My Summer Roommate by Bridie Hall Read Free Book Online

afraid,” I say.
    “I wasn’t talking about fear, I was talking about a phobia. There’s a difference.” The words sound like a full stop to a sentence. Like she’s done discussing it. Whatever.
    “Good night,” I call after her because I know it’ll annoy her.
    She groans, ‘Night’, and closes the door to her bedroom.
     
     

    Chapter Seven
     
    CHLOE
     
    I can’t believe I’m here. And without Isabelle, even. It’s ten at night and it’s still hot and muggy. The pool is so full of people that they can’t do much more than just stand in there. But at least they’re cooler than I am, standing out here.
    The school’s lacrosse team captain, Mark, is hosting this party. His parents are away for the weekend, and I doubt that they are aware of the crowd at their house right now.
    I spot Izzy’s ex-boyfriend, Jamie, by the beer keg. He’s chatting to Chris while he’s getting us two beers. Jamie turns and sees me, and I wave at him. This is my first time seeing him since school let out. He’s friends with Izzy again, which I’m really glad about, because otherwise I’d have to listen to her moan about it indefinitely.
    Apropos of Izzy, she’s with Harper on a road trip somewhere again. I guess road trips are their thing. I’ve never had a thing with any of my boyfriends, ever. It’ s sad, really, but it is what it is.
    Before I can wallow in that thought, Chris is by my side, offering me a beer.
    “Jamie says hi.”
    “How is he?”
    He shrugs. “Didn’t ask. He came for the party. He’s leaving tomorrow morning.”
    “He’s not waiting for Harper to return?”
    “I guess not. I didn’t even know they were brothers until he just mentioned him.”
    “Yup.”
    I wonder if he’s going to bring up Izzy, and as if he’s reading my mind, he says, “Man, to have your girlfriend stolen by your bro … That blows.”
    “It happens.” I don’t want the evening to get bogged down by psych talk, so I leave it at that. But he obviously didn’t get the memo.
    “Yeah, but I mean … Your brother? That’s just wrong in my book.”
    I sigh. It’s not like it’s my duty to defend Iz and Harper, but I have to. I just do. “Look, they didn’t plan for it to happen, okay? They didn’t even like each other at first. But sometimes , something can make us open our eyes and we see someone else differently all of a sudden, you know? Things happen. People change. Never say never.”
    “Okay, okay.” He lifts his hands up, and I back up half a step.
    “Sorry. I didn’t mean to sound so aggressive. But I get them. I think Jamie does, too. And I also understand Jamie’s still bitter about it. Who wouldn’t be, I mean.”
    “I prefer to go after single ladies, is all I meant. I don’t want drama.”
    I look at him and I can see the sparkle in his eyes even though he’s turned with his back towards the light coming from the house. Someone turns up the volume of the music, and I can barely catch his next words.
    “Like yourself. You’re single, right?”
    I laugh like he just made a terrific joke. “Dream on.”
    “Hey, never say never, remember? Let’s go dance.” He grabs my hand , and I like how nice his warmth feels on my skin. We join the small crowd on the patio that’s swaying to the hot, loud rhythm coming through the open French doors.
    Within minutes, my top is damp with sweat and I can feel my hair going all curly from the moistness in the air. I hate it when that happens. But Chris has got the moves, so I push it to the back of my mind and I enjoy the music and dance and his closeness. It feels like the beat gets wilder with every song. Soon, we’re singing the lyrics too. I see sweat beads on Chris’s forehead, but he doesn’t slow down and his eyes keep smiling. He brings me a bottle of water and a beer for himself. I lose track of time. I’m so fired up that I don’t even feel the tiredness––just pure excitement and joy.
    I haven’t felt this relaxed and exhausted in