The overcast sky matched my gloomy mood when I exited our apartment building to go and meet Jenn.

It wouldn't be the first time we'd hooked up. Sex with her was good, and she was a good person. In the past, I wouldn't have thought twice. She knew I didn't want a relationship, which made things easier. It was a mutually satisfying transaction, a win-win.

Now, I wasn't feeling like doing anything intimate with anyone. I was hurt and pissed at Sky about her future date with that dickhead. I was going to see another girl for that very reason, as stupid as it was.

We'd agreed to meet not too far from where I lived. I was strolling along the sidewalk as if I wanted to delay it. I certainly did.

Halting on the pavement, I took the phone out of my pocket and scrolled through the contact list until I found the number I needed.

Jenn picked up at the first tone.

"Liam, I'm running a bit late—"

"Jenn, listen. I know it's a dick move, but I'm not going to make it. You have a right to be mad. I won't blame you."

A pause down the line spoke volumes. Then, I heard Jenn sigh.

"You didn't say that something came up, and that means there's a reason why you've changed your mind. Who's the lucky girl?"

"My roommate," I said, thinking that the girl I stood up deserved my honesty.

"The gorgeous blond girl who couldn't take her eyes off you today? She's been taking pictures at the gym. I didn't know you were roommates."

"We are. I'm sorry, Jenn. I'm not going to give you the you deserve better speech, but it's true. You do."

Jenn let out a soft chuckle. "I get it. Thank you for being honest. I'd hate it if you were thinking about someone else while being with me."

"No hard feelings?"

"No hard feelings." Jenn laughed. "I won't accidentally drop the weights on you when you work out. Good luck with the girl."

"Thanks," I said.

We hung up. I debated my options. I could go home to Sky, but I didn't want to. There was still her decision to see her ex despite everything that happened between us on the weekend. I changed my mind, but she didn't.

Shoving my hands in the pockets of my leather jacket, I walked to the pub at the end of our street. There would be a basketball game on TV for sure. I could watch it to delay going back home.

The subdued lights and few customers sitting at the bar greeted me upon my arrival at the place. It made the pub a perfect hideout. I ordered a bottle of beer and sat at a table in the back, staring at the label, attempting to put my thoughts in order.

"Junior. Long time no see."

My head turned toward the voice I heard at the office day in day out. "Dar? I didn't know you lived in the area."

Darren took a seat opposite mine. "I didn't know you frequented pubs on Monday. Where's the kiddo?"

"Tim is out of town at his buddy's house. I belong to myself for a few days."

Darren smirked. "Cheers to that. So, girl troubles?"

I took a swig from the bottle, giving my colleague a barely perceptible nod. For once, I felt sick and tired of lying.

"Sharing is caring, junior. Spill it."

"If you guarantee it won't leave this place, I might."

"Oh, it won't. I know when to shut up."

"It's my roommate." I sighed. "I moved to this area barely a few weeks ago."

Darren's eyes glowed in the dimly lit pub. "Pretty? Smart? Sexy?"

I groaned. "All of the above."

"So, what's the problem?"

"Who." I sighed. "Her ex. An exceptional douchebag. Fuck that, the king of douchebags. A disgusting piece of shit."

"I take it you know him."

I shook my head. "I saw him at a restaurant once and accidentally overheard him talking shit about the girl I live with — some hideous, nasty things no guy should say about a girl. Sky and I started to get close, and now she's going on a date with that jerk."

"The girl must have some issues if she agreed to go out with him knowing what you'd heard," Darren said, tracing lines on his beer bottle.

"She doesn't know. I haven't told her."

Darren's eyebrows shot up. "You haven't? Why the hell not?"

"Because I'm a coward who didn't want to hurt her."

"Have you ever heard the phrase the truth will set you free, junior? Even if it's ugly, she deserves to know it. You've kept things from her, and although your intentions were good, the road to hell is paved with those."

"I just don't understand why she would want to see him. He cheated on her; they broke up. He doesn't deserve her."

Darren leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms in front of his chest, regarding me intently for a long, quiet moment.

"Do you know a lot about their relationship, Liam?"

"Enough."

Sighing, Darren took a swig of his beer. "See, I doubt it. It's not that easy. If she stayed with him despite everything, there might be underlying issues you know nothing about. Maybe he's a good manipulator, and she's insecure. Maybe he uses emotional blackmail to get what he wants."

