Page 17 of F*ckboys

"Of course," she replies, her eyes searching mine for any hint of what's to come.

"Are we making a mistake by trying to reconnect?" I ask, barely able to get the words out. "Or is there still something worth fighting for between us?"

Fallon takes a deep breath, seeming to consider the question carefully. "Honestly, Aksel, I don't know. But maybe... maybe it's worth finding out."

The vulnerability in her voice tugs at my heart, reminding me of the girl I once knew. The girl I fell in love with and could never let go. I'm acutely aware that the uncertainty of our future hangs in the balance, a lingering sense of anticipation keeping us both on edge.

Fallon clears the plates, leaving us each with a full glass of luscious red wine that's flowed freely throughout the evening. Iwasn't anticipating being invited in for a meal, and am grateful the initially frosty reception morphed its way into something far more welcoming.

The apartment is cast in a soft glow, the remnants of our dinner creating an ambiance that echoes with unspoken words. I stand by the living room window, watching Fallon as she swirls the wine in her glass, her eyes lost in the dance of the city lights outside.

The air is heavy with the weight of our shared history, an uncharted territory we find ourselves navigating once again. My fingers twitch at my sides, a silent battle waged within as I'm torn between closing the distance and giving in to the desire that simmers between us, and holding back to protect us both from the inevitable complexities ahead.

As Fallon turns to the balcony, I'm drawn to her silhouette against the cityscape. The cool night air caresses my face as I follow her, the distance between us filled with the unspoken tension that has lingered for years.

I contemplate the intimacy of the evening, the laughter, the shared stories, and the undeniable chemistry that has sparked between us once more. I can't help but notice how beautiful she is, her wavy red hair framing soft features that hold a hint of the girl I once knew. And in this moment, I realize I've never stopped thinking she's the most gorgeous woman I've ever seen.

The temptation to bridge the gap between us, to let my fingers entwine in her hair and my lips claim hers, pulls at me with a force that threatens to unravel my restraint. I take a step forward, the ghost of a kiss hovering in the space between us, a question left unanswered.

Will we find our way back to each other, navigating the landmines of our past to build a future from the ashes of what once was? Or will the shadows that lurk in the corners of my mind, echoes of secrets not yet unveiled, threaten to extinguishthe flickering light between us before it has a chance to burn bright once more? I still don't know the full extent of what I did to earn the bitterness and wrath she's clearly harbored toward me all these years, and I'm not sure whether she'll ever truly share it with me.

Only time will tell. For now, I move to stand beside her, our hands resting on the balcony railing, fingers almost touching. It's a tentative connection, a fragile exploration of what might still linger in the spaces between then and now.

After a comfortable silence, Fallon turns to me, her gaze searching my face as if looking for answers I'm not sure I have. "Why are you really here, Aksel?"

Her question hangs in the air between us, as potent as the unspoken desire that lingers with each fleeting touch and longing look. I hesitate, warring with the truth and the lies that have kept me bound for far too long.

"I don't know," I admit. "I just...I couldn't stay away anymore. After seeing you at the gala I just... needed to reach out. Especially after the way we left things the other night."

"Even after everything that's happened?" The waver in her voice reveals the cracks in her composure. Cracks I'm all too familiar with. Cracks I helped create.

Guilt rises inside me, a bitter taste I can't escape. "Fallon, I'm so sorry for the pain I've caused you." My hand closes over hers, the warmth of her skin chasing away the chill that has lingered inside me for years. "I don't know exactly what happened since we broke up, but I know that I hurt you and you deserved so much better."

A sad smile curves her lips, an unnamed emotion flashing across her face and disappearing as quickly as it came. "We were just kids, Aksel. We didn't know any better."

"Maybe not," I concede. "But I should have fought for you. I should have chosen you, instead of..." My voice trails off, unwilling to speak the name that has haunted us both.

"Instead of what?" Fallon searches my eyes, as if sensing there are still secrets I have yet to reveal. Secrets that might threaten the fragile bond we've begun to forge once more.

I swallow against the tightness in my throat, wondering if now is the time to finally unveil the truth. To let the light in so that the darkness of our past can no longer keep us bound. But as I open my mouth, the words refuse to come.

Some truths are better left unsaid. At least for now.

Fallon turns away, her gaze once again drifting to the city lights beyond. I can see the wheels turning in her head, questions forming that she's afraid to ask. Questions I'm afraid to answer. She doesn't know the dark experiences I've had that come with being deeply entrenched in a family company with strong mafia ties. She doesn't know the trauma I faced after she crushed my heart and blamed me. She's endured pain and so have I.

The silence stretches between us, fragile and laced with secrets. I grasp for something, anything, to chase away the ghosts that linger.

"Do you remember that time we snuck out to watch the sunrise on the beach?" I ask, a wistful smile curving my lips at the memory. "We were so tired we ended up falling asleep right there in the sand."

A soft laugh escapes Fallon, her eyes meeting mine once more. The shadows seem to lift from her expression, warmth replacing the cool distance that had settled upon her features. "I remember waking up with sand in places sand should never be.But it was worth it to see the sky light up like that. To share that moment with you."

Her words wrap around my heart, squeezing tight. Moments we once shared, now tinged with bittersweet nostalgia for a love that might have been.

"We shared so many good moments together." I reach out, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. She initially flinches and then allows her body to relax. My knuckles brush against the softness of her cheek, a featherlight touch that ignites sparks inside me. "Before everything fell apart."

Fallon closes her eyes, leaning into my touch. The simple gesture speaks of a bone-deep longing, an aching familiarity that time and distance have failed to dull.

I know I should pull away. Know that we're treading dangerous ground, awakening a past that's best left buried. But the warmth of her skin against mine is an addiction I don't want to break.

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