AGAIN (Underground Flames)

Chapter Seven

NOW

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I feel a little relieved and so I head back to the living room where I find him sitting on the small couch. His eyes are roaming around the place and I wish I can see what he's thinking.  I throw myself into the longer couch adjacent to him and lay down my exhausted body.

"You live here alone?"

"Yes."

"How long have you been drinking?" He really is starting to get nosey and it annoys me.

"Just tonight."

"How's your mother?" He asks again.

"Fine."

"Your brother?" And that's the last straw.

"Stop asking about my family! Stop asking about my life! Do you even fucking care?!!" I yell at him, my eyes almost piercing through the ceiling.

"I'm sorry." He apologizes.

"You can go now. Thank you."

"Alright then." He let out a sigh. The couch squeaks as he stands up and before leaving the room, my mouth starts to move by itself.

"What did I do, Kyle? Why did you leave? Why-- What really happened to you, Red?"

And my world shuts off.

**********

My eyes fly open. A ringing sound echoes around the apartment. I sit up, holding my throbbing head, and concentrate where it possibly comes from.

"My phone." I mutter, standing up and walking out of the bedroom.

The sound amplifies as I trudge to the living room.  I find my bag vibrating and just as I'm about to open it, the ringing stops. I fish out my phone from the bag and read a missed call from the screen. Scratching my head, I've figured out the number isn't registered.

The phone starts ringing again, startling my goddamn soul, and out of curiosity, I decide to take the call.

"Hello?" I say questioningly.

"Good morning. How's your sleep?"

The familiar tone of his voice sends tremor to my insides.

Where did he get my number and why is he asking about my sleep?

"Uh-- Where did you get my number?" I ask, my eyes roaming around the room.  When I catch a glimpse of the one-sitter couch, the sudden memory of last night comes running down on me.

Shit. He was here.

I remember how I got drunk last night and how I let him take me home. I remember falling asleep on the couch after he left the apartment.

But how did I end up on my bed this morning?

"I have my ways, Dale." The sound of my name in his voice brings butterflies to my stomach. My heart pounds rapidly, making me smile like an idiot.

What are you doing? I mentally slap myself.

I clear my throat. "So-- Why are you calling, Daniels? I'll be right at the office in 30 minutes." I force out a professional tone.

He laughs. "No, you can't." He says with amusement.

"And why not?" I ask. This guy is annoying.

"Because you don't have a car."

"What?!" I blurt out and in seconds, I realize what he means.

Of course! I left my car at the resort when I was too drunk to drive myself and Katie home.