Page 18 of F*ckboys

An addiction that threatens to consume me whole.

Chapter 9

Fallon

The door clicks shut behind Aksel, leaving only the ghost of his presence in the air. I stand rooted to the spot, the words he left unspoken echoing through my mind. Promises unfinished, emotions undeciphered. The tenderness we shared tonight has cracked open a door I was certain I'd sealed shut forever.

After I finish cleaning the kitchen, I return to the living room where the remnants of Aksel's presence cling to the air like a ghost, refusing to be ignored. My lungs fill with the lingering scent of our shared dinner, each breath stirring up spices and memories I'd hoped were long buried. My heart races as I wander through the dimly lit apartment, my fingertips grazing over the surfaces Aksel touched less than an hour before.

I can't shake the feeling that tonight was an unexpected journey through time, each shared smile and story a cruel reminder of the connection we once had. As I replay the moments in my mind, I dissect every glance, every shared laugh, and every unspoken word. Aksel's eyes, a canvas of emotions, flicker in my memory, haunting me with their intensity. His choice of gifts were a pleasant yet disconcerting surprise, a sign that the past is not fully just a memory for him either.

"Dammit, Fallon," I curse under my breath. "You're supposed to hate him."

But it's not that simple, is it? The past refuses to stay hidden, clawing its way back into my life with every stolen moment between us. My chest tightens as I remember the warmth of his laughter, the sincerity in his gaze when he spoke of our shared history.

"Remember what he did," I tell myself, but the voice inside my head sounds weak, almost pleading.

The wine in my glass catches the light, casting a crimson shadow on the tablecloth. I can't help but think of how it mirrors the swirl of emotions inside me—a turbulent mix of longing, doubt, and the bittersweet taste of revenge. I take a deep breath and raise the wine to my lips, savoring its warmth as it slides down my throat.

"Here's to us," I whisper, my voice barely audible over the hum of the city outside. "To whatever this is, and whatever it may become."

As I make my way to the balcony, the cool night air embraces me like an old friend, bringing with it a sense of clarity that has been absent for far too long. The city lights dance across my face, casting a gentle glow on my features as I gaze out at the familiar skyline.

I can almost hear Aksel's voice in my ear, his deep, melodic tone urging me to take the leap and rediscover the love we onceshared. But my heart still bears the scars of our past, and I can't shake the feeling that what we had was simply too volatile, too destructive to ever truly be called love. After all, nobody who loves you should cause you so much pain.

And yet, here I am, lost in the memories of our laughter and the vulnerability we allowed each other to see. It's a dangerous game we're playing, one that threatens to tear open old wounds and leave us both bleeding anew. But the allure of Aksel King, the man who once held my heart in his hands, is impossible to resist.

"Damn you, Aksel," I murmur into the night, my voice carried away by the breeze. "Why did you have to come back? Why couldn't you leave well enough alone and just let me continue to hate you?"

As I lean against the railing, my thoughts swirling like the wine in my glass, I know that there's no turning back now. Our past refuses to be forgotten, and whether it leads to healing or further heartache, I cannot deny the pull of the connection that still binds us together.

"Get a grip, Fallon," I chastise myself, trying to regain control over my thoughts. "Just because he's back doesn't mean anything has changed."

But even as I say the words, I know they're a lie. Tonight's dinner was an unexpected journey through time, each shared smile and story a reminder of what we once were. And now, those feelings are resurfacing within me, calling everything into question.

The city lights continue to twinkle like distant stars, watching over me as I close my eyes and take a deep breath, ready to face whatever challenges lie ahead.

Chapter 10

Fallon

The buzzing of my phone disrupts the silence in my condo, as I stare at the screen. It's Aksel's name that flashes across it, sending a whirlwind of emotions through me. My finger hesitates above the screen before opening the message. Concise and laced with an air of vulnerability, the invitation to meet him for coffee catches me off guard.

Aksel: It was so good to see you the other day. Thanks again for dinner. You're an amazing chef! Meet me tomorrow, 3 p.m. at The Roasted Bean?

His words pull me back into memories of our shared history. The Roasted Bean was our place, once upon a time, when we ventured into the city on dates. I bite my lip, feeling conflicted, but ultimately, I type out a response.

Fallon: Okay. See you there.

I take a deep breath, knowing that I need to keep this meeting a secret from Mia. She's been my ever-loyal confidante and wouldn't approve of my rendezvous with Aksel after the way he hurt me. But something deep inside me yearns for resolution, so many things unsaid the other evening, and I can't help but follow that instinct.

Feeling apprehensive, I push open the door to the coffee shop, the familiar chime of the bell overhead announcing my entrance. The aroma of freshly ground beans fills the air, wrapping around me like a comforting embrace, but it does little to ease the tension that coils in my chest.

The weight of my decision to keep this meeting a secret from Mia presses down on me like the heavy, humid air outside. I've never hidden anything from her before, and the guilt gnaws at the edges of my conscience. But I can't bear the thought of what she might say if she found out about Aksel's invitation, and how she might remind me of all the reasons we shouldn't be in each other's lives.

The quaint coffee shop nestled in the heart of the city feels like stepping back in time. Its warm, dimly lit interior creates an intimate setting, a stark contrast to the storm of emotions brewing within me.

As my eyes scan the room, searching for Aksel's face among the others, my heart races as I wonder whether he feels the same sense of unease as I do. I'm not sure either of us is ready to face the truths that lie beneath the surface of our past.

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