“Hmm, let me think.” Carter holds a finger to his chin. “Because I live in a studio and I already sleep on my own couch?”
It’s official: I’m doomed.
“What if I can’t shake her off?”
“Trust me, buddy: That girl is hating this just as much as you are. Carry on the way you are, and I’d say the worst-case scenario is she stabs you with a potato peeler in your sleep.”
Suddenly, Lois slams her laptop shut and rips out her earbuds, swearing like a trucker. I go to tease her, but Carter places a hand on my arm.
“Think ‘potato peeler,’ dude…”
“What’s going on, Lois?” I try to pour as much sympathy as I can into my voice, but it rings hollow, and she stares at me, one eyebrow arched.
“This town is insane,” she snarls, jumping to her feet. “The only places left are super expensive. I’d need to sell a kidney. Actually, make that two kidneys. And the cheap hotels are so far away from campus, I’d need to sell the damn kidneys just to pay for transport.” She lets out a breath, tugging out her hair tie, her thick hair tumbling loose.
Aaaaand she’s back. I suppress a smile.
“More coffee?” Carter offers tentatively.
She nods, sliding onto the stool across from me. I suddenly realize I’m staring at her, because she shoots me a dirty look.
“Don’t worry, Lane, I won’t hang around.”
“I didn’t say a thing.”
“Your eyes are doing the talking for you.”
“He usually lets his dick do all the talking,” Carter jokes, fresh coffees in hand.
Lois reaches for her mug. “Sounds fascinating.”
I watch as she takes a few long gulps, eyes locked on the ceiling.
“Laneyyy…” Carter drawls in a singsong.
I close my eyes and grit my teeth.
“Come on, Laney boyyyy…”
I let out a growl, tugging on a curl that’s sprung loose across my forehead.
“What are you guys doing?” Heartbreak seems confused, and that makes sense. We’re being ridiculous.
“Laney…”
“Enough already!” I thunder, loud enough that Lois nearly falls off her stool. “YoucanstayabitlongerLois.”
“I’m sorry—What?”
I need to get the words out fast, before I take them back. “YoucanstayabitlongerLois.”
“Huh, can you maybe translate, Carter? I’m lost.”
“Lane says you can crash on his couch for a while longer.” He beams.
Have I mentioned I hate this guy?
“W-what? Why?”
