Chapter Fifteen: Roommate
RILEY'S POV
We filed inside, our footsteps echoing against the polished marble floors. Up close, the place looked even bigger—vaulted ceilings, glass doors stretching from wall to wall, and a faint scent of chlorine mixed with something citrusy that made the air feel expensive.
"Whoa," Harleen breathed, dropping her bag and slowly spinning in place. "Max, you didn't tell us it was this nice."
"That's because I like to keep expectations low," Max said with a smirk, tossing his keys onto the counter.
Everyone scattered almost immediately. Amber and Connor drifted toward the kitchen, Jaden headed outside to inspect the pool, and Cleo claimed one of the oversized couches like it had been waiting just for her.
I was halfway up the stairs behind Harleen when Max's voice cut through the room.
"Oh—by the way," he said casually, way too casually, "there are only four available bedrooms. So… we'll have to share."
I froze mid-step.
Amber popped her head out from the kitchen. "Share with who?"
Max shrugged. "Figure it out. First come, first serve."
The room erupted instantly—Harleen yelling that she was sharing with Cleo, Connor insisting he was obviously with Amber, Jaden muttering something about valuing peace and quiet.
Ben, who'd been hauling in coolers, raised a hand. "I'll bunk with Max."
"Done," Max said without hesitation.
That settled one room. Harleen and Cleo claimed another. Amber and Connor secured the third.
Which left…
Me.
Jaden.
And Xander.
My stomach sank.
Jaden glanced between Xander and me, then toward the massive sectional in the living room. "I'll take the couch," he said simply, tossing his bag onto it like the decision had already been made.
"You sure?" Max asked.
Jaden shrugged. "Better than listening to anyone snore."
"Suit yourself," Max said, clearly satisfied.
And just like that, the last bedroom was ours.
Xander didn't react—at least not visibly. He picked up his bag and headed upstairs without a backward glance.
I stood there a second too long, my brain screaming this is a terrible idea, before Harleen's voice snapped me out of it.
"Go on, Lily," she teased. "Don't keep your roommate waiting."
I shot her a glare, grabbed my bag, and followed him, every step tightening the knot in my stomach.
XANDER'S POV
Max's announcement didn't surprise me—he loved chaos—but that didn't stop my stomach from dropping when I started counting heads.
Ben paired off with Max. Easy.
Harleen and Cleo called dibs on each other immediately. Connor and Amber followed without question.
Which left… me, Jaden, and Rachel.
Jaden didn't hesitate. "I'll take the couch."
That was it. No discussion. No debate.
Just me and her.
I didn't show it, but I hated the idea—not because Riley was difficult, but because being around her made things complicated. Too complicated. Every time she was close, it felt like I was losing grip on the one thing I was trying to hold on to.
I picked up my bag and headed upstairs. Distance was safer. It always was.
RILEY'S POV
By the time I reached the doorway, Xander was already inside, tossing his bag onto the side closest to the window.
"Guess you get that side," he said, not looking at me. Then, with a faint hint of amusement, "Try not to make a mess, Rachel."
I groaned. "Are you seriously still calling me that?"
No answer.
The silence stretched, heavy and awkward. I sat stood at the side, adjusting my bag strap just to avoid looking at him. The only sounds were fabric rustling and the quiet creak of furniture.
A knock broke the tension.
"Hey, lovebirds," Ben called from the hall.
"Food's ready."
I shot Xander a look, but he was already walking past me, muttering something that sounded suspiciously like not funny.
Downstairs, the long dining table was filling up. Max sat at the head, grinning like he'd orchestrated the entire thing. Harleen and Amber were piling their plates high, Cleo snapping selfies, while Connor and Ben argued over burgers—Connor swearing by his "secret seasoning" and Ben claiming it was just paprika.
I slid into the only open seat.
Right next to Xander.
He didn't look at me, but his fork paused for half a second before he kept eating.
Max's eyes flicked between us, his smile widening—but thankfully, he stayed quiet.
For now.