The Fear of Falling

Chapter Fifteen

I stood behind the counter, hiding my hands in my sweater sleeves. The girls buzzed around me.

"So, did you guys-" Sarah kicked off the inquisition but Jade jumped in before she could finish.

"You fucked like a million times, right?"

I laughed with my nerves bubbling to the surface. "We actually spent most of the week bickering."

"No way," Jade scoffed. "You two? Bickering? I didn't see that coming."

I shot her a sarcastic smile, earning a chuckle; then, came clean. "Well, we did get really bored and..."

They leaned in.

"Fell asleep on the couch together."

Sarah's shoulders dropped. "That's sweet." The look on her face told me she was expecting more—much more.

"Yeah, that was after I tried to seduce him."

"What?"

"It was stupid," I said, knowing that their questions would continue for longer if I didn't cave. "I was getting cabin fever and assumed that fucking again would-"

"Again?" Jade's eyes widened. "So, the lingerie worked?"

Sarah scoffed. "That does not sound like being just friends."

I grinned. No, it doesn't.

****

By the time I freed myself from Sarah and Jade, the sun had begun to set. I marched down the sidewalk, determined to throw myself into bed the moment that I arrived home.

My muscles still ached days after my cold had disappeared. Apparently, sneezing and coughing were my kryptonite.

I rounded the corner to my apartment and walked up the stairs while considering asking Gavin if he'd like to watch a movie. Or a cartoon. Anything that wouldn't leave me alone in my bedroom all night.

My hopes were quickly dashed when I heard the sound of tipsy frat boys coming from our living room. I stifled a groan and opened the door. What did you expect? After seven days of quarantine together, Gavin probably wanted little to do with me.

Especially after I attempted to dry hump him in his sleep; although, he did ask for a raincheck.

I wandered down the hall, all the while contemplating turning myself around and spending the rest of the night camped out at a Starbucks.

Then, the crowd of boys spotted me, and my opportunity to run flitted in the wind.

"Megan!" One of them greeted me with a wide smile. "How are you today?"

I shrugged, overwhelmed by the unexpected company. "Good. Tired."

"Tired? Have a beer with us. It'll wake you up."

I ignored the offer and fought the urge to glance at Gavin. Instead, my gaze fell onto Wade. He tucked his head down and pretended that I didn't exist. What else is new?

"No, thanks." Being social was not on my "To Do" list. My book, on the other hand, was calling my name.

I turned on my heel, catching a glimpse of Gavin's face on my way out but I didn't hear his voice until the door shut behind me.

"She's just my roommate."

The guys laughed. I imagined them nudging Gavin and making kissing faces. "Your roommate or just your mate."

I gagged; that kind of humor made me want to weep for the human race.

When curiosity got the best of me, I peered out of my door; careful not to alert the frat bros of my presence.