Read Online Rooter (Double H Romance) by Teiran Smith - Free Book Online

confrontation between those two. The television is off, but the bedside lamp is still on. Ryan lies on his stomach under the covers. He lifts the blankets for me to get in beside him. As I crawl into the bed, I see Rooter, staring out his window before he closes the blinds. I can’t make out his expression. Surprise? Jealousy? Relief?
    “Shit.” I whisper, although Rooter can’t hear me.
    “What?” Ryan asks.
    “Rooter just saw us.”
    Ryan perks up a little. “Oh.”
    I grab my phone and start to text Rooter, but I don’t know what to say. I want to explain this isn’t what it looks like, but that’s much too presumptuous. After debating for a few minutes I place the phone back on the table and lie next to Ryan. The bed is small and Ryan is huge, so we’re forced to snuggle.
    “Maybe this will make him jealous enough to make a move.” Ryan suggests.
    “I doubt it,” I admit, but secretly hope he could be right.
    “A guy doesn’t stalk a girl for three years unless he’s interested. Trust me, he’s jealous. And look at me,” he gestures the length of his body, “I’m like an Adonis.”
    We both burst out laughing. Once the laughter subsides neither of us speaks again. I lay and stare at the ceiling in silence. After a few minutes Ryan’s breathing evens out, indicating he’s asleep.
    He has a point. Rooter wouldn’t go to all that trouble to find things out about me if he wasn’t interested. Surely seeing another guy in my bed has piqued his curiosity.
     

Chapter 7
White Lies
    It’s after two o’clock and Rooter hasn’t texted to ask if I need anything. I try not to read too much into it. He already told me to let him know if I need anything and likely doesn’t see a need to repeat himself. At least that’s what I’m trying to tell myself.
    I’m not convinced.
    He saw me get into bed with another guy. Since he doesn’t know Ryan’s gay, he likely assumes I’m seeing him.
    Damn it! I should’ve just texted Rooter and had him bring me lunch.
    If it wasn’t for the throbbing in my ankle, I’d be pacing the room.
    On his way out this morning, Ryan gave me a pep talk. He said a little jealousy is a good thing. It could very well be the thing that changes Rooter’s mind about being in my life. I just need to find a way to use the situation to my advantage.
    I decide to text Rooter.
    Me: Hey. You busy?
    More time than I’m comfortable with passes. Six minutes seem like eons.
    Rooter: Yeah. What’s up?
    Shit. I don’t want to bother him if he’s busy.
    Me: Nothing that can’t wait. Call me when you’re free?
    I purposely use the word call because I want to hear his voice.
    I wait close to ten minutes for a response, but never get one. I may not know Rooter all that well, but I get the impression something is off. If yesterday was any indication, he would’ve checked in on me this morning and would’ve responded to my last text to confirm he’ll call me back.
     
    Four hours have passed and I still haven’t heard from Rooter. It’s about the time he gets home from work so I’m sitting on my porch so I can catch him. My pulse quickens when I hear the rumble of his motorcycle coming down the street.
    When he pulls into his driveway I wave to get his attention. He nods once and rides his bike to the back of his house. So far, this plan isn’t working out the way I’d expected. I’d thought he’d stop and at least say hi. Not wanting to miss the opportunity to talk to him, I pick up my crutches and hobble to the side of the yard as fast as I can. Rooter has let Dopey out to go to the bathroom. His back is to me.
    “Hey,” I call out.
    He turns around and opens his mouth to speak when Dopey charges toward me at full speed.
    “Shit,” Rooter hollers and takes off after the dog. “Dopey, stop!”
    But the dog doesn’t listen. He bounds toward me as fast as his four legs will carry him and as he reaches me, he jumps and knocks me over. If it wasn’t for the stabbing pain in my