Hollywood Roommates

19

“Don’t mind him,” Luke says. “Shane is always prickly.”

I force a smile. “It’s fine. But I’m going to head to bed too. Thanks again for all your help tonight.”

“It was our pleasure,” Matt says. “And if you need company in bed…”

I roll my eyes with a laugh. “You wish.”

I leave the guys behind and head downstairs. Shane’s door is closed, but the light is on. I consider knocking and saying something to him, but decide it’s best to let him be. Instead, I head into my room and survey all the boxes with my reclaimed stuff in them, along with my TV on the dresser. With a big, relieved sigh I throw myself on the bed and sink into the lush sheets. My relationship with Parker is truly over and for once I’m not sad about it anymore. That chapter of my life is over—and a new one is starting now, right here in this house. I can’t wait to turn the page and see what happens next.

Chapter Fifteen

ALLIE

Brooke nudges me with her beer. “Check it out. Hot guy at six o’clock.”

I swivel around to look at the guy she’s eyeing, who’s standing at the bar and ordering a drink from Matt. “You’re right, he is hot. I’m so proud of you for noticing.”

“I know what you like, even if I’d rather be looking at that woman in the corner with the tattooed arms.” She nudges me again. “Go on. Go talk to him.”

“No way.” It’s been a week since I got my stuff back from Parker, and I decided I was ready to venture out to meet men again, this time with Brooke in tow. Only problem is, the one guy in here I want is Matt and he’s not on the menu. For me, anyway. Other women are flirting with him left and right, making my blood boil.

Ugh, maybe coming to this bar again was a mistake.

“Why not?” Brooke asks. “You said you were ready to get back out there.”

As Matt flashes a blond woman a flirty smile while pouring her a drink, jealousy simmers inside me. “Fine, I’ll go talk to him if you go talk to that girl you’ve been checking out for the last ten minutes.”

Brooke shakes her head. “I don’t have time for a relationship right now.”

“You have time to hang out in a bar with me.”

“That’s different. You’re my favorite person in the world, other than myself, of course. I’ll always make time for you.” Her eyes flick back to the tattooed woman, who takes a sip of her drink and flashes a come-hither smile at Brooke. “Besides, we’re trying to get you some rebound s*x. That guy is perfect.”

I glance over at the guy again. He’s definitely handsome, with neatly trimmed dark hair, a clean-shaven face, and a good smile. He looks like a nice guy, but not too nice, if you know what I mean. But he’s only a few inches taller than me and he’s a bit scrawny for my tastes. I’m not exactly a small girl, after all. In fact, I’m pretty sure I could crush him. At least Parker had enough meat on his bones that I didn’t think I’d hurt him if I was on top. And the guys I’m living with now, well, any one of which could probably pick me up and bang me in the middle of this room without breaking a sweat.

Just as I shove that delicious image to the back of my mind, Shane himself walks in, his eyes scouring the room until they rest on me. My hackles instantly rise and I down the rest of my drink, then glance back at the new guy at the bar.

“What do I do?” I ask Brooke.

“Go over there and talk to him.”

“Just like that?”

“Yep. Just like that.”

“Okay. I’m going in.” I stand up, fix my skirt, adjust my boobs, and walk over to him like I’m going into battle. I have no idea what I’ll say, but when does that ever stop me?

I’m pretty sure Shane and Matt both watch the entire time, but that only spurs me on. As I approach the guy at the bar, I flash him my most dazzling smile and he grins back at me. I’m pretty sure I weigh double what he weighs, but it’s fine. I won’t judge him by his size, like I hope he won’t judge me by mine. We’ll just make sure he’s on top.

“Hi there,” the guy says, as I slide onto the barstool next to him. “I haven’t seen you in here before.”

“This is only my second time coming here.”

“Must be my lucky night.” He offers his hand. “I’m Keith.”

I shake his hand. “Allie.”

“Let me get you a drink.” He waves Matt over with a casual smile.

Matt stops in front of us and gives a forced grin I’ve never seen before, like he’s gritting his teeth the entire time. “What’ll it be?”

“Another strawberry lemoncello martini,” I tell him.

“Coming right up.” He glares at the guy flirting with me, then turns away to make my drink.

Shane is also shooting daggers at the guy from where he sits with Brooke. I’m honestly surprised they care so much. They could have almost any woman in here—hell, they could have most women in Los Angeles and quite a few men too—but they’re acting like they want me. Even after making me sign a contract saying they couldn’t have me.