Falling Again (Auburn Hills #2)

1. Chloe

ONE

CHLOE

NOW

A jingle of a bell is all I hear as I pace back and forth in my living room, my teeth sinking into my lip, my fingers kneading each other as anxiety dances in my stomach.

The jingle follows the soft thumps my feet make on the old hardwood floor as I go from my front door to my kitchen and back again.

Each time, I pass the dining set that Annika and I found at a furniture consignment store an hour north of Auburn Hills.

We both couldn’t believe our eyes when we saw the light wood and Scandinavian details.

The table’s unique oval shape fits perfectly in the nook between the kitchen and living room.

Nearby, at the front of the house, our overstuffed C-shaped couch is pushed into a corner.

Reid’s uncle was getting rid of it, and we needed a place to sit, so we inherited it.

All the items around me remind me of the friendships I’ve made here.

The friendships I’ve completely ruined.

I come to a stop in the middle of the living room, the jingling bell stopping as well. I turn around and see Dandy, my cat, politely sitting at my feet, her pink bell collar swaying.

“Dandy, it might just be you and me from now on. I think I wrecked everything with our friends,” I say to my furry white companion as I bend down to pick her up.

I carry her to the couch and fall into the middle of it, still clutching her like a security blanket.

I pet her head, and she rewards me with some delightful purrs.

I look at the TV, still paused in the middle of The Notebook.

Allie was just about to see Noah again after so many years apart.

I was trying to distract myself from Annika’s impulsive decision to drive to the coast, which is three hours away.

A part of me wants to say it’s uncharacteristic of her, but then I remember when she’s been impulsive before.

Like the first time Reid rejected her our sophomore year in college.

She went out with some friends of ours, got drunk and had a disastrous hookup with womanizer Trey Roberts in the bathroom.

We refer to it as the Club Zano incident, though Annika never likes to bring it up, understandably.

I also have never forgiven myself for not being there with her.

Then there’s the reason why we live in Auburn Hills.

She quit her well-paying job and decided to pursue a career as a photographer in a random small town because she felt trapped at her marketing job in San Diego.

So, fleeing to the beach after Reid turned down her, again, isn’t out of character for her.

But then, about an hour ago, right in the middle of my movie, Reid burst in here asking where she went.

And what was I supposed to do? Turn him away?

I was watching one of the most heart-wrenching love stories of all time, so of course I told him.

I want Annika and Reid to have a happily ever after, just like Allie and Noah in The Notebook.

They’ve been pushing and pulling each other for years.

I’m honestly getting tired of the charade.

If they can’t make this work now, I’m not sure they ever will, which is why I’m so worried.

What if I sent Reid to follow her, and it only makes it worse?

Then, not only is the friendship between us and Reid ruined, but I’ve also betrayed the trust Annika has placed in me.

And then, adding in the situation with Tyler—forget about it.

I’ve been drooling over him for the past six months, and have yet to make a move. I might as well throw in the towel.

Tyler.

I’ve been a goner since the first day I saw him at the pub a couple weeks since we moved here.

He’s Reid’s coworker and best friend, so I see him all the time and has quickly become one of my best friends too.

He’s reminiscent of a redwood tree. Tall and strong with warm eyes and reddish brown hair.

Tyler is the most handsome man I’ve ever laid eyes on.

Past me would have probably jumped his bones by now.

But current me, the one recovering from a plethora of men issues, is hesitant to consider something more than friendship with him.

Oh! But Tyler could help me. He’s looped into this mess, after all.

He went along with my fake work plans so we could get out of going to the concert.

I still cannot believe Annika was brave enough to make a move, and Reid screwed it up.

I was honestly kind of disappointed I couldn’t go because of my cover story.

If Annika hadn’t been so distracted by the fact that it was only her and Reid going, I’m sure she would’ve figured out what I was up to.

We have a calendar on the fridge, and we always write when each of us has a work event.

I told her I had agreed to a last-minute commitment.

Surprisingly, she believed me, and, to bolster my story, Tyler said he was helping, too.

I can only imagine Tyler wants them to work out as much as I do.

Why else would he agree to my silly plans?

I dart my gaze around the room, looking for my phone.

