Free Falling

29 | release

warning: heavy sexual content ahead!

I stared at Finn, not sure I'd heard him right. But as the seconds ticked by, it became all too clear that I had.

What had I done wrong? I felt the walls he'd built up, tall and imposing, closing in around him. Was he so disturbed about the stalking incident to the point of pushing me away?

"Don't close up on me like that. Don't," I warned, feeling my hands tremble at my sides. Stupid, betraying tears pricked my eyes. I stared at him through blurry vision.

He didn't say a word. He wouldn't even look at me.

"Fine." I ground out, typing furiously on my phone. The screen was all too bright now, highlighting the tears that threatened to fall, causing me further irritation. If I was being honest, everything seemed to annoy me. The cellular network was down to one bar and took twice the amount of time to get anything done.

And to think that everything had been going so well. I'd stomached the drinks pretty well and during the course of the night felt extra appreciative of my relationships. Maybe I should have kept my fingers crossed a little longer.

The taxi arrived five agonizing minutes later. I turned to Finn, expecting him to snap out of it and pull me back and promise to sleep in. But his gaze was set straight forward, overlooking the parking lot.

"Right," I muttered, not bothering to mask the hurt and pain in my voice.

"I'll call you."

Don't bother, I wanted to say but my teeth clamped together, keeping any words locked up. Unbelievable.

I got into the cab, shut the door and sunk into the seat. The driver moved, heading for my apartment. As reality slowly set in and the drama of the last ten minutes replayed in my head, there was no stopping the tears. I swallowed back a sob just as it came.

The driver had to repeat that we'd arrived at the destination twice. I unravelled from my position in the corner of the car and paid, ignoring calls to collect my change as I moved lifelessly past the entrance of the apartment complex.

When I got into my apartment, I made a beeline for my room and climbed into my bed, burying myself underneath my sheets.

I heard my doorbell go off. I chose to ignore it. I didn't have the strength to deal with people anymore. Whoever it was would have to come back another time, when I wouldn't blow up in their face.

It went off a second time. Then a third.

With a deep scowl on my face, I dragged my body up and marched to the door, ready to spit fire.

Finn was the last person I expected to see at my doorstep when I pulled the door open. An intoxicating feeling bubbled inside me, but I stayed put. Silently, I crossed my hands over my chest and glared at him so hard I hoped holes would burn through his head.

"I never mentioned how sexy that dress is." His voice was barely above a whisper, low and hoarse. It nearly brought me to my knees.

I rolled my eyes at him, pretended like I hadn't been bawling my eyes out just five minutes ago. "Go away. I'm not going to let you treat me like that and come running back whenever you deem fit."

He moved closer to me and I backed up, giving him full access into my space.

He surprised me by shutting the door, then twisting the lock. I swallowed.

"You're going to play the silent card again, huh? Well, fuck you!" I spat and spun on my heel, marching away from him and to wherever wasn't here.

I felt his arm snake around my waist and pull me against his taut body. I moved to pry free from him, but his grip on my waist was steely.