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

that the reason I accused him of trying to take over my life was because he stole my clothes? That he’s wearing my cologne. He crashed my party at work last night, and that’s why I got fired!” Addy glanced toward Elias, who pursed his lips as if to say see what I mean.

“No!” I screamed, shaking my head angrily. “This is not a thing. I’m not going crazy, Addy. I swear to you, I’m not. He’s just trying to make it seem that way. You can’t listen to him. He’ll tear us apart if you let him.” I heard how crazy I sounded, but I couldn’t calm down. My heart raced in my chest, my palms sweating profusely. Why didn’t she believe me?

“Okay, okay… Calm down. Let’s calm down, okay? Elias is only trying to help. We just want to help.”

“Help with what?”

“We think it’s time you started talking to someone, Wes. A professional.”

“A shrink?” I asked, swiping the back of my hand across my forehead.

“A therapist,” Addy corrected. “Someone who can help you work through what you’re going through.”

“I’m going through a divorce, same as you. You’re not seeing a therapist. Don’t let him get in your head about this, Addy. It’s me we’re talking about. I’m fine.”

“Wes, I only want to see you healthy. You know how much I love you. I don’t want you to be sick. There’s nothing wrong with seeking help. It makes you brave. Everyone gets a little off course sometimes.”

“I’m not sick,” I argued. “I’m fine. I just want to come home.” My voice broke as I said the words, mostly from anger, but also from the truth in what I’d said. God, I just wanted to go home. I just wanted to get away from Elias, who was making me question if I was going crazy after all.

Addy nodded, reaching her hands up to take me in her arms. I rested my head on her shoulder, refusing to cry. “I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry about everything,” I whispered, wanting the conversation to be just between us.

“I know you are,” she said, her cheek rubbing against mine. “I know.”

“She meant nothing to me, okay? Nothing. And I’m going to figure out a new job. I’ll start applying right away. You’ve just gotta get me out of here. You’ve gotta let me come home. He’s trying to make me crazy, Addy. Please don’t listen to him. Please let’s just go home.”

“Okay.” She patted the back of my head, squeezing me even tighter as she whispered softly in my ear. “It’s okay. We don’t have to talk about any of that right now. Just breathe. Elias, would you mind bringing him some water?”

“I don’t want water. I just want to go. Please, let’s go. Let’s get my things, and let’s just go.” I looked over my shoulder toward Elias, who was calmly filling a glass with tap water. “Why are you doing this to me?”

“I’m not doing anything to you, Wes. I’m making a glass of water. If you don’t want it—”

“You know exactly what you’re doing,” I lashed out. “You’re a psychopath. You’ve been planning this all along, haven’t you? You’re enjoying this… You’ve always enjoyed it. All the best friend bullshit. You’ve just been playing me.”

His eyes traveled to Addy, who turned my face back to hers. She held my cheeks between her hands, her warm eyes dancing between mine. “Your heart is racing, sweetheart. Just breathe with me, okay? We’ll get your stuff, and we’ll leave. You can come home with me. Just breathe though, okay? It’s all going to be alright.”

She inhaled deeply, and I followed her lead, my rage blurring my vision.

We exhaled together, our breath combining in the space between us. I focused on her eyes, on her words, soothing me.

It was all going to be okay.

I was going home.

We were going to be fine.

I hardly noticed Elias’ footsteps behind me as he approached us, interrupting the quiet moment. Addy let go of my face, reaching for the glass of water and handing it to me. “Just take a drink of water, okay? Take a drink and let’s all calm down, and then we can figure everything else out.”

I eyed the drink suspiciously, which led her to sigh. “Would I let you take anything that wasn’t safe?” She took a sip herself. “It’s water, Wes. It’s just water.”

I took the glass from her hands, lifting the lukewarm beverage to my lips. I took a sip, then another, then downed the rest of the glass, unaware of how parched I was.

Once I’d emptied it, she handed it back to Elias, who returned it to the kitchen. “There now,” she said, keeping her voice low. “Doesn’t that already feel better? Why don’t we go into your bedroom where we can talk, okay? Just the two of us.”

I nodded. “Yeah, okay.” She let go of my shoulders, taking my hand and leading me across the room. I pushed open the door and took a step into the bedroom, knowing it would be for the last time.

I was going home.

Then, I passed out.

Chapter Twenty-Six

When I awoke, I heard the familiar tick, tick, tick of the fan above me, felt the warm, swirling air from its blades hitting my face.

Had it all been a dream? The room was pitch black, but I could see a hint of light coming from behind the curtains.

“I’m just so glad you’ve been here for him,” I heard Addy say. “For us. Seriously, Elias, I’m not sure what I would’ve done without you.”

I tried to sit up, to call out to her, but my throat was dry and my head was heavy. I felt the muscles in my neck tighten, a sign that my body was attempting to appease my wishes, but I couldn’t move.

I took a deep breath, trying to roll myself off the bed. Before I could move even a single finger, darkness found me again.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

I wasn’t sure how much time had