She snorted. “Bullshit, cutie pie. I smelled sex the second I walked in. No point lying to me. Besides, I know Elly. All groovy by me. You make a hot couple.”

Elliot squeezed her around the middle and kissed her cheek. “Leave him alone, Ma.”

“I’ll be nice. Go take a shower so Braden and I can chat.”

“I’d love to, but I was actually on my way out. I have a date,” I said in a rush, checking my pockets to be sure I had my wallet and keys.

“A date? So, how does that work? You fuck each other and then do your own thing?” Karma put a hand in the air and shook her head, jangling her bracelets noisily. “I’m not judging. I swear. Just trying to get the lay of the land, as they say.”

Heat rushed to my face. Her tone was friendly and full of humor, not judgment. I got the impression she was honestly curious, but I’d never been asked about my sexuality or my intentions by someone’s mom. My own mother would have literally fainted.

“We’re roommates, not boyfriends,” Elliot corrected. “Leave him alone.”

“Whatever. Who cares if you are?” She waved a manicured hand dismissively. “Sex is good for you. Endorphins and whatnots.”

“Ha. Right,” I stammered. “I should get going. Nice to meet you, Mrs. Newcombe.”

She barked a quick laugh. “For fuck sake, don’t call me that, honey. My name is Karma. Hey, it was nice to meet you too. Where’re you going for dinner?”

“Mom…”

“What? I’m making polite conversation, so your new roommate doesn’t think I’m rude. Can I do that?”

Elliot huffed and motioned for me to get going. She smacked his ass and shook her head like she couldn’t believe she still had to discipline a grown man. It was actually kind of funny.

I grinned at their hijinks as I opened the door. “We’re meeting at The Rusty Nail.”

“Ooh! Fancy. I like that place. Have fun, Braden. It was nice to meet you,” Karma enthused.

I inclined my head, then looked over at Elliot and smiled. The one he gave me in return nearly knocked me off my feet. I didn’t know how he did it. He was the least dressed person in the room and by far the most comfortable in his skin. I wanted to be like him when I grew up. Smart and honest and real.

And at that very moment, I’d have given anything to have the right to slip my hand in his and be introduced as his person. I wished we didn’t come with warnings, expiration dates, and excess baggage. I didn’t want to be with anyone else. I just wanted Elliot.

Elliot

“You like him.”

I started and did a double take at my mother’s observant stare. “Yeah, I do.”

“Well, go get him.”

“What do you mean? I can’t go on his date, Mom. He’s doing Sophie a favor and—”

“Sophie? The girl who has a crush on you? That Sophie?”

“She doesn’t have a crush on me anymore.”

“But she did. I saw the way she looked at you. And didn’t she make a pass at you when she lived here? Colby told me she was hoping to move into your room and Tucker—”

“You talked to my friends about me?”

“Of course! I lost a couple of years at a few crucial moments in your life, and I’m not missing a minute more. I want to know all about your personal life. Not that I needed to know that you two were screwing in the bathroom, but you know what I’m saying.”

I let out an exasperated huff. Why did everyone else get normal parents? “Mom…”

“Your business. I’ll stay out of your bedroom…and your bathroom. But I’m telling you, Sophie probably sees the way Braden looks at you and wants to bump out the competition.” She made a slashing motion across her neck.

I chuckled. “That’s ridiculous.”

“Nope, it’s reality. I’m outta here. Go take a shower and rescue that boy.”

“He doesn’t need rescuing. I’m pretty sure Sophie set him up with Anna. Nothing’s going to happen, but thanks for the entertainment.”

“Why Anna? He’s gay.”

“He’s bi. And they’re both just doing her a favor,” I said, giving my mother a brief rundown of what Braden and Tucker shared with me.

Karma furrowed her brow. “Did Tucker specifically say Anna’s name?”

“No. I think he said…my ex.”

“God, I wonder if I dropped you on your head sometimes,” she deadpanned.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Karma grabbed her gigantic purse from the sofa and hoisted it over her shoulder. “It means you’re a dumbass. Isn’t the Rusty Nail where your schmuck ex works? Sophie doesn’t want a favor. She wants to stir up some trouble. Come on. Let’s go find out.”

“No way. That’s ridiculous.”

“Is it? Too much coincidence for my taste. Your problem is you trust too easy.”

“Probably true, but I’m not going with my mother to spy on my roommate and his date.” I waved my hands and headed for the hallway.

Tags: Lane Hayes Out in College Romance
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