Playing (Inked Hearts 2)

"Of course not," I say.

"You're supposed to stay the night." Miles slides his arm around her. "I'll drive you home in the morning."

"No," she says. "You'll distract me."

"I'm not staying if I have to hear that again," Drew says.

"I've been with you all week." Meg kisses Miles. "It's time to see my friend now."

"Stay," Miles says. "We'll watch Star Wars."

Drew objects. "Fuck no. I'm never watching Star Wars again." He turns to me. "They watched it a dozen times in four fucking weeks."

"We've tortured them enough," Meg says. "Kara and I are going home and no boys are allowed."

They kiss goodbye. It starts as a peck and slides into some serious necking.

Drew shoots me a can you believe this look. I shrug. They're in love. It's sweet.

Meg pulls from the kiss with a heavy sigh. She's panting like she's about to take Miles upstairs for round two.

Sweet only goes so far.

"That's my cue." I find my keys in my purse and motion come here to Meg. "See you guys later."

"Yeah, later." Miles blows Meg a kiss.

She mimes catching it with a giggle.

Drew stares at me. There's something in his eyes, but I can't place it. I wave goodbye and lead Meg to the car.

* * *

Meg and I spend the night at her place, eating cereal and watching movies instead of sleeping. She's bursting at the seams with stories about her time on tour. It's nice to see her so happy, even if I was stuck here, taking winter quarter classes, unable to join in the fun.

It's just after ten when I leave. It should give me a few hours in the common area before my roommate, Nadeen, wants the couch.

Only she's sitting on the couch with a concerned look on her face when I arrive at home.

"Listen, Kara." She folds her arms over her chest. "We have to talk."

Chapter Three

I run through a mental checklist of things that may have upset her, but nothing clicks. The bathroom is clean. There are no dishes in the sink. I haven't hogged the common area in weeks. I've mostly been in my room alone.

She watches me lock the door. I suppose I should ask her what it is that's wrong, but it's probably some minor thing from Nadeen's Big Book of Unacceptable Roommate Behavior.

She looks at the ground with a nervous expression. "Alex is moving in."

"There's no room for Alex here."

"I'm glad you agree." Her expression shifts. Not quite so nervous.

"Okay." I press my back against the door. I'm not sure where this is going, but I don't like it. "Well, as long as he's out of the way, it's fine with me."

"It's been fun living together and all, but Alex and I need to take our relationship to the next level."

"I'll wear headphones when I'm home." It's not like I'll be the first college student to contend with her roommate having loud sex.