I collapse into his passenger seat and roll down the window to get fresh air.
“Hey, babe, where’d you guys go?” Listening to him talk to his girlfriend is sickening. They’re so in love it’s gross. And I may only be a little jealous.
“Oh, okay. Yeah, I’ll tell him. Love you too, baby.” He ends the call and turns to me. “Kenz said she was there with other friends from school and Hailey stayed behind. Sorry, man.” He starts the car and heads back to drop me off. So much for getting her back.
20
Hailey
He was there with her, that tramp of a coworker he claims he isn’t into. Why are all guys such fucking liars? “Thanks for doing that, Kenz. After seeing that… he couldn’t know I was there for him.” I’m sure he’s been sleeping with her from the moment we broke up. Douchebag.
“I still think you should tell him you were there. I’m sure it was a misunderstanding. Wrong place, wrong time.” Her happiness in her own relationship is blinding her to the fact Chase is being a cocksucker extraordinaire.
“You’re right. If I had shown up five minutes earlier he could lie about being with her and five minutes later I could’ve seen his tongue in her mouth. No thanks, either way.”
What a wasted effort. A waste of an outfit, and hair, and makeup, and an utter waste of time.
I unlock our front door once again, crossing over the threshold and counting down until I’m out of here for good. This apartment and this town.
◊◊◊
Say Goodbye by Cheat Codes wakes me up and even though my phone is blaring at an obnoxious decibel, I lie in bed unmoving.
Today’s the day I head to Maryland to start my new journey, my lifelong dream of going to med school. Yet, for some reason, I’m not the least bit excited about the venture.
After several minutes, my alarm turns off and snoozes itself. Ten minutes later, the song plays again. I groan and roll over, stuffing my head under my pillows to block out the noise.
Two loud, distinct knocks sound from my apartment door. I’d know those knocks anywhere. “Honey, are you up?” My Mom yells from the door, which means I’m now forced to crawl out of my cozy oasis.
I grab my robe from the foot of my bed and go let my parents in. “Hi Mom, Hi Daddy.” I hug them both and my mom’s smile disappears, curving downward.
“Oh, honey, why the long face?” My mom has always known when something was wrong.
I press the palms of my hands into my eye sockets, praying I don’t crack and cry in front of them. I’ve worked my whole damn life for this moment, so why aren’t I more excited? This is everything I’ve ever dreamed of. I should be bouncing around, celebrating, ready to conquer the world. I should be halfway to Maryland by now, not procrastinating leaving.
“It’s nothing. I’m just gonna miss you guys.” I wrap an arm around both of them in a group hug when another quick rap sounds on the door.
“Knock knock.” I pull back, seeing my best friend and my brother walking in together. Hunter’s holding a takeout bag while Kenzie has a carrier of coffees. “You didn’t think we’d miss seeing you off, did you?” I would tackle her in a hug, but that would be a waste of coffee.
My eyes get watery and my throat feels thick. I have the best family in the world. “Please tell me there’s a blueberry muffin with my name on it in that bag?” I gesture to my brother who smiles in return.
With an outstretched arm, he hands me the bag and I rip it open like a kid in a candy store. I pull out the oversized and freshly baked delight, moaning as the large bite hits my tongue. “Have I told you recently I’m happy you’re back home?” Muffin flakes puff out of my mouth as I talk.
He chuckles. “Because I brought you a muffin?”
“Precisely.” I take the rest of my breakfast to my room to get dressed. Almost my entire room is boxed up and ready to be packed up into my car, but I left out my favorite leggings and comfy t-shirt for the drive down.
“Hails?” My bedroom door inches open as I’m throwing my hair up into a ponytail.
Kenzie sits down on my mattress, looking around, taking it all in. “This is really it, isn’t it?” I join her and we stare at the wall, looking at nothing in particular, just remembering everything.
“A lot’s happened in these four walls.” My voice is wistful for the past and everything we’ve been through together.
“Ew, I don’t need to relive your sex life. I dealt with it enough the last four years.” I smack her arm as she laughs.
