The Room Mate (Roommates #1)(25)

But I had no time to linger. I rushed off to grab the tissues and met Allie back in the living room. Thankfully, she gave no indication of suspecting that her brother was just inside me not thirty seconds ago. Fucking hell! I was a terrible friend.

Handing her a wad of tissues, I sat down beside her to wait as she blew her nose and got herself under control. It took several minutes of deep breathing.

I took her hand. “What in the world happened?” Even if I wasn’t a fan, Allie loved James. Whatever it was would surely blow over in a day or two, once they both had a chance to cool down.

“He’s been cheating on me for months.”

Or maybe not. “What are you talking about?” I asked.

Cannon strolled out of the bedroom looking collected and put together. Thank God. He met my eyes quickly as he gave Allie a hug. “You okay, sis?”

She sucked in a breath and nodded once. “I will be once I get that lying, cheating sack of shit out of my life.”

“What happened?” I asked, trying to ignore my body’s response to Cannon’s proximity. Pesky pheromones. It had been way too long since I’d had any attention from the opposite sex. I would have to rectify that; otherwise I’d be jumping Cannon’s bones every chance I got. I made a mental note to sign up for that stupid dating app Allie had been hounding me about the first chance I got.

Allie took a deep breath. “James has been having an affair.” She spoke calmly, but her expression was pained and her hands were fisted in her lap. “It was all a lie—all the times he said he had to work late, or go into the office on a Sunday. He’s been carrying on with another woman for months now. A divorcée with two kids . . . not that it fucking matters.”

All the breath whooshed from my lungs. That was the last thing I’d expected to hear.

“I saw some text messages on his phone. I wasn’t snooping; it was sitting right there on the counter. And when I confronted him, he admitted everything.”

“Fuck that.” Cannon rose to his feet, heading toward the door.

“Where are you going?” Allie whined.

He pulled his shoes on and grabbed his car keys from the counter. “I’m going over there to beat his ass.”

Allie jumped up and grabbed her brother’s arm. “Stop and think for two seconds. As much as I’d love for you to deliver that beat-down, it’s not worth you getting in trouble or messing up your hands. You’re going to be a world-renowned surgeon one day. And that makes me much happier than you kicking his ass ever would.”

Cannon’s eyes narrowed on hers and he released a deep breath, his nostrils flaring.

I’d never seen him so angry. Sure, I’d seen his protective side a million times growing up, but not with this much ferocity. It was kind of fucking hot.

After a few tense moments, Allie succeeded in talking him out of his plan, and Cannon sat down beside me once again. The fun, flirty mood we’d shared earlier was gone, driven out by the angry tension that filled the room.

Over the next hour, Cannon and I took turns building Allie up, telling her she was better off without James, and bolstering her self-confidence. I wasn’t certain it was working, but at least Allie was no longer crying, and she was nodding along with what we were saying.

I was careful not to admit that I’d never liked James. Part of me knew—with utmost disgust, but still—that it was possible he’d come crawling back, say all the right things, and they’d patch things up. If that happened, revealing my dislike for him would forever drive a wedge between Allie and me.

Cannon had no such qualms, repeatedly telling Allie that she could do better and that James was nothing more than a piece of trash. I silently cheered him on.

Soon we were drinking wine, munching on popcorn, and watching the latest horror movie that we’d rented. While Allie was still emotionally devastated, she had recovered enough to put on a brave face. She’d already texted James and told him to make sure that he and his things were gone by morning. I was immensely proud of her.

“Love you, Al,” I said, giving her hand a squeeze.

Sometime later, I woke to a large hand nudging my shoulder. My eyes fluttered open, and I found Cannon standing over me. Through my sleepy haze, I noticed the TV was off, all the snacks and drinks had been cleaned up, and Allie lay asleep on the couch with a blanket tucked around her.

“Come on,” he whispered, offering me his hand.

I accepted, letting him pull me to my feet. “I think I nodded off during that last movie.”

“You and Allie both.” Placing one arm around my waist, he smiled. “I’ve got you.”

He helped me to my bedroom but stopped at the threshold, as though he didn’t want to invade my space. A knot of worry formed inside me. Earlier he’d been so eager—we both had. But now things felt murky.

“So, what happens next?” I asked.

“Allie’s tough. I’m sure she’ll be fine.”

“I wasn’t talking about Allie and James. I meant us.”

“Oh, right. You mean . . .” His eyebrows jumped up flirtatiously.

“Yes.”

“That was probably the worst case of blue balls I’ve ever had, but I get it. My sister needed you. You’re a good friend.”

Oh yeah, some great friend. I was practically riding her little brother a few hours ago.