Broken Compass

raight. I have enough on my plate without complicating things with strange feelings and hopes.

And as a reminder… “I hear you got a roommate?”

Nate stumbles to a stop, my backpack falling from his shoulder and hitting the ground. “What?”

“Don’t lie to me,” I mutter darkly.

Enough lies.

“It’s not… Not lying, dammit.” He lifts my backpack, swings it back over his shoulder, scowling at the road ahead. He rarely looks unhappy, but oh boy, he does now. “West told you, didn’t he?”

I shrug.

“I didn’t know about the ad until yesterday.” He hasn’t taken another step, and I linger beside him, unsure about the darkness in his gaze. Yeah, this sure isn’t like the Nate I know. “Jane said we need the money.”

Jane. That’s what he calls his mom. I’ve always found it kinda weird. Maybe cute?

Nah, just weird.

“Okay.” I shrug again. And then, because he’s not moving or saying anything, “Is that so bad? Having a roommate, I mean.”

He shakes his head as if breaking through cobwebs. “He’ll be fine.”

I stare at him, trying to figure out what it is about his answer that strikes me as odd. Not that it’s bad or good having the roommate, not what Nate thinks about it or how it might affect his life. The roommate will be fine.

As if there was any doubt of that.

Nate’s apartment is well kept, clean and tidy, and his parents seem like nice people.

Before I can ask what he meant, if he meant anything at all, he starts walking again, much faster this time, and I have no choice but to follow.

By the time we reach home and enter our building, his gaze seems to have cleared, and we part ways before I remember he didn’t say another word about the mysterious roommate, and that he’s taken my backpack with him.

Well, good. I grin at myself as I climb the stairs to my apartment, shower quickly and change into something more comfortable.

Maybe I can talk to Nate some more.

Maybe I can figure out what put that darkness in his usually sparkling eyes.

And maybe I can meet the mysterious roommate myself, all before I have to get ready to go to work.

Not that I’m curious or anything…

Chapter Two

Nate

Taking the stairs two at a time, I hurry to my room, drop the bags to the floor and lock the door, even though I’m pretty sure dad’s still away on his business trip, and that nobody’s home.

Apart from our new roommate.

Then I back away from the door, sink down on the bed and push my shaky hands through my hair.

Fuck.

Can’t fucking believe we have a roommate. Can’t fucking believe I now have to look out for him, too. Or that I almost spilled the truth to Sydney.

I let myself fall back on the bed and gaze up at the ceiling, willing my racing heart to slow. Deep breaths, in and out. This was supposed to be a peaceful couple of days.