Page 37 of Follow Me Down

Chapter Nine

Fallon

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“There you are.” I turnright as Link steps over the fallen tree log I’m sitting on before taking the spot next to me. “I’ve been looking for you. If it weren’t for all your stuff still in the house, I might have thought you jumped ship.” He bumps his shoulder with mine.

“I’m just thinking.” I force a smile, dragging the tip of my shoe through the dirt.

“Thinking about what?” he asks, shifting toward me. “Titus, perhaps?”

“No,” I blurt way too quickly.

“Um, well I was only half kidding, but given your reaction I’m thinking maybe I hit the nail on the head.” I catch his grin in my peripheral vision. “You like him.” It’s a statement, not a question.

“I don’t even know him,” I counter.

“You don’t have to know everything about a person to know if you’re attracted to them.”

“Well, it doesn’t much matter.”

“And why is that?”

“Because he’s not attracted to me.” I turn to meet his gaze.

“Who told you that?”

“He did.”

“Okay, you’re going to have to give me more than that. What happened between you two? When you left, everything seemed fine. But when you came back, you barely said two words before you disappeared out here. Not to mention Titus has been in quite the mood since you guys got home.”

“What do you mean?” This peaks my interest. Though I’m not entirely sure why.

“He’s been locked in the shop all evening, music blaring. The only time he’s come out was to bum a cigarette off of me.”

“But he doesn’t smoke, does he?” I question. Last night, when Link pulled out the joint, Titus was uninterested before he knew it wasn’t a cigarette. Him smoking now doesn’t seem like his normal.

“On the rare occasion when something is stressing him, he will. So let me ask you again. What happened?”

“It’s stupid.” I kick my feet, feeling my earlier embarrassment return.

“Why don’t you let me be the judge of that?” He gives me a reassuring smile, reminding me once again why I like him so much. I don’t think I’ve ever hit it off with someone quite as effortlessly as I have with Link. It’s refreshing, to feel like I can be myself in front of someone.

“I tried to kiss him,” I say so quickly the words jumble together.

“Come again?” Link’s smile spreads wider.

“You heard me.” I shove at his shoulder, knowing he caught what I said based on his expression.

“Wait, what do you mean youtriedto kiss him?” He arches a brow.

“Just that. I got caught up in the moment, leaned in to kiss him, and he completely shut me down. I’m such an idiot.” I drop my face into my hands, letting out a laugh that sounds more like a sob.

“Hang on.” Link tugs at my hand, forcing me to look at him. “You tried to kiss him and he shot you down?”

“Pretty sure that’s what I just said.”

“Did he say anything to you after the fact?”

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