When I Fall

I don’t need to hear the other side of this conversation to know what Mia just asked. That sweet fucking face at the end of the bed is giving it away.

A strange stillness settles over me. My heart rate slows, my lungs taking in long, deep breaths, instead of the quick ones I’m used to taking whenever I look at her. There’s something about listening to Beth tell someone else she’s mine. Something so fucking right about it, like she’s always been meant to say it. Like I’ve been waiting my whole life to hear it. I don’t just want Mia to know, I want everyone to know. People I don’t even give a shit about. My mind was made up five minutes ago that we weren’t going anywhere today. I sure as hell wasn’t in for going dancing, but hearing Beth’s voice, watching that damn smile stretch across her face, I’m ready to agree to anything that’ll get her out in public with me. I want her on my arm just as much as I want her in my bed.

Maybe even more.

“Yeah, definitely. Okay, great, we’ll see you there.” She walks back over to the pile of clothes and drops the phone on top. “We’re meeting them at six. Some place called Heat. Do you know where that is?”

“Come here.”

She scrapes her teeth along her lip, hesitantly crawling back on the bed. She kneels beside me. All dark hair, pale skin, and that sweet heart-shaped face.

“Was it okay what I just did? Telling Mia we’re together?”

I run my knuckles against her cheek. She closes her eyes, leaning into my touch.

I spend the next two hours showing her just how okay it is.

“THIS PLACE IS PACKED!” BETH yells over the music, some Lil Jon, or Lil Wayne song. Lil somebody, I don’t fucking know. She squeezes my hand as I lead her through the crowd of people on the dance floor.

Fucking right it’s packed. It’s Saturday night, though. I wasn’t expecting the only nightclub in Ruxton to be dead, but I was hoping for it. If I have a hard time hearing Beth all night over this shit they’re blaring through the speakers, I might drag her out of here before we have time to celebrate with anyone.

Through a break in the bodies, I spot Ben and Mia over by the bar. “Come on. They’ve got a table,” I tell her over my shoulder.

As soon as Mia sees us, her face breaks into a huge, knowing smile. “Hey, you two.”

She doesn’t need to yell. The music isn’t as deafening by the bar.

Beth takes the stool next to Mia, and they exchange a brief hug before talking closely, looking over at me between every other word. I tip my chin at Ben as I take a seat.

“Hey, man. Sorry we’re late.”

Not really.

Taking Beth to her aunt’s so she could get ready led to getting pulled into the shower, which led to returning to my house for another change of clothes, since mine were soaking wet. We were supposed to get here twenty minutes ago. Naked Beth and time management don’t mix well, but I’ll be late any damn time she wants to do that again.

Ben looks at Beth, smiling like he’s just won the fucking lottery or something. Picking up his beer, he tips it at me. “I see you worked your shit out.”

Nodding, I lean on my elbows, rubbing my hands together as he laughs behind his beer. “Yeah, it’s good. Do me a favor and try not to bust my balls tonight. I know you’re fucking ecstatic over this. You’re practically glowing.”

“Never thought I’d see the day.”

“Here we go.”

“I might start taking pictures. Commemorate the evening.”

I glare at him, but fuck, I can’t help smiling at the idiot. He’s happy for me. I’m on cloud fucking nine right now myself. “You’re such a dick,” I joke. My eyes scan the bar. “Where’s Luke and Tessa?”

He shrugs, setting his beer down. “I haven’t talked to either of them since Wednesday. Luke’s kept his phone off for some reason.” He wraps his arm around Mia’s body, drawing her attention up. She smiles at him. “Angel, where’s my sister?”

Mia’s face falls in concern as she looks around the table. Her shoulders drop. “I have no idea. I can’t get Tessa on the phone to save my life. It’s like her and Luke have gone into hiding or something. She texted me earlier after I left her another message. They’re supposed to be here.”

“Maybe they’re both sick,” Beth suggests, slipping her hand into my lap. I grab her stool and slide her closer to me. “Hi,” she whispers against my arm.

I kiss her hair. “Hi.”

Mia smiles at us. She’s just as bad as Ben. Shaking her head, she drops her eyes to the table. “No, Tessa would’ve called if they weren’t coming. She wouldn’t just not show up.”

“Angel, why don’t you just say what you want to say to Beth and Reed. They’re here. You might be waiting all night for the other two.”

I’m fully focused on Mia now, as is Beth who goes stiff beside me. She’s thinking the same thing I am, more bad news, or something else we have to worry about. I don’t know if I can take hearing anything but positive shit from Mia right now. Not after Wednesday. But she doesn’t look worried. Ben sure as hell isn’t breaking shit and getting all of us thrown out of here.

What could she have to say to us?

Mia quickly kisses Ben, then turns back to Beth and I. “We just wanted to say,” pausing, her eyes lock onto something over my shoulder. She slaps the table. “There they are.”