Page 35 of Fall I Want
“Shit,” I hiss, feeling it vibrate but unable to read what it says. So, I do the only thing I can think of and use voice command. This is the third device I’ve broken this year.
“Send a text to Alex Alexander.”
It talks back. “What would you like to say?”
“I’m not ignoring you. I’m really clumsy and dropped my phone again. The screen is shattered. I hope it’s not a bad omen. Anyway, have a good night.” I command it to send.
After a few seconds, it vibrates with a text I can’t read. When I don’t respond, my phone rings. Out of habit, I click where the button to answer would be and am surprised it works.
“Hello?”
“Hi. Um. Did you mean to text me?”
“Yes,” I say, sitting on my loveseat and setting my plate of food on the old coffee table I rescued from the landfill. Silence fills the space. It’s awkward when I don’t know what to say. “I shattered my screen so I can’t read your texts. I used voice command to explain the situation.”
He clears his throat and chuckles. “It says: ‘I’m not boring you.I’m really horny and dropped my panties again. I hope it’s not a bad omen. Anyway, have a good night.’”
My phone did me so dirty, and my cheeks heat from embarrassment. “I did not say that, I swear.”
“Do you have plans this weekend?”
“Let me check my schedule.” Instead, I take a bite of food, knowing my calendar is free from now until eternity. “I’m available.”
“Can you reserve Friday night and Saturday for your new best friend?”
A smile takes hold. “Be careful using the termbest friendaround Julie and Blaire.”
“Noted.” He pauses. “I want to hang out with you.”
My heart races. “I’m extremely boring.”
“Perfect because I was just thinking about how I could use moreboringin my life.”
“Okay.” I grin, setting my fork down. “This weekend is yours.”
“Great. We’re going to have a lot of fun.”
“I look forward to it,” I say, truthfully. “Good night.”
“Sweet dreams.”
He ends the call, which is great because I wouldn’t be able to with a shattered screen.
September has already been a whirlwind and I have a feeling we’re just getting started. I just hope I’m not making the biggest mistake of my life and setting myself up for heartbreak. It’s too early to tell.
Chapter 8
Alexander
Iwake up without an alarm and sit up to see the sun rising through the windows that stretch across the wall of the main bedroom. A balcony large enough for entertaining runs the length of the room and wraps around one side of the house. Since I arrived, I have not once drawn the curtains. Every day I’m here, I plan to enjoy the view.
Instead of staying in bed, I get up and open the glass door then step outside to watch the sun rise over the mountains. A chill rushes over me and I shiver, but take it in. Bright bursts of pink, orange, and yellow whip across the sky. My phone buzzes on my nightstand and I ignore it. Who the fuck is calling me this early, anyway?
Then I remember the time difference and know it’s later in New York. However, I won’t be pulled away from this view.
I sit on one of the Adirondack chairs and place my feet on the railing. It’s cold, but it makes me feel alive as I watch the fog drift over the peaks. With a logical mind, I’m ready to tackle my day of nothing. My agenda is blank and the schedule is cleared until January.
After nearly three weeks of being here, it’s sinking in that I’m free to do whatever the fuck I want. It’s empowering and has me reconsidering everything in my life. Especially the future.
