48. Kate
CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT
kate
Standing in the bedroom I’ve called home for over a decade, it’s hard to imagine not living here anymore. No longer being roommates with Chelsi. That all changes tomorrow when Jake and I move into our new home in Chicago.
“What do you want to do about the clothes in here? Keep them hanging or box them up?” Chelsi calls out from the inside of my small walk-in closet.
“Hanging up is fine. I’m sure we can easily lay them in the car and bring them over, rather than having the movers do it.
” I fold another T-shirt and place it in the large moving box on my bed.
“I can’t believe I’m actually moving out.
” A pang of sadness hits me square in the chest at the thought of not coming here after work.
Not seeing Chelsi every day. Living with her in Chicago is the only life I’ve known as an adult.
“Are you crying again?” Chelsi asks, walking out of the closet carrying a pile of shoes. “I thought we talked about this. You don’t get to be sad today. It’s our last night living together. Tears are for tomorrow.”
I shake my head and wipe away a few stray tears. “I know. I didn’t expect it would hit me this hard. It’s hard to imagine life in Chicago without living with you.”
She huffs. “That’s because I’m fucking awesome.
Plus, it’s not like you’re getting rid of me that easily.
I’m going to be over at your place all the time.
Jake is going to be so tired of me after the first week.
” She drops the pile of shoes she’s carrying into an open box.
“Plus, someone has to feed me. I can’t survive forever on wine and charcuterie alone. ”
I snicker. “You could always learn how to cook.”
Chelsi laughs hysterically, bending over with her hands on her knees, like my suggestion is the most preposterous idea she’s ever heard. “That… That’s fucking hilarious. And never going to happen.”
Dropping another folded shirt into the box, I turn to look at where she’s standing. “Maybe you’ll get lucky and find a man who loves to cook.”
“Oh my God, you’re serious,” she says as she tries to catch her breath. “I don’t think men who are walking red flags know how to cook.”
I arch my eyebrows and grin. “You could always try something a little different. Perhaps a man who isn’t a red flag for once? I know there are a few guys who work with Jake who would love the opportunity to take you out.”
She stands up and shakes her head. “No, thank you. Definitely don’t want to date anyone in Jake’s circle.”
“Why not?” I ask with my hands on my hips. Granted, there are some guys who work with Jake that I definitely don’t want her or anyone else I know dating, but I also know there are some fantastic men who have the qualities Chelsi would want in a long-term relationship.
She taps her fingers against her pursed lips. “Hmm…let me think about this. How about when it ends badly, you’ll still have to see this guy? Could you stomach being around someone who broke my heart on a regular basis? Or would you want to kick their ass?”
“I mean…you’re technically not wrong. I probably wouldn’t love it.”
“That’s my point. And we all know, relationships always end horribly for me, so I’m saving all of us some major heartache. You’re welcome.”
My brow furrows, wondering what she really means. Is she serious about not dating anyone? Or just not someone Jake or I know? “Are you getting out of the dating game?”
She chuckles. “Probably not. I’m just going to become a lot pickier than normal.
I’m tired of wasting my time on the men who can’t take care of themselves, have mommy issues, are cat daddies, not in the sexy way, or think they’re God’s gift to humankind.
It wouldn’t be so bad if those men were great in bed, but they never are.
” She sighs loudly and tucks a piece of curly hair behind her ear.
“Is it so hard to find a man who’s halfway decent and fucks like a god? Is that too much to ask?”
I blush, dropping my gaze to the floor. “They’re definitely out there.”
“Oh, trust me, I know. I hear the way Jake makes you scream every fucking night he’s here.
Never once did I hear any of those sounds come out of your room when you were with Brian.
” She shakes her head and smiles when I look at her.
“I want a decent man and great sex. I don’t understand why the universe is so against me finding it. ”
“Perhaps if you let me set you up with one of Jake’s friends—”
“Nope. Absolutely not. Keep pestering me about it and I’ll find my way into Jimmy’s bed the next time I go out on tour with you.”
I gasp. “You wouldn’t. Would you seriously sleep with Jimmy? Ew!”
She chuckles and smirks. “You never know. Sometimes, a girl is desperate for a good time. I’d imagine Jimmy has to at least be decent in bed, based on the various things he claimed the last time I saw him.”
I shake my head and squeeze my eyes shut, trying to avoid picturing anything involving Jimmy. “Please don’t tell me any more. I don’t want those images in my mind.”
“Suit yourself. He did have a very creative imagination,” she adds, walking back into my closet to continue packing.
This is exactly what I’m going to miss—the unexpected conversations with my best friend.
Although I’ll likely see her countless times a week, and I wouldn’t put it past her to show up for dinner almost every night, it won’t be the same.
We’re headed in two different directions in our lives, and I can’t help but wonder what impact that might have on our friendship long-term.