Chapter 3 #2
“I mean…just like that? We haven’t even…” All he knows is that I work as a clinical receptionist, have poor taste in men, and am missing some brain cells.
Tyler slaps his forehead. “Right. Sorry, I haven’t had my coffee today, so I'm a bit slow. Let me give you a tour, and feel free to ask me any questions.”
That’s…not what I meant, but I keep quiet.
“Sorry about the mess,” he says as we make our way to the kitchen. “I made a smoothie and didn’t have time to clean up.” Indeed, there is a blender on the counter, the container and the blades sitting in the sink, covered in something pink. Really, what a mess…
“I don’t cook much, apart from some basic meal prep here and there. Don’t know if you do, but either way, the kitchen is mostly yours,” Tyler says.
My stomach flip-flops. I love cooking, even though I don’t get to do it much. Or not in the way that I’d like, both for financial reasons and because I only have a hotplate and a bar fridge in the studio.
Tyler’s kitchen is a whole new world. The fridge is huge, and so is the adjoined freezer.
The stovetop has four burners, and there’s even an oven!
A very clean one too, confirming that the kitchen doesn’t get used much.
Fuck, I’ve only seen the living room and the kitchen but I’m already in paradise.
Tyler points out and comments on every little thing as we make our way through the apartment.
The bathroom is like something from Narnia.
You’d never be able to guess that two men live here, it’s so clean.
Sure, Tyler probably scrubbed everything before I came over, but last minute cleaning can’t erase months of filth.
This bathroom is being cleaned regularly.
I notice my dumbstruck expression in the mirror and quickly shake it off.
Judging by Tyler’s amused face, he saw it anyway.
Next, we stop in front of the door closest to the bathroom. “This used to be storage,” he says, and I remember my random thought about a storage room converted into a hostage cell. “But I made it into an office.”
Shame. I wouldn’t mind Tyler holding me hostage.
I note he hasn’t opened the door.
“I keep it locked because all my work stuff is there. I work in cyber-security, so I need to keep things as private and confidential as possible.”
“Are you like…a good hacker or something?” Now the comment about holding people accountable makes sense.
Tyler laughs. “A little bit, maybe. I mostly do security analysis, but there’s some crossover.”
“That’s so cool,” I admit. My knowledge of technology starts and ends with spreadsheets.
He laughs again. “I’ll let you believe that. Come on, I’ll show you your to-be room.”
While Tyler was showing me around, Blake somehow managed to pack up the rest of the clothes that littered the floor.
Now I can even see the carpet. The bed seems to be a queen-size, an upgrade from my current double, and the frame is sturdy wood, not metal bars that bend more every day until you’re just waiting for one to cave in.
There’s a large built-in wardrobe, so spacious I won’t even be able to fill it.
And the best of all—a large window, casting plenty of light into the room and overlooking a park.
It’s fucking perfect.
“I’ll have the carpet professionally cleaned before you move in, don’t worry,” Tyler says.
“That’s great, thank you.” I pray that I don’t start crying. I just can’t believe how lucky I got. Seriously, there has to be a catch.
“If you don’t mind me asking…” I lick my lips, a little worried that I’ll come across as ungrateful.
“How come you’re offering the room for so little?
I mean, it’s still a lot of money. Top of my budget, actually, but you could easily ask for more.
” Not to mention that it’s unbelievable the place is still available.
Yeah, the ad’s been up only for three days, but normally a gem like this would get snatched quickly.
I become more alert when Tyler drops his gaze and rubs the back of his neck. “Yeah, I…” He cocks his head, signaling for me to follow him. We end up back in the living room, taking seats on the comfy-looking couch. Oh yeah, it’s comfy alright.
“Four reasons. One, I technically occupy two rooms.” He must be referring to the storage-turned-office. “Thought it’s only fair to bring the price down a notch. Two, not everyone would be happy with a rodent for a roommate.”
Now I remember the ad mentioning a rabbit. I look around, wondering how I missed it. I also note there’s no rodent smell saturating the air.
