Page 30 of Falling for You

Oh boy. I think it’s best if I hang up the phone. I’msonot equipped to deal with a pregnant and emotional woman. Especially considering my go-to reaction here is to laugh, which doesn’t seem to go over well because the next words out of Olivia’s mouth are something about fucking off.

“Thank you,” I eventually say.

“You’re welcome. And Rex?”

“Yeah?”

“I know we give you shit about never having a girlfriend and sleeping around but if you ever want to talk about it, I’m here. And so is Ethan. Neither of us will ever forget how you were there for us when we had to face our demons when it came to relationships. I know what it’s like to assume the worst and think you know the outcome before you even get started.”

I know my brother won’t interfere again. I made sure of that when I walked away from my family for the last time years ago, and trust me when I say we’re all happier for it. They don’t miss me, and I definitely don’t miss them. But I understand what she’s saying. It’s hard not to expect the ending when it’s all I’ve known, and that’s what she was afraid of as well. Why she had a hard time committing to Ethan.

She clicks her tongue when I don’t give her the response she’s looking for. That being me spilling my guts and telling her what has me fighting relationships. “Okay, I’ve said what I needed to say. Now, take the girl out for pizza. Get to know her. Take her picture and tell me her name.”

When I finally stop laughing from her not-so-subtle add at the end, I tell her, “I will do no such thing.”

“Dammit. I thought I had you.”

“Gotta wake up earlier in the morning to get one by me.”

“Have fun on your first date, Rex!” she shouts and I have a feeling it’s because Ethan just came into the room. I can just picture him tripping over furniture to get to the phone so the nosey fucker can hear all about it. And give me plenty of shit to go along with it.

Rather than wait around for him to get on the phone I quickly say my goodbye and hang up, ignoring my phone that immediately begins ringing.

Soon a text pops through.

Ethan:You can run, but you can’t hide.

Rolling my eyes, I don’t even bother responding. I’m sure he’s thinking he’s incredibly clever.

Rather, I wipe my palms on my pants and send a text to Chloe.

Me:Dinner still work tonight?

I wait for the little bubbles to pop up to let me know she’s responding but they never show up. After ten minutes, I do my best to stop stressing about it when I remember that she’s working. I would assume she can’t be on her phone all that much while she’s fixing someone’s hair.

But when almost two hours goes by and I still haven’t heard from her, I can only assume that she changed her mind.

I just didn’t realize how much that thought would piss me off.

Chapter Eight

Chloe

“Holy crap, I’m so tired.”

My boss, Ari, nods her head as she kicks off her shoes and starts massaging her feet. I’m not sure what happened to our schedules today, but they were packed from the time Rex walked out until now. I was so busy, I didn’t get a chance to eat lunch and only managed to use the restroom once. Thank goodness Jana took pity on us and at least kept us hydrated. She did, stop us both and make us eat a granola bar.

I think she felt guilty for overbooking both of us since she’s the one who does all our scheduling. Normally having a haircut scheduled while my client’s hair is processing a color or highlight wouldn’t be a big deal. But for it to happen with every appointment without a single break throughout the day is exhausting.

My feet throb, my brain is tired, and my body aches all over. I grabbed a box of crackers to munch on while we recuperate but even lifting them to my mouth proves to be a lot of effort.

“I’m so sorry, guys.”

We both wave Jana off. Ari groans, when she presses her thumb into the fleshy center of her foot. “I’m just gonna sleep right here tonight. I’ll let Chloe shower me tomorrow by the shampoo bowls.”

They both cackle when I throw a cracker at her face. It hits her in the cheek and lands on her chest. She tosses in her mouth and even though I have the box with me, I’m jealous she’s eating. I don’t think I’ve ever been so hungry in my life.

Groaning, I whine. “I’m so freaking hungry. What time is it, anyway?”

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