I find it wedged in between the sofa cushion and call Tyler.

“Yellow,” Tyler answers after two rings.

“Green,” I reply with a smile. Tyler had called me randomly a few months ago, and I answered, saying, “Yellow,” and he responded with another color. We’ve kept up the bit ever since. I stifle a sigh. Everything he does is cute.

“What’s up, Chlo? I can hear you hyperventilating through the line. Does this have anything to do with the panicked texts I got from Reid earlier?” Tyler asks.

“I screwed up!” I yelp. “I betrayed Annika’s trust by telling Reid where she is. But how could I not? He stormed in here and declared his love for her. He practically fell to his knees begging. How can I deny a man in love?”

Tyler chuckles on the other end of the line. “I don’t think Annika will think you betrayed her. She will be happy … eventually.”

“Eventually! She’s not going to speak to me for at least an hour when she gets back. That I know. Can you come here? I think I’m going to turn the floor into dust by pacing back and forth. I need a distraction.”

“Sure, I’ll be there soon.”

I hang up the phone with Tyler and scoop up Dandy, who retreated to the other end of the couch, squeezing her into my chest. She is like limp noodles, allowing her legs to dangle freely as I hold her like a baby.

I immediately feel calmness wash over me.

She gives me so much peace. As if she senses my stress, she nuzzles her face into my neck more, letting out a purr.

Humans truly do not deserve animal companions.

They are so precious, and we take them for granted.

Which is why I want to volunteer at the shelter I got Dandy from.

I’ve been emailing the shelter owner, Josie, and she said she would love to have some extra help.

Animals bring me so much joy. Taking care of them before they get adopted would be the least I could do to return that joy.

Briefly, I’m distracted from the situation as I swing around my living room cuddling Dandy, until I hear a knock on the door.

I drop Dandy on the couch, dart to the door, and swing it open to see Tyler, in all his glory, standing there.

I hope the dribble falling out of the side of my mouth isn’t obvious.

I blink for a beat to stare at his beautiful, strong, yet soft face before launching myself into his arms. He’s the perfect height.

My face settles at the center of his chest, and I can feel his firm body as I squeeze my arms around his torso.

He spends several days a week at the rock-climbing gym and though I have yet to see him naked, I can only imagine he could resemble a god carved of marble. Oh God, now I’m picturing him naked.

“Have you heard from either of them?” I ask with my face pressed into his flannel shirt, hiding the flush I’m sure is apparent on my cheeks.

Tyler wraps his arms around me gently and leans his head down to mine.

“Nope. Let’s try not to think about it,” he says, and then detaches from my hug and spins me around a bit too quickly.

Dizzy, sad and horny is the worst combination of feelings to have right now.

“Let’s put on a movie or something. I’ll get some snacks. ”

I pull out a few blankets from a wicker basket on the side of the couch and wrap one around myself. I curl up, keeping the blanket open so Dandy can snuggle up with me, and start scrolling through different options on my TV. Reid’s antics ruined The Notebook for me.

Tyler returns a few moments later with a large bowl of various salty and sweet snacks.

Potato chips, pretzels, kettle corn, M&Ms, and mini marshmallows are tossed together.

He scoops out a portion into a small bowl and hands it to me.

My heart swells as I look over at him preparing our snacks.

I open my mouth to thank him, but he leaves for the kitchen again before returning with two sparkling waters.

He hands me a strawberry-flavored one while he cracks open a lime-flavored one.

“Thanks for the snacks.”

“Mm-hmm,” he says, sipping his drink. “So, did you decide on a movie?”

“Yes, I couldn’t decide between the 1995 or the 2005 Pride and Prejudice, so I figured we could start with the 2005 movie and then, if we still haven’t heard from Anni and Reid, we put on the 1995 miniseries. Have you seen either?”

“Nope. Honestly, I don’t usually watch many period dramas. But I’m open to watching something new, especially if you recommend it.”

“Oh, I do! Personally, I prefer the 1995 version, mainly because I think they were able to adapt more of Jane Austen’s story. However, the 2005 one is so beautifully filmed and is a bit more romantic, which I’m just a sucker for. I’m curious which you’ll like better.”