Page 24 of Free to Fall

We ate on her couch, knees touchin’, shoulders brushin’ like gravity couldn’t help itself. And even though the food was damn near perfect, all I could focus on was the way her mouth moved when she talked, the way her eyes sparkled when she laughed.I was in deep. Way deeper than I ever planned to be. And honestly, it was scary as hell.

After she fell asleep on my chest, curled up like she knew I’d keep her safe, I didn’t move. Not for a while. I just laid there, starin’ at the ceiling, listenin’ to the rhythm of her breath. My mind drifted to how we even got here.

From New York to now? Yeah… it had been a wild ride. The night was already one for the books.

Creed had just gotten drafted, top ten pick. We’d hit the city hard—press, interviews, green room obligations—and by the time we made it back to Serenity and Ari’s penthouse, everybody was buzzin’. Champagne poppin’, music low but hittin’, plates piled with jerk chicken sliders, mac and cheese bites, and fruit trays that nobody touched.

The penthouse was beautiful—floor-to-ceiling windows showin’ off Manhattan’s skyline like it was for sale. White leather sectionals, marble counters. Lit candles everywhere it was bougie but still real. I was surprised when Creed told me he’d moved in, knew then how serious shit between him and Serenity was, knew then that my brother was in love like no other time before. Gianna, his ex-girlfriend/baby mama had no chance when it came to Serenity, and it was probably a good thing considering the fact that I caught her sneaking out of Nate’s room a time or two.

Creed was on the balcony talkin’ to his agent on the phone. I was leanin’ against the kitchen island, sippin’ cognac, when I noticed her. I didn’t know her name at the time. Didn’t even realize I was starin’ until she tilted her head, one eyebrow raised, lips painted a deep berry shade that made her mouth look like trouble.

She was wearin’ these cut-off shorts with a black bodysuit and gold hoops big enough to pick up radio signals. Hair in acurly high puff. Confidence for days. She wasn’t lookin’ around the room for attention, but she had it anyway.

She laughed at somethin’ her friend, someone she’d walked in with, said beside her, and I swear to God, it echoed louder than the music.

When Creed came back in and walked towards me in the kitchen, I turned to him. “Yo. Who that?”

He followed my line of sight, then smirked. “Egypt. One of Serenity’s friends from NYU. She smart as hell, mouth slick as hell too. She’s funny though. Cool people.”

I nodded. “She single?”

Creed laughed. “Hell, I don’t know. Ask her.”

I took another sip of my drink, then walked over without thinkin’ too hard about it. She caught me before I even opened my mouth.

“Is there a reason you been starin’ at me from across the room like I stole your wallet?” she asked, arms folded, hip cocked.

I blinked. “Damn. You comin’ in hot, huh?”

“You look like the type who needs to be kept in check early.”

I smiled. “And you look like the type who gets bored when somebody agrees with you.”

“Only if they ugly. You’re… borderline.”

I laughed. “That’s the best you got?”

“For now. You new or somethin’? I ain’t seen you around.”

“I’m from Texas, actually. I’m Creed’s best friend.”

“Ahhh,” she nodded slowly. “That explains the beard and the aggression.”

I leaned in, grinnin’. “Aggression?”

“You walk like you ready to fight somebody’s ex.”

“And you talk like you collect restraining orders.”

She gasped, hand to her chest, fake offended. “You got jokes.”

“Only for worthy opponents.”

“Is that what I am?”

“Shit, you tell me.”

She didn’t smile. Not at first. But her eyes sparkled just enough to let me know I’d hit a nerve—in a good way. Her friend watched us from the couch like she was watchin’ a live episode of somethin’ messy. Arielle nudged Serenity and whispered somethin’ under her breath.

---