without knowing a single thing about him.

She jerked her head back in shock, her jaw tight. “I don’t really think it matters what you like or don’t like, Wes.”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“We’re separated. What I do is none of your business. He’s Rory’s boyfriend’s dad, for crying out loud. Is this how you’re going to react when I start seeing other people?”

My jaw fell open, and I stared at her, in total shock that she’d just said those words. “When you start seeing other people? As in you already have your mind made up that you will?”

“I’m not going to turn into a spinster after the divorce, if that’s what you were hoping for.” She spun around, walking away from me and into the living room, and I followed close behind.

“Actually, I was hoping we could avoid the divorce entirely, if you want to know the truth.”

She waved a hand over her shoulder, sounding exhausted as she spoke. “I can’t do this with you right now, Wes. I can’t fight with you.”

“Are you seeing other people, Addy? I deserve to know the truth.”

“I’m not seeing other people,” she said quickly. “Of course I’m not. I would never cheat on you. I care about you too much for that and you know it. But I will see other people eventually. When this is all over. And you should, too. We both deserve to find happiness, even if that’s with someone else. That’s what a separation is. That’s what a divorce is.” She stopped, huffing out a heavy breath. “We’re getting a divorce, Wes. I’m going to file the paperwork in a few weeks. You need to prepare yourself. This is happening.”

She waited, as though she thought I was going to react, but I didn’t. I stayed still, emotionless, trying to process what she was saying. I’d gone from irate to heartbroken in a matter of minutes and my mind still needed time to comprehend it all. “Is that what you really want?” I asked finally, my voice soft.

“It’s what I need.” She grabbed a throw pillow, holding it at her waist. “I can’t—” She tossed it back at the couch with force. “I can’t do this anymore with you. I can’t keep trying and trying for nothing to work. I can’t pretend we’re the people we used to be.”

I took a step back, my throat tight. “I guess that’s that, then.”

She nodded. “I want you to be happy, Wes. It’s all I’ve ever wanted.”

Another step. I couldn’t catch my breath. I needed oxygen. I needed to get out of the house. “Okay,” I managed to say.

“I’m sorry.”

Bitter tears blurred my vision. “No need to be sorry. You’re just being honest, right?”

“Wes, I—”

I turned from her, making my way to the door, then onto the sidewalk and to my car in seconds. She stood in the doorway, watching me as I drove away. I hardly recognized her anymore.

I hardly recognized myself.

Chapter Eighteen

I lay in bed, watching the fan spin overhead. Elias had been in a few times to check on me, but I’d barely acknowledged him. When people say that they have a broken heart, I’d always assumed it was hyperbole, but now, I knew better. I thought I’d had my heart broken before, but it had felt nothing