Page 21 of Composed
Steam ripples through the bathroom, hanging heavy in the air as the searing water batters my skin.
I consider calling our manager—and Carter’s dad—Tommy and asking him to see if his wife can ask around Chesterton and source Hendrix's number. But I know that’s not the right way to go.
I threw the ball into her court, and that’s where it has to stay until she’s ready to hand it back. If she ever does, that is. If there’s one thing I know about Hendrix, she’s not an easy nut to crack. The woman has steel walls built around her and they don’t drop for just anybody.
Hell, it took Saint almost two years to get her to admit they were best friends. He hated that it was six monthsaftershe finally admitted she was my girl. I felt rather smug about it myself. Still do, actually.
I snuck through her walls once. Pretty sure I can do it again. The only thing is, I don’t know how. I don’t want to push boundaries. If she hasn’t called, she has her reasons. And that’s something I have to respect.
I rinse off, shaking the dark damp strands of my hair, before wrapping a fluffy white towel around my waist. Swiping a hand over the mirror, I brush away the condensation and grab a comb, just as my phone pings.
I fly into the bedroom, only to be disappointed when it's Saint’s name on my screen.
SAINT
@Cole Yo, Anything yet?
I roll my eyes. Maybe the wait wouldn’t be so pissing bad if my best friend hadn’t taken to checking in every hour for updates. Especially now he’s thrown it into the group chat and Axel has also taken up the mantle.
Thankfully, Carter has his hands full with the girls—plus, he hates the whole group texting thing and only responds with a thumbs up or down when needed.
COLE
Nope. Quit asking.
AXEL
Hey! This is for all our livelihoods.
I still say you should have sent me to ask her, though. I always was herfavourite.
SAINT
Fucking bullshit. I got the bestie bracelet.
He sends a picture. A pink and purple friendship bracelet sits on his photographed wrist, the letters B F F adorning three heart-shaped beads in the centre. I’m not sure he’s taken it off since the day she handed it to him at our leavers assembly.
COLE
Pretty sure neither of you were her favourite.
AXEL
Well it sure as fuck wasn’t you.
Shaking my head, I drop the towel and pull on a pair of black cotton shorts before grabbing an old Blink-182 T-shirt. I tug the shirt over my head as my phone buzzes again.
I sigh, shoving one arm into the sleeve while I peer over my phone to see what else they want to torment me with today. Fuck, if I don’t love them—but sometimes a guy just wants to wallow in the lack of communication from his ex-girlfriend without his friends rubbing it in.
I’m about to swipe Saint’s notification away when my thumb stops dead.
The speaker rattles as the shrill ringtone cuts through it, an unknown number flashing on the screen. There are less than ten people who have this number. I don't give it out to just anyone.
I drag my T-shirt on, clear my throat, and inhale a deep, steadying breath pushing the button. “Hello.”
“Hi.”
My pulse skitters at the sound of Hendrix’s voice.
