The Roommate

**A Week Later**
Bri was busy at work so that gave Sid plenty of time to clean the house just in time for his parents arrival. They always make an effort to fly to Pittsburgh in time for the home opener, regardless of the date. The house was clean, but he was scared they’d still judge. Besides, they are his parents, they always do a little bit.

Meanwhile Bri was at her desk working on building a new web design for her client she had been assigned, bored out of her mind. She knew this wouldn’t last for very long but it was torture in the meantime. There was no point for her to even be there. She checked her phone to see if she had any messages and decided to text Sid to see if he needed help. She was almost done this project anyway so she could leave if he needed her to.

Her phone began to ring.

“Hey what’s up?”

“Do you mind doing me a huge favor?”

“No why?”

“What time are you coming home from work?”

“Uh, I was planning on leaving shortly, why?”

“Well I have to go pick up my parents from the airport and I didn’t realize the time and I haven’t started dinner yet, and-”

“I can start prepping dinner. What do you need me to do?”

“Boil water for pasta?”

“Sure,” she giggled. “Are you making fettuccine alfredo?”

“You know it. It’s easy and effective.”

“Alright, I’m leaving in a bit and I’ll start it up! Drive safe and for the love of God don’t miss your stop again. I don’t want to get another lecture on why I shouldn’t do it.”

“I will,” he answered in a snarky tone.

As soon as they hung up Mia turned to Bri and asked, “the boyfriend huh?”

“No, no. My roommate actually. His parents are flying in today so he’s going to pick them up. He just needs me to help set everything up.”

“He? You’re staying with a male?” Bri nodded. “And it’s not uncomfortable? No sexual tension?”

Bri thought hard about that one. “No, actually. Not at all. We’re barely home at the same time so we don’t really see each other.”

“Do you have a crush on him yet?” she urged further.

“It’s far too early to even tell. We barely know each other. Like I said, we don’t see much of each other.”

“Do you have a picture of him?”

“Uh, no. That’s weird,” Bri replied, picking up her things from her work space.

“Not even on social media?”

“Knowing him he doesn’t have anything on any site.” The more she thought about it she was probably right. Shockingly she’s never crept online or anything, that’s going to have to change as soon as she gets alone time. “I’ll confirm that with you after my search. But for now, I’m off to do some editing at home. Have a great night.”

“Have fun with the in-laws!” Mia yelled as Bri ran out of the office.

By the time Bri got back to the house Sid was probably long gone and the house was spotless. I mean, his house was always squeaky clean but she’d never seen it like this. Literally not an item was out of place. She dropped her things off on the staircase for quick access and immediately ran the pot of water.

She turned on her phone to play some music to help her pass the time. She pulled out all the ingredients and organized them in the order she’ll use them. Of course snapping a few pictures along the way for her blog, since the kitchen was white and would look good on her social media. She’s slacked a fair bit while she’s been getting settled in the new home.

As she poured the pasta into the pot she heard the front door unlock and Sid talking from behind it. Once that door swung open a wave of nerves hit her like a ton of bricks. Obviously she genuinely had nothing to worry about because they were only roommates but she still wanted to make a good first impression.

“Are you sure you cleaned this by yourself? It looks too clean to be done by you,” his mom asked. Bri couldn’t help but smile, knowing how much of a neat freak he really is.

“It is! You can ask Bri!” he laughed. “Actually I think I hear her in the kitchen. Bri!?” he yelled over to Bri.

“Yeah?” she responded. She heard the footsteps approach closer and the nerves increased.

“Mom, dad, this is my roommate Bri,” he said, showing his parents the girl in front of the oven he was just yelling to. “And Bri these are my parents Troy and Trina.”

Bri turned around and flashed them a smile. “Hi, it’s so nice to finally meet you.” She took each of their hands and shook them gingerly yet firmly.

“It’s lovely to meet you too,” his mom smiled back. “He already has you working hard in the kitchen for him?”

