Page 9 of The No Touch Roommate Rule (That Steamy Hockey Romance #2)

Chapter

Five

From the texts of Leo Parker and Baylor Nix

Nix:So, Torrance says you found a way to get out of summer conditioning. Tearing your MCL to avoid sprints is a touch dramatic, though, don’t you think? Even for you, Princess?

Parker:What the fuck? How did you hear about that already?

Nix:Team group chat is blowing up. Apparently, you tried to star in your own disaster movie and almost died saving that girl you’ve been crushing on for months? Are you okay? I knew I shouldn’t have left you at the wedding reception without a wingman, no matter how hot that bartender was.

Parker: The bartender who was old enough to be your mom?

Nix: If she had birthed me at fifteen, yes. But she didn’t, lucky me, and my dick. But seriously, how fucked are you?

Parker:Not that fucked. Doc says MCL tear, grade 2. Could’ve been worse. Much worse.

Nix:Also, could’ve been better. How long will you be out?

Parker:Somewhere between 2-4 months of PT, depending on how fast I heal. Have to baby it all summer, but I might make it onto the ice for the opener. If not, I’ll be back early in the season for sure. Assuming I don’t do anything stupid.

Nix:That’s a big assumption for a guy who DROVE INTO A FUCKING BUILDING.

Parker:Makena was trapped in there, dude!What was I supposed to do?

Nix:Call 911 like a normal person? Tell them to get a boat in there to grab her or some shit?

Parker:There was no time. The water was rising too fast. By the time I got there, it was already up to her chest.

Nix:Right. By the time you GOT THERE. Which means you were NOT already there. Which means she did NOT invite you home with her after humping your leg on the dance floor all night.

Parker:So? She should have been left to DIE because she didn’t want to fuck me? What the hell, Nix? Are you hearing yourself right now? Or reading yourself? Whatever?

Nix: I didn’t say that! I’m just saying she has a certain level of interest in you.

And that doesn’t seem to be the same ‘risking her life and career to save you’ level of interest that you have in her.

Obviously, I’m glad she’s okay, but this woman is toying with your emotions, man.

And your career. And your life. YOU COULD HAVE LITERALLY DIED.

Parker:But I didn’t, and even if I had, I wouldn’t have regretted it. She’s important to me. And I’m more important to her than she lets on. I’m sure of it.

Nix: Can we focus on the near-death experience, please?

Parker: No, we can’t. I’m alive, and my career isn’t over. I just want to be grateful for that for a little while. I mean, not to be a complete downer, but the ten people confirmed dead this morning can’t say that. And a bunch of people are still missing.

Nix: Dude. Truth. It’s so fucked up. I’ve already volunteered to work on a clean-up crew. Least I can do. It’s no secret I’m not a fan of the shit-tastic New Orleans’ heat, but I love this city. Best people in the world. They deserved a better start to their summer.

Parker: Agreed. I can’t do clean-up with my bum knee, but I want to find a way to help out. So many people have lost everything. Like Makena. She was living at her restaurant, so she didn’t just lose her job, she lost all her personal belongings, her cell phone. Everything.

Nix:Jesus. That sucks. Where’s she staying now?

Parker: My place.

Nix: Excuse me?

Parker:She’s staying with me. Temporarily. Until she gets back on her feet.

Nix:The woman you’ve been obsessing over since puberty is now LIVING IN YOUR HOUSE?

Parker:I have not been obsessing about her SINCE PUBERTY. I obsessed during puberty, then took a fifteen-year break from obsessing, and have recently begun obsessing again. THERE’S A DIFFERENCE.

Nix: *laugh crying emoji*

Parker:Don’t laugh-cry at me. I know what I’m doing. And so does she. We have acknowledged the sexual tension in the room and made rules to ensure a harmonious, platonic, co-living situation.

Nix: Oh yeah? Like what?

Parker: No sex or making out, we keep our clothes on in common areas, and no hugging after five o’clock.

Nix:What happens at 5:01? Do you turn into a pumpkin?

Parker:I don’t. She’s the one who made the rule. Apparently, her willpower is stronger before five and when she hasn’t been drinking.

Nix:This is foreplay-disguised-as-promises-that-we’re-not-going-to-fuck. Straight up. You both protest too much.

Parker:I don’t! I’m down to fuck as soon as she gives the green light. But until she does, I’m sticking to the rules. When I make a promise, I keep it. For real.

Nix:Okay, if you say so. But the whole “hugging rules” thing is suspect. If she’s serious about keeping things platonic, there would be NO hugging.

Parker: I may have been the one who pushed for hugging…

Nix: Of course you did. You’re a glutton for punishment when it comes to this woman. Are you a masochist? Do you enjoy pain?

Parker:There’s nothing painful about it, dude.

Hugging her is the best. Hugging her is my new favorite thing.

She’s so warm and curvy and smells so damned good, and her adorable little bod fits against me just right.

And I’m pretty sure I’m in love with her, even though we honestly barely know each other as adults.

Nix: You’re so fucked.

Parker: Yeah. I know.

Nix: Deeply catastrophically fucked.

Parker:I KNOW. Speaking of catastrophically fucked, have you heard about the fundraiser on Friday at The Brass Monkey? That dive bar I love in the burbs? It’s a fun hang, and all proceeds go to at-risk youth who lost their homes in the flood.

Nix: Yeah, I’ll be there. Pretty sure the whole team is going to go. Blue already posted about it in chat. You should poke your head in there, man. Let people know you’re okay.

Parker: I will. I was just lying low until I knew for sure the knee was going to be all right. Or…not all right.

Nix:I’m really glad it’s going to be all right. The Voodoo wouldn’t be the same without you.

Parker:Thanks, man. I’ll holler at you later. Gotta go buy Makena something to wear that didn’t originally belong to my mother.

Nix:And you say I have mommy issues…

Parker: You so do. You should sort that shit out before you accidentally fuck a teammate’s mom and someone decides to cut your dick off.

Nix: Well, at least I would have lost my dick doing what I love.

Parker: Old women.

Nix: Yes. Already told you, man, you can’t shame me. I have no shame. You shouldn’t, either. If you’re having feelings for Makena, you should tell her. That way, you’ll know if there’s hope or if you’re setting yourself up for a fall. You know?

Parker: Nah, it’s not the right time. She has too much on her plate right now.

But once she’s back on her feet, I’ll come clean.

Until then, I’m just going to enjoy her company.

She’s making shrimp and grits tonight. AND she’s going to clean up after because I’m a poor wounded hero with a bum knee who can’t rinse dishes and load them into the dishwasher.

Nix: Damn. That’s not a bad deal. Maybe you aren’t a hopeless simp.

Parker: Thanks. Now fuck off. I have this all under control.