Page 4 of Free-Falling
“I swear to God, I will jump out of the car right now.”
I shrug. “Do us both the honor.”
She huffs turning away facing the window, her arms folded over her chest. I lick my lips at how much I’m enjoying the thought of ruining her life.
“Anyway, that was dramatic.” Oran says. “So, I take it you’re not coming back?”
“Nope, take all the booze, go home and get some ass. You sound grumpy, you big shit.”
“Kiss my ass.” He hangs up.
“Drop me off at Lina’s house.” Ainslee says.
I shrug, turning and going towards her so-called best friend’s house. Ainslee turns her body towards me, “how do you know where she lives?”
I roll my eyes. “You know that you met Lina at one of my parties, right? She’s my ex. How else would I know where she lives?”
“Your ex? She never told me that. She said you two used to be close once.”
“Uh-huh. She can call it what she wants. We dated in high school that was a long time ago. Now shut up.”
Chapter 2
Ainslee
Jagger, the asshole, doesn’t even give me a minute to slam his door when he peels off like a bat out of hell.
“I hope you crash, bitch!” I scream out.
Instinctively, as if he heard me, he sticks his hand out of his window and flips me the finger. I roll my eyes, pick up my too heavy dress and make my way into Lina’s building.
“Hey, Johnny,” I greet the doorman who looks at me like I’m crazy.
He smirks, shaking his head. “You a runaway bride, Ms. Bishops? And you took the loot too?” He gestures to my ring.
I look down at my left hand. I forgot about the damn ring. I roll my eyes. “Unfortunately, I was dragged away from the aisle in a headlock. So, no, I didn’t get to run away, I’m a bride now. Is Lina home?”
He nods. “Yes, ma’am she is. Got in not too long ago.”
“Thanks, Johnny.” I say. I make my way to the elevator and press the penthouse floor.
Lina used to live here with her family, but now that her parents have moved away, she has the whole floor to herself. Now that I think about it, the Hanlons own this building; I wonder if she gets a discount from Jagger? The elevator dings, pulling me out of my thoughts. I automatically am hit with a sweet coffee scent.
I walk further in. “Lina! Lina!”
Lina comes out of her bedroom looking a total mess. Her smudged mascara is a sign that she’s been crying all night. “You weren’t gonna tell me?” She shrieks.
“Tell you what?” I ask.
Her face pales. She takes me in. She points at my dress. “This! You got married… to Jagger! What kind of friend are you?”
I flinch, my head jerking back. “I’m confused. Okay, I couldn’t tell you until the whole thing finished, and it’s not like I wanted to. You know I love Eli. You know that! And I don’t get it. Why are you questioning my friendship? Because I didn’t tell you ahead of time?”
“No! Because you married Jagger! You know that I like him, right? I still love him.”
At this, I laugh. I laugh hard, clutching my stomach. Lina is putting on a good act. “You’re, you’re not serious. You can’t even stand him. You always leave the room when he comes in. I’ve seen you snarl his way, Lina. Plus, you know I had no choice. I came crying to you about it when these parents decided my fate. I told you how badly Eli got beaten up. You know my family and what they’re about. I had no choice!” I scream out.
I’m frustrated. Everyone thinks Jagger and I had much of a choice. Even if I can’t stand him, I know how much he would do for Layla so for us to get married means we didn’t have a choice.
