Fell In Love With My Roomy Chapter 24

"Do you like her?" Kent inquired, his attempt to conceal a smile evident.

"Why? Does it matter?"

"It'll give me an idea of how much I'll have to tolerate her in the future," I responded, feigning the end of our conversation. Kent licked his lips, and for a brief moment, my thoughts became muddled, my stomach churned, and the hairs on my neck stood on end.

"You'd put up with her," he raised an eyebrow and asked, to which I sighed.

"Well, now that you mention it, that sounds a bit too generous," I shrugged. "But yes, I would."

"Why?"

"I'd find a way to cope with it because we live together," I simply shrugged, gazing out at the lake's waters.

"You're way too kind," he casually shrugged his shoulders.

"Or maybe you're just mean," I retorted, and he merely shrugged.

"That could be the case at any given time," he replied, and I took a few more steps into the water. Our proximity was making it hard to think clearly. Every time he responded to a question, I tried to decipher the meaning behind his words.

"Why go swimming then?" I turned to face him and asked.

"What, and retrieve my water bottle to head back to the sandy towel and watch Abby sleep?" He raised an inquisitive eyebrow, eliciting a laugh from me.

"Fair point."

"This is the one place I know Piper won't follow me," he remarked, giving a nonchalant shrug, and I furrowed my brows. "She doesn't want to get her hair wet," I added, finding it amusing, and he chuckled along. "I thought I'd see if, as you said, your talking bothers me or not."

"And?" I raised an eyebrow.

"There are worse people to chat with."

"Kent, cut it out, or you'll make me cry," I teased, placing my hand over my chest. He chuckled softly, chewing on the inside of his cheek while averting his gaze.

When he looked back, we exchanged a few moments of silent eye contact. I cleared my throat, breaking the silence.

"What do you want to ask me?" he inquired, furrowing his brows, and I spoke up.

"I always want to ask questions," I defended myself, and he offered a small smile.

"Just ask."

Alright, time to give Kent a pass. I had to decide whether to inquire about Piper, his less than pleasant attitude, or perhaps his family, although that was off-limits. Definitely not the family.

"Why do you treat me this way?" I asked, the ease with which I voiced the question surprising even me. I hadn't intended for it to carry as much weight as it did.

He merely ran his tongue over his back teeth, taking a deep breath. "I treat everyone like that."

"Bullshit," I retorted, crossing my arms, and he followed me into the water. I was up to my chest, while he was only waist-deep.

"I've known the guys for a long time, but I've only known you for a short while, Julianna," he replied softly. "I've never lived with a girl before, so I'm trying to adjust."

"Did you even ask if I wanted to live with you?" I inquired quietly, seeking the truth.

"Yeah, I did," he replied stiffly, which put me at ease, and I nodded. My heart rate had finally settled down since we began this conversation, but I refrained from asking him why he had asked.

"I'm just confused," I admitted. "Stop worrying about what we all think of you all the time. We don't mind at all that you live with us," he said briskly, causing my eyes to widen. I wasn't sure why, but it left my mouth feeling somewhat dry. Maybe it was because I was standing just two feet away from possibly the most stunning person I'd ever seen, and we were both dressed in bathing suits.

"I'd rather not," I defended myself as I turned away. "But I can't rewire myself either, and it's difficult to think that way when you consistently treat me like I'm the worst person on earth."

"How does this relate to my friend?" I find myself clenching my jaw as he poses the question. He had made it clear he didn't want to maintain our friendship, but that declaration hasn't eased my curiosity. "I was angry when I said that, it just slipped out in the heat of the moment."

"Why are you so furious?"

"I honestly don't know, Julianna!" I respond, a hint of exasperation in my voice. When he challenges me, I can't help but roll my eyes. "Besides, you've already formed a negative opinion of me, so why does it even matter?"

"That's all I've seen of you, Kent. You haven't revealed any other side to yourself," I retort, stepping out of the water and beginning to walk back up the beach. I'm confident he won't follow; he wouldn't want to create a scene in front of everyone.

A chilly breeze sweeps over my still-damp skin, leaving me feeling oddly cold. That conversation was the most bizarre exchange I've ever had, and its purpose eludes me entirely.

I despise talking to him. I loathe that our conversations cloud my judgment, and I resent the never-ending cycle of pointless arguments we find ourselves in. It infuriates me.

"Back so soon?" Abby remains sprawled out on her towel in the sand, talking into it.

