Page 9

Chapter Nine

FALLON

I could not have gotten home fast enough! As soon as those doors opened, I wasted no time getting the hell out of there.

What the hell was that? I was still trying to process what happened.

All I wanted to do was snuggle in my blanket on the couch and watch some trashy television. I exhaled rather dramatically and sank into the couch. I turned on the TV, fully prepared to relax and escape from the day, but nothing happened.

I didn’t do anything except stare at the damn thing. Losing the motivation to watch other people’s dramatic lives, I turned it off and dropped the remote onto the table. Huffing, I got up and went to my room.

I was in such a sulking mood that I didn’t bother changing out of my clothes or taking off my makeup. I threw myself on the bed and stared at the ceiling.

The day started out so well. I needed the time I spent at the bookstore and getting drinks with Drea. But all good things must come to an end, especially when Mackenzie’s involved.

I came home from a great day, only to get trapped in an elevator with the last person I ever expected.

I went off on her, which felt great, but then she insulted me again, and that didn’t feel so good.

I was so close to slapping her, but I knew that would’ve hurt me more than it would’ve hurt her.

All the anger and tension had built up, and I lost it. I’d never done that before, but it didn’t feel as good as I thought it would.

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to kiss Mackenzie in that elevator. It didn’t make sense. She’d just insulted me, and I was still fighting back tears. But the way the air between us thickened, the way the silence screamed at me… I was both furious and drawn to her at the same time.

It took everything I had to turn around and ignore the impulse running through me. Could she tell I wanted to kiss her? What the hell was happening to me? The tension was so damn heavy, I could hardly breathe. I closed my eyes, but I couldn’t stop the tears from falling.

This move was supposed to be the start of something amazing. I’d only lived here for a few weeks, and I already had an enemy?

She wasn’t wrong, though. I couldn’t completely blame her for the way my life had been going, but she hadn’t exactly made things easier, either.

We might have had a sliver of a moment in the elevator, but it fizzled out as soon as those doors opened. For the rest of the night, I stayed in bed, trying to push the tears away.

I woke up the next morning and texted Drea:

Me: Thank you for the girls night! xoxo

Drea: You’re welcome, did you take my advice?

Me: What advice?

Me: Oh God! No, I didn’t fuck her.

Drea:

Drea: Fine, did you see her?

Me: Yeah I saw her. Ran into her on the elevator.

Drea: Ohh, spicy!

Me: Hardly.

Drea: Did you kiss her? Kill her? Do I need to help you hide the body?

Me: Lol no I didn’t kiss her.

Me: Didn’t kill her, but it’s still early. I’ll keep you on speed dial.

Drea: Lol so what? Did you just sit there in silence? Awkward…

Me: Well not exactly…

Drea: …

Me: There was silence.

Me: Then yelling.

Me: Then more silence.

Drea: Interesting, can I get a little more detail?

Me: Ugh. Well, there was yelling, then she insulted me again and I was seconds away from slapping her. Basically she said if I wasn’t useless I wouldn’t have a shitty life and my friends wouldn’t need to drink to be around me.

Drea: Fucking bitch!

Drea: Sorry that it’s your life. Don’t listen to her, you know we love you!

Me: Yeah me too. I know, I love you, too.

I tumbled out of bed and jumped in the shower, desperate to wash away the memories of last night. But as the water ran over me, I couldn’t stop thinking about Mackenzie.

Something had to give. I couldn’t go around every single day on edge, trying to avoid her. We were neighbors, for crying out loud—it’s not like she lived on a different floor where I could actually keep my distance.

While eating breakfast, I started missing my brother, so I called my mom to talk to him and take my mind off things.

Excitement filled his voice as he talked about the new dinosaur toy he got for his birthday and how school was going. His favorite part, he told me, was doing science experiments and watching things change colors. He was such a vibrant little man.

When he asked when I was coming home, I had to clear my throat to keep from getting choked up. “Really soon, bub. You can show me your new dinosaur, and maybe we can do an experiment together,” I told him.

“Okay, but real soon, though. I miss you, sissy. Okay, Mama. Bye, sissy. I love you.”

