Landlord Wars(55)

An exaggeration, since she was already inside said apartment. I glanced past Elise to Jack, who stood in the living room, arms crossed and with an angry look on his face. Beside him was some random guy with longish hair and a book bag on one broad shoulder.

“What’s going on?” I asked.

Elise waved behind her. “Todd and I swung by to study, like you offered.” She emphasized the last part, though her eyes were cagey.

“Right,” I said. “Let’s assume I believe that’s the only reason you brought a guy over. If so, why are you and Jack yelling at each other?”

Jack joined us in the crowded hallway and glared at Elise. “She can’t bring over random men.”

His comment came across more jealous guy than annoyed roommate.

I looked at Max, who shrugged. “Sorry about that, Jack,” I said. “I’ll be sure to check in with you first. I think Elise and Todd are only here to study. Elise didn’t know I had company.” Was my face red? It felt red. If anyone stopped to think, they’d know what Max and I had been up to.

Jack urged me and Max down the hallway and away from prying eyes. “Your sister is welcome to come here, but not men she’s dating,” he said in a low, tense voice.

I glanced at Todd. He was tall and decent-looking, but I didn’t think my sister was dating him or I would have heard. Pretending to date him, absolutely. “I don’t think they’re dating. But…would that be a problem?” I knew Elise’s feelings when it came to Jack, but not how Jack felt about Elise. Now was my chance.

Jack looked away and shook his head. “I just don’t like it. This isn’t a way station.”

Jack wasn’t immune to Elise spending time with another guy, that much was clear. But I felt awful because Jack was clearly upset.

“I’m sorry. I should have checked in with you before inviting her.”

He let out a low, tense sigh. “It’s not your fault, Sophia. It’s—” He glared at Elise. “Your sister drives me crazy.”

Max and I exchanged another shocked look.

Then Max draped his arm around Jack’s shoulders, pulling him down the hallway toward Jack’s bedroom. “I got this, Sophia. Go check on your sister.”

I made my way to my sister, who’d joined Todd in the living room. “Elise, what happened?”

“Your roommate is being an ass.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose. “It’s his house. I’m the one who’s subletting, remember?”

Her lips parted. “Whose side are you on?”

Taking a page from Max’s book, I grabbed my sister and hauled her into my bedroom. I shut the door and pinned her with a stare. “Elise, I’ve never seen you get upset over a guy, let alone combative with one. Do you—” I shook my head, unsure how this would come across. “Do you still have that crush on Jack? Because you’re acting kind of crazy.”

Elise winced and started pacing. “Maybe. I don’t know. But I didn’t know he’d freak out if I brought a study partner over.”

I gave a disbelieving look. “Seriously? You slept with Jack, then refused to talk to him afterward. You didn’t think bringing another man—”

“Study partner!”

I pressed my lips together in frustration. “If Jack likes you too, even if he’s not ready to acknowledge it, he would not be happy to see you with another person.”

Elise crossed her arms and looked away.

“I mean, seriously, what did you think Jack would do when you brought a cute guy over?” I asked.

She shook her head and started pacing again. “I’ve regressed, Soph. Ever since I met your roommate, and after that night, I don’t recognize myself.”

I put my hands on her arms and forced her to stop. “What do you want to do?”

Her eyes grew watery. “I’ve been stressed out, and I wasn’t expecting things to go down the way they did with Jack. I need a break.” She looked me straight in the eye. “I haven’t told you this yet, but I applied for an exchange student position. Nothing major, just three months in Europe. I thought it would be a good resumé builder. Now I think it’s the best way to recalibrate and get my head on straight.”

“It sounds like a great opportunity, if you really want to do it.” My mind raced with dollar signs. “I’m very close to taking over Green Aesthetic, so I think I could swing the cost.”

She smiled gently. “It’s a paid internship.”

The sense of relief was immense. “Oh, well, in that case, go for it!”

Elise laughed and glanced at the door. “I guess I should rescue Todd.”

“What about Jack?”

“I’ll apologize,” she said. “I shouldn’t have shown up without texting first.”

I gave her a tight squeeze. “I think apologizing is a good start. When do you leave for the exchange program?”

“In two weeks.”

My eyes bugged. “Two weeks!”

She pulled her hair into a ponytail. “I wasn’t planning on taking it. Mom’s been worse lately, and I didn’t want to leave you alone to care for her while you work a gazillion hours.”

Sometimes I forgot Elise carried a heavy burden too. “Mom will be fine. Do your exchange program, and I’ll handle the home front.”