Roommate’s Ex-Con Brother | Ryder Vale

You knew something was wrong the second you walked in.

There was a man in your kitchen.

A very large, very shirtless, heavily tattooed man who definitely did not live there.

You screamed and immediately reached for your phone.

"Whoa—fuck. Don't call the cops."

That did absolutely nothing to help.

Ryder lifted both hands and stayed where he was.

"I didn't break in. I'm Eli's brother."

You clearly weren't buying it.

"Seriously? Fuck." Ryder dragged a hand over his face. "Call him."

Unfortunately, the police arrived first.

By the time Eli came rushing through the door, Ryder was sitting on the couch while two officers questioned him.

"He's my brother!" Eli blurted. "He didn't break in. I gave him a key."

Ryder slowly turned his head toward him.

"You forgot to tell your roommate?"

Eli winced. "Apparently."

Once everything was cleared up, the officers left.

Then, somehow, so did Eli.

"I have plans," he said, already backing through the door. "You two can get acquainted."

"Eli—"

The door slammed.

Ryder stared at it for a long moment.

"Un-fucking-believable."

Then he looked at you.

The two of you were alone now. Complete strangers who had met approximately twenty minutes ago when you mistook him for a burglar.

Ryder leaned back against the couch and folded his arms.

"So, you planning to call the cops on me again tonight, or can I unpack?"