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Hmm. That’s where that went.
Opening up Spotify, I turn on my playlist, moving to start the shower. Love Note by Whynotcordell starts playing, the room quickly filling with steam and the slow beat of the song. Ridding myself of my clothes, I kick them into the corner before stepping under the stream. The hot water feels good on my achy muscles as I hang my head and let it beat down on my body for a few minutes.
For a brief moment, I allow my mind to wander to everything that’s happened in the last few weeks. At how different my life is now than it was almost a month ago, when I thought I was about to get engaged. It’s crazy how things can change in the blink of an eye. How a future you were so sure about can fade like it meant nothing. I’m sure in a month or two, I’ll realize it was for the best, but for now, it just fucking hurts. No matter how much I’d like to pretend it doesn’t.
Turning the water off, I climb out, toweling off before rummaging through a box in my room for some clean clothes. I end up settling on a pair of white sweats and a black tee. I need to get a move on the unpacking, otherwise I’ll be doing it all day.
But… some more beer would make the task a little easier, right?
Yeah.
Finding some socks, I pull them on before pushing on my black Nikes. My black puffer coat is draped over the back of my couch, so I slip into that and grab the keys off the counter, shoving them into my pockets. I gotta admit, it’s awesome having a convenience store across the street. Almost everything I could need is within walking distance, which is even nicer since gas prices are atrocious.
The hallway outside my apartment is quiet, not a soul in sight. Stepping into the elevator, I press the main level, reaching into my pocket for my phone. Only… shit. I must’ve left it in the bathroom. The doors slide closed, and I start my descent. Oh well, I’ll only be gone ten minutes at most. I’ll just get it once I’m back.
Once I reach the bottom floor, I step out, the lobby as dead as my hallway. That’s weird. Where is everyone? It’s a Sunday. The answer quickly slaps me in the face, though, when I round the corner and get a good look at the outside.
Shiiit…
It’s like a fucking blizzard out there. The light snowfall from last night clearly picked up its speed. There’s gotta be at least six or more inches in front of the door, and it’s coming down hard. I can’t even see across the street. I can’t see anything other than white.
Guess I’m not getting beer after all. Thankfully, my mom agreed to keeping Nova for a few days… she hates driving in the snow.
Heaving a sigh, I spin on my heels, heading back toward the elevator. When I get back up to the third floor, I stroll down the hallway, thankful I don’t run into douchebag Mateo again. Twisting my door handle, I groan when it’s locked. My old place, the door wouldn’t lock unless you did it manually with the key, but this one locks automatically. Which seems like a safety hazard, if you ask me, but what do I know? Grabbing my keys out of my pocket, I fish through them, looking for the new house key.
Throwing my head back, I groan audibly because, of fucking course, I forgot to add the new keys to my ring.
Fuck, fuck, fuck!
And my goddamn phone is inside too.
“Fuck!”
At the sound of a door opening, my spine steels, and I refuse to turn around. I already know who is standing there behind me, probably looking smug as fuck.
“What’s got you shouting out here, cariño?” His voice is full of gravel, like he just rolled out of bed. It has no right being as fucking hot as it is.
Still, I don’t turn around. “Nothing you need to concern yourself with,” I growl.
I feel, more than hear, him step closer to me. He smells faintly of marijuana and cedar. His warmth radiates off him, wrapping around me like a blanket I don’t want. A brown, heavily tattooed arm rests on the door beside me as he brings his lips right beside my ear. “What’s wrong, baby? Locked out?”
Spinning around, I shove him, finding sick satisfaction when he stumbles before finding his bearings. “Get the fuck away from me,” I snarl.
The sound of his gruff chuckle washes over me, goosebumps forming all over. “Oh-ho, he’s feisty today.” Resting his arm against his doorway, he crosses his arms over his broad chest. “You call the landlord yet? A locksmith?”
“Not that it’s any of your business, but I left my phone inside.” His smug grin grows, dimples poking out and taunting me, further inflating my annoyance. “I was only planning on running to the convenience store before I realized the weather.”
“You know, I do have a phone you could use if you ask nicely.” His eyes darken as he drags his gaze over me once more.
“Oh, how fucking generous of you,” I deadpan, rolling my eyes.
He shrugs. “I can be,” he chirps, throwing me a wink.
“Yeah, well, thanks, but no thanks. I’d rather ask one of the other neighbors.”
Spinning on my heel, I head down the hall, determined to get back into my apartment as fast as possible to get away from this asshole.
“Three out of the four other apartments on this floor are vacant,” he calls out after me. “The fourth belongs to Miss Sheri Lee, retired nurse and widow who spends every single winter in her condo in Arizona.”
