AllFreeNovel
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She just needed some time to cool down. Hell, we put furniture together. Pretty sure assembling IKEA furniture and remodeling a kitchen are the top two ways to find out if you can actually work together. We got in each other’s face a few times, but it was mostly her getting all that pent-up anger out of her system. I wouldn’t mind getting that aggression out another way... but this isn’t the place to start daydreaming.
* * *
I picked up some Dilly Bars from Dairy Queen on the way home. It’s a nostalgic thing for us; Mom and Dad would stop by after church every Sunday, and we would each get one. I haven’t had one in ages, but today seemed like a good day for it. Balancing the box of ice cream and my gym bag, I shoulder the door open and throw my duffel down.
“Yo! I brought home DQ, if you want a bar before it melts you better get your ass out here.”
Walking into the kitchen, I toss some of my stuff down. I expect to hear her run out, but I’m met with silence. She’s probably out looking for a job or something. Walking to the kitchen, I start unwrapping one for myself and notice a note on the counter:Went to get groceries. Lasagna night!
Sweet, I haven’t had homemade lasagna in forever.
After a shower, I climb into bed for a nap. Today’s workout kicked my ass.
When I wake up, I check my phone for the time. Damn, I was out for a few hours. Guess I needed the sleep. Stepping out of my room, I don’t see any sign of life. I check her room. Empty.
Me: Hey. Where are you?
Me: What happened to lasagna?
Me: Anna
Me: Dude, just text me back.
She ran.Goddamn it.
I thought she was finally getting it together. I walk across the hall and knock on Freya’s door, just in case she came over here. My mind considers all the places she could be. Things were going so well.
Light footsteps get closer as she pads toward the door. There’s a pause, she’s probably checking the peephole. Thankfully she opens.
“Hey. Is Anna here by any chance?”
I hand her a Dilly Bar. Freya tilts her head to the side with pursed lips. She side-eyes me and gingerly takes the ice cream as if it’s a bomb that’s about to detonate.
“Thank you?” She looks cute in her skirt paired with a Biggie Smalls tee. I don’t quite understand her fashion, but it works. “No, sorry. She’s not here. Did she take off?”
I rub between my eyes with my thumb and forefinger. “Yeah. I think so.”
She must see the disappointment on my face because she invites me in. I take a seat on the couch she and I assembled. It looks good in the space. Comfortable. Though it does little to comfort me right now.
“Want something to drink? I’ve got sparkling water, ginger ale, beer, or we can bust out the heavy stuff...”
“Sparkling water’s fine. Thanks.” I don’t drink when I’m angry.
“Any specific flavor?” she asks.
“Surprise me.”
“Didn’t you learn your lesson the last time you asked me tosurpriseyou with a drink?” she says, opening the can with a hiss and pouring it over ice. “Did she tell you where she’s living?”
“I know where she lives, I pay the rent. It’s more so that she’s not responding to my texts.”
“Do you pay the rent or give her money for rent?”
I’m smart enough not to fork over a couple thousand a month in cash.
“Her rent is on autopay out of my account, I don’t give her cash or checks for rent if that’s what you’re asking.”
“When was the last time you were there?”