The line went quiet before my mom’s voice came through on the other end. We said our goodbyes and hung up. Caleb had to get to school, and I needed to get ready to leave, myself.

I was headed to get coffee when a thought made me pause.

Maybe I should try to apologize again. I didn’t want to keep living with the awkwardness or the anger, and one more attempt couldn’t hurt. She had apologized, so maybe this time wouldn’t go so terribly. Maybe.

My phone rang as I was getting closer to Brewed Awakening , and I smiled when I saw who it was. “Hey, Pen, what’s up?”

“Hey, Fallon. I just wanted to make sure you were alright. Drea told me what happened with Mackenzie.”

I groaned. “Oh, yeah, I’m okay. It was an intense situation, but I’m glad it’s over now.”

Maybe the fight in the elevator was the first step toward making amends. As strange as it sounded, maybe it needed to happen to open the door to something new.

“Do you need me to come kick her ass or something, sweetie? I will leave the house right now!”

I couldn’t help but appreciate the thought. It wasn’t exactly comforting, but knowing I had my best friends in my corner made me feel a little better.

“No, Pen. I’m fine, but thanks. As angry as I was, I shouldn’t have even let my thoughts get to that point. I don’t want to be like… I can’t…” I trailed off, unable to say the words out loud.

Luckily, Penelope knew me well enough that I didn’t have to. “You will not be like him, do you understand? You are nothing like him. You didn’t do anything. It’s not like you punched her—Shit. Sorry, Fal.”

I cleared my throat. “It’s okay, Pen, I know you’re right. Listen, I’m heading in for coffee. I’ll talk to you later, okay? I’m alright, I promise.”

I ended the call and stepped inside the coffee shop. The scent of brewing coffee and freshly baked pastries wrapped around me, instantly easing the tension in my shoulders.

Scanning the room, my eyes landed on Rylee, who stood behind the counter with a bright smile.

“The usual, Fallon?” Rylee asked as I approached her.

“Surprisingly, no. I’m not here for me.” I was already starting to regret this brilliant plan of mine.

I had gotten into another fight with Mackenzie and called her a bitch at least three times. I was delusional if I thought a cup of coffee would make all my problems disappear, but that didn’t stop me from trying.

“Oh? Okay, what can I get you, then?”

“Well, I’m not too sure. I wanted to see what you’d recommend. It’s for my neighbor, Mackenzie—I think I’ve mentioned her once or twice.” Or every time I’ve gotten coffee since I met her.

“Anyway, I kind of spilled her coffee the other day, and I wanted to apologize. We haven’t exactly been friendly toward each other, and last night was… bad.” I groaned, shrinking into myself at just the memory of what happened.

She blinked. “Oh, um… well, I know she’s a big fan of mocha, so how about an iced latte with extra mocha?”

“That sounds good.” I smiled, but then confusion hit, and I frowned. “Wait, does she come in here a lot?”

She laughed. “Sometimes, but Mackenzie is one of my best friends.”

Horror washed over me. I had complained about her friend—a lot. Her best friend.

“Oh my God, Rylee, I had no idea. I’m so sor?—”

“Don’t worry about it. I know she can be a lot sometimes.”

I was tempted to agree but thought better of it. “Well, like I said, I wanted to apologize. I’m not sure it’ll go well, and I don’t even know if she works today or when, but I thought I’d try.”

She smiled. “She does work today, but not for another hour or so, so your timing is perfect. Let me get her drink started.”

“Thanks, Rylee, and again, I’m so sorry.”

“It’s alright, Fallon, really.”

I felt awful. I wouldn’t have been surprised if Mackenzie already told her everything that had happened between us. Hopefully, the coffee would be the first step toward making amends.

I didn’t know what I’d do if it wasn’t. Maybe I could move to a different floor? The idea of moving sounded horrendous, though.

“Can I ask what happened between you two?”

I rolled my eyes. “We got into another big fight.”

She looked at me with wide eyes. “Oh?”

I sighed. “Yeah. We both said a lot of hurtful things. Anyway, I’m hoping this will be like a peace offering.”

“Wow… well, I hope it all works out. And I’m sorry things aren’t going great with you guys.”

