Page 18 of Close to Falling

“Yeah. Thanks.” He stares at me.

“Anything else?” I ask, likeget out.

“No,” he says, and I see a smirk before he shuts the door.

“Good God,” I say, slapping my forehead and walking over to lock the door.

***

“That was embarrassing,” Ellie says.

“Uh, yeah,” I reply, laughing a little because it’s just funny now.

“Carry on,” Ellie says, shifting on the bench.

***

After my shower, I head downstairs and see River sitting on the front porch, smoking. I grab the milk out of the fridge and lay it on the counter as Landon comes walking downstairs. Sleepy hair, in his pajamas and white T-shirt, he tells me, “Good morning.”

“Good morning to you,” I reply. The phone rings, and we both run over to catch it.

Landon beats me. “Hello.” He looks over at me and grins. “Why, yes, she is here, Mikey.” He's all smiles, and I look over when River walks through the door.

“Give me the phone, Landon,” I whisper harshly. River hears me and walks over to us.

“It's Mikey,” Landon teases, handing me the phone, but River snatches it from him and puts it to his ear.

“What the heck!” I say.

“Hey, so sorry, man, but Maddie has a terrible cold.” River pauses, and obviously Mikey is speaking. I try to listen,but hear nothing.“Yeah, she's super gross right now,” he says, looking down at me. “And you probably gave it to her with that weak ass kiss you put on her last night.”

“River!” I yell, mortified.

“What the hell is going on down here?” Frankie asks as he walks into the kitchen, in bedroom slippers, scratching his head and rubbing his belly.

“Gotta go,” River says and hangs the phone up. I wanna kill him. I may kill him. I'm going to kill him. I reach over to punch him on his arm, but he takes off running. I follow, hearing Frankie yell to take it outside and Landon laughing. River shoots through the screen door,and I'm right on his heels.He comes to an abrupt stop once we round the house, and I crash right into his arms when he turns around.

“River, I hate you!” I say, shoving his arms away.

“No, you don't, B.” He's smirking confidently.

“I do, too!”

“I saved you and him, B.”

“How in the hell did you do that?” I ask, pissed off.

“Simple. He would have tried to sleep with you, and that would have been very unenjoyable for you. Save one. Then I would have had to fuck his face up once he tried to do that. Save two,” he says, cocky as hell. I close my eyes, trying to rein in my anger.

“River, you can’t keep doing this! I’m going to date who I want, and I don’t want you messing it up for me. I like Mikey,” I say, crossing my arms and pouting. I see his shoulders slouch, and I can tell he feels guilty, but he also looks torn.

“Shit. I’m sorry, Maddie B. I didn’t know you actually liked the guy,” he says, scratching the back of his neck.

“Well, you wouldn't because you never pay attention to me.”

“Yes, I do,” River says, and there is no trace of play on his face. We stand there looking at each other, and he surprises me as his face goes soft. He reaches up and brushes a stray, wet piece of hair behind my ear. The wind blows around us, and I smell his scent of boy shampoo, tobacco, and River Dawson.

“I’m sorry,” he murmurs and pulls me into a hug. I wrap my arms around him and inhale.

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