Topsy Turvy Kinda Love
together. I know this is short notice. I’m sorry about that, and I’ll pay for the next month, but then I’m out.” He looks down; I don’t know if it’s out of embarrassment or he’s worried that I’ll be mad, but I don’t hold it against him.My eyebrows raise. That is not what I was expecting. “Oh, you’re right. That does suck. Good for you though, man.” Reaching out I pat him on the shoulder.
His eyes grow wide like he wasn’t expecting that response from me. What did he expect me to do? “Wow, so you’re cool with this?”
I shrug my shoulders. “Dude… not much I can do about it. Lives change, people leave, things happen.”
“I really appreciate it, man.” He pats me on the shoulder before leaving the kitchen.
“No worries.” It’s what I say, but my real thought is… fuck… what do I do now?
There’s no way I’ll be able to pay for this place without help. After work, I get fliers printed up and ask Eddie if I can put them up around the bar. Roommate needed. I’m not sure what good they’ll do, but it’s worth a shot at least.
Within several hours I get multiple calls inquiring about the room for rent. A few mingle into the bar to meet me, but no one fits what I’m looking for yet. It’s not as easy as I thought it would go. Beggars can’t be choosers.
“So… you’re looking for a roommate to take over your friend’s lease? How’s the search going so far?” I look over to find Mia looking back at me with those bright blue eyes, her hands grazing one of the fliers I’d hung up.
I sigh. “It’s basically non-existent these days. No one’s responded to the dang things, other than a few crazies.” I cringe thinking about all of the people that reached out to me. I’m pretty sure half of them would either murder me in my sleep or get super creepy with my underwear drawer. “It’s been a couple of weeks since I put them up and still nothing promising…”
“You’re still looking though?” Her eyebrow lifts as if it’s a question and I resist the urge to say duh.
I nod. “Yep, Wyatt’s moving in with his girlfriend Kaylen. I’m gonna need someone to help out with the rent and bills. Place is too expensive for just me on my salary.”
She shrugs. “Well, I’ve got a spare room if you’re interested.” She goes back to pouring shots for some guys from the football team at a booth in the corner. They’re celebrating the big win tonight or something like that.
I can’t believe that she’s offered me her second room. My heart is on a rollercoaster as it climbs the first hill, ready to speed off down the other side in a blaze of glory with useless breaks.
“Brooks? Earth to Brooks?” she says, snapping her fingers.
I deadpan. “Uh, yeah. Are you serious?”
“Of course I am. Why would I even offer if I wasn’t?” I watch as she reaches up and pulls a liquor bottle from the shelf behind the bar and a sliver of skin peeks out to greet me. I can’t tear my eyes away from her. My fingers itch to reach out and take a quick swipe. What I wouldn’t do for just one touch.
I shake my head. See, it’s thoughts like this that make me believe moving in with Mia wouldn’t be in my best interest. If I can’t tamper down on these lusty thoughts just working together; I certainly won’t be able restrain myself living under the same roof as her. It may take all of my willpower, but I won’t pass up the opportunity to be closer to her. Call it whatever you want—a crush, an obsession—but I can’t get her out of my head.
She’s strung me in her tangled web of rainbow-colored hair and I can’t find it in me to care.
“So, where do you live?” I ask because I honestly have no idea.
Mia jerks her finger behind her. “Right down the road. It’s a two-bedroom flat on the second floor of the building. You’d have your own room. Let me know if you’re down for being roomies, and I can show you around if you’d like? I get off in a couple of hours.” She stares at me, waiting for an answer, and I clear my throat.
“Yeah, that would be awesome.” I’m excited at the prospect of seeing her home. The place she spends most of her time when she’s not at work.
I hang out at the bar until Mia’s shift is over. The two blocks to her apartment go by faster than expected. The streetlights illuminate our path. My feet thump on each step as we climb the lit stairs to her apartment, and I stand patiently behind her as she opens the door. I’m glad I was able to walk her home.
A cotton candy scent mixes with vanilla and- is that weed- hit my senses as I follow her in. Maybe I’m just imagining it. Taking in the room, my eyes scan over every single corner of it. It’s exactly how I pictured it to be—mostly darker colors with the occasional pop of color.
Dark walls enclose light grey sofas, and a cream-colored faux hair rug lines the floor. A fireplace takes up a corner of the room, and a large flatscreen hangs above it. A black metal coffee table sits in the middle of the room. The walls are covered in abstract paintings, signed MP. Bookshelves line one wall and I notice random statues in pops of color woven throughout the room.
I look over at Mia and notice her chewing on her bottom lip nervously. It’s weird because she’s never acted nervous before now. Maybe it’s because I’m actually in her own space, invading her bubble, not just at the bar. Her long blue, pink, and purple hair hangs in curls around her face.
Bright ocean eyes find me, and she smiles