out of his apartment something horrible might happen. I’m just not sure if it’s going to be me bursting into tears or kicking him in the balls. At this point, it could go either way.
Reed doesn’t say anything. He just stares at me, a menacing look in his eyes and his body hovering above mine, fists clenched at his sides. If I didn’t know Reed the way I do, I’d be afraid of him, but I’m more afraid of what will happen to my heart if I stay. Turning quickly, I flee from his apartment, praying I make it into the elevator before he comes after me.
As soon as I make it to the steps out front, I realize I left my bag inside ...with him. I groan into the autumn air, shivering as a light wind blows my hair around. There’s no way I’m going back in to get it now. I’m too close to a breakdown. If I go back in there, we’ll just fight, and with as upset as I am I might say something I can’t take back later.
Thankfully, I only live a few blocks over, and I keep a hide-a-key hidden in a large potted plant on my porch. It’s not the smartest idea, and all three Winston brothers have yelled at me over it, but I keep forgetting to move the thing. As much as they hate it, I’m grateful for my forgetfulness right about now.
I hurry as fast as I can down the sidewalk. The streets aren’t lit very well, and fear spikes in my belly at the thought of being kidnapped or worse. Then, heavy footsteps slam against the pavement behind me, making my heart beat faster, and I start running, ignoring my shaky legs and the throbbing in my feet.
“Fallon.” Reed’s deep voice meets my ears, and I realize I’m running for no reason. I slow down, but don’t stop. I’m still too mad at him for that, and now I’m even angrier because he scared me half to death. Unfortunately, he’s so much taller than me that each of his steps is two or three of mine, so before I know it he’s beside me.
Reed grabs my arm and comes to a stop, forcing me to do the same. He pulls me around to face him, and I can see the regret all over his face.
But is it the kiss he regrets or the way he treated me? I’m too afraid to ask, so I stay quiet, shrugging out of his hold and yanking my purse away from him. He seems confused as I start back down the sidewalk in the direction of my apartment.
“That’s it? You’re just going to walk home.” Reed sounds pissed and all I can think is finally, finally he feels something.
“Yes, Reed. I’m just going to walk home. It’s what I was doing before you so rudely interrupted me.” I scoff, trying to hide my real emotions, the ones that want me to beg him to kiss me again, and tell me he was wrong and that he wants to be with me.
“In the dark...” He pauses briefly, but then I hear his footsteps faintly behind me and I know he’s going to follow me home. He’s not running to keep up with me again but merely following at a safe distance. With as upset as I am, it shouldn’t make my insides warm, knowing he’s doing what he can to keep me safe.
He could have just brought my purse back to me tomorrow at work, but even though he’s an ass sometimes, he’s an ass who cares about me ... just not the way I wish he would.
“I can’t do anything about it being dark outside, Reed. I don’t control the weather.” I roll my eyes and continue walking. All is silent between us except for a few crickets and the few cars that drive by. I fight the need to turn around and tell him how angry he made me tonight, how much he hurt me. I’m sure he already knows, because while he might be able to mask his emotions, I’ve never been able to.
Everything I feel shows clearly on my face. It’s something I’ve always hated, especially since my feelings for him should be obvious because of it, yet he’s always been oblivious. Or maybe he just chooses not to see. That might actually be worse.
Reed follows me all the way home like he’s my silent protector, and when we get