Facade

Cheye

It’s something I probably should have heard but wasn’t really paying attention. Since darkness is making its descent across the sky, it wasn’t very smart of me either.

“It’s been a long day. There’s a lot going on.”

“I hear ya. Colt had a doctor’s appointment today and those always freak me out. He’s out right now. I was pla

I want to, even though I shouldn’t do it. Shouldn’t push my way into Adrian’s life any more than I already have, but I like her. She’s cool and God, what I wouldn’t give to have a friend around here. I miss having friends. Back home everyone knew who I was and what had happened, which made it difficult.

I guess it wouldn’t hurt to hang out if I don’t talk about Adrian.

“Sure,” I tell her. “Which apartment are you in? I want to run home and clean up real quick.” I hate admitting the giddiness inside me. I’m eighteen years old. This is what my life is supposed to be. Hanging out with friends instead of dealing with a suicidal mom and a brother who might be losing himself too.

Cheye

Pushing those thoughts aside, I put my shoes on before heading over to Cheye

* * *

I’m holding my third drink, watching the grains of salt drift from the top of my glass and into my margarita.

“Hehehe. I think my salt is having a race,” I say, and then Cheye

“Oh my God. That’s the fu

At that we both start laughing. She’s sitting on the bed in the small studio apartment she shares with Colt. I’m at the table, which hardly has enough room for the two chairs sitting at it.

But I love it. Their apartment is perfect because you can tell how happy they are in it. There’s pictures on the walls and Colt’s clothes mixed with hers in a basket and it’s so perfect I want to cry. I know for a fact how things can look perfect but not really be that way. Somehow I know that’s not the case here. Or maybe I only want to believe it.

“How long have you and Colt been together?” I ask her.

She gets that dreamy look in her eyes and my heart flutters for them.

“Honestly we haven’t been together very long. Just since the begi

It takes her a few minutes, and I give them to her. Understand what she’s going through because though I’ve never been one who has a hard time saying how I feel, I have experience with people who do.

“I wasn’t really in a good place when I met him. Colt wasn’t either. We didn’t plan to fall in love, but—”

“I think that’s maybe the best kind of love. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt you.”

She gives me a kind smile. “What do you mean?”

I don’t let myself think before I speak. “I think falling in love by accident is special. I remember my mom telling me when she met my dad that she knew he would be hers. I used to think that was kind of romantic, but… that turned out horribly. I think when love sneaks up on you, when it grabs on to you when you least expect it, maybe that’s more of a sign it’s real. That it’s meant to be and nothing could stop the two of you from falling for each other.”

I’m drifting away, looking at a picture of Cheye

“I think maybe you’re right.” I hear the smile in her voice. “He’s helped me through a lot. I don’t know if I would have made it without him. The cool thing is, and this might make me sound a little conceited, but I don’t care because it’s true. I know I do the same for him. Things aren’t always easy, but I know in here”—she touches her chest—“that we belong together.”

I take a drink, trying to give myself a little bit of space from the mood that’s turned slightly somber, but also full of hope. I want that hope. Want it to spread from Cheye

“What about you? Have you ever been in love?” she asks.

Automatically, I shake my head. That’s an easy one. “No.” My mind then turns to what Cheye

“Okay, seriously, we’re getting all mopey. I hate girls who get drunk and depressed. We’re supposed to be having fun,” she says.

At that I smile. I really like this girl. “You’re right. I have a question for you…” I swore to myself I wouldn’t ask her about Adrian, but after the drinks, I can’t help it. I want to hear something, anything to get to know him, but then the door pushes open and Colt comes in. Man, he’s incredibly sexy with messy blond hair and this cocky edge about him.

“Hey you!” Cheye

“Hey, Tiny Dancer.” And then he laughs. “You’re drunk as fuck, aren’t you?”

She giggles a yes and then my breath backs up into my lungs when Adrian steps into the doorway behind them. His eyes are tinged red, and I take in his strong jaw and his dark hair. Holy crap is he sexy too. My heart starts to race and I silently beg it to take a breather.

When his eyes find me, he grins. There’s a storm in his gaze that I feel rain down on me. Adrian puts his arm on the opposite side of the doorway. “Well, what do we have here?”

His voice is sexy, which I know he’s doing on purpose, but the alcohol invites it in, lets it seep through me and into me, warm and inviting, before it drags my memory to his kisses.

Kisses I can’t let happen again.

Maybe this is a good thing, fate that he showed up here when I have liquor to give me a loose tongue.

Tonight, I tell myself. Tonight will be the perfect time to tell him.

Chapter Eleven

~Adrian~

“It’s cold! Close the door!” Cheye

I look back at her and she’s still giving me the same sexy, flirty little look that I don’t think she realizes is on her face. She’s gorgeous as hell. I’m pretty sure she’s not one of those girls who’s hot and pretends not to know it, but she also doesn’t strike me as the real flirty type. There’s this air of i

I don’t hang around many i

“Adrian! Stop staring at Laney and close the door before I kick your ass,” Cheye