“Fiona likes to explore,” Tyler explains.
“Rabbits are kinda like cats. Love curling up in cramped spaces. Her favorite is the laundry basket. Please, don’t ask how I found out.
” He grimaces, and I can’t decide whether to be amused or horrified at the implication that he almost put his rabbit through a washing cycle.
“She’s used to going to Blake’s room too, but if you don’t want that, just keep the door shut.
Or she might end up sleeping in your bed.
I promise, she’s well trained to use her tray. ”
I almost melt at the thought of falling asleep with a pet. I haven’t had one since our family dog, Archie, passed away.
“Noted,” I say.
Tyler nods. “Three, I’m up early and, as you’d expect from a gymbro, I religiously blend shit. All the time, but especially in the morning. Might get noisy.”
I snicker, tension bleeding out of me as I listen to Tyler list the reasons for the cheap rent. I was expecting a deal-breaker. If whatever protein crap Tyler drinks regularly helps him achieve this body, I can tolerate being woken up by a blender.
“I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone refer to themself as a gymbro. And anyway, I’m up early myself. Although I’ll be able to sleep in now that I won’t have to commute.”
“I’ll take that,” Tyler says with a smile that falls quickly. “The last reason…”
Right. There’s one more.
He lets out a sheepish chuckle. “This might be a bit TMI, but…I have girls over. A lot.”
“Oh,” I say eloquently. I can feel my ears heating up. At the same time, something cold settles in my chest. I knew Tyler was straight, but…the confirmation stings.
“It might feel like an invasion of private space. I mean, I can promise not to disturb your space, or sleep. I work from home, so if someone comes over, it’s during the day, or in the evening. They don’t usually stay overnight. And of course, I would tell you beforehand if someone was—”
“Tyler,” I say gently, the sting lessening when I hear him get so worked up about possibly inconveniencing me. “It’s fine. You’re…um, you’re an attractive guy. Of course you’d have people over.” That’s right. It’s logical. “Although I admit, I was sure you had a girlfriend.”
Tyler makes a face. “Yeah, that’s…not my area.”
I see. Clearly not a relationship type. I don’t know why I’m disappointed. It doesn’t concern me anyway.
It’s not that I’m judging him, not at all. Even if he has a different girl over every week. I can definitely understand, um, urges. Better than anyone. And Tyler can have literally anyone who catches his eye, unlike me. Of course he wants to have fun, as he should.
But the thing is, if he brings people over, there will be…
noises. Raw, loud noises. More importantly, there will be noises coming from Tyler.
And I’ll hear them. All of them. Through the wall separating our rooms while I lie on the bed, alone, listening to him pleasure someone.
Listening to him being pleasured, someone else worshiping that big, gorgeous body, sucking and riding that huge cock—
Fuck. This is bad. I should say no, tell Tyler that I’m not able to tolerate something like that after all but…
Ugh, I really like this place. It’s perfect. And I really like him, a little too much. I know he’s kind, and honest as it turns out. He’d be a great roommate. Am I ready to give that up because of my silly crush and my disturbing fetish?
“Okay.”
“Okay?” Tyler echoes.
“Yeah. I’m okay with everything you said. I appreciate the honesty, and if you let me know beforehand, I can always make myself scarce or put headphones on.”
“I’d never ask you to leave the apartment,” Tyler says, serious. “This will be your home, you are the priority. Unless you wanna step out yourself, but I’ll never ask that of you.”
“Oh.” My heart skips a beat hearing him talk about this place being my home. I haven’t even moved in yet. “Okay.”
He grins, wide and relieved. “Great. By the way, it goes without saying that you can bring anyone over as well. Whenever you want.”
I give him a sad smile. That’s not gonna happen, but I appreciate the easy acceptance of my sexuality. “Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind.”
His large, heavy hand lands on my thigh, squeezing briefly. It’s enough to send a bolt of electricity through me.
“I guess that seals the deal, roomie.”
Roomie. Right. That’s all I am. All I’ll ever be.
I better make sure I’m the best roomie he’s ever had.