Page 1 of Further To Fall

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Carter

“Where are all your boob shirts?” Taylor’s muffled voice came from between racks of clothing in my closet.

“My boob shirts?” I asked, my eyebrows creeping their way up my forehead.

“Yeah. You know, the shirts that are going to give the guys we meet tonight a nice sneak peek at the killer set of girls you’re currently hiding under that ruffled school teacher top.”

I glanced down at my shirt. I thought it looked cute. “You know Iama teacher, right? And that you are, too?”

“Duh. But we’re not currently on duty. New teacher training is over, and school doesn’t start for another week. So, I’m letting my freak flag fly while I can, sister!”

Taylor and I had met a week ago during new teacher orientation. We had quickly bonded over our Southern roots, love of cheesy, made-for-TV movies, and our need to mainline caffeine to get through our early-morning training sessions. Taylor could crack me up even before my double shot of espresso had taken effect, and I thanked my lucky stars that Teach For Our Youth had placed us both in Los Angeles county. Taylor emerged from my closet, shaking something victoriously. “We have a winner!”

My eyes narrowed on the item. “That’s a camisole. I wear itunderother shirts, not by itself.”

“Honey, I don’t have a lot to work with in there. This is just going to have to do. Thank goodness I brought an extra skirt with me.” Taylor crossed the room and started unbuttoning my blouse.

“Whoa there, cowgirl,” I said, pushing her overzealous hands away.

Taylor pinned me with a stare I was sure worked wonders on her students. “Carter, you are not in Georgia anymore. This is Los Angeles, and we need to look the part.” My shoulders curved in on themselves, and I plopped back on my bed, sighing.

“Come on, girl, this should be fun! We’ll get all gussied up, have a few cocktails, get our flirt on, maybe even get our make-out on.”

I let out a laugh as Taylor waggled her eyebrows in my direction. “Sorry, Taylor. No, no, no. I’m just not comfortable showing that much skin.”

Taylor’s eyes narrowed as she drummed her fingers across her berry pink lips. “I’ll make you a deal. You let me pick your outfit, and I’ll do your lunchroom duty for two weeks.”

I scoffed. Lunchroom duty was nobody’s idea of fun, but I wasn’t going out with my boobs on display for a measly two weeks’ reprieve. Taylor’s eyes narrowed further as she studied my face. “Okay, I see you’ve come to play. One month of lunchroom duty.”

A smile crept over my face. “Do your worst, Miss Lawson.”

She covered her heart with her hand. “I thought you’d never ask. Stay right there and don’t move a muscle. I’m going to get my makeup bag so I can punch up your look, just a little.” I twisted my fingers in my lap, but Taylor was back before my second thoughts could spur me out of my sitting position.

Just as Taylor dumped the contents of her bag on my bed, a knock sounded at my bedroom door. “Come in,” I called.

A head of gorgeous brown hair that caught the light appeared from around the corner. “Hey, just wanted to see what you were up to before I head out for the night.”

“Taylor, meet my roommate Lexi. Lexi, this is my friend Taylor. She’ll be teaching at the same school I am.”

“Nice to meet you,” Lexi said, extending a perfectly manicured hand. Her eyes traveled over Taylor, taking in every detail of her appearance before seeming to dub her no threat.

When I started the search for apartments, one of my sorority sisters had said she had a friend from home who lived in LA and was looking for a roommate. It had seemed like the perfect setup at the time, especially since I couldn’t really afford to live by myself on my teacher’s salary. But there was something about Lexi that had never really sat right with me. She was nice enough on the surface, and always invited me to go out with her and things like that, but she was constantly judging and evaluating the women around her. The things she said about her so-called friends behind their backs made me cringe.

“Nice to meet you, as well,” Taylor responded with forced politeness.

“What are you guys up to tonight?” Lexi asked.

“Just grabbing a drink,” I answered quickly, the last thing I needed was Lexi finding out I was friends with Liam Fairchild.

“Nice. Where?”

“Oh, I don’t know, just some neighborhood bar, I think.”

“Oh, well I’m going to Chateau with the girls. You should go there instead, much chicer than whatever you have planned. I know you don’t have connections there, but I can get you on the list.” This was exactly the kind of comment that was typical Lexi. Kindly inviting you out with her, while insulting your plans and lack of cool friends at the same time. I don’t think it was even a conscious dig, she was just used to the cutthroat world of Hollywood public relations.

I forced a smile. “Thanks, Lexi, but I think we’re going to stick with our plans.”

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