The microwave dings after a minute and a half, and I give up. I can find the stupid phone later. The aroma coming from the kitchen smells so fucking good; I’m practically salivating by the time I walk back in there. Thank God they provided plastic silverware, because I do not feel like going through my boxes to find mine.
Not even ten minutes later, I’m shoveling in my last bite, and just as I figured, it was fucking delicious. Tossing the garbage in the can beside the counter, I meander into the bathroom. May as well take a shower before I get to my day of moping and day drinking. Flicking on the light, I notice my phone sitting on the counter.
Hmm. That’s where that went.
Opening Spotify, I turn on my playlist, moving to start the shower.Love Noteby 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 months. At how different my life is now than it was then, 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 still fucking hurts. No matter how much I’d like to pretend it doesn’t.
Turning the water off, I climb out, toweling dry, 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. Unpacking my clothes hasn’t been high on my radar lately. I guess I could spend today doing that.
But… some more beerwouldmake the task a little easier, right?
Yeah.And besides, I need to take Nova potty. I haven’t done that yet—way to go me—and she’ll probably appreciate a walk.
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. Once I have Nova’s leash attached to her collar, we leave.
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 still need to text my boss too.
Once I reach the bottom floor, I step out, noticing the lobby as dead as my hallway.That’s weird.Where is everyone? 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 a fucking blizzard out there. The light snowfall from the last week has clearly picked up its speed, hitting us with the storm the weatherman kept warning us about. There’s gotta be at least six or more inches in front of the door, and it’s coming downhard. I can’t even see across the street. I can’t seeanythingother than white.
Knowing Nova needs to use the bathroom, we go outside anyway. Thankfully, she does her business quickly, probably not wanting to be in this shit for any longer than I want to.
A quick glance across the street shows the store is closed. Guess I’m not getting beer after all.
Heaving a sigh, I spin on my heel, heading back toward the elevator. When I get up to the third floor, I stroll down the hallway, thankful I don’t run into douchebag Mateo again. Twisting my door handle, I curse 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—something I keep forgetting. 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 grab them when I left.
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. “Get the fuck away from me,” I snarl.
The sound of his gruff chuckle washes over me, goosebumps forming from head to toe at the sound. “Oh-ho, he’sfeistyagain today.” Similarly to last night, Nova prances around at my feet until Mateo bends down to pet her. He talks to her in a baby voice that should be obnoxious. No, itisobnoxious. Standing, he backs up, resting his shoulder against his doorway. He crosses his arms over his broad chest—something he did againstmydoorway last night, and it’s no less hot now than it was then. “You call the landlord yet? A locksmith?”
“Not that it’s any of your business, but I left my phone inside.” His 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, Idohave 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.
