Page 15 of Fall to Me

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Snapping. Flashing.

Ringing. Lots and lots of ringing.

“13 Black,” I shout.

The day I met my wife.

My River.

Giggles. Hers. I peek.

She’s there. So fucking gorgeous.

She’s walking. Kinda. Sleeping and walking.

Key card. Gotta get in.

“Whoawhoawhoa, wifey.”

I pick her up. My arm screams. I don’t care. Worth it.

Door slamming.

We fall onto clouds.

Giggles.

“So hot.” That’s my wife.

She is. Hot. Yes.

River

The blinding morning sunlight pours into my apartment as I press my face further into the pillow, releasing a muffled groan. Who the hell thought it would be a good idea to live in a corner apartment surrounded by windows?

Oh, yeah.

That would be me.

The jackhammer digging into my skull isn’t helping matters at all.

My phone rings like a screeching siren. God, why do I feel so sick right now? The room spins behind my eyelids. Reaching for the irritating device, I slap the top of my nightstand until I find the menace in my grip.

“Hello?” I grumble into the phone.

“River, where the hell are you?” my mom screeches. “Aspen’s been trying to call you all morning! Are you okay?”

“Yeah, Mom. I’m okay. Can you stop screaming at me? I don’t feel well.”

“Well, that’s what you get for the stunt you pulled last night . . .” Mom yammers on. “You need to hurry your ass. It takes thirty minutes to get to the venue?—”

Venue?

I crack an eye open.

This isn’t my apartment.

Fuck! It’s Aspen’s wedding day!

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