The Hysterics by Kristen Hope Mazzola

Author:Kristen Hope Mazzola [Mazzola, Kristen Hope]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Walls

FALLON

The chilled night air nipped at my cheeks while we made our way to Dane’s apartment building. The walk was silent, soaked in our cavernous thoughts. Dane’s face had a weak layer of a five o’clock shadow that gently scratched at my forehead as I leaned into him to block the soft night squall that whipped through the air. His arm never moved from my shoulders, keeping my cold body close to his warmth.

I just don’t get this. All of it was so weird to me: the way we just clicked, how comfortable I already was with him. It felt like we were two puzzle pieces that had been missing from each other’s incomplete lives until now. I wasn’t usually a trusting person. I had walls—fucking high ass walls—guarding my heart. I was terrified of losing someone I loved so much ever again. Dad was enough. That’s why I liked Rhodes and only had fuck buddies, never real relationships, before him. If you don’t get close enough, it doesn’t hurt that bad when they leave.

Dane was different. It wasn’t work, it wasn’t uncomfortable; it was natural. I didn’t need to be around him every second, but every fiber in my body buzzed with excitement when we were close. Whenever I wasn’t with him, I wanted to be.

Flutters crashed around in my stomach when we got to the security door at Dane’s building. I was freaking nervous as all get out, so naturally, I stopped dead in my tracks.

“Aren’t you coming in?” Dane held the door with his foot, running his hands up and down my arms.

I nodded. “Yeah, of course.”

Cold feet? Nerves? Ugh, I don’t like this side of me.

The light in the tiny foyer flickered while we waited for the elevator. It was musty and drab, almost depressing. The light gray wallpaper was peeling at the corners and the tile was in desperate need of a good scrubbing. The elevator dinged and opened. I wasn’t too thrilled to be stepping into the small space; I hated elevators, plain and simple. I was terrified of getting stuck in one, and this one seemed to be a death trap.

Dane put his arm out to hold the door and waited for me to get inside. I was frozen; there was no way in hell I was stepping foot into that dang rickety contraption.

“Can we take the stairs?” I wrapped my arms around my waist, staring into the old elevator with disdain.

“Um, sure. It’s six flights though.” Dane shrugged and headed for the entry to the stairwell. “Don’t like elevators?” He grabbed my hand while holding the door for me. The light squeeze of pressure let my shoulders relax as I took the first couple of steps.

“It’s healthier to take the stairs.” I smiled, continuing to make my way up to Dane’s apartment.

Huffing, Dane kept up a good pace next to me. “So, are you coming to our practice tomorrow?”

My sneakers squealed on each step while I thought about it. I wasn’t sure it was a good idea.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.