“No, no,” Bri chuckled. “I knew he was going to pick you two up at the airport so when I got home and saw the food lined up I figured I’d help him out and give him a head start on dinner.” Bri looked up at Sid and he nodded in thanks, mainly for telling them that white lie so he wouldn’t look bad in front of his parents.

“I can take it from here,” Sid said, “Thanks Bri. Did you want to join us for dinner?”

“I’d love to but I have a ton of catching up to do with work. I’m about a week behind at this point and I have a deadline at 10 tonight,” she sighed. “I’m sure you want to spend some alone time with your family anyway. But thank you for the offer, I do appreciate it.”

“If you want you’re more than welcome to pull up a chair and a dish,” Trina winked.

“Thanks! I’ll let you guys know how I’m doing for time. I don’t think I’ll have the most today.”

“Sid mentioned that you do a lot of work online. What are you working on tonight?”

“Basically I’m putting clothing pieces together to create look books on a company's website to promote their product. So I have to edit the colours a bit, format the portraits and physically change the website.”

“That sounds so neat! I love what you’re wearing right now actually. Did you get it from there?” Trina asked feeling the material of Bri’s skirt. Sid just smiled knowing his mom clearly likes her. His dad on the other hand went for a nap after feeling jetlagged.

“I did actually! Then I have to edit and submit some pictures for another company for their adoption centre’s social media pages.”

“You do it all don’t you?” she teased. “I wish I was that creative!”

“It’s not too too hard, it’s just about knowing what consumers like and will find visually attractive. I can tell by the way the place is styled you have an eye for creativity!” Bri laughed, lightly touching Trina’s arm. Sid had told her his mom decorated most of his home when he first moved in a few years ago. It was adorable.

After a bit of talking Bri made her way upstairs and the Crosby’s made their way to the dinner table for a family meal. They talked about anything and everything and discussed how the living arrangement is going. Sidney found it worked extremely well, then of course his parents started pressuring him into possibly pursuing something more.

“That’s unprofessional of me to do. I couldn’t do that in the slightest bit. We made a business deal and I don’t want to make things uncomfortable.”

“Well are you at least making the effort to get to know her?” Troy asked, surprisingly intrigued by his sons relationship with his new roommate.

“Of course. She’s Canadian too actually, from Toronto. And her dad played a professional sport too.”

“Oh really? What team?”

“She won’t tell me, so I’ll have to let you know.”

“Are you inviting her to the game tomorrow?” His mom asked, genuinely hoping he would say ‘yes’.

“I want to but she’d be sitting with you and I don’t want to draw any unwanted attention from fans.”

“They’re not going to know we’re even there, so why can’t she sit with us? We won’t embarrass you in front of her if that’s what you’re worried about,” Trina winked, earning a laugh from Sidney and a disappointed look from her husband.

“That’s not what I’m afraid of at all. I’ll ask her now,” he smirked, excusing himself from the table his mother was in the process of clearing.

Sidney approached her door slowly and knocked very gingerly, not wanting to disturb her too much. He heard a soft “come in” come from the other side so he opened the door with caution, yet excitement at what he would see.

“Hey, what’s up?” Bri asked, looking up from her computer. She had her hair in a messy bun and was wearing sweatpants. She looked adorable and stressed all in one.

“I was wondering if you wanted to come to my home opener tomorrow? You won’t be in a booth or anything, just regular tickets next to my parents, and you don’t have to pay for them.”

She took a moment to think about it she’ll have time or not, fearing she could be recognized by someone she didn’t want to be seen by. “Thank you for your offer. I’d love to go,” she smiled.

“Perfect, I don’t know what your plan is for tomorrow but we can work it out I’m sure.”

“Yeah, totally,” she smiled.

This could be a big make or break.

Notes

Outfit for the chapter: http://www.polyvore.com/bold_metallic/set?id=210320293

So sorry about the delayed chapter! Completely forgot to click submit and see it went through! Whoops! (I've been on this site for how many years and posted over a hundred chapters combined through stories and mistakes still happen!)

Thank you everyone for your feedback! Please keep it coming! The more feedback the quicker I update! :)