My Online Boyfriend Lives In The Next Room Chapter 05

My Online Boyfriend Lives In The Next Room Chapter 05

Alistair opened the door. Those dark eyes settled on me. “I’m not asleep. What’s up?”

I kept my voice even. “So, it’s been a year. I think it’s time I moved out.”

Something shifted in his expression. “You’re leaving? Where are you going?”

I shrugged, lying through my teeth. “I’m seeing someone. Moving in with my boyfriend.”

Alistair was quiet for a beat. “Does your boyfriend know you live with another man?”

“Not yet.” Another lie, just as smooth. “I’m going to tell him.”

The corner of Alistair’s mouth lifted. “Okay.”

The next morning.

Alistair went to work. I’d taken the morning off.

I’d gotten rid of almost everything the last time I moved, so packing was quick. Two large suitcases held everything I owned.

Once everything was packed, I cleaned my room and the living room.

I was exhausted and covered in sweat. I still had time, so I figured I’d shower before I left.

One last time with Alistair’s body wash. I’d earned that much.

He’d told me once, “Use whatever you want. You don’t need to buy your own stuff.”

I’d always felt too awkward to take him up on it. But now I knew who he really was.

I was just the ghostwriter, sure. But things were different now. He felt closer to me than he should have.

One more time wouldn’t hurt, right?

I grabbed a towel and headed for the bathroom.

I squeezed a little into my palm, worked it between my fingers until it foamed. That scent filled the steam around me-light, warm, unmistakably his.

I had music playing, like I always did in the shower.

My phone buzzed with a message.

Crystal Clear: [Baby, what are you up to? Miss me?]

A Single Feather: [Taking a shower. I missed you.]

Crystal Clear: [Baby, should we meet in person?]

I was handing the account back to Sloane today. She’d want to meet him anyway, so there was no harm in

saying yes now.

A Single Feather: [Sure. Let me figure out the time and place. I’ll let you know.]

Crystal Clear: [Okay. I can’t wait.]

[Now go finish your shower, Baby. Don’t keep me waiting too long.]

A Single Feather: [Mm. Kisses.]

I turned the music back on.

Something hollow settled in my chest.

I wished Sloane had picked anyone else. Then I wouldn’t have had to leave.

I had moved many times over the years. I hated it. Without a place that was really mine, I never felt safe.

Every lease was just a countdown to the next time someone told me to leave. So I kept my life small. If I

didn’t own much, I didn’t have much to lose.

No standing in the middle of a room wondering how to carry it all out the door.

The comments kept calling Alistair obsessive. Possessive. I still couldn’t see it.

Would dating someone like that be exciting? Would being loved by someone like that make me feel secure?

The comments flashed past. [Wait, is she actually into the possessive type?]

[Girl, I’m telling you now: if you ever meet one in real life, RUN.]

[She’s probably just curious. But trust me, being loved by someone possessive is NOT the dream you think it

is.]

[It might make you feel secure, but it would also suffocate you.]

[Besides, she’s spent years never settling anywhere. She’s used to being ready to leave at a moment’s notice.]

[Once you’re with a possessive man, you don’t just walk away.]

[Alistair wants all of you. The kind of love that never leaves.]

[He’d want you by his side twenty-four-seven.]

[So yeah. She needs to stop daydreaming.]

[Alistair isn’t for her.]

Whatever spark of curiosity I’d felt went out before it had a chance to catch.

I finished my shower, dragged my suitcases to a hotel near work, and checked in.

I texted Alistair from my real number. [Hey, I’ve moved out. Thanks for everything.]

He replied right away. [Already?]

[Yes. I don’t want to keep my boyfriend waiting.]

He started typing. Deleted it. Then just: [Okay.]

That afternoon, I went to work.

I logged out of the [A Single Feather] account and returned it to Sloane. She transferred the rest of my money right away.

She smirked. “Not bad, Laurel. Didn’t know you had it in you.”

“So how far did you take things?”

“I need to know what I’m dealing with.”

“Pretty much everything an online couple talks about. He wants to meet up, so you two can figure out the timing.”

“Fine. I’ll sync the chat history and read through it. Don’t want to blow my cover when we meet.”

She pulled out her phone, logged in, and synced the messages.

Sloane scrolled fast, eyebrows climbing. “Wow. I had no idea you were this bold.”

“You really know what you’re doing. No wonder he fell for it.”

“Laurel, these texts are filthy.” She looked up at me. “Honestly? I’m kind of jealous.”