“Me too.” I shrugged.

“Well, I hope things get better for you. Here you go, Fallon.”

“Thanks. Have a good one.” I took the coffee with a smile and headed out the door.

“Good luck!” she yelled as I was leaving.

I turned around. “Yeah, thanks. Bye!”

The whole walk home, I couldn’t stop fidgeting with my fingers. What if she yelled at me again? What if she threw the coffee or slapped me? It would be well-deserved, that’s for sure.

There was no way this would end well. It couldn’t. She’d probably think I was trying to hit on her or that I was pathetic. I didn’t know which was worse.

We saw too much of each other to keep fighting or ignoring one another—not that I’d been able to ignore her anyway. She was everywhere, even when I didn’t see her.

I debated knocking on her door, but every time I tried, I chickened out.

The last time I saw her was in the elevator, and a feeling of dread buried itself in the pit of my stomach.

Instead of knocking on her door, I decided to wait outside like a creep. A few people walked by, but I pretended to be on the phone.

Finally, after about ten minutes, her door opened, and she stopped when she saw me.

My heart was racing a million miles a minute, and I wanted to abandon the whole idea.

“Hi,” I said with a half-smile.

She looked me up and down, like a predator sizing up its prey and contemplating its next move. The action made it feel like the coffee might slip from my hands.

“Good morning,” she said dryly. There was no emotion in her tone or on her face. Her expression was unreadable, and it made me want to run away. Maybe this wasn’t the best idea.

“I, uh…” I cleared my throat. Breathe, Fallon. Take a deep breath. You can do this.

“I got this for you.” I held out the cup of iced coffee.

She didn’t take it, and a hint of confusion crept onto her face.

“It’s not poisoned or anything.” I tried to sound reassuring, but it came out sounding creepy instead. Why would I say that? Now she probably thinks it is poisoned.

“Why?” she asked with a furrowed brow.

Deep breaths, Fallon. Do not give up unless she starts yelling. Then, you can throw the coffee in her face!

“I spilled yours, and I wanted to replace it.”

She still didn’t take the coffee or say anything at all. She just stood there like I hadn’t spoken. I was half-tempted to set it on the floor and bolt.

Literally. In that moment, I wouldn’t have been above sprinting down the hall like a crazy woman.

“It’s from Brewed Awakening , obviously.” I turned the cup to show the coffee shop’s logo. “Rylee said you two are friends. I wasn’t sure what to get you, but she told me you like mocha. Will you please take it?” I pleaded, desperate to get this over with.

“You asked Rylee what I like?” she asked slowly, as if trying to process my words.

Her eyebrows lifted in surprise. By what? I wasn’t sure. Was she insulted that I talked to her friend? That we talked about her?

Whatever it was, it made my heart pound a little faster, and I caught myself chewing on my bottom lip.

This was not going how I had hoped, and I felt nauseous. To be fair, I wasn’t sure what I was hoping for exactly.

I wished she had taken the damn drink so I could’ve left.

“Yeah.” I shrugged. “I wanted to apologize for ruining your morning, and for… everything else. I know, it was a stupid idea. I just…” I sighed. “I’m really sorry.”

She smiled—she genuinely smiled—and I didn’t know how to handle it. “Well, thank you.” She finally reached out to grab the cup, and our fingers grazed.

My breath caught in my throat as our eyes met. The heat of her touch sent an electric current through my body, and the fire in her stare spread throughout me. Get it together, Fallon. Jesus!

I reluctantly let go of the coffee, watching her take a sip. She smiled as she pulled the cup away from her lips. “Rylee’s drinks never disappoint.” Her tone was warm and genuine.

“I’m glad you like it.”

We stood there, not saying anything for a few seconds.

After what felt like a lifetime of silence, she cleared her throat. “Well, I’d better go. I have to get to work. Thanks again for the coffee.” Her smile faded, and before I could say anything, she was already gone, leaving the space colder than before.

“Right, well, you’re welcome!” I yelled down the hall, feeling like a pathetic loser. I think that went okay, but honestly, I had no idea. Hopefully, it was the start of something better.