Page 10 of Forever Cursed

I don’t have a roommate, so I walk into silence daily, which isn’t terrible. Most nights, I come home after practice and pass out. Today, though, I wish I had someone to keep me company. Someone who would talk my ear off, and I would return the favor. Someone who would laugh at my jokes and hold me in their arms as we lie in bed. Someone who would love me for me.

Walking across the gray carpet, I make the right into my bedroom. I turn on the box fan by the door for white noise and plop into bed face-first. Focusing on the fan’s blades, I tune out my surroundings and fall deep into my subconscious.

“Where are you going?” I ask, trailing after Mom as she carries an oversized bag to the front door.

“Don’t worry. I’ll be back soon.” She kneels before me and swipes my hair away from my forehead.

“But where are you going?” I sniffle as tears stream from my eyes.

Mom smiles and wipes my face dry. “I just need a little vacation. Dad will take good care of you while I’m gone.”

“But he doesn’t know our routine,” I whine.

“Teach him.”

“But, Mom?—”

She interrupts me by kissing my head and wrapping her arms around me. “I love you, my little troublemaker.” Her voice breaks, and when she pulls back, her eyes are watery. “Be good for Dad.”

“But, Mom?—”

My body jolts like it’s falling, and I gasp for air.Fuck, when did I fall asleep?With a groan, I check my phone, squinting at the blinding light. 5:43. I have to be up in seventeen minutes for my morning run.

Sitting up, I run my fingers through my hair. Eyeing the fan, I suddenly feel like it’s my enemy instead of a calming white noise machine. My skin starts to itch, and the walls begin to expand, reminding me I’m all alone. What would it be like waking up at Ash’s this morning?

Knowing Ash, he would sleep in until noon. So, Gwen, Chrissy, and Max would be cooking breakfast in the kitchen. They would pull Ash out of bed so that they could all eat together.

“You’re always welcome to our outings.”Chrissy’s words slice through my dark thoughts.

My lips quirk into a half-witted grin as an idea surfaces.

Fuck the run, I have a different set of plans for today.

Chapter Six

Chrissy

Apolite knock on the front door startles me awake. I can feel my hair going in all sorts of directions. The tapping continues, and I shove my face into my pillow. I made myself at home on the couch last night and kicked Zack to the loveseat across the way. It’s not my fault he has long legs. I like to stretch, dang it. He can suck it up.

The noise echoing from the front door continues, and I groan.

“Zack, get the door.” I hurl a spare pillow across the room, hoping it hits my target.

An obnoxious snore is the only response, which only means that asshole won’t be waking up anytime soon.

Flipping over on my back, I reach for my phone on the table and check the time. With a grumble, I sit up and stomp toward the door. “Who the fuck has the audacity to knock on someone’s front door at seven in the morning?” I ask as I swing the front door open, quickly regretting my actions and choice of words.

“Morning, Wildflower,” Rome says, beaming his flawless smile at me.

With wide eyes, I start to close the door, but he grabs the edge of it and chuckles. “Not happy to see me? I thought youwere a morning person.” He steps inside and drops his voice once he sees Zack is still asleep on the couch.

“I normally am, but I was out past my bedtime.”

Spinning around, Rome takes note of my appearance and crinkles his eyes. “Love the hair.” He tousles it and chuckles.

“I’m going to murder you,” I try to threaten him, but my lips betray me.

“You would never.” He grasps at his chest, playing innocent. “You’d be bored without me.”

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