Roommates with Benefits [COMPLETED]

Knightley

She got up and left. After the best sex I've ever had, she just kissed me on the cheek and said see you later. While I'm still trying to wrap my mind around how good it felt to be inside her, she's ready to let it all go and move on.

I want to follow her, to drag her back to my bed, but we agreed. We agreed it was just sex, just one time. And now, it's supposed to be out of our systems. Now, we're supposed to go back to normal.

I curse and turn on my side. Her scent is still there, and I never want to change my sheets. I want her scent in my bed, on me.

I drift off to sleep and wake up to the sound of the front door closing. Panic strikes me and I sit up in bed. It takes me a while to remember.

I scramble out of bed and into a pair of pants. But as I survey the apartment, it's empty. She left.

For the first time ever, the sex was not enough and I look around with an emptiness in my chest that I don't like.

Did I fuck it all up? I tear at my hair. God, what if last night was the biggest mistake of my life? What if I drove her away?

I force myself to breathe. We agreed, it was just one time, just sex, and then we would go back to being friends. That's what we said. And I can't lose her. I just can't.

My room smells like sex. Fuck. I'm never going to be able to forget last night. But why the hell did I do it? Why did I agree to something that might risk me losing her friendship? How stupid am I?

Almost reluctantly, I shower and wash her scent away from my skin. I'm styling my hair when it hits me. I have to tell Noah.

Noah is my best friend, and I just had sex with his little sister. I pick up my phone to ask where he is when I realize I can't. Because she's his sister, and I can't make that decision for her.

Would she want me to tell him? Does she want to tell him herself? Is this something that we will forever keep secret? What if she already told him?

I lean against the bathroom counter and breathe. No, he would be here if she told him. He would be here to beat me up. Probably.

How could I be so stupid? But, god, it was good. Easily the best sex I've ever had.

I need to know what to do about Noah. What does she want me to do? I check the time and groan. But first, classes.

I hesitate a lot before I go to Noah's house. Part of me wants to talk to Emma first, but I sent her a text asking to meet up, and she hasn't answered. For all I know, she never wants to see me again.

There's a sharp pain in my chest at the thought, and I have to force myself to keep breathing. How badly did I fuck this up?

I rein in my thoughts as I approach Noah's. For now, I have to play it cool. I have to lie to my best friend, something I don't think I've ever done before. Not like this.

As soon as I enter, I know he's back. I roll my eyes at his voice before I head to the living room and greet Frank Churchill. Just what I need. Why today of all days?

Not surprisingly, Noah is asking him about the different women he's worked with. To his credit, Frank is only giving vague answers.

"Oh, come on," Noah says, frustrated. "You can tell us. Right, Knightley? We won't tell anyone."

I sigh and take a seat as far from Frank as I can. "I'm sure it's none of our business."

Noah makes an unhappy sound. "You sound just like Julian."

I grin at him. "Fuck you."

"So, how's Emma?" Frank asks, and I feel every muscle tense.

"Why?" I ask.

"Great," Noah says at the same time. "She said you're hosting the talent show. Maybe we'll have to come now." He glances over at me. "It might even be interesting."

"You should," Frank says. "I can't imagine something Emma's planning wouldn't be interesting."

I roll my neck to release some of the tension. "I'm doing the sound."

"Oh man," Noah groans. "She really got you roped into this." He shakes his head. "You need to spend less time at that apartment. She'll have you doing all sorts of things for her soon."

The front door opens.

"I only offered because the sound guy they had pulled out suddenly."

"Sorry I'm late," Julian comes into the living room. "The class ran over and I had to stay to ask a question." He shakes his head. "Anyway, you ready?"

"I'm ready," Frank says and gets up.

"What are you up to?" Noah asks.

"We're having dinner with my sisters," Julian says. "It's been a while since you've seen Mia and Elsa, right?"

"Yeah. I saw Elsa and Cameron when they came out to LA last summer. But I haven't seen Mia in over a year, I think."

"Well, we don't want to keep them waiting." Julian waves at us and takes off with Frank, leaving me alone with Noah.

For the first time ever, I don't feel comfortable around him.

"You know," Noah says. "I don't think I'd mind if Emma got together with Frank. He seems like a decent enough guy."

I swallow hard. "I'm not sure he's her type."

"She doesn't know what her type is. And it looks like he likes her. I mean, he came back for the talent show. That has to be a good sign."

I try to ignore the acid churning around my chest.

"He might just be doing it for the recognition."

"Can you imagine the line of women we'd have if I was his brother-in-law?"

I laugh, a dry, fake laugh. "It's a bit soon to talk about them getting married, don't you think?"

Noah just shrugs.

I can't talk about this. Not when I have no idea what Emma wants. Not now. If Emma wants Frank... The acid is burning through my ribs, threatening to leave a gaping hole when it's done.

It shouldn't hurt. I should be happy for her. She's sworn off love, and that's not right. If Frank Churchill is the guy that will eventually change that, then that's a good thing. Right?

But what if he's a horrible person? It's not like we know him.

"I have to go." I can't sit for another minute and listen to Noah talk about video games or movies or whatever he's on about.

I barely acknowledge him as I storm out, checking my phone for the millionth time. Emma still hasn't answered. But maybe she'll be at home. Maybe.

The sidewalk is icy, and I slip on the gravel that's supposed to help. Fuck. I need to see her. I need to know that I didn't fuck everything up.

She's not at home. I pull out my phone, eager to text her yet again. I type out message after message and erase them all. By midnight, I force myself to go to bed. It still smells of her. I lie there and inhale the scent as I wait for her to come home.