Page 55 of Fall
“No, they don’t. But I wouldn’t care if they did. You were the first person I wanted to see, and so here I am. I’m done letting people dictate what I do.
“Almost losing my life was probably the best thing that ever happened to me, Angel. I realized that not being with you would have been my biggest regret, and I don’t intend on ever letting that happen. So you’re just gonna have to get used to it.”
“What? And I don’t get a say? Please, Micah. Don’t do this. You and I…” I sigh. “It just isn’t in our cards. Nothing good could come of this,” I say, steadily focusing on trying to keep my heart rate normal.
I just need to get inside, close the door, and shut him out.
He doesn’t get the chance to debate any further as we both hear the elevator ping. I turn to see Taylor and Celeste walk out of the elevator without a care in the world.
“Hey, bro! You’re alive,” Taylor shouts, hurrying down the hall. “Fuck, man. It’s so good to see you,” he says, giving Micah one of those weird ass bro hugs. “When did you get back?”
I watch Micah’s ocean-blue eyes spark with life. “A few hours ago. This was my first stop.”
“Shit. Does anyone else know you’re back?” Taylor questions, and Micah shakes his head, a slow smirk stretching across his face.
“Nope. The night is all ours.”
“Oh, for Christ’s sake. This is not happening,” I say, but my words fall on deaf ears.
I look to Celeste for help, but she gives me one of her mischievous grins. This girl has got something brewing, and I don’t like it.
Taylor wraps one arm around my shoulder and continues talking to Micah.
“Don’t worry, man. I’ve kept her all warm and out of trouble for you like you asked.”
“What!” I scoff. “Why don’t you just fuck all the way off. You didn’t do shit.”
Taylor ignores my outburst, and they both continue to talk about me as if I’m not even here.
“Thanks, man. I appreciate it.” Micah nods his head in Taylor’s direction.
“Yeah, well, I’ll appreciate it more when you pay me. You owe me like three hundred and twelve dollars and eighty cents for all the damn coffee. Oh, and you can take over the morning delivery. She’s definitely a beast before caffeine.”
My arms cross over my chest in annoyance while they discuss my lack of humanity before coffee.
I’m right here, assholes.
My jaw falls open as I watch in horror when Taylor proceeds to unlock our door, and they both walk into my domain like they live there. My eyes bug out of my head when Celeste follows them in like it’s just a normal day in the neighborhood. She looks over her shoulder at me in confusion.
“What? Did you really think I was getting up every morning to let him in?”
I grind my teeth together, and steam literally comes out of my nose. But I walk in behind them, anyway, unsure of when my life became so claustrophobic.
I choose to ignore the entire scene in front of me and walk straight to my bedroom.
“Be ready in twenty minutes,” Taylor shouts at me.
I raise my middle finger at him in response and slam my door. I can faintly hear Micah’s laughter as Taylor tells him, “Welcome home.”
* * *
We make it to The Brewery almost an hour later. Evidently, even though Taylor said be ready in twenty, Celeste decided that twenty minutes wasn’t sufficient and took her time. Not that I’m complaining. I spent the extra time sitting in my room sulking and away from the boys.
“Now that you’re back, what happens?” Celeste asks Micah, but Taylor replies.
“Now… Micah goes to the council to let them know it was that fucking douche bag and not Evie that shot him. Case closed,” Taylor answers, sounding like Velma from Scooby-Doo who’s just finished revealing the culprit.
He casually places his arm on Celeste’s shoulder, and the death stare she gives him makes me chuckle.