“Not these four walls in particular. I mean the whole apartment, ya jerk.” She acts like I’ve been whoring around the past four years when my reality includes a handful of bad dates and seldom bedmates until Chase.
With a heavy sigh, we hop off my old bed and each grab a box of my clothes. I labeled some ‘MD’ — a fortunate pun for Maryland and my future title — while others are labeled ‘home’ to be stored at my parents’ house.
“Hey, what’s this?” One sole dress rests on a hanger in my closet, left behind on purpose.
“Leave it.” My tone means business and Kenzie obliges. It’s the red dress. The one I wore to the wedding Chase and I crashed. Looking at it is too painful and I don’t plan to ever wear it again. Maybe if I’m lucky, the next occupant of this apartment will be able to put it to good use.
“All ready to go?” My dad asks as we walk down the hallway, boxes in our arms.
“Just about. There are a few more boxes in my room ready to go.” As my brother and dad pack up my car, my mom rubs a gentle hand over my back.
“You’re going to do great, sweetie. I’m so proud of you.” With a kiss on my forehead, she makes one stray tear spill over onto my cheek.
“Thanks, Mom.” I hug her, squeezing her petite frame as hard as I can.
“Don’t forget about your old man.” As if I could ever forget about the best man I’ve ever known.
I hug him and then my brother. I hold Kenzie the longest and we rock side-to-side in our embrace. “Promise you’ll visit me. Don’t let this one keep you on a short leash.” I wink to my brother and they both laugh.
“I swear. Hoes before bros, literally.”
I wipe away a tear as I head to my car.
“Oh, shit. I left my phone upstairs. I’ll be right back. Go ahead, Hails, I still have my key. Text me as soon as you get there. I love you. Talk soon.”
I watch Kenzie run back into the apartment in the rearview mirror, though I swear I see her phone sticking out of her back pocket.
◊◊◊
I opted for a single bedroom apartment instead of bunking with a stranger. Though the socializing would be good for me, I know the quiet space will be better in the long run. I’ve never lived with anyone other than family and Kenz and I don’t plan to start now, during what’s bound to be the most stressful time of my life.
Unpacking is a bitch, especially alone and even more so when sober. I’m glad I picked an apartment that came furnished so at least I can collapse on a couch when exhaustion takes hold.
The moment my ass touches the cushion, a knock sounds from my door. Son of a bitch.
“No one’s home.” I grumble, but I doubt the visitor hears me. I open the door, likely looking like a sweaty, disheveled mess. Maybe my current state will scare the newcomer away.
Of course it’s not an annoying albeit perky, nerdy girl who’s my next-door neighbor who I’ll ultimately end up becoming friends with. Instead, it’s an ultra-hot twenty-something guy with jet-black hair and icy blue eyes. He’s a heartbreaker in a human package.
“Hey, I’m Landon. I’m your new neighbor.” Oy freaking vey. “I was going to bring you a bottle of wine for a welcome present but I thought that might seem creepy? So I decided to bring you cookies or something normal, but I’m hopeless in the kitchen. If I hadn’t burnt the first batch, I’d have been here sooner. I had to settle for these.” I take his offering with a giggle.
“Lucky for you, Oreos are my favorite. Do you want to come in? I
don’t have any milk, though.” His smile is dazzling and I’m hoping he’s not another Ted Bundy — he may have been handsome and charming but he was still a serial killer.
“No, thank you. Not tonight, but maybe another time. I just wanted to welcome to you the building.” He backs out of my doorway and for the first time in months my lady parts are waking up.
“Do you go to, um, Johns Hopkins?” I’m trying to get him to stay and chat — who am I? I must just be tired from the drive and long day.
“Yeah, I’m a second year med student.” No one should be allowed to be that smart and hot. He’s the real-life embodiment of McDreamy.
“Then I guess I’ll see you around.” My face heats and I wish I wasn’t looking like a total slob-kabob at the moment.
