Page 230 of Masters of Pleasure
Definitely did not sound appealing, but it seemed like the lesser evil between this and living with Noelle for much longer.Unless things changed at home.She was so tired of walking around on eggshells.At least when her dad disapproved of something, he just said so and didn’t give her the silent treatment.
That living with her dad sounded more appealing than living with Noelle right now was pretty telling.
When she arrived home, she got to the front door before taking a deep breath and putting the key in the lock.From the muffled sounds coming through the door, she was pretty sure Noelle was home and watching television.The minute she walked through the door, she almost sighed with relief when she saw Tyler’s blond head over the back of the couch.
We’re not alone!
Thank goodness.
The television was on to some cooking show, which wasn’t surprising since both Tyler and Noelle enjoyed them, but as soon as Iris stepped in, Noelle cleared her throat and started talking.
“So, like I wassaying, I’m justsoglad you were able to come spend the night with me last night, so I wasn’t all alone.”Noelle’s voice was a little louder than it probably needed to be for Tyler to hear.
“Sure, babe,” Tyler said.
Iris pressed her lips together.She might not be able to see his face, but she was pretty sure his eyes were glued to the screen, and he hadn’t heard her come in.He probably wasn’t paying attention to what Noelle was saying, either.
“Hey, Tyler.”Sure enough, Tyler jumped and twisted his head around, then smiled vaguely when he caught sight of her.He was a cute guy, even if he didn’t have the presence Law did.Tyler was more surfer boy, despite living on the east coast.
“Hey, Iris, nice to see you.”He gave her a wave and turned around to face the television.Iris held back a snicker.Very cute, very nice for the most part, and completely uninterested in making friends with her, which was fine with Iris.
“Yes, it is nice for you to see Iris, isn’t it?”Noelle asked, rather than sitting up to say hi to Iris.“It’s been a while.”
“Sure has, babe.”Unlike Noelle, Tyler didn’t sound at all bothered.He just agreed with her, the way he always did—the way Iris usually did—because it was just easier.
Yikes.
Shaking her head, Iris walked past them as Noelle kept talking, doing her best to ignore her roommate’s pointed statements.
“It’s so hard when someone who used to be a good friend just stops being around.Ditching her old friends for bright, shiny new ones and forgetting about the people who have always been there for her.I can’t?—”
Iris shut her bedroom door firmly behind her before she had to hear whatever it was Noelle ‘couldn’t.’She pressed her hand to her churning stomach.These weren’t anxiety butterflies, more like someone had swirled a bunch of saltwater, then shoved it down her throat.She felt sick and nauseous.
She definitely needed to find a new living situation if this shit with Noelle kept up.
Even now, the urge to go out there and apologize, to sit and hang out with Noelle and Tyler until Noelle was satisfied, was still prodding her.That’s what would keep the peace, but why was it always her job to keep the peace?Why didn’t Noelle ever have to be the one to bend?
Yeah, that was Rae’s voice in her head again, but it was right.
Rae wasn’t the only one who felt that way.Domi did.Avery did.Law did.Iris hadn’t realized how bad things were between her and Noelle until she talked about it and saw their expressions and reactions to the things Noelle said to her.
Tyler didn’t see anything wrong with it, but she wondered if the reason Tyler had lasted so long as Noelle’s boyfriend was because he didn’t pay attention to much of anything,andhe always tried to please her.
Iris had always tried to please Noelle, too, but now that she had new friends and new activities that didn’t revolve around Noelle, it seemed like nothing she did was good enough.
Still, it was getting under her skin.
She opened up her group text.
Tell me I shouldn’t feel guilty for going out last night.
It took less than thirty seconds for the first response to come through from Rae.
What?Is the roommate who has chosen not to talk to you mad you dared not be there for her to not talk to?
Iris snorted, which reminded her of how she’d made Law snort last night, which made her giggle, her mood already lifting.By the time she’d changed out of her dress from the walk of shame and put on comfortable yoga pants and a t-shirt, her phone had been quacking almost non-stop.
Avery:You should definitely not feel guilty for going out last night.
