Rooter (Double H Romance) Read Online Free PDF

counter with my fingers. “He’s not letting this go.”
    “It’s none of his damn business!” She squeals like a petulant child.
    “Quiet,” I urge with wide eyes and glare at the ceiling. The last thing we need is for Mike to hear us.
    Miranda points at Rooter’s house and whispers harshly. “That guy needs to keep his nose out of our business. He’s going to cause more trouble.”
    “Don’t make Rooter out to be the bad guy here, Miranda. Mike caused all of this. And just so you know, I don’t think he’ll be going away anytime soon so Mike had better keep his anger in check.”
     
    I’m half asleep when I pull into the driveway after work. It’s been a long, hard Monday. I had class from ten until three thirty then had to be at work by five. With all that’s been going on, I’m lucky to be averaging four hours of sleep each night. To say I’m exhausted is putting it mildly. I am utterly dead on my feet.
    As usual, Rooter sits in his regular spot on his front porch when I pull into the driveway. I climb out of the car and wave. He waves back, but says nothing. As tired as I am I’d like to chat with him. Not about anything in particular. I just like talking to him. But I don’t know what to say. It’s difficult for me to initiate a conversation with a person I don’t know well. Asking about his day or commenting on the weather would be trite.
    Since he doesn’t speak, and I don’t know what to say, I plod to my front door. As I unlock the door, I see movement to my left. I turn my head to see Rooter enter his house. All of a sudden, I get a crazy notion he may have been waiting for me to get home so he could make sure I got in safely. The thought gives me butterflies and a warm sensation fills my chest.
    Our neighborhood is no longer the safe, family oriented place it once was. It has become overrun by criminals and prostitutes. A registered sex offender lives four houses down from ours. Last week there was a home invasion on the next street over.
    I carry a thirty eight special everywhere I go. A birthday present, along with ammunition, from my mom on my sixteenth birthday. One could imagine my reaction. Saying I wasn’t pleased is an understatement. Now, I’m glad to have it. Although I’ve never fired it, I have wielded it on a few occasions. Works like a charm.
    To my surprise, the house is dark and quiet. Mike isn’t in his typical spot on the couch playing video games. I creep up the stairs, listening for signs of life. Nothing. I take a deep breath, relieved. Tonight I will be able to sleep soundly, for at least a few hours, until I have to be up at seven to get ready for my nine o’clock class.
    Thank God it’s the last week before summer break. And to think I considered taking summer classes. Sure, graduating early would be nice, but I need a break. Plus I’ll be able to put in more hours at the restaurant or even consider getting a second job and finally save a little money. As it stands, most of my money goes towards books and rent. There’s hardly enough left over at the end of the month to splurge on something as simple as instant cappuccino.
    I turn on the lights in my bedroom, drop my purse and keys to the floor and quickly strip down to my panties. I’m so tired I don’t even bother to put on pajamas. I stretch my arms out wide and yawn. Just as I get ready to turn out the light, I see Rooter staring at me, bug eyed, from the window across from mine. We lock eyes for maybe three seconds. I’m frozen in place. He rushes and closes his blinds. I grab my comforter, wrap it around me and turn out my light.
    How long had he been standing there? Had he watched me the entire time I undressed? He wouldn’t do that. Would he?
    My heart pounds within my chest and I giggle with my hand over my mouth. I can’t believe that just happened. I’ve only been that exposed to one other guy. Adam. The night he raped me. Somehow, this exhibition doesn’t bother me. Even if Rooter had been