“I hope so.” He smirks and backs away. I lean into the hallway, watching him leave and enter the apartment next to mine. His wall connects with my bedroom wall. This could be a problem.
21
Hailey
“Would you want to, I don’t know, go out with me sometime?” I look up from where I’m huddled on my couch to where Landon is sitting in an adjacent armchair. My face feels like the equivalent of The Scream painting, minus the hands on my face.
It’s been a month since I moved to Maryland and I’m finally getting into the swing of things. I have a solid group of friends who are also first year med students, aside from Landon, that is. Though he and I hang out pretty much every day, we’ve never crossed the line into more-than-friends territory. I don’t know if I’m ready.
“I’m super flattered you asked, and trust me, it’s not that I don’t like you or want to…” A flush creeps up my neck as I admit to him I basically think he’s the hottest thing next to the center of the Earth. I’m so embarrassing.
“But.” He nods in understanding and my face falls as I watch disappointment mask his features.
“But it’s my first year of medical school and I know I’m going to be busy. Plus, I recently ended something pretty intense and I’m not sure I’m ready to venture into the dating pool again.”
“You wouldn’t be swimming in a pool, think of it as one-on-one swim lessons with me. Preferably skinny dipping…” I laugh as his smile broadens. “Okay, how about a deal?”
“Don’t even ask me to be your backup. If you’re still single at forty, that’s your problem. I plan to be happily married and wildly successful by then.”
With an eye roll, he stands, joining me on the couch. He angles his body toward me, his crystal blues meeting my emerald green.
“In a year, after things settle down and you have a good rhythm going, go on one date with me. That’s all I ask. If it’s terrible, we can stay friends and never talk about it again. What do you say?” A lot can happen in a year. He could start dating someone else and forget about me.
“Deal.” We shake on it, and though his hand lingers in mine for a couple seconds too long, I ignore it. I can focus on dawdling touches in a year if I must.
◊◊◊
Before I know it, my family is here watching me be presented with my white coat before the first year kicks off. It’s surreal and for the entire ceremony I have goosebumps on my arms. This is everything I ever wanted. My dreams are coming true.
“Honey, we’re so, so proud of you. You look like a real doctor now! My little genius.” My mom pinches my chin between her thumb and forefinger like she used to do when I was a kid.
“Hey, thanks, Mom,” Hunter says, as if she's implied that he isn’t smart too. The guy’s a freaking engineer. He can let me have my moment. I stick my tongue out at my brother and hug each of my parents in turn.
“Where’s Kenz?” My best friend better not have bailed on me today.
“She went to the bathroom a little while ago. She probably got lost in the crowd.” As the words leave my brother’s mouth, I see her pushing her way through the masses, a large bouquet in her hand.
“Hails!” she squeals, barreling into me and hugging me tightly. “Or should I call you Doctor Hails?” I giggle as she leans in to whisper in my ear. “I swear I saw McDreamy in the flesh and he was walking this way. Since you’re single now… holy shit.” Her eyes are wide as she looks behind me.
I spin around and a smile graces my lips. “Landon, I didn’t know you were coming.” I open up our little circle, making room for my new friend. “Landon, this is my family. Mom, Dad, this is my neighbor, Landon. He helped me move in and get settled.”
Kenzie and Hunter share a look I can’t read, but then my bestie leans in to whisper again. “That’s the McDreamy look-a-like.”
“Tell me about it. He’s like, perfect. It’s annoying.” I look at my new friend out of the corner of my eye with a smirk on my lips.
“We’ll talk more later.” Kenzie backs away, winking at me.
“Landon, would you like to join us for dinner?” My mom takes the role of the hostess, always wanting to include everyone.
“I don’t want to intrude.” Landon shakes his head, appearing bashful.
“It’s no intrusion. I insist.” When my mom insists, it’s end of discussion.
We bond over a steak and lobster dinner. Landon charms the pants off my family, of course, and my mom even blushes at his compliments. He’s just that handsome.
“I have to powder my nose. Kenzie, will you?”
