Free Falling - On the Banks of Lake Saint Clare (Falling - Book One) by Ellisa Reese

to get in.
    He climbed in and looked at me. “Sorry,” he forced a grin. “I might have over-reacted. I hate jerks that don’t care about what they do and end up hurting someone.”
    “I’m not mad. I really think it was time someone stood up to him.”
     
    We got to Erica’s house. I was upset that everything had turned into a major uproar. I was worried that Brad would convince Michael with his antics that I’m not worth the drama. Maybe it wasn’t me that Brad had an issue with anyway. Maybe he just wanted to show the new guy in town that he was a bad ass.
    Michael walked me to the front door. Erica stood by the car talking to Derek for a few minutes then walked past us and went inside.
    Michael gently pulled me to him and wrapped his arms around me. He held me, not saying a word. I felt him sigh heavily.
    After a few minutes he took my chin and raised it up and kissed me softly. His hand ran down my back. “What’s the chance you would want to do something tomorrow afternoon ? ” H e asked quietly.
    “With you?” I smiled.
    “Sure, why not?” H e grinned. “I’ll pick you up at noon ? ”
              “ Sounds g reat , thanks for tonight. I truly had a fabulous time.”
    “Me too,” he smiled. “I have to get home. My mom stays up till I get there and I don’t want her to worry.”
    “Awe, you are so sweet.”
    “Yeah, I am pretty awesome,” he winked. “I’ll text you in the morning. He held my hand as he was walking away, letting go slowly until only our fingertips touched and then he walked off.
    He walked to the car and opened the door, “Hey Alex,” he said.
    “What?”
    He kissed his finger and pointed at me. “I’m falling for you,” he smiled and got into the car.
    I stood on the porch watching his car drive away until it was no longer in sight.
     
    “Oh shit! You missed it,” Erica said when I walked into the living room. “Sit , sit , sit,” she ordered. “I know Abbie and Kaitlyn are dying to tell you but I get to do it.”
    “Tell me what?”
    She tossed me a bag a chips and propped her cast on the coffee table. I knew she was going to have a good one because she was getting in her , “I got some gossip” stance.
    “Ok,” she said all excitedly , “ w hen you went outside, Brad started poking Michael. He said he better figure out what was more important, his pretty face, or you.”
    “Me? As in he was talking about me?”
    “Yeah, he said, pretty face or Alex. You pick.” Michael just looked at him. He didn’t even say anything.
    “So Brad got pissed and started poking Michael in the chest. ‘ Said, fucking dumb ass can’t speak?’”
    Michael took his finger and bent it back. Brad took a swing with the other arm and Michael grabbed it. Michael stayed so freaking calm and said, ‘what do you want to talk about?’ Brad acted all tough guy, but you could see his eyes were starting to water. He finally got away and walked off saying ‘it’s on, muther fucker, it’s on.’”
    “Damn, Michael was so cool. Acted like it happened on a daily bases. He was so unbelievably…” I knew she didn’t know how to word it by her pause.
    “The management never did anything?” I asked, wondering how all this happened without anyone getting kicked out or the police called.
    “It happened so fast. I don’t think anyone was aware of what was going on.”
    “I have to figure out a way to get Brad and Hailey together. Then they will quit meddling in our lives.”
    “Haha,’ Erica said, with a mouth full of chips, “convince her over your pedis.”
    I heard my phone buzz and checked the text…
    Michael: Thinking of u. Can’t stop
    Alex: I was getting the run down of the episode. R U OK?
    Michael: Im fine. Ask ur parents if I can take u out of town 2maro.
    Alex: like kidnap?
    Michael: that would work. But its not kidnap if you ask. I was thinking the zoo.
    Alex: Sweet. I luv the zoo. Which one?
    Michael: u pik. Same distance for either one.
    Alex: