Or so I thought, anyway, until today.
A knock at the door pulls me from my thoughts. It can only be Maxime; they’re the only other person here. Like me, they were born and raised in France, though I’m not sure when they moved to Brussels. They’ve told me it’s more central, better for work,because it’s easier to juggle modeling gigs with agencies in Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, and I think even Germany.
Before I can answer, the door swings open. Maxime pokes their head in, sees I’m already dressed, and steps inside without hesitation. Then, with the casual confidence only they can pull off, they drop the last words I want to hear. The fact that we speak French with each other doesn’t make it better.
“Luc,mon chéri, it’s been fun, but I have someone who needs the room.” Their voice is soft but final. “It’s time for you to move out.”
My mouth falls open. Please tell me I misheard that... that I was too caught up in my thoughts to listen properly. “Wait, what did you just say?”
Maxime gives me a soft, almost pitying smile. “You heard me,chéri. I need you to move out.”
“Move out? What do you mean?”
They tilt their head, clicking their tongue like I’m being difficult. “Come on, you knew this was temporary. Eight months is more than enough, don’t you think?”
“No, it’s not!” My voice comes out louder than I intend. “You never said a word about this being temporary!”
“Well, maybe not in so many words, but you know this is my place. Also, you pay almost no rent.”
“Yes, but that’s on you, and I’m contributing by cooking and cleaning.”
Maxime doesn’t look convinced. “Cook all you want, but I hardly ever eat here anyway, and I can easily get a cleaning lady. Plus, we both have other people we’d rather live with, don’t we? I have an old crush coming over by the end of the week, and you’re with that older guy you introduced us to.”
Those words hit me harder than they should. Maxime thinks I’m with Cody, which makes sense. We were all over each other at the club. “I... I’m not with him.”
Maxime doesn’t seem to care, seeing as they’re now absently inspecting their perfectly painted fingernails. “Then at least you’re into him.”
“Maxime, please. I don’t have anywhere else to go.”
“What do you mean? Can’t you go live with that guy?”
God, if only. “I told you I’m not with him!” I reply too loudly.
Maxime raises their hands defensively. “D’accord, D’accord. Then where did you live before here?”
“With my dad.”
Maxime snickers, the sound a little mocking. “Really? Okay then, go back to living with your papa.”
“I don’t want to.”
Maxime shrugs. “Not my problem. As I said, I have a guy who needs the room. You can stay here until Saturday, but no longer.”
“But it’s already Thursday!”
“Oui. Three days should be enough to convince your dad to let you move back, don’t you think?”
I consider telling Maxime again that I don’t want that, but it’s no use. They don’t care. Nothing I can say will change their mind, especially if they’ve already planned to give the room to someone else. I only wish they’d given me more notice, or rather, that they could let this new person sleep in their room.
“If it’s your former crush, can’t they just sleep with you?”
Maxime snorts softly. “No, it’s been ten years since I saw him, so expecting him to sleep in my bed would be presumptuous. I need the room.”
“I can sleep on the couch, Max! I won’t bother you, I promise!”
“I also need privacy, Luc. Besides, if he learns I have another guy sleeping on my couch, he might get the wrong idea and leave as soon as he arrives.
“You can just say we’re friends! I’ll tell him the same, and I’ll stay away whenever you ask me to. I’ll—”
