Choosing You (Gravity Hill #3)

22. Chapter 19

“ I don’t mean to pry,” Koda starts as we lock the front doors after closing.

“Usually that means you’re about to pry,” I remark. The rest of the night went smoothly, with everyone in high spirits for the upcoming game on Friday. Apparently, our football team is better than average, which is good, I guess.

“If you need a place to crash, I have a spare room in my apartment,” he turns away, focusing heavily on the lock. “In case you need to get away.”

“It’s not like that,” I quickly reply, “Banks and I, we’re…” I can’t explain it. We’re soul mates, destined to be together. But he’s stuck in the past and refuses to move forward. I thought giving him all this time would prove that I’m here and that I’ve got him through whatever life throws his way, but he just obliterated that. And after this weekend back at home, it’s clear there’s no chance for us left at all.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I just thought–”

“It’s fine. I’m just gonna crash with Opal and Hannah again tonight. I’ll figure the rest out tomorrow.”

He looks like he wants to say something more but thinks better of it and walks away. He must live in the same apartment building as Opal because he’s heading the same way I am, and as I trail behind him, I feel the need to explain myself.

“I’m not following you.”

He chuckles, “I know, Opal lives on the floor below me.”

After passing out on Opal's couch once again last night, I woke up feeling better than I have in a while. Still broken-hearted, but less wanting to hide from it. I need to make a plan and figure out what I’m going to do.

I know going back to sharing space with Banks is not going to work. No matter how safe or practical it was when we applied for the dorm, things have changed. I need to call my dad, but my phone’s dead and has been since that night. I’m almost scared to power it on.

Almost.

It vibrates for at least five minutes. Notifications pop up so rapidly that it’s hard to keep up. All of the missed calls, texts, and social media stuff is too much, so I silence it, stuff the block of metal into my jeans, and make myself a cup of coffee.

Opal has a fancy machine, the kind you find in homes that look like the smaller versions that belong in cafes. So it’s easy enough to work, and it’s delicious.

“Look who’s up!” Hannah’s cheery voice sings into the quiet apartment. She looks at the blankets I folded and gives me an arched eyebrow. “Is he finally going home?”

Shaking my head, careful not to drop any of the sugary goodness in my cup, “I’m gonna call my dad and go from there.”

“So you’re done hiding from your family then,” she nods her head in slow motion, lips pursed. Opal rounds the corner, dressed in a cute sweater dress and leggings that make her figure stand out.

“I figure I owe my dad an apology,” I admit. I should have at least told him I was okay, safe–in a place that isn’t jail.

Opal snorts. When her eyes connect with mine, she sighs. “Coming from a foster kid, don’t take too much of what I have to say to heart, but Dads like yours who worry about you, they don’t happen very often. Hell, my phone’s been blowing up with new numbers,” she clicks her tongue. “I’ve been meaning to ask you about that.”

I can’t explain to Opal how they got her number, that would implicate a lot of people and involve a lot of mafia business even I don’t understand. So I nod and sip my coffee, trying to figure out a way to say thank you to these two women who barely knew me before last weekend and let me sleep on their couch for a week anyway.

Deciding that a simple ‘thank you’ will suffice for now, I make them both coffee, and we sit at the makeshift table they have pushed up against their couch.

“Thank you both for letting me stay. I know I’ve not been the best house guest, but I really, really needed this break.”

They both nod, and Opal places her hand on mine. “I understand a broken heart, and you weren’t that bad.” She waves her hand around in front of her face to dispel the negative air. “So, call your dad, and if we need to get a bigger apartment, I guess we wouldn't mind rooming with you when you have an actual… you know, room.”

“Actually, how much do you know about Koda?” Their heads pop up, and Opal smiles wider than I think I’ve ever seen. Her eyes slide to Hannah’s, and she smirks into her coffee.

“They say the best way to heal heartbreak is to bounce up and down on another man’s dick or whatever.”

Hannah and I burst out laughing, and my coffee almost shoots out of my nose from laughing so hard. “I don’t think that’s what people say, Opsies.”

Her eyes go round, and she squeals, “Oh my God! I don’t think I’ve ever had a nickname before!”

“What?” I ask, genuinely confused because we just went from bouncing on dicks to nicknames.

“You called me Opsies. I’ve never had a nickname.”

“Oh,” I’m not sure what to say, but she’s looking at me like she might cry, and I’ve had enough tears for this week. “It’s just a nickname. If you hate it, I won’t use it.” I’m not sure if I offended her or what, so I put my cup on the table and wait for her to say something.

“Hate it? No! I think it’s really sweet.” She lays her hand on mine and squeezes before returning to her cup and clearing her throat. “But yeah, Koda? He’s suuuper nice.”

“He’s not a murderer or anything like that,” Hannah laughs.

“And I’m pretty sure he’s into you,” Opal waggles her eyebrows, and I throw up my hands.

“I didn’t mean it like that,” I swallow because in no universe am I ready to move on with anyone. “He offered me the empty room in his apartment.”

“Oh!” Opal says, her cheeks flushing, “Sorry, uhm, yeah. He’s cool, usually at the cafe or school. I hardly ever see him.”

I nod, not fully convinced that it’s a good idea to move into a stranger's apartment, but he is right next to campus. Plus, I’m fairly certain he’s graduating next year, and he seems pretty easygoing. Maybe he’ll let me see the room before I make a decision.

“Well, I have class,” Hannah states, standing up from the table and washing out her mug at the sink before gathering her bag and keys. “Love ya!”

“Love you!” Opal hollers back at her before announcing that she also has class and heads back down the hall.

Staring at my empty coffee cup isn’t going to get anything done, so I take a deep breath and head out with the things I managed to get from my room with Banks when he wasn’t there. Palming my phone in my pocket I have to psych myself up to pull it out and dial my dad.

Deciding to wait, I head toward the library. I really need to catch up on the things I missed and I want to get ahead on the assignment list before fall break.