Page 42 of Feels Like Falling
“Country Boy’s Dream Girl” by Ella Langley plays on the radio and I’d smile, because this song is amazing, if I weren’t still caught up in yesterday. Last night, I’d been the one who needed space, but leaving didn’t make it hurt any less.
I’d gotten too comfortable being in Montana’s house—in his bed. We hadn’t set up any real rules or anything—just jumped into things as if adding sex and physical intimacy would be no big deal.
I’d be lying if I said my body doesn’t crave him. But I need to slow things down before we end up drivin’ toward a cliff in a truck with no brakes.
My phone vibrates in my purse, and I narrow my eyes at it before hauling the bag into my lap, growling as I try to find the damn thing. My mother would be appalled at the contents of my favorite knockoff—lipstick, Chapstick, receipts, snacks, wrappers, gum that I can’t remember buying, mascara, a phone charger, and a dozen other random things.
Mentally, I addclean out purseto my to-do list before the actual school year starts as I snag the device in the bottom corner. And like I conjured him with my inner musings, Montana’s name appears on the screen.
MONTANA: Good luck today, Eddie. You’re gonna do great and they’re definitely gonna love you.
ELLISON: Thanks, I’m only a little nervous. Everything go okay last night?
MONTANA: Grandad had a few choice things to say to me about how I acted
ELLISON: He knows it’s because you love him so much
ELLISON: You feel big things, Max, and I adore that about you.
MONTANA: Yeah well it didn’t stop him from telling me I was acting like a jackass
I snort,because there’s no way Grandad called him a jackass.
ELLISON: Did he actually say that?
MONTANA: That was the gist
Glancing at the clock,I type out one last message.
ELLISON: Jackass or not, I love you
MONTANA: I love you more
MONTANA: You’re going to impress the hell out of them today
Smiling,I send a heart emoji before turning off my car, grabbing my blazer from the passenger seat, and opening my door. It’s sweltering today, and sweat gathers at the nape of my neck before I’m fully upright.
Moving quickly, I make my way across the parking lot without breaking into an all-out run. The shadow cast by the gymnasium offers little relief but I’ll take it. Stepping up to the door, I try not to focus on my reflection as I press the intercom and wait to be let inside.
Signing in, I smile at the woman behind the desk and take a seat in the offered chair. The school, from what I can see, is the same butdifferentthan I remember.
Colorful walls and murals make my heart sing—it’s a drastic change from the sterile environment we’d had in Savannah. I’m so distracted, I barely notice the sound of the buzzer as the receptionist lets someone else inside. He repeats the same process before turning toward me. He’s handsome with dark hair swept across his forehead and olive-green eyes.
“I’m Calvin Spence,” he says with a rehearsed smile as he offers me his hand, and while his expression is practiced, I can still feel the warmth in his gaze as we shake.
“Ellison Mills.”
“Oh good! Y’all already met,” Mrs. Erikson says as she buzzes past and motions for us to follow. “I’m Regina Erikson but please call me Reggie.” She’s dressed in a fitted bright-pink dress with matching fringe at the bottom and black high heels. It’s Barbie meetsThe Great Gatsby’sDaisy of elementary school principals but somehow she pulls it off flawlessly. Her blonde hair is tied into a sophisticated knot at the top of her head, and her makeup is fresh and understated.
She looks…natural, which shouldn’t be a big deal but is considering the majority of women I’ve encountered over the years have had at leastoneprocedure to speak of. Not that they would admit it of course.
Deny.
Deny.
Deny.
Age is but a number unless you’re in certain circles and then age is the only thing keeping you relevant in the conversation.
