He Picked My Roommate, I Picked a PhD Instead Chapter 08
That night after closing, I overheard two roommates gossiping. Keaton was in the hospital. Drank so much
he gave himself a bleeding ulcer.
One roommate sighed. “Sierra’s been skipping class to visit him every day. Bought a ton of fancy fruit. And, like, protection…”
The other laughed. “Come on, it’s Keaton. Rich and hot. I’d do the same.”
“But he’s in the hospital with a stomach bleed, and she still-and she smelled like some other guy’s cologne.”
They both cracked up.
I didn’t join in. Made my bed and started writing my thesis.
Fool me once.
My advisor had sent a few research directions. I needed to lock in a topic by the end of the month. Didn’t
have energy for anything else.
I glanced at my phone for a second, then put it on Do Not Disturb.
Later, Sierra came in carrying a luxury shopping bag. She stopped by my desk on purpose.
“Sloane, Keaton’s in the hospital. The doctor said his skin is sensitive, so he asked me to buy us matching
pajamas.”
“Look. Aren’t they pretty?”
She pulled out the women’s set from the bag. Silk. Barely any fabric. Her voice dripped with show-off.
“He’s so sweet. Stomach all messed up and still thinking about matching couple outfits.”
I looked up and smiled.
“Oh, his stomach gets messed up because every time he breaks up with someone, he drinks like a fish. One
time he gave himself a bleeding ulcer. I was the one who took him to the ER.”
“He also cries when he’s drunk. He didn’t show you that?”
“And one more thing-he’s allergic to silk. He didn’t tell you?”
Sierra’s face went white. The other two roommates went dead quiet.
“You can ask him,” I said, turning back to my paper. “Or just wait until he breaks out in hives.”
She didn’t say another word. Slammed the door on her way out.
After tutoring in the afternoon, I went straight to the library. Stayed until it closed, then headed to my cart.
Riley texted me: [You’re insane. When you’re not using me, I invite you to grab pizza three times and you say no every time. Do it again and I’m ending our friendship.]
[Next week. Once I’m rich, I’ll take you out. Many hot guys at your service.]
Riley went silent, then sent about fifteen cheering emojis.
I reached out to an advisor at a top-tier school. Sent my CV. Then camped out in the
library working on a
paper.
Needed a publication in a peer-reviewed journal to strengthen my PhD application.
I was editing a data table one evening when someone grabbed my arm.
Keaton. Still wearing his hospital bracelet. Hair a mess. Looked wrecked.
“Come outside.”
He pulled me out of the library before I could answer. My laptop screen was still on, my document unsaved.
Once we got downstairs, he let go and panted, “I know you want a PhD. I can get you into a school overseas.
Higher ranked than the one you’re looking at. Guaranteed.”
“No thanks.” I turned to go back inside.
“Don’t be stubborn.”
He stepped forward, voice urgent. “Just get back together with me. I’ll have my assistant call the admissions
office tonight. Tuition, living expenses, all covered. You won’t have to work that stupid food cart anymore-
“Keaton.”
I cut him off. “We broke up. I’ll figure out my PhD myself.”
He froze, then his eyes darkened. “You’re still mad about Sierra? I cut her off. Threw out everything she gave
- I’m sorry, okay? I know I screwed up. Give me one more chance-”