She gets up, following me into the bathroom under the ruse of relieving ourselves when in reality I just need a minute alone with her to gossip. The second the bathroom door shuts behind us, she flips the lock and spins on me.
“He’s your neighbor? Have you slept with him yet? I sure as shit would’ve.” She fans her face to emphasize how freaking hot he is as if I didn’t already know.
“No, we’re just friends. Although he asked me out already a few weeks ago...” I shrug it off like it’s no big deal even though it is a big deal which is why I told him no to begin with.
“Tell me you said yes. How could you not say yes to that?” She leans over the sink, reapplying her lipstick which already looks flawless despite the food and drinks.
“I told him no.”
“You what? Are you crazy? Have you seen him? Come on, I’m taking you to an eye doctor. You obviously need glasses.” With a death grip from hell on my arm, she drags me out of the bathroom.
“Cut it out. My eyes are fine.” I sigh, looking at my best friend. “The whole reason I ended things with Chase was so I could focus on school, not date anyone else. Don’t you think it’d be a little hypocritical of me to date the first guy I meet here?”
“But this could be different. He’s here with you, going through the same program, so he’ll be busy too and understand your schedule better. Maybe this is what you need.” She makes a good point, but I’m not willing to let her sway me.
“Or we’ll both be so busy we’ll never even see one another, anyway. Classes haven’t even started yet. I have no idea what I’m in for.” See, I can make good points too.
“Okay, why don’t you just sleep with him then? You know, let off a little steam. You’re bound to be pretty stressed.” She doesn’t understand what my real issue is with him, because it doesn’t actually have anything to do with him.
“That’s not the point, Kenz.” My voice drops to below a whisper. “He’s not Chase.”
She rests her hands on my shoulders, forcing me to look at her. “Do you think Chase is sitting around waiting for you?” Her tone is gentle, but hearing the words still chips away at my tender heart.
I’m taken back to the last night I saw him, at that club with his whore of a coworker. “Obviously he’s not.”
“Then why should you put your life on hold if you like this guy?” I never admitted I liked him… am I that transparent?
“I’m not. We made a deal. If we’re both still single in a year and I’ve gotten into the swing of things, then I promised to go on a date with him.” I avoid her gaze, fixing my hair in the mirror.
“You’re gonna live ri
ght next door to him for an entire year and voluntarily abstain from sleeping with him? Girl, you’re in the wrong school. You should join a damn convent.” I don’t know if she’s appalled or impressed by my restraint.
Tilting my head to the side, I look at her through squinty eyes. “I don’t think you can say ‘convent’ and ‘damn’ in the same sentence.”
“You did too so we’re even.” She nudges me with her elbow, a smile playing on her pink lips. “Seriously, Hails. Let me know how good he is in the sack when you crack and sleep with him.”
A belly laugh erupts from my lips. God, I miss my best friend. We walk back to the table arm in arm and join my family.
“What’d your friend have to say about me?” Landon leans in, whispering in my ear and making the hair on the back of my neck stand on end in a good way.
“She doesn’t think I’ll make it a year.”
“No one knows you like your best friend, right?” I smack his arm with all the force of a floating feather.
Everyone heads back to their hotels and Landon walks me home. “Thanks for letting me come to dinner tonight. I didn’t mean to impose on your time with family.” He runs a hand through his inky black hair as I watch, mesmerized.
“No imposition. I’m glad you came.” I enjoy spending time with him, but I can’t let him get the wrong idea about us. “I’ll see you when I see you.” With shaky hands, I unlock my door. My left foot is over the threshold when Landon’s hand grips my elbow.
“Hailey, don’t be like that. We can still be friends without it being weird. I promise to only hit on you twice a week, not including weekends when I’m drunk. Scout’s honor.” The Boy Scout in him lifts his three fingers into the air. It reminds me of another Boy Scout who made me promises many moons ago. It’s just another reminder of Chase and another comparison to him as well.
“Friends. That’s all I can offer you right now.” With his hands in his pockets, he nods, backing away, and throws me a wink as if to say we’ll see about that.
Chasing Red Page 14