"Yes, Kent decided to grace me with conversation," I mutter, reclining on my stomach in search of some sun. She chuckles softly, and I finish my beer before lying back in the sand.

The rest of the day unfolds in a relatively enjoyable manner, and it would be perfect if I could simply pretend Kent doesn't exist. People continue drinking and playing music, and the day stretches into the early evening.

I sit down beside Abby at the lake's edge, holding what must be my eighth drink—maybe it's the ninth. I feel content, a little tipsy, and at ease.

"Hi, Abby." Chase joins us and takes a seat next to her. "Hey, Julianna."

"Hey," I respond pleasantly, dipping my toes into the water.

"I just told Julianna about the person who helps me with my sociology class," Abby says with a grin.

"Is this the same person who—"

"Shh." She presses a finger to her lips. "No! I haven't even gotten to the best part yet." She defends her story, and Chase patiently listens. "As I was saying, he gave me an unexpectedly low grade on my paper." I merely shrug upon hearing this.

That's just how teaching assistants operated in my classes. Some graduate students, convinced their research was reshaping the fabric of the universe, almost seemed eager to fail your assignments if they didn't align with their preferences.

When I spotted him at school, I couldn't resist sharing it with him. I was genuinely intrigued by what had been bothering him so intensely. Her explanation makes perfect sense to me. "People always thought he was a bit odd and socially awkward, but he was convinced we could find a solution," she whispers, leaving my jaw hanging.

"Did he proposition you for a romantic encounter?" I can't help but burst into laughter as I inquire.

"The worst part is, he asked me to send him pictures!" I can't help but cringe as she continues.

"What kind of pictures?"

"Of her feet," she reveals. Chase enters the scene, and I instinctively cover my mouth, torn between laughter and shock that a TA would make such a request.

"Ew, seriously, Abby?" I grunt as I laugh. "What did you do?"

"I sent the pictures," she confesses, and I blink in disbelief. "Yeah, I didn't have to do any work for the rest of the semester, and I got an A+. I only had to send two pictures."

"That's a wild plan," I mutter, and she casually shrugs.

"College is absurd," she comments, and I chuckle in agreement.

Kent's touch on my shoulder startles me, and I look up to find his imposing figure looming over me.

"We should head out," he murmurs softly.

"Alright." We all rise to our feet as I mumble a farewell. "It was great seeing everyone." I offer each of them a smile and a hug.

"Julianna, the same goes for you. See you later," Abby smiles, and I wave as I gather my belongings. The others grab the cooler as I begin packing things up.

As we make our way down the path, there's an unusual atmosphere in the air. Although it's not tense, it feels like there are unspoken words hanging between us.

"Thanks for driving today," I say, breaking the silence. "I know it wasn't the most enjoyable day."

"It's okay," he replies in a hushed tone, and I nod, keeping my eyes on the road. I should probably leave it at that, but I can't resist.

"The first time around, I was mistaken. You've hurt more than just me," I sigh, and he responds with a smile.

"Yeah, I've definitely caused harm," he admits with a shrug. "Sometimes, I struggle to say exactly what I mean, rather than just blurting out the first thing that comes to mind."

"I understand you," I say, feeling content and laughing.

"I don't mean to come across as difficult to get along with," he confides as we approach the car, and I nod. "I'm working on it."

"I really appreciate that," I respond. Just then, Kyle stumbles and falls face-first into the dirt right in front of Kent's car.

"Oh no!" Mark and Kyle erupt in laughter, finding the situation incredibly amusing. "Are you alright, dude?" I can't help but laugh along when he wheezes.

"Julianna, could you give me a hand?" Kent asks, and I agree. I assist him in opening the trunk, sliding the cooler inside, and helping the two tall, sturdy guys into the car. It's not an easy task, and Kent eventually has to step in and help me get them settled.

Kent starts his car and takes a deep breath before driving us home.

"Thanks," he nods, and I simply shrug, reciprocating the gesture. "You did a lot to help."

"No problem," I reply, and both of us reach for the air conditioner knob simultaneously. Our hands withdraw as soon as our fingers touch, and I turn away while he clears his throat, sending a shiver down my spine.

"Would you like me to lower the windows?" he asks quietly, causing me to clear my throat.

"Sure," I respond, feeling my mouth go dry, the words tumbling out.

"Let's head home." He sighs and moves away, and I gaze out of the window, letting out a gasp.