The Roommate by Kiersten Modglin (best way to read books .TXT) 📕

backstage, but some of them I know really well. Most of them are cool dudes. Kane is one of the most down-to-earth guys you'll ever meet, and Luke is hilarious." She nestled in closer to me as I scrolled through the pictures with her, telling her about each pictured celebrity.

"Do you ever get to bring guests to these events? There's not much I wouldn't do to meet any of these people," she said when I'd run out of stories to tell several minutes later.

"And she means not much," Mac said with an irritated groan.

"Ease up, Mac," Elias said. "Let her fangirl for a bit."

At his word, Mac grew quiet. I hadn't realized Elias was the unofficial leader of the group, but I noticed it then, the way they all responded to his words.

Stephanie rested her head on my shoulder. "He's not wrong," she said with a dry laugh. "I told you I'm a sucker for celebrity gossip. It's one of the reasons I'm planning to move to LA next year."

In unison, the group groaned.

"What? I am!" she said adamantly, sitting up to argue with them.

"Yeah, we know. You've been planning to move to LA next year for the last six years," Ariel said, downing the last of her beer and standing up, heading for the kitchen.

"Yeah, well, this is my year. I can feel it in my bones."

"That's just Wes you’re feeling," Mac said, his joke met with uproarious laughter from all around. I adjusted uncomfortably, but Stephanie leaned back down, her lips on my ear.

"Don't let him bother you. Mac's just Mac."

"You can stop acting like a groupie, Steph. It's not like he's going to give you a lock of hair. If he could introduce you to anyone, he would've offered," Elias said with a laugh. "I told you, he's not the boss. He can't do stuff like that."

His words rubbed me the wrong way, and I felt my body stiffen. "I definitely don't have locks of hair, but actually, there is something I can get for you."

The room grew quiet, and Stephanie looked back at me as if I were the tree on Christmas morning. "What's that?"

"I have a box of signed CDs left over from promotions we've done in the past. I could get you a few of the best ones, if you'd like that—"

She launched forward, pressing her lips to mine briefly and without warning. When we separated, she stood up, holding out her hand to me. "Come on! Come on now. You are amazing, Wes. You've made my day. What are you waiting for? Oh, I'll owe you so big. Who do you have? Can I have one of everything? Oh my God, you are amazing!"

I couldn't stop the joy that filled me at making her so happy. When was the last time Addy had looked at me that way? I forced the thought of her out of my head. "I can't get them tonight, but I'll get them for you tomorrow and have Elias get them to you."

"No! Please. You can't make me wait. I won't survive it." She jumped up and down, her hands clasped in front of her chest. "Let's go now. Please. Please. Please. Please. Please."

I sighed, trying to work it out in my head. "Okay, well, maybe we can, but you'll have to wait outside. I can't bring you in the building."

"Deal. Done. Whatever you need. Let's just go."

"I'll have to call an Uber," I said, wiggling the beer in my hand. "I'm probably okay to drive, but I just don't want to chance it."

"Mac can take us!" she cried, pointing to where he sat. He lifted his brow to look at her, apparently not all that enthused by the idea. "He doesn't drink, and he has a van. You can take us, can't you, Mac?"

"What do I get out of the deal?" he asked, licking his lips and adjusting the knees of his pants with a smirk.

"Maybe Wes can get you an autograph, too?" she asked, nodding her head at me.

Before I could respond, Mac scoffed. "I don't want a signature from some random person I've never met. Celebrity or not, that stuff just doesn't faze me. I've told you…I don't get the fascination."

"Well, fine, you'll get the joy of making your good friend super happy, then."

"Nah, I need gas money and a blowie."

She groaned. "In your dreams. I'd sooner blow a beer bottle."

Mac leaned forward, grabbing a chip from the open bag on the table. "Dinner and a show. Sounds like my kinda night."

She rolled her eyes, but I could tell she was enjoying the attention. Her cheeks were pink, either from the alcohol or excitement. Maybe both. "So will you take us or not?"

"You know I will," he said finally, standing up and running his hands down his legs. Elias paused the game, looking around.

"All right," he said, apparently on board with the plan. "What do you say, guys? Road trip?"

"Road trip!" Stephanie called, one fist in the air dramatically as she let out a whoop.

The rest of the group echoed the cry as if we were headed on a spring break trip rather than just across town, and Elias turned off the TV.

Just like that, we were on our way to the door and Stephanie grabbed my hand, lacing her fingers through mine.

It was a mistake. The entire night. I knew it before we’d taken a step out the door, but I didn't pull away.

Not then and not as we all piled into Mac's rusted blue minivan that reeked of cigarette smoke and dirty socks. Elias took the front seat, Ariel and Garth were in the middle, and Stephanie pulled me to the back.

I'd never cheated on my wife, for the record. My only mistress was my job. I loved Addy and she was truly the only woman I wanted in my life, but I couldn't deny the way Stephanie's affection made my sadness less noticeable, the way it seemed to dull the heartache.

If Addy wanted