Page 19 of Further To Fall

LA was finally starting to feel like home. I loved the kids in my class and working at the same school as Taylor was a blast. We didn’t have a ton of time to socialize, but she and Kyle always helped me when I got stuck planning lessons and made the teachers’ lounge a more amusing place.

I walked up the steps to my apartment and unlocked the door. Music was on, so Lexi must be home. We were mostly ships passing in the night since she was out till all hours at glamourous Hollywood events, and I had to be up at 5:30 every morning, but our roommate setup worked for the most part. “Hey, Lex, I’m home.”

Lexi popped out of her bedroom, all boobs, Victoria Secret angel hair, and the most put-together outfit. She was a knockout. “Thank God! I need your opinion on shoes!” She held up two pairs of stilettos. I pointed to the pair in her left hand. “So,” she asked distractedly as she slipped on the black Louboutin’s, “how was school stuff?”

I dropped my bag on one of the bar stools and sighed. “It was good, but I’m exhausted. How was work for you?”

She felt around for a hole in her ear and slid a diamond hoop through it. “Oh, great, but just getting started. I have an event at the Roosevelt tonight. Whatever boring plans you have, you should cancel them and come out!”

I leaned back into the cool granite counter; it felt great against my aching back. “No going out for me tonight. I’m going to jump in the shower and then make dinner. Austin’s coming over, and we’re going to listen to our latest true crime podcast obsession.”

Lexi’s mouth pulled tight. “You two are like a nerdy, old married couple. You might as well be watching Jeopardy while you eat dinner on your TV trays.” She flicked her hair over her shoulder and turned back to her room.

“I’m cool with my nerd status, Lex,” I called, heading for my own room. I peeled off my binding work clothes and stepped into the steaming shower. It was heaven and just the pick-me-up I needed.

Towel-drying my hair, I wove it into a braid down my back and took out my contacts, opting for my glasses instead. I searched out my comfiest yoga pants, fuzzy socks, and worn tee, long-ago having given up on trying to look put-together every time Austin came over. We just saw each other too much, and I was lazy.

Slipping my feet into my cozy slippers, I headed into the kitchen to prep dinner. I wasn’t the best cook in the world, but I had a rotation of a dozen or so meals I could do well. Luckily, Austin was into boring food for training mode, so it was poached chicken, veggies, and sweet potatoes with no fun stuff like butter for him, and veggies and mac and cheese with all the fun stuff for me.

I was just finishing up when I heard my front door open. “A, is that you?”

Austin’s dark head, still damp from a shower, rounded the corner. He wore joggers that hung perfectly from his hips, and his worn, gray t-shirt clung to his sculpted chest. Yup, still not accustomed to his hotness. “Who else would it be?” He rounded the kitchen bar and pulled me into his arms. I lived for these moments of closeness, and as I wrapped my arms around his waist, I felt the stress of the day melt away. “Tough day?” he asked.

I tilted my head back but kept my arms around his waist. My chin rested between his pecs, and he looked down at me. “I’m just worn out and ready for Christmas break. I’ve been going non-stop to fit in everything I need to by the end of the year.”

Austin leaned down just a bit farther and kissed my forehead. “You’re almost there. One and a half weeks, and you’re home free.”

I reluctantly let go of his waist, feeling his warmth fade. “You’re right, the end is within sight. Dinner’s pretty much done if you’re ready to eat.”

“Yeah, I’m starved. Thanks for cooking for me, babe.”

Babe. Babe was a newer endearment, and I had mixed feelings about it. On one hand, it made me shiver and tingle in parts of my body that definitely did not say “friendship.” On the other hand, it made me mad, as he clearly had no intention of taking our relationship to a romantic place, so “babe” just reminded me of everything that would never be mine.

I shook myself out of those negative thoughts and reminded myself that I loved Austin. He was a great friend, and I was beyond grateful to have him in my life, even if it wasn’t in every way I wished it could be.

“Earth to Carter…hello…”

I swung around to face the source of my space out. “What? Sorry.”

Austin chuckled. “You must be exhausted. I asked you what you wanted to drink like three times.”

I forced a smile. “Yeah, super tired. Sorry. I’ll take a diet root beer, thanks.”

He gave my shoulder a squeeze as he grabbed drinks and put them on the table. “You still up for another podcast episode?”

A genuine smile came to my lips this time. “Do you even have to ask? I have to know if my predictions are right.”

“You always think it’s the boyfriend or husband.”

“In over 75% of murders, the victim knows the murderer, and it’s usually the spouse!” Luckily, Austin shared my morbid fascination with true crime TV shows and podcasts.

“You are such a weirdo. You’re lucky I like you.”

“Oh, yes, oh so blessed am I.” I tucked my hands under my chin and fluttered my eyelashes at him. Austin just laughed and pinched my side, sending pleasant shivers up my spine.

Just then, I heard a door open, and Lexi sauntered out looking like sex on a stick. I couldn’t help but compare my long and lean body to her curvaceous one. My shoulders drooped involuntarily. “Hey there, Austin, keeping our little Carter company tonight?” She grinned wickedly at him.

“More like she’s taking care of me.” He lifted his plate off the bar and set it on the table in the dining nook. “Fueling me up for my fight next weekend.”

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