Benefits of a Broken Heart

Chapter 6 New Roommate

---Austin's POV---

I woke up to the sound of my alarm blaring next to me, echoing in the room. I slowly sit up as I turn off my annoying alarm before rubbing my eyes, to help them clear up to see the details around me in this strange room. I slip to the edge of the bed in my boxer briefs, before slipping those off and getting a complete new outfit on. I changed pretty quickly before fixing my hair and shoving all of my stuff back into my bag. I stand there just for a moment to send the guys a message. 'I have a new roommate, he is headed to my place to move in right now, so get a ride home with the ladies and I'll see you guys later.'

I grab my bag as I opened the door to head down the stairs.. Prancing one step after the other, just aching to get out of this place and to get a breath of much-needed fresh air. No one seems to be awake, let alone moving around this early in the morning, but they are all sprawled out across the front room furniture. I weave in and out of the bodies before walking out the front door, closing it softly to not wake them because I really don't want to deal with any of them right now, especially after last night. I turn around quickly to be startled by Tay. I didn't expect anyone to be up and about this early. She is packing up her car and she hasn't noticed me yet. I casually walk to her, trying to keep it cool just in case she does notice me.. there is now way I'm looking desperate to her for her, even if I think I'm starting to feel that way when around her.

Her long dark hair drapes around her beautiful frame really making it pop.. My gaze trails down to her t-shirt that clings to her curves just as much as those cheerleader-looking shorts do too, making her the morning delight I was hoping for. My body instinctively feels drawn to hers as if she is the metal to my magnet, that I just have a craving to get closer without hesitation. She is intoxicating on a whole new level that I need, no crave to say something because I meant it when I said she was gorgeous. I inch closer as I watch her rearrange the boxes and bags, to secure them in so she can put her last couple bags in. I reach out and gently touched her shoulder. This action makes her jump as I panic and coo her. "Tay it's me Austin, I'm so sorry for scaring you.. I didn't mean to." She lets out a relieved breath holding her chest, before turning around to face me replying. "Austin, you scared the hell out of me." She slaps my chest playfully but not moving far away after that gesture, as I smile at her and ask again. "I have to head back to my place, are you sure you don't want to join?" She smiles and you can tell she is actually thinking about it.. maybe she will.

"No thank you for the offer.. it's very, very tempting.. but I'm expected and being waited on for this morning.. but thanks anyways." I nod in understanding as I remind her. "Well remember to tell me how Monday goes. Even though we both know you already got this in the bag.. but for your sake I'll pretend to be suprised." She giggles matching her big smile as she nods. "I will... and thanks.. for everything.." She says to me, as I smile and nod stepping closer, but only close enough to not send my heart into overdrive. We stare at each other for a longer than expected moment, but I don't mind one bit. I feel like I need to tell her I like her but I can't get myself to and it looks like she wants to say something to me as well.. She clears her throat before turning to shut her trunk. As I back up to open her driver's door, she sits down into her car, smiling at me as she waves as I shut her door for her. I back up watching her car back out and drive away. Dammit! I can't believe I was chicken s**t again.. I have to say something, I think she might actually like me to.. I wish I knew what she wanted to say.. I'll have to try to get the guts to text her, and hopefully ask her out.

I take my bag and heading to my SUV.. just to jump in and drive home. I get there pretty quickly, since I know all the back roads. I get in to my quiet place, throwing my keys on the kitchen island counter as I quickly walk around, turning on some music to help motivate me to make sure everything is cleaned up enough for the new guy. I just hope he isn't messy.. My OCD won't let my brain shut off if it's messy around me all the time. I can handle things here and there, but not everywhere.. So having a roommate might make things complicated, at least for myself. But nothing I can do about it now, because he has already paid for this month and next month.

I finish picking everything up as I put a pot of coffee on to brew. I need something to help me make light conversation with this stranger to get to know him better. I flop down on the couch waiting for the knock as I sip on my coffee. I stare at the texts Tay and I sent back and forth last night, trying to get the guts to send her an invitation for dinner, but I can't get myself too, even without her being right here, I'm nervous as hell.. I groan out in frustration as I toss my phone out of my hands, running them through my hair. I sit up letting out a frustrated breath until knocking starts battering across my door getting my attention. I suck in a sharp breath trying to mentally prepare myself for this guy before lightly groaning out as I let out a deep breath standing up. I walk across the room and grip my door knob, before opening it to see and adorable bright-eyed Tay. She is smiling until the confusion hits her features.