"Since when are you a psychologist?" I asked.

"I grew up in the system and saw lots of messed up shit, junior. Ask yourself this: would she go on a date with him if she knew what you know? If the answer is probably not, tell her the truth before she makes that mistake. If you want a chance with the girl, grow some balls."

I cradled my head in my hands, mulling over Dar's words. He was right. I behaved like a coward. Sky and I didn't talk. The only time we touched the topic of her ex was when I invited her to dinner. Even then, she didn't tell me much. I assumed things, but what if there was more to the situation than what was on the surface?

"What about the reason why you are here in the neighborhood?" I asked my colleague.

Dar shrugged. "Someone who lives nearby. I also lack the courage to make a move, junior. I'm giving you the talk, but the girl I'm interested in has no idea about it."

"Who?"

Darren slapped my shoulder. "That's a story for another day. Go to your roomie. It's late, and you have tea to spill. The beer is on me."

"You don't have to—"

"Go home."

I thanked Darren and exited the pub. I felt lighter, despite the worry that settled in my gut. How would Sky react to what I had to say? Would she forgive me for keeping it secret for so long?

The walk home was short. I quickened my step, wanting to get there as soon as I could. It was barely after nine. I hoped Sky was awake.

My hopes to talk to her crashed when I let myself into the apartment. It was dark except for the glow of the TV screen where one of the romantic movies Sky loved watching was playing. The girl in question was curled up into a ball on the couch, surrounded by candy wrappers and crumpled tissues.

Sky was asleep. I turned off the TV and, after debating my next move for a moment, scooped her up in my arms and carried her to her bedroom.
She didn't wake up, didn't even move when I tucked her in, and planted a kiss on her forehead.

After leaving Sky in her room, I went to mine, eager to get in bed and let the sleep do its magic.

It didn't work, just like I feared. At first, I let the thoughts about the impending talk with Sky consume my brain. When I did fall asleep, I dreamed about the jerk Sky was going to meet. In my nightmare, I saw him kiss her while I stood next to them with my hands tied behind my back, rooted to the spot and unable to move.

To make matters worse, Sky was still asleep the following morning when I had to leave for work.

I was exceptionally busy at the office as well. With Aiden and Ollie on vacation, Dar and I had to do their share of work.

Sky had her date at seven p.m., and I needed to get home before that prick appeared there.

Luckily, I could leave work at my usual time, which would give me almost an hour to tell Sky the truth.
Hopefully, she would cancel that damn date, and we could discuss everything like two adults.

"Sky, I'm home!" I yelled as soon as I opened the door to our place.

My jaw dropped to the floor at the sight of the girl in front of me. Sky's short, tight dress hugged her every curve, molding to her body like a second skin. Her impossibly long legs seemed even longer because of the high heels she wore.

A mix of awe, hurt and jealousy made me gape at her in the hallway, unable to utter a single word. Did that dickhead deserve so much effort on her part? He certainly didn't.

"Are you going out?" I heard myself ask.

Sky stood in front of the hallway mirror and smoothed out the front of her dress while she gave herself a once-over, looking bored. "Yeah. Got a problem with that? How was your date yesterday?"

I almost said there wasn't any date but she didn't give me time to do it.

"I don't know when I'll be back. Don't wait for me. I might not come home at all, so don't send out a search party, roomie."

"Who are you going out with?"

I knew the answer to that question all too well, but seeing Sky assess herself in the mirror like that made all the blood leave my brain and migrate somewhere else.

"Not your business. You didn't tell me about yours yesterday."

"There was nothing to tell."

Sky rolled her eyes. "I'm gonna grab my purse. He's going to be here in five.

I watched Sky saunter to her room. She was right; it was almost seven. She didn't know the truth and I didn't have enough time to tell her anything. Fucking Parisian traffic screwed it up for me.

The intercom sounded right on cue, signaling the prick's arrival.

A plan formed in my brain almost instantly. The guy was a douchebag, and to deal with him properly, I needed to become one.

Silently, I opened the door to our place so that he would get the perfect view of the apartment.

The heavy elevator door slid open at the same time Sky appeared in the hallway, ready to go.

Like a predator, I silently waited until she was next to me. I knew the douchebag was about to see her.

I took a step forward and placed my palms on her cheeks.

A second later, my lips collided with Sky's.