"I know I told you the offer was out there but I didn't think you would follow me home." She smirks and shakes her head at me as she replies. "I think I have the wrong place..." I tilt my head to the side with even more curiosity. "What are you looking for? Maybe I can help you." She let's out a breath, nodding as she pulls out her phone, showing me my mother's add for the room to rent. "I am trying to find this place." I glance at her and back to her phone. "This is for here." I explain to her as her eyes get even wider. "No I talked with an Alice about her spare room."

"Yea Alice is my mother.. but she told me there was a guy moving in named Taylor Jacobs." I explain as well as I can to her, as she giggles and says. "Austin, My name is Taylor Jacob's." My mouth drops open in shock as I quickly grab her bag to bring her into my place because there is no way I'm letting her leave now, unless she doesn't feel comfortable living here of course. "I thought your actual name way just Tay.. how stupid of me.. I can't believe you will be my new roommate.. I can't hate this at all.. I was so nervous I wasn't going to like my roommate.. this is mind-blowing." I say to her as she smiles, looking around the place as she asks, "Are you sure you want me to stay here with you? I would hate to burden you."

I scoff at that question and retort, "I already offered my place to you Tay.. are you going to be ok here with me? I swear you can trust me." She thinks about it as she says softly. "Well, I have already paid, so what would it hurt to give this a shot.. But if you do anything to make me uncomfortable in the 2 months I have paid for, then I'm moving out." She declares to me as I extend my hand to her, saying, "deal." she smiles taking my hand as she says. "I have to go grab my things and I'll be right back."

I shake my head at her as I respond without hesitation. "I'm going to help you sweetheart." She smiles biting her lip before she nods and leads us down to the car she has parked out front. I show her where she can park, as I fill my long big arms with anything I can of her's and It doesn't look like she has too much at all.. It only takes us a couple of trips to grab all of her stuff. I put all of it in the front room and she follows my lead.

"Let me show you, your new room." I say to her as I gesture for her to follow me, I can hear she is right behind me. So I open the door down the hall for her as she smiles at me as she passes by me. Her soothing musk lulls my soul as she passes by, I observe her walk around the room taking a look as I inform her. "There is only one bathroom, so you will have to share with me." She turns around, looking at me sending a smirk my way as she says, "I think I can handle that."

I turn around going to get her things, I let out my nervous breath, thinking about how I'm supposed to handle this. The girl I can't get my mind from, is the same girl that will living with me. That's crazy to even imagine. It's as if someone was trying to help me out because I obviously wasn't able to do it myself.

I take as much as I can carry into my arms and helping her transfer the load to her new room, setting down on the bed. She smiles at me saying, "Thanks Austin, you're so sweet." I can't help the smile that emerges on my lips for her. "Of course, it's not a problem, if you need anything let me know." she smiles back and nods at me as I back out of the room not wanting to look weird just staying in her room staring at her. I don't want her to regret doing this.

I just go to my room finding myself pacing back and forth wracking my brain on what to do with this time with her that been given to me. I keep pacing back and forth sipping my coffee wondering where to go with this.. wait coffee.. I open my door, moving down the hallway to hers. I peak in and she is bent all the way over putting a box down by the closet. I stare for just a moment longer before knocking lightly on the door, gaining her attention. "Hey did you maybe want some coffee?"

She stands up and nodding at me as I lead the way to the kitchen. I grab her a coffee mug, passing it over to her, as sahel takes it pouring a cup for herself. "I have creamer here and sugar here but I prefer honey." I say to her leaning against the counter a she chuckles at me as softly says, "I prefer honey too." without hesitation I hand her the honey, and she willingly pours some into her coffee. She tops it off with creamer as she mixes then sips on the coffee, now being held by both hands.

"I.. I mean WE have a patio to sit at.. it's perfect in the morning no one is out there for our neighbors, so I go out there and smoke first thing." I say to her as she curiously looks at me. "I didn't think you smoked ciggarettes." I shake my head. "I don't, just a little recreational marijuana." I say to her softly just in case she doesn't like that sort of thing. She smiles before looking away and says even softer than me. "Me too."

I smile bigger than I ever imagined I could, that my face is starting to hurt, because I can't stop smiling. "You're perfect." I say to her as she looks up at me with her doe eyes, sucking the air right out of my lungs. My heart beats out of my chest as I quickly clear my throat nervously stating, "You know.. the perfect roommate." hating the words instantly as they left my lips, I watch her nod and say, "Yea, roommate... thank you for the coffee and well everything.. again.. I'm going to start unpacking because I have a long day tomorrow.. but I would like to get a little practice in, if you don't mind me cooking dinner for us tonight?" I just nod at her saying. "Perfect." She smiles and walks